As noted by archivists past and present, there are many things that stand out when reading through past editions of Varsity. The cartoons, the sexed-up noughties, the student adverts; Varsity has changed significantly since the early 2000s. There is one thing that I have noticed recently that I believe should make a return: the prize awarding competitions.

For those familiar with our print editions (and you should be), the ‘smoking area’ contains a number of small games, such as the cryptic crossword, wordsearch, and, my personal favourite, Sudoku. These light brain games can provide a nice escape from whatever textbook a student’s mind is buried in.

“Prizes were frequent and generous; my question is where have all the winnings gone?”

However, I believe us students have better motivators than a 'nice escape'. We love free things and we love prizes upon completing things (think post-Forest timer sweet treat). Unlike today, Varsity in the 2000s understood this. Prizes were frequent and generous; my question is where have all the winnings gone?

Please find below a number of past Varsity competitions and puzzles and give them a go! I’ll kindly inform you of what you could have won and you can kindly refrain from emailing me your answers and demanding your prize.

For the science brainiacs, I have this from 2002. Solve the anagrams to reveal 10 famous scientists and match them to the quotations! Perhaps if you go further than this teaser in your scientific endeavours, you could create a time machine and face the even harder challenge of choosing (amongst some other prizes) to claim a free kebab from Gardies or a romantic meal for two at Browns; I am genuinely torn.

Now, one for the creatives. Borrow the time machine from your STEM friends, go back to 2009, and send in your best sonnet about the “pleasures or pains of love”. For your efforts, you will receive two free tickets to a show of your choosing at the ADC theatre.

I leave you with one that I actually attempted, neither a scientist nor a creative, it seemed the most accessible. Rearrange the wheel to make six complete words and you get two tickets to go to the cinema! If I hadn’t given up within two minutes (and if I was a contemporary of this 2007 puzzle), I’d be claiming my prize to go and watch St. Trinnians.