Though we’re often quite modest about our achievements, here at Platform we certainly like to celebrate things in the right way.
As 2022 draws to a close, therefore, it’s just about time for a round-up of the year we’ve had and all of its amazing, memorable moments.
All of our committee members are at different stages of their Platform careers and each had action-packed years, which makes a look at each individual’s highlights even more interesting.
So, with 12 solid months of content-producing in the bank, let’s kick up our feet and live back the best moments!
Will Hugall – Deputy Editor
What a year it’s been here at Platform!
First off, I just want to thank the many of you who have been involved in the writing, interviewing, photographing, videoing, designing, and even just consuming, of Platform content this year.
Every involvement and pair of eyes makes a massive difference in what we do, which in a year when Nottingham and the world got back to normal has been full of so many amazing opportunities.
From a packed array of contenders, my favourite memories came from a dizzying month of May.
First off was an amazing Varsity – the first for most of us while in Nottingham, but well worth the wait.
Attending the cricket, futsal, ice hockey and a here-there-and-everywhere Super Wednesday was everything and more than what I could’ve expected, and showcased the famous NTU vs UoN rivalry at its best for me.
At the end of the month, Dot To Dot Festival being backed up on the very same day by Boat Ball (and the small matter of Nottingham Forest’s promotion!) brought a truly unforgettable experience.
There were unforgettable performances, top-notch content gathered, and more than anything else, so many brilliant people involved to make it what it was.
After all, that’s exactly what we’re about; the people who make the society.
I’m so proud of what we’re able to create here, and long may it continue in 2023!
Louise Walt – Music Editor
This year has consisted of endless concerts, festivals and music events across Nottingham.
To kickstart, Dot To Dot Festival brought Platform members an unforgettable day of great music from the likes of Alfie Templeman and so many more.
The Level has hosted a handful of musicians including Tom Odell, Loyle Carner and most recently Sam Ryder, all having packed crowds.
We have interviewed a variety of singers including Jah Digga, The Natives and The Illicits making for great experiences, while our regular album and concert reviews have engaged a lot of members.
Platform has showcased all styles within Nottingham’s music scene across the year and introduced readers to upcoming talent as well as focusing on recognised artists.
The highlight of Platform this year for me has to be interviewing Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure and attending her new music fundraiser This Is Nottingham.
Here’s to 2023, hoping for more interviews, concerts and festivals to look forward to!
Rose Taylor – Creative Corner Editor
2022 has been a great year for me and I am so grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given.
First off, I got to continue working on the NTSU’s Survivors Support Network and even give a speech at the Reclaim the Night protest, which was so empowering.
My other highlights of this year also include a trip to see Legally Blonde in London, attending my first Pride parade, going on a trip to Berlin and Milan where I got to live my Eat, Pray, Love dreams and eat so much Italian food.
This also meant I didn’t mind having to sleep on an airport floor.
I got to meet one of the bands in my Spotify Wrapped top five artists as well, thanks to an exclusive signing at the Crawlers gig at Rescue Rooms.
On top of all that, I got elected to Platform as the Creative Corner Editor and was accepted onto a postgraduate course.
I’d say it’s been a pretty good, albeit busy, year!
Akhila Thomas – Culture & Entertainment Editor
The first half of this year saw me graduate with a Master’s degree in literature and the latter half had me enrolling for a second one in journalism.
And that too at a university 7658km away from home.
At the beginning of the year, I got to meet my friends whom I had known for months through a computer screen for the first time.
Plans finally left the group chat with sleepovers, club nights and Delhi trips actually happening – and then I moved halfway across the globe.
It was quite the dramatic start, getting an impromptu Dubai tour on the way after our flight was delayed for a day.
Starting my Magazine Journalism course at NTU and taking in all the experiences that came with it gifted me an autumn to remember.
From publishing my first article in the UK, seeing snowfall for the first time, celebrating Halloween and travelling to London, the second half of my year consisted of some of the most satisfactory checks off of my bucket list.
While there were tears and hard times, looking back at this year, it was a good one.
And on that note, here’s to looking forward to the next!
Katie Mortimer – Travel & Lifestyle Editor
When reflecting on 2022, I can’t help but remind myself of the adage, ‘there are years that ask questions and years that answer.’
For so long, I was at a loss for where to go in life. I was satisfied with my degree, but it offered little to no direction for a final career.
Luckily, I connected with a love for writing and discovered an award-winning resource within my proximity. Shortly after writing my first article for Platform, I knew that journalism was the route I wanted to take.
And thus began my journey. I had newly applied for a Master’s in Magazine Journalism. I was basically married to my laptop for the remainder of my final academic year, thanks to a combination of dissertation and article writing.
Sadly, and much to my shock, I was diagnosed with Leukaemia in February of this year. Whilst absolutely devastating, I adapted my prognosis around my ambitions and decided to make the most of my time in the hospital.
Fortunately, this led me to apply for my role as Travel & Lifestyle Editor here at Platform. After much thought, I had no reason to be nervous about it. The team is wonderful, and the opportunities available to you when you engage with the society are extremely valuable.
One of my favourite memories of this year was publishing an article for every day of Freshers Week. It was chaos but so rewarding. It also taught me the practical skills journalists find in the newsroom.
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to edit and assist in producing such fantastic work within Platform, alongside meeting some genuinely inspirational journalists-to-be (@ my fellow committee members).
I urge anyone considering writing for or being a part of Platform to go for it this coming year!
Here’s to wishing everyone happiness and health in 2023.
Adam Eaton – News Editor
Looking back on this year for me, the word ‘diverse’ springs to mind.
I say that because I attended my first ever sporting event in the form of Varsity.
What a treat it was to be able to attend the Varsity Ice Hockey match with a balcony view.
Later in the year, I got to attend and help cover Dot To Dot Festival with my fellow Platform buddies which also ended with a Trent Media Boat Ball on the same day.
I got to visit my first ever fairground at Goose Fair, which I assisted in our coverage of on the website and our termly print editions.
Now as much as our Deputy Editor Will might doubt this, I definitely did get in contact with Buckingham Palace for a news story I was writing up, and to me that’s amazing.
Oh and of course I couldn’t forget getting elected as News Editor!
With all that said, the biggest achievement for me has to be the numerous people I have interviewed and built relations with over the year.
To me, nothing quite beats the satisfaction gained from putting out an article, and this year has been full of them.
Also, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention that 2022 marked my first ever Ocean Wednesday, and therefore marked the beginning of the end for my bank funds!
Rucsandra Moldoveanu – Editor-in-Chief and President
For me, this past year has witnessed such a whirlwind of events and I can wholeheartedly say my lifestyle has been too active at times. I wouldn’t have it any other way, however.
The beginning of 2022 saw me cover the NTSU Elections, where interviewing 19 out of the 21 candidates was definitely a challenge.
It was such a lovely experience, however, through which I met some great people and that was topped off with some amazing feedback from the SU.
I also got elected as your Editor-in-Chief and President, which I am so thankful for.
In May, I officially took over from Matt, our previous editor, by coming up with the theme for our summer print edition and leading its production process with the help of both our 2021/22 and 2022/23 committees.
It was an incredible way to finish the academic year, followed by loads of LWOT events, including my first-ever Trent Media boat ball, Grad Ball, the last Ocean of the year, and LDOT all in one week.
Over the summer break, I also completed my placements at Gedling Eye and Nottinghamshire Live, which have been a great way of developing my newsroom skills further and incorporating them into my work for Platform.
Also during the summer, with the help of our Deputy Editor, Will, and T&L Editor, Katie, I put together a bid to host the 2023 Student Publication Association National Conference (think Oscars for student publications in the UK and Ireland) here at NTU.
Although we weren’t successful due to differences around cost, we did come in second and for that, I am very proud.
This past term, I have completed three successful Freshers’ Fairs along with my committee, elected more committee members through our by-elections, and, by far my biggest achievement, published two very successful print editions (copies were basically flying off the shelves in Freshers’ Week!!) on time, including our Christmas magazine, which was the first one of its kind in seven years.
I also got my own radio show, Rucsandra’s Packed Lunch, on Fly Live at the beginning of this academic year and got to announce the resignation of Liz Truss during my first-ever show on October 20. As someone who absolutely adores news, I was literally ecstatic about it.
I am immensely proud of what we have achieved so far here at Platform and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the academic year and 2023 bring us!
Feature Image Credit: Various, graphic created by Will Hugall.