Student Direct

Any University of Manchester student should know that you can pick up a free copy of Student Direct every Thursday from the two Union buildings and various other places on campus. I believe that the Salford edition of SD has certain similarities to the Manchester one, but with stories relevant to the uni on the other side of the river.
As Emma-​Louise points out, it is fantastic how the student paper is allowed to (fairly or unfairly) slate the university accommodation. Recently I found out how much my ex-​halls of residence Whitworth Park have deteriorated since my departure by reading an article about leaks and overflowing bins in SD.
My favourite parts of Student Direct used to be the blind date and ‘I saw you’ sections. However, they became less sarcastic and humorous (and consequently more boring) as my student days went on. In fact, the whole paper went downhill, was often full of errors and stories were duplicated from week to week. Obviously this depends on the editor and team, which are elected by students every year.
Writing for the paper (or knowing someone who does) can have its perks. Free gig and theatre tickets? Count me in.

Student Direct is Manchester’s most famous and successful student paper. I’ve got to say I disagree with these reviews praising it. For me the paper is an interesting read, but mainly to give the reader an insight into the mind of a typical student. And what you find there, is remarkably depressing.
Semi-​accurate news, a few mildly amusing stories, pretentious articles about getting drunk and loads of trash about dating and relationships. Oh and reviews of pretentious music, books and film that make out that everyone should know who these obscure bands are if they want to consider themselves cool.
If this is what cool is then I am not it, nor do I want to be.

Any paper that let’s me write about 25 year-​old video games and make up my own art for the article is my kinda paper.
While everyone was all off on 1028-​bit 7-​D graphics and shite, I was inventing a story based on Colossal Cave Adventure. You know, «Walk North.»
«You are at a wall.»
«Walk North.»
«You are in the ocean.»
«Give the ocean a lobotomy.»
«Cannot recognize the word ‘give’.»
Aaanyway, I also wrote about bootlegging 8-​bit roms on the computer, and how there’s now Super Marilyn Manson Bros., Super Smashing Pumpkin Bros., and Super Naked Badminton.
Although, this paper knows how to manage its staff. The music section was run by the same dude who let me write the video game articles, and he efficiently handed out CDs to review, tickets to concerts, and deadlines. Worked well.
I always wrote very much in ghetto-​booty language, and I don’t know if the kids in the North of England really got it. Hope they did.