Nottingham Trent University (NTU), is one of two universities in Nottingham. NTU, previously a polytechnic, boasts itself as being a fresh, energetic and dynamic university. Set up on three different campus', NTU strives to help its students achieve greatness, boasting a high percentage of graduates securing employment within 6 months of leaving their respective courses.
The focal point of NTU is its huge Students Union. Except it isn't. Well, not anymore. The brains behind NTU have ordered a major redevelopment of its SU. Once a focal point for students to meet, grab a drink, dance or get shitfaced, it has now become offices for university staff. There have been many rumours circulating about which venue will be hosting 'SU activities', but whichever venue does, I'm not convinced it will have the traditional NTU feel. Rumours do have it though that the SU will be back... in 2 years time.
The next focal point of NTU, and one which possibly should be the main focal point, is its library, the Boots library. A fantastic building which has remained strong for many a year. With new computer systems being put in place, and its fantastic array of books, with the facility for users to request books not currently stocked, the Boots library really puts NTU on the map.
But what does Nottingham Trent University bring to Nottingham?
Well, for a start, NTU brings approximately 27,000 students in each year. At least it has in recent years. Additionally, it used to boast 5:1 girls to boys... except the boys have cottoned on.
Whilst the locals bitch and moan about "students" this and "students" that, no one can deny that their entrance into the city gives the city a real vibe, a buzz and is good for businesses, particularly those in the alcohol trade.
Then there's the student nights - let me tell you about the main three - three so over-advertised nights you'll still remember their places and their corresponding nights when you're old and grey.
Tuesdays: Oceana - £4 a ticket - NUS required
Oceana is one of the biggest clubs in Nottingham. But is that a good thing? So overly marketed during Freshers week and throughout the year, you'll no doubt go during Fresher's week, queue for hours, be too drunk to get in and end up on Lloyds or somewhere. If you do (finally) get in, you'll dance yourself dizzy, slam down as many tequillas as you can and quite probably ruin any possible chance of sleeping with the fit one in your new flat. Plan ahead for an awkward year. Then, throughout the year, or at least the first term, you'll see yourself at Oceana every Tuesday and yourself in bed every Wednesday morning, regardless of whether or not you've got lectures.
Wednesday: Ocean - £4 a ticket - NUS required
You'll moan about it every week, say how shit it is, how the floor is sticky and the music crap, but you'll always begrudgingly go. At least, that's what you'll do if you're a social outcase.
NTU students love Ocean - and Ocean loves them. The host of society night, where large groups of students dressed up as ninjas, schoolgirls and schoolboys, superheros, cops and robbers, cartoon characters etc. etc. ransack the town, ending up in as a mess in Ocean. Sure, your feet stick to the floor and they play the same cheesy music each week, but a true favourite of NTU students, you'll never miss a dip in the Ocean.
Thursday: Gatecrasher/Rock City - £4 a ticket - NUS required
Assuming you make it through the first two days of the week (NB: University weekends run from Friday-Monday), you'll be up for a rather chilled one on Thursday, listening to R n' B watching the boys pretend they're Chris Brown, and the girls pretend they're Rihanna/Beyoncee. You'll find all the smooth movers here. (Smooth movers or sloppy lingerers) Alternatively, you can get yourself over to Rock City and scream the night away (no R n' B there, but be warned, its becoming more and more mainstream).
Take your pick, your spirits in glasses at 'Crasher or your Red Stripe in cans at City.
A year at uni wasted is not a year at uni wasted.
Thanks for reading,
T.O.W.I.N.
