In Freshers week it is highly likely you will be swamped. This is a result of an inevitable colliding of moving away from home, every night on the town, making life friends and beginning a course which will determine your academic career. No pressure then. But with all this weight Impact Arts takes a step back in recommending how you can focus that pressure into artistic construction.
- Join an Arts based society
Freshers Week provides the perfect time to look over all the societies and sign up to any which might excite. Among the many on offer, Nottingham SU has numerous which are based around the Arts, ranging from AudienceSoc, to Nottingham New Theatre to the Book Club. Now is the time to consider what you want to do with your time at university, and whether it is to watch theatre, perform, read, paint or more – a society will accommodate.
- See a show
With easy access to the Theatre Royal and Nottingham Playhouse nothing is better than going to see a highly professional production in two amazing theatres. Varying in shows and productions, the chance to see something is perfect before the weight of work forces you into hibernation. Current shows are Shrek the Musical and Time and the Conways (reviews from Impact Arts below) but look through the upcoming calendar and invest in an enjoyable evening alternative. Moreover if art is more your thing, then the Nottingham Contemporary offers upcoming artist exhibitions for free.
- Walk around Wollaton Hall
This is delightful to do whilst the weather remains nice, with sunny warmth and a crisp autumn breeze. Everyone loves a good walk, and the artistic landscape and house are idyllic, especially if you are nursing headaches after CRISIS or Ocean. Wollaton is also only 10 minutes maximum away from campus and, with free entry, is ideal for any student. Also it may be recognisable as Gotham Manor in the Dark Knight film series. Anything associated with Batman is definitely deserving of anyone’s time!
- Read
Perhaps a more comforting alternative to Freshers Week, there will invariably be moments when you are sitting alone in you halls of residence. So why not fill that time relaxing with a good book, whether it is purely recreational or course-related. This will help to calm you before the awkwardness of making new friends continues or heavy pre-drinks consume the night.
- Write for Impact Arts!
Impact Arts is the No.1 way to be at the front of artistic news in Nottingham. From book reviews to theatre tickets to article writing, Impact Arts has everything (art-related). If you are interested read the website and sign up to our Facebook group (link also below). If not Arts, Impact itself has many sections for you to creatively invest your time into. If you have an article idea, e-mail and watch it manifest online or in print.
James Hamilton
Reviews for Shrek the Musical and Time and the Conways.
