WELCOME TO NEW StART

WELCOME TO NEW StART

New StART has been a collaborative project produced by Graphic Designer Josh Clayton,

Illustrator Amy Clements and Photographer Lisa Richards.

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WELCOME TO New StArt

Contents

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Digbeth

Fresh StArt

Party on Braod Street

Blur

Stay on Track

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DIGBETH

Digbeth is a particularly interesting part of birmingham. there is a big contrast between the neglecteD empty builDings anD the fashion-able bars, shops anD galleries. however, the fact that Digbeth is a popular graffiti hotspot seems to bring together these Different parts.

the abanDoneD builDings act as canvases for people to express themselves, fitting in with the creative vibe that Digbeth as a whole gives off. as well as the obvious points of interest (art exhibitions, vintage clothes shops, interesting architecture), we founD some slightly stranger subjects that intrigueD us. on a normal Day, a DeaD rat woulD probably not catch my eye. however, walking through Digbeth, i seemeD to be inspireD by more unusual things, possibly Due to all the arty shops, galleries anD cafes.

so, if you can appreciate a visually pleasing Drainpipe or DeaD roDent, or are looking to see something creative, Digbeth is well worth a visit.

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I couldn’t have predicted what I’d get up to during my first week in Birmingham if I’d tried. I arrived the day after my 20th birthday, severely hungover and feeling nervous about who I’d be living with for the next year. I was pleasantly surprised at the size of my room, later realising when i opened the bathroom door that I’d been allocated the disabled room. The obvious advantage of this was having more space. The downside, however, was having the emergency chords which my dad decided to pull within the first 30 seconds of us being there, causing two security guards to run up and check we were ok, then getting angry that we’d wasted their time. After an emotional goodbye from my parents (they had an “important” party to go to so couldn’t stay long), I unpacked and went to meet my housemates.Fresher’s week is a really good way to bond with people you know nothing about but find yourself sharing a flat with. Alcohol helps greatly, but of course is not essential. I had heard about Birmingham’s huge range of bars, pubs and clubs, and my experiences of them during my first week lived up to my expectations. What I didn’t foresee, however, was some of the events that occurred, including being head butted in the face and given a nosebleed, and being knocked out after getting hit on the head. Both occasions were painful, but both were also accidents and are quite funny to look back at. Another night we accidentally cooked a pizza for about 3 hours, putting it in the oven then falling asleep and waking up to find it had turned to charcoal. There was also the time we had a nap during a night out at the HMV institute. And the disastrous first shower I had and flooded my whole bathroom, leaving a huge puddle that took 4 days to dry. The highlight, however, has to be coming first place in a balancing competition with two homeless men on my way home from Broad Street one night. Birmingham definitely offers a good night out, and there is always something going on.After living in Devon for 6 years, moving to Birmingham was quite a significant change. Birmingham is big, noisy and busy, but the 5 minute walk to the shops

Fresh StArt

compared to the 45 minute drive at home is a huge luxury. Birmingham also has some really intriguing areas such as Digbeth and the Custard Factory, both full of interesting shops, galleries and restaurants. It took me a while to find my way around (I ended up in Debenhams one day whilst trying to get home) but felt a huge degree of pride and satisfaction when I was able to direct two differ-ent people in one day to the places they were trying to find. I know that before I came to Birmingham I was nervous, and tried to imagine what it would be like. In reality, my life in Birmingham is nothing like I thought it would be. I can’t say whether its better or worse, but I know that I’ve already met some great people, and am glad that I live here. I’ve found some really interesting places and have also managed to avoid being hit on the head for over six weeks!

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compared to the 45 minute drive at home is a huge luxury. Birmingham also has some really intriguing areas such as Digbeth and the Custard Factory, both full of interesting shops, galleries and restaurants. It took me a while to find my way around (I ended up in Debenhams one day whilst trying to get home) but felt a huge degree of pride and satisfaction when I was able to direct two differ-ent people in one day to the places they were trying to find. I know that before I came to Birmingham I was nervous, and tried to imagine what it would be like. In reality, my life in Birmingham is nothing like I thought it would be. I can’t say whether its better or worse, but I know that I’ve already met some great people, and am glad that I live here. I’ve found some really interesting places and have also managed to avoid being hit on the head for over six weeks!

Going to uni means needing to buy kitchenware; plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, cutlery...the list goes on. This makes an exciting trip to IKEA, and it is hugely satisfying to have brand new, matching sets. Unpacking once you get to uni is also fun, finding the perfect place for each individual item. However, three months down the line the story is not so sweet. Your 16 piece cutlery set has been reduced to three spoons and a fork, your pristine tea towels are covered in stains, and you have somehow acquired two glasses so that yours don’t all match. Any bowls and plates you have left are lost in a mountain of dirty dishes by the sink. The moral of the story – don’t go out and spend loads of money before you go to uni on things you don’t need. Second hand items are perfectly good enough, especially as the likelihood is that it will need replacing, or at least topping up by your second year.

Party On Broad Street!

Party On Broad Street!

DON’T LET YOUR NIGHT BECOME A BLUR

DON’T LET YOUR NIGHT BECOME A BLUR

Not everyone is going to live next to their University, so travel is usually an issue in student life and is something that will have to be considered at some point, and the most frequently used form of travel is the trainline. Many different types of people from different age groups use the trains for various reasons, which benefit their lives; this may be that people travel to work, University, for leisure or simply to visit loved ones occasionally.I have gathered information from different types

of people to see what was benefitial to them about

using the train; it seems that the people who most

frequently use the train are on a schedule (i.e.

work), however, students appear to travel the most:

“I’m 22 and have just started a nursing

course at the University of

Nottingham.

I travel from Crewe every other week so the train is

a really

fast and useful way of travelling. I also have a free

railcard through my dad so travelling is much

cheaper for me”

“I’m 20 and I use the

train every week to travel back

home to Exeter St. Davids from

Loughborough University. I choose

to use the train rather than any other transport

because I don’t own a car

and it is a lot quicker than using the bus or the

coach. I also have a young person’s railcard which

helps a lot with expenses. I also find that using

the train is a lot more useful than other types of

travel costs for the year; which means that all precious money can be saved to help with other parts of student living. Railcards are owned by almost all students that travel frequently and can either be bought online at www.railcard.co.uk or can be bought at the station. Booking tickets in advance

can also be cheaper than buying at the station and is also a good way to avoid queues. However, if you’re the type of student that srtuggles to get up on time, this may not be the best option for you; booked tickets must be used at the time they were booked for!

cheaper for me”

“I’m 20 and I use the

train every week to travel back

home to Exeter St. Davids from

Loughborough University. I choose

to use the train rather than any other transport

because I don’t own a car

and it is a lot quicker than using the bus or the

coach. I also have a young person’s railcard which

helps a lot with expenses. I also find that using

the train is a lot more useful than other types of

transport; there is food and toilets

and tickets can be booked in advance, which can save time and

money. Travelling on the train also

gives me the oppetunity to do coursework

because there are tables and enough room

to work in.” Travelling by train can also be

more cost-effective when done correctly

(because, let’s face it, not many students are

able to drive). For example, a yound person’s

railcard (age 16-25) can be bought to save 33% on