Yes, My Name Is 'Nicol' Not 'Nicole'

Two blog posts in and I thought it was about time I introduced myself...

"Hello" is a little bit awkward, I never know how to expand the conversation after the important introductions. So for this reason I'm going to dive straight in.

My name is Nicol Meazzini (yes, that is Nicol, spelt without an 'e' as my parents had to be difficult). One thing people are usually taken aback by, apart from the different spelling of my first name, is the fact I was not christened with a middle name. I've never questioned why my parents decided against it though so it's as much of a mystery to me as it is to you!

In case you're wondering my surname is Italian, as my dad is from Venezia, Italy. But being half Italian is fairly wasted on me as I'm pretty poor at speaking the language (rather embarrassing, I know).

Having an unusually spelt first name and a virtually impossible surname to spell and pronounce can get pretty tiring. As I'm constantly being asked to repeat my name it's now second nature to spell out 'Nicol' and 'Meazzini' after meeting new people.

But although I've never found my name on a keyring in a souvenir shop (believe me when you're 11 this is a pretty big deal!) I've come to terms with its uniqueness and secretly love how I've never met another 'Nicol'. Despite the 18 long years of being mocked for spelling my name the "wrong way"...

21 Best Pre-Drinking Songs For Freshers Week

Some may say that freshers week is a week to settle into uni life, taking it easy before the upcoming academic year. However, realistically this is not the case. Almost immediately you're hit with flyers advertising drinking events and activities promising to create and seal friendships for the next 2/3 years with the help of liquid confidence. A big part of freshers week that I have learnt is that pre-drinking is a pivotal first stage to a night out and should not be skipped. Not only as it's a bonding session in its own right, but because it's a lot cheaper to stock up on alcohol brands you've never heard of from your local Aldi than pay the extortionate prices for a vodka mixer in a club/bar (student loans only stretch so far!)

Music is also a very important part of pre-drinking. If selected carefully this music should get you 'hyped' for the evening ahead (along with a couple of cheesy classics to drunkenly sing along with too!)

Below I have compiled 25 songs that I think are worthy enough to be added to your pre-drinking playlists.

• In Da Club - 50 Cent 
• Get Busy - Sean Paul
• Five More Hours - Deorro x Chris Brown
• Ignition (Remix) - R.Kelly
• Hotline Bling - Drake 
• Shake That - Dansson
• Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
• Black Skinhead - Kanye West
• Partition - Beyoncé 
• Mr Brightside - The Killers
• Runaway (U & I) - Galantis
• I Love College - Asher Roth
• Wasted - Tiesto, Matthew Koma
• Cheers (Drink To that) - Rihanna 
• Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader
• Tipsy (Club Mix) - J-Kwon
• Opposite Of Adults - Chiddy Bang 
• What's My Age Again - Blink 182
• This Could Be Us - Rae Sremmurd 
• The Next Episode - Dr. Dre
• Get Low - Ying Yang Twins
• Million Voices - Otto Knows
• Whatever You Like - T.I
• Teach Me - Bakermat
• You're On - Madeon, Kyan

How I Survived Freshers (and how you can too!) - My Uni Survival Guide

If you're anything like me you'll be more concerned about getting to uni and making new friends than unpacking the 10+ bags of homeware and kitchen appliances that your parents were so adamant you would need (seriously, what student uses or has any intention of using a salad spinner?), but mums will be mums and who am I to turn down a free electric whisk...

Attempting to wedge and strategically pile up items I knew I would never use into my locker made me realise that I should have researched exactly what I would need to survive the 2 years of uni.

Listed below are some items I have used and have needed in the initial 3 weeks of being a fresher.

Bedroom*

• Pillows x2 (or how ever many you prefer)
• Duvet
• Duvet covers x2
• Mattress protector
• Bottom sheets X2
• Warm and snuggly blanket/throw
• Alarm clock (do not solely rely upon your phone alarm, this would be a very rookie error)
• Desk lamp (although this may also be supplied)
• Door stop (a good way to make friends with other freshers in your block)
• Home comforts (family and friend pictures for when you're feeling homesick)

*It's important to note that your university may supply bedding packs upon arrival that will contain pillows and duvets etc., so it's definitely worth checking.

Kitchen 

Many universities supply kitchen appliances, such as kettles and toasters, so before you take that oh-so-predictable trip to IKEA for the top of the range bagel and bread toaster (yes, I am guilty of this), be aware that they'll most likely already be supplied (maybe not so much the bagel toaster though...).

• Plates, cereal bowls x2, pasta bowls x2, small plates x2, large plates x2 (this way you'll always have one left when washing up the other)
• Mugs x2 (you'll learn that drinking tea is a pivotal bonding exercise with other freshers)
• Glasses: wine glasses x2, shot glasses x2 (so you won't have to drink on your own)
• Cutlery (knives, cutting knives, forks, spoons etc)
• Scissors (you can't use your teeth to open everything)
• Cooking utensils (ladle, wooden spoon etc)
• Tea towels (my advice; take as many as humanly possible they will get "lost")
• Pots & pans (for when you realise living on takeaways is not good for your body or your student loan)

These are just a couple of ideas and tips to get you through the first few weeks of uni life - if I can get through it, so can you!