Freshers' Week: 5 Tips for the #BestNightIn

It's Freshers' Week for nearly all Universities across the country which means lots of new students are embarking on one of the biggest journeys of their live's...

Starting University is an exciting and nerve-wracking life change and one that usually does take a while to adjust to. Also, believe it or not, most students aren't starting University just to party every night and live on a diet of instant noodles!

So what about those students who do prefer a quieter night in opposed to going out clubbing? Being recently graduated, I know that lot's of my best nights were spent staying in with my flatmates watching films and cooking together.

Sports Volunteer: Jess Stanfield

Nottingham Trent Sports Volunteering is a great way of helping the local community and keeping yourself active.

There are so many opportunities within Sports Volunteering like coaching and leading University sports clubs, organising sport projects and events and coaching young people in schools.

We really believe that it is beneficial to lots of aspects of your life. For example, coaching can help you gain confidence and also allows you to network within the community. 

It's rewarding! You'll be making a difference in the community by sharing your own skills and knowledge about your sport and engaging people to keep active and enjoy it.

We asked Sports Volunteer, Jess Stanfield about her experiences within the role to give you an insight into what it entails and how it has helped her during and after University.

Jess and her High 5 Netball team.

Ishmael's Diary: Guatemala 2016

This summer, the volunteering group travelled to Guatemala to do lots of proactive work for the people out there. Ishmael Niheeba Gordon was one of the volunteers on this trip and has given us a sneak peek of his diary whilst he was travelling.

The volcano in Guatemala.

Friday 8th July 2016

On the 8^th July, I travelled to Guatemala with my volunteering group via Houston, USA. It was 9 hours to Houston from Heathrow and we nearly missed our transit flight because the queue was extremely long.

Leonardo Da Vinci in Nottingham: Ten Drawings, Ten Facts!

When we found out that Nottingham Castle was displaying ten original drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, we couldn't wait to head over and see them for ourselves. Not only are the drawings intricate and beautiful to look at but they are from one of the most renowned artists of all time!

Leonardo worked using a variety of mediums from pen and ink to red chalk and his drawings were just as varied. Leonardo did technical, scientific drawings and also sketched anatomy and the body. He really was good at everything!

Saturday Art & Design Club* - Meet our Student Ambassadors: Jonathan

Saturday Art& Design Club isn’t only rewarding for the young people (aged 13 -16 years old) who attend the weekly workshops but it’s also beneficial for the student assistants that support the Club. In this post, some of our student assistants tell us why they have enjoyed the experience this year.

Jonathan Price, graduated from Graphic Design in July 2016

I was initially interested in the role of student assistant as it was an opportunity to add some context to my studies and share my knowledge of art and design with the Saturday Club.

Jonathan working hard with his group. 

My first task was to demonstrate how letter forms could be created from playing card symbols. Initially, this was a daunting prospect however I enjoyed sharing my ideas and helping the participants get stuck into creating typography.

One of the most rewarding aspects is seeing the young people’s investment in art and design at such an early stage of learning. Many seem set on a path towards higher education. By sharing my perspective of a creative education, I hope the students will pursue their passions, carving the way for the next generation of creative talent.

National Saturday Art & Design Club's trip to London!

Throughout my involvement I have become more confident about giving advice and guidance to the students. I feel more comfortable presenting ideas and talking to the group at each session. This confidence has definitely helped in the later stages of my degree. Discussing ideas and presenting projects are key aspects of a creative degree and Saturday Art & Design Club has allowed me to improve on these skills away from the pressures of university project work.

Group photograph of the Saturday Art & Design young people.

Saturday Art Club has already proved to be an excellent talking point with potential employers, as it adds emphasis to my skills in a non-academic environment. It has also allowed me to work with a more diverse age group, which is beneficial if pursuing a career in education. Overall, it provides evidence of my investment in creativity and can only improve my prospects as a creative graduate. For this reason alone I would recommend that anyone who is genuinely passionate about art and design and wants to share their knowledge and experience should get involved with this fantastic project. 

*Saturday Art & Design Club runs free weekly workshops at Nottingham Trent University from October to July.  The workshops are open to pupils aged 13 -16 years old.  If you would like to find out more, please contact Sarah Barkley at: sarah.barkley@ntu.ac.uk.