James is a first year chemisty student from Great Yarmouth who loves to dance!
First year’s coming to an end now – what’s been your best Freshers moment so far?
It’s got to be my first Karni Rag Raid. The celebration after was one of the messiest nights of my life – it epitomised what I expected from the rest of uni life! It’s also encouraged me to get involved with charity work, which I’d shied away from before uni.
Well done on getting third place in the dance competition! How did you get into dancing?
My high school was a performing arts college and we had to specialise in an art as part of our studies. My teacher made it really accessible to boys. I was soon dancing for Impulse Youth Dance Company and I ran a boy’s dance club as well. At college I really enjoyed choreographing and characterisation.
Do you think you’ll be able to keep up with it after uni?
I’d like to try to, but it might be difficult. It would be great to incorporate it in to more charity work, like the Coppafeel Flashmob which was great fun. We had about 6 hours of rehearsal and then did the flashmob in the Portland building. The day was filled with innuendos and wearing big boob costumes!
Got anything in mind for a new extra-curricular activity?
I tried a few taster sessions of diving and Capoeira (a form of martial arts/dance from Brazil) as I wanted to try something new and different. Next year I’d like to join a more competitive sports team like Water Polo, but it’s hard to mix sports teams as they require a lot of commitment!
What’s your dream job?
I have considered pretty much everything at some point, from dentist to architect! I’ve got a place on a BP internship which has given me something to focus towards. I’ll do my third year in industry there and I’ll spend some time work shadowing this summer. I’m now considering product chemistry (designing new and improved products e.g. fuels) or process chemistry (reducing costs and using cheaper chemicals). With any luck this might lead to a job with BP!
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself!
My Mum’s volunteered my (almost) naked self for a body-painting competition in May! It’s to showcase the body-painting talent in the UK. (Paintopia Body Painting festival) http://www.paintopia.co.uk/
Where is your favourite night out in Nottingham?
I love a Crisis Wednesday! But Forum comes a close second. I also LOVE a good fancy dress night: I’ve done loads of different costumes, from a questionable looking snail to a butler in the buff!
Ever met anyone famous?
Richard Hammond at the Young Engineers Club of the Year 2005. He was presenting and my team won the award! I also almost served Stavros Flatley (BGT 2009) at the hotel I worked at – sadly I missed my chance so photocopied my co-worker’s signed photo instead!