As a fresher, you’ll probably find yourself with much more time than you know what to do with, and joining Nouse was the best thing I did.
Nouse (pronounced N-oos, like the river Ouse) is a multi-award winning student paper, and the oldest registered society at the University. Not to blow our own trumpet but we do boast a rather illustrious array of successful alumni, from writers at the New York Times, The Guardian, The Times and many more.
The paper is released quarterly, with special editions for the Student Union elections, Freshers, and this year, Roses- what is Roses, I hear you cry, only the biggest varsity event in Europe, which you’ll certainly hear much more. Nouse is split into two parts, the main paper, which has sections on News, politics, comment, sport, science and business, Muse (awarded best specialist publication at the SPA’s last year) is the cultural verve of the paper, with Features, Arts, Music, Travel, Fashion, Creative Writing and Food & Drink.
Whilst the physical version of the paper may only be quarterly, articles are constantly uploaded online, and can be a great way to build a portfolio. Whilst being part of such a prestigious publication does look rather dazzling on LinkedIn, for me, and so many others, Nouse is so much more than just writing. The paper would not, could not be as prosperous as it is without its fantastic team, and it was the first place (and perhaps primary place) I felt I truly fitted in.
As a nervous fresher I walked into the Physics Lecture hall clutching a speech written on the back of a Boots receipt with my plea to be elected as Deputy Politics Editor, and was shockingly duly elected, many moons and vodka lime and soda’s later I was elected Politics Editor, and was interviewing the Likes of Wes Streeting, Sir David Davis, candidates for the York mayoral election and many more. You don’t have to be an editor to join in on all the fun, contributors and editors alike take part in our many socials, Pub Golf being a particular highlight as well as cruising down the Ouse in the summer, Nouse has certainly been the best thing I became part of last year, and one of the things I am most excited about for the next.
Student media here at York is an enormous part of campus culture, and this largely owes to the wonderful YSTV, who Nouse is often lucky enough to collaborate with. The student TV station broadcasts the University’s biggest events, as well as their own shows and productions. They have a fantastic team of dedicated students from all walks of student life. The station also attends NSTA (the national student television awards) and regularly wins awards for its content. If you’re interested in a career in TV, the station is a great place to get some hands-on experience, with state of the art equipment and an enormously knowledgeable tech team who are always happy to guide you through the ropes! Production Director, Alison Wong, told Nouse: “we’re just a group of people who just wanna have fun and shoot some content. If you have an idea for a video, we’ll help make it happen. The best part is that you don’t need any prior experience or knowledge as there’s tons of us who would love to help. My only regret about YSTV is not joining it sooner during freshers. Being a part of this family is honestly the best thing that’s happened to me”
If you think you’ve a face better suited to radio, York has that on offer too! URY (University Radio York) is an FM radio station airing 24 hours a day, and in 1968, the year it began, became the first legal independent radio station in 1968 when it was first created. Alongside FM, the studio is a great hub for recording podcasts, as well as live interviews with politicians such as Rachel Maskell MP, and of course the wonderful Nousecast show. Whilst some of the technology is totally baffling to me, taking part in the radio is one of my favourite memories from my first year, as well as a wonderful way to showcase finely curated music tastes. The station is nationally regarded and even secured an invite to the Leeds Festival Press day in May. The radio also covers big university events and is such a fun way to get involved with student media as well as earning some of that LinkedIn Kudos.
The University is also home to York Vision, a tabloid-style publication founded in 1987, with sections on News, Opinion, Features, Lifestyle, Environment, Science and Sport, as well as Scene, an arts and culture insert. The paper alternates yearly with Nouse in covering Roses, and has an online section as well as physical paper. Writers and editors can meet weekly to discuss pitches and ideas, as well as being a great way to make friends and meet new people! Deputy Editor, Eleanor Shaw said “Vision prides itself on being an inclusive, collaborative paper of the highest standard. We guarantee you will find a role that interests you!”
As well as newspapers, the University has some great magazines. If you fancy yourself as a cerebral humourist, satirical mag The Lemon Press may be just for you. The Magazine is nationally recognised and awarded and consistently makes a splash around campus, with tongue-in-cheek humour that does not shy away from the realities of being at the University and existing in general. The group meets on Thursdays at 7PM at V-Bar, so another great way to make new connections. It is, so to say, bodaciously brilliant.
Circulation Zine is something of a new kid on the block, yet has already received the York Student Media Award for Best Branding and Design. It is a music magazine with flair, and has rapidly gained traction with students; word on the street says that the team also receives half price Indie Night tickets, so may well be worth joining.
If you’re a self-confessed cinephile, or just like a bit of corrie, Spotlight may be fit for you; a film and tv magazine which won the new student group of the year at the activities awards last year! The two editions from last year included 'cinema is back' which explored the impact of covid had on cinema and phenomena of 2023 cinema including Barbenheimer, concert movies and cinema culture and 'nostalgia' which included articles on childhood favourites, revivals and remakes and summer in film. The magazine also held launch parties for each of these editions and hope to do the same for the first edition of the year!
Student media at York is an utterly vibrant and inclusive community of people who believe that the voices of students deserve to be heard and their talents seen. Student media matters. It is a means of connecting 20,000 students, a powerful way to demonstrate the power and presence of students across the University. Be a part of it. Head over to YorkSU.org for more information and membership.
