diff --git a/model/chat.go b/model/chat.go
index 05bc35721..16e099d72 100644
--- a/model/chat.go
+++ b/model/chat.go
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ type Chat struct {
 }
 
 // getColors returns all colors chat names are mapped to
-func (c Chat) getColors() []string {
+func getColors() []string {
 	return []string{"#368bd6", "#ac3ba8", "#0dbd8b", "#e64f7a", "#ff812d", "#2dc2c5", "#5c56f5", "#74d12c"}
 }
 
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func (c *Chat) BeforeCreate(tx *gorm.DB) (err error) {
 	}
 
 	// set chat color:
-	colors := c.getColors()
+	colors := getColors()
 	userIdInt, err := strconv.Atoi(c.UserID)
 	if err != nil {
 		c.Color = colors[0]
@@ -135,6 +135,12 @@ func (c *Chat) AfterFind(_ *gorm.DB) (err error) {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// getUrlHtml returns the html for urls, the <a> tag includes target="_blank" and rel="nofollow noopener"
+func getUrlHtml(url string) string {
+	h := blackfriday.Run([]byte(url))
+	return strings.TrimSuffix(string(chatHTMLPolicy.SanitizeBytes(h)), "\n")
+}
+
 // SanitiseMessage sets chat.SanitizedMessage to the sanitized html version of chat.Message, including <a> tags for links
 func (c *Chat) SanitiseMessage() {
 	msg := html.EscapeString(c.Message)
@@ -142,7 +148,7 @@ func (c *Chat) SanitiseMessage() {
 	newMsg := ""
 	for _, urlIndex := range urls {
 		newMsg += msg[:urlIndex[0]]
-		newMsg += c.getUrlHtml(msg[urlIndex[0]:urlIndex[1]])
+		newMsg += getUrlHtml(msg[urlIndex[0]:urlIndex[1]])
 	}
 	if len(urls) > 0 {
 		newMsg += msg[urls[len(urls)-1][1]:]
@@ -151,9 +157,3 @@ func (c *Chat) SanitiseMessage() {
 	}
 	c.SanitizedMessage = newMsg
 }
-
-// getUrlHtml returns the html for urls, the <a> tag includes target="_blank" and rel="nofollow noopener"
-func (c Chat) getUrlHtml(url string) string {
-	h := blackfriday.Run([]byte(url))
-	return strings.TrimSuffix(string(chatHTMLPolicy.SanitizeBytes(h)), "\n")
-}
diff --git a/model/course.go b/model/course.go
index 5514d390e..0bda2b39e 100755
--- a/model/course.go
+++ b/model/course.go
@@ -72,12 +72,12 @@ func (c *Course) ToDTO() CourseDTO {
 }
 
 // GetUrl returns the URL of the course, e.g. /course/2022/S/MyCourse
-func (c Course) GetUrl() string {
+func (c *Course) GetUrl() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("/course/%d/%s/%s", c.Year, c.TeachingTerm, c.Slug)
 }
 
 // GetStreamUrl returns the URL of the stream, e.g. /w/MyStream/42
-func (c Course) GetStreamUrl(stream Stream) string {
+func (c *Course) GetStreamUrl(stream Stream) string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("/w/%s/%d", c.Slug, stream.ID)
 }
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ type CameraPresetPreference struct {
 }
 
 // GetCameraPresetPreference retrieves the camera preset preferences
-func (c Course) GetCameraPresetPreference() []CameraPresetPreference {
+func (c *Course) GetCameraPresetPreference() []CameraPresetPreference {
 	var res []CameraPresetPreference
 	err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(c.CameraPresetPreferences), &res)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ type SourcePreference struct {
 }
 
 // GetSourcePreference retrieves the source preferences
-func (c Course) GetSourcePreference() []SourcePreference {
+func (c *Course) GetSourcePreference() []SourcePreference {
 	var res []SourcePreference
 	err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(c.SourcePreferences), &res)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ func (c Course) GetSourcePreference() []SourcePreference {
 }
 
 // GetSourceModeForLectureHall retrieves the source preference for the given lecture hall, returns default SourcePreference if non-existing
-func (c Course) GetSourceModeForLectureHall(id uint) SourceMode {
+func (c *Course) GetSourceModeForLectureHall(id uint) SourceMode {
 	for _, preference := range c.GetSourcePreference() {
 		if preference.LectureHallID == id {
 			return preference.SourceMode
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ func (c Course) GetSourceModeForLectureHall(id uint) SourceMode {
 }
 
 // CanUseSource returns whether the specified source type is allowed for the lecture hall id given
-func (c Course) CanUseSource(lectureHallID uint, sourceType string) bool {
+func (c *Course) CanUseSource(lectureHallID uint, sourceType string) bool {
 	mode := c.GetSourceModeForLectureHall(lectureHallID)
 	switch sourceType {
 	case "PRES":
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ func (c *Course) SetSourcePreference(pref []SourcePreference) {
 }
 
 // CompareTo used for sorting. Falling back to old java habits...
-func (c Course) CompareTo(other Course) bool {
+func (c *Course) CompareTo(other Course) bool {
 	if !other.HasNextLecture() {
 		return true
 	}
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ func (c Course) CompareTo(other Course) bool {
 }
 
 // IsLive returns whether the course has a lecture that is live
-func (c Course) IsLive() bool {
+func (c *Course) IsLive() bool {
 	for _, s := range c.Streams {
 		if s.LiveNow {
 			return true
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ func (c Course) IsLive() bool {
 }
 
 // IsNextLectureStartingSoon checks whether the course has a lecture that starts soon
-func (c Course) IsNextLectureStartingSoon() bool {
+func (c *Course) IsNextLectureStartingSoon() bool {
 	for _, s := range c.Streams {
 		if s.IsComingUp() {
 			return true
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ func (c Course) IsNextLectureStartingSoon() bool {
 }
 
 // NumStreams returns the number of streams for the course that are VoDs or live
-func (c Course) NumStreams() int {
+func (c *Course) NumStreams() int {
 	res := 0
 	for i := range c.Streams {
 		if c.Streams[i].Recording || c.Streams[i].LiveNow {
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ func (c Course) NumStreams() int {
 	return res
 }
 
-func (c Course) StreamTimes() []string {
+func (c *Course) StreamTimes() []string {
 	streamTimes := make([]string, len(c.Streams))
 
 	for i, s := range c.Streams {
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ func (c Course) StreamTimes() []string {
 }
 
 // HasRecordings returns whether the course has any recordings.
-func (c Course) HasRecordings() bool {
+func (c *Course) HasRecordings() bool {
 	for i := range c.Streams {
 		if c.Streams[i].Recording {
 			return true
@@ -214,17 +214,17 @@ func (c Course) HasRecordings() bool {
 }
 
 // NumUsers returns the number of users enrolled in the course
-func (c Course) NumUsers() int {
+func (c *Course) NumUsers() int {
 	return len(c.Users)
 }
 
 // NextLectureHasReachedTimeSlot returns whether the courses next lecture arrived at its timeslot
-func (c Course) NextLectureHasReachedTimeSlot() bool {
+func (c *Course) NextLectureHasReachedTimeSlot() bool {
 	return c.GetNextLecture().TimeSlotReached()
 }
 
 // GetNextLecture returns the next lecture of the course
-func (c Course) GetNextLecture() Stream {
+func (c *Course) GetNextLecture() *Stream {
 	var earliestLecture Stream
 	earliestLectureDate := time.Now().Add(time.Hour * 24 * 365 * 10) // 10 years from now.
 	for _, s := range c.Streams {
@@ -233,27 +233,27 @@ func (c Course) GetNextLecture() Stream {
 			earliestLecture = s
 		}
 	}
-	return earliestLecture
+	return &earliestLecture
 }
 
 // GetLastRecording returns the most recent lecture of the course
 // Assumes an ascending order of c.Streams
-func (c Course) GetLastRecording() Stream {
+func (c *Course) GetLastRecording() *Stream {
 	var lastLecture Stream
 	now := time.Now()
 	for _, s := range c.Streams {
 		if s.Start.After(now) {
-			return lastLecture
+			return &lastLecture
 		}
 		if s.Recording {
 			lastLecture = s
 		}
 	}
-	return lastLecture
+	return &lastLecture
 }
 
 // GetLiveStreams returns the current live streams of the course or an empty slice if none are live
-func (c Course) GetLiveStreams() []Stream {
+func (c *Course) GetLiveStreams() []Stream {
 	var res []Stream
 	for _, s := range c.Streams {
 		if s.LiveNow {
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ func (c Course) GetLiveStreams() []Stream {
 }
 
 // GetNextLectureDate returns the next lecture date of the course
-func (c Course) GetNextLectureDate() time.Time {
+func (c *Course) GetNextLectureDate() time.Time {
 	// TODO: Refactor this with IsNextLectureSelfStream when the sorting error fixed
 	earliestLectureDate := time.Now().Add(time.Hour * 24 * 365 * 10) // 10 years from now.
 	for _, s := range c.Streams {
@@ -276,17 +276,17 @@ func (c Course) GetNextLectureDate() time.Time {
 }
 
 // IsNextLectureSelfStream checks whether the next lecture is a self stream
-func (c Course) IsNextLectureSelfStream() bool {
+func (c *Course) IsNextLectureSelfStream() bool {
 	return c.GetNextLecture().IsSelfStream()
 }
 
 // GetNextLectureDateFormatted returns a JavaScript friendly formatted date string
-func (c Course) GetNextLectureDateFormatted() string {
+func (c *Course) GetNextLectureDateFormatted() string {
 	return c.GetNextLectureDate().Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05")
 }
 
 // HasNextLecture checks whether there is another upcoming lecture
-func (c Course) HasNextLecture() bool {
+func (c *Course) HasNextLecture() bool {
 	n := time.Now()
 	for _, s := range c.Streams {
 		if s.Start.After(n) {
@@ -297,12 +297,12 @@ func (c Course) HasNextLecture() bool {
 }
 
 // HasStreams checks whether the lecture has any streams (recorded, live or upcoming) associated to it
-func (c Course) HasStreams() bool {
+func (c *Course) HasStreams() bool {
 	return len(c.Streams) > 0
 }
 
 // GetRecordings returns all recording of this course as streams
-func (c Course) GetRecordings() []Stream {
+func (c *Course) GetRecordings() []Stream {
 	var recordings []Stream
 	for _, s := range c.Streams {
 		if s.Recording {
@@ -313,22 +313,22 @@ func (c Course) GetRecordings() []Stream {
 }
 
 // IsHidden returns true if visibility is set to 'hidden' and false if not
-func (c Course) IsHidden() bool {
+func (c *Course) IsHidden() bool {
 	return c.Visibility == "hidden"
 }
 
 // IsLoggedIn returns true if visibility is set to 'loggedin' and false if not
-func (c Course) IsLoggedIn() bool {
+func (c *Course) IsLoggedIn() bool {
 	return c.Visibility == "loggedin"
 }
 
 // IsEnrolled returns true if visibility is set to 'enrolled' and false if not
-func (c Course) IsEnrolled() bool {
+func (c *Course) IsEnrolled() bool {
 	return c.Visibility == "enrolled"
 }
 
 // AdminJson is the JSON representation of a courses streams for the admin panel
-func (c Course) AdminJson(lhs []LectureHall) []gin.H {
+func (c *Course) AdminJson(lhs []LectureHall) []gin.H {
 	var res []gin.H
 	for _, s := range c.Streams {
 		res = append(res, s.getJson(lhs, c))
diff --git a/model/file.go b/model/file.go
index 824b3300c..679940050 100644
--- a/model/file.go
+++ b/model/file.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ type File struct {
 	Type     FileType `gorm:"not null; default: 1"`
 }
 
-func (f File) GetDownloadFileName() string {
+func (f *File) GetDownloadFileName() string {
 	pts := strings.Split(f.Path, "/")
 	if len(pts) == 0 {
 		return ""
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func (f File) GetDownloadFileName() string {
 	return pts[len(pts)-1]
 }
 
-func (f File) GetFriendlyFileName() string {
+func (f *File) GetFriendlyFileName() string {
 	fn := f.GetDownloadFileName()
 	if strings.Contains(strings.ToLower(fn), "cam") {
 		return "Camera-view"
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func (f File) GetFriendlyFileName() string {
 }
 
 // GetVodTypeByName infers the type of a video file based on its name.
-func (f File) GetVodTypeByName() string {
+func (f *File) GetVodTypeByName() string {
 	if strings.HasSuffix(f.Path, "CAM.mp4") {
 		return "CAM"
 	}
@@ -67,11 +67,11 @@ func (f File) GetVodTypeByName() string {
 	return "COMB"
 }
 
-func (f File) IsThumb() bool {
+func (f *File) IsThumb() bool {
 	return f.Type == FILETYPE_THUMB_CAM || f.Type == FILETYPE_THUMB_PRES || f.Type == FILETYPE_THUMB_COMB
 }
 
-func (f File) IsURL() bool {
+func (f *File) IsURL() bool {
 	parsedUrl, err := url.Parse(f.Path)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false
diff --git a/model/info-page.go b/model/info-page.go
index b5fe0d046..182ec0892 100644
--- a/model/info-page.go
+++ b/model/info-page.go
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ type InfoPage struct {
 	Type       InfoPageType `gorm:"not null; default: 1"`
 }
 
-func (mt InfoPage) Render() template.HTML {
+func (mt *InfoPage) Render() template.HTML {
 	var renderedContent template.HTML = ""
 	switch mt.Type {
 	case INFOPAGE_MARKDOWN:
diff --git a/model/lecture_hall.go b/model/lecture_hall.go
index 383029058..02ff5b323 100644
--- a/model/lecture_hall.go
+++ b/model/lecture_hall.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ const (
 	Panasonic
 )
 
-func (l LectureHall) NumSources() int {
+func (l *LectureHall) NumSources() int {
 	num := 0
 	if l.CombIP != "" {
 		num++
diff --git a/model/notification.go b/model/notification.go
index 2fe9f6e31..9470ca62b 100644
--- a/model/notification.go
+++ b/model/notification.go
@@ -43,6 +43,6 @@ func (n *Notification) AfterFind(_ *gorm.DB) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (n Notification) GetBodyForGoTemplate() template.HTML {
+func (n *Notification) GetBodyForGoTemplate() template.HTML {
 	return template.HTML(n.SanitizedBody)
 }
diff --git a/model/poll.go b/model/poll.go
index 83f2844d1..1baa53071 100644
--- a/model/poll.go
+++ b/model/poll.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ type PollOption struct {
 	Votes  []User `gorm:"many2many:poll_option_user_votes" json:"-"`
 }
 
-func (o PollOption) GetStatsMap(votes int64) gin.H {
+func (o *PollOption) GetStatsMap(votes int64) gin.H {
 	return gin.H{
 		"ID":     o.ID,
 		"answer": o.Answer,
diff --git a/model/server-notification.go b/model/server-notification.go
index 074d0ed6c..bcde37299 100644
--- a/model/server-notification.go
+++ b/model/server-notification.go
@@ -18,21 +18,21 @@ type ServerNotification struct {
 	Expires time.Time `gorm:"not null"`
 }
 
-func (s ServerNotification) BeforeCreate(tx *gorm.DB) (err error) {
+func (s *ServerNotification) BeforeCreate(tx *gorm.DB) (err error) {
 	if s.Expires.Before(s.Start) {
 		err = errors.New("can't save notification where expires is before start")
 	}
 	return
 }
 
-func (s ServerNotification) FormatFrom() string {
+func (s *ServerNotification) FormatFrom() string {
 	return s.Start.Format("2006-01-02 15:04")
 }
 
-func (s ServerNotification) FormatExpires() string {
+func (s *ServerNotification) FormatExpires() string {
 	return s.Expires.Format("2006-01-02 15:04")
 }
 
-func (s ServerNotification) HTML() template.HTML {
+func (s *ServerNotification) HTML() template.HTML {
 	return template.HTML(s.Text)
 }
diff --git a/model/stream-unit.go b/model/stream-unit.go
index ded7391ac..bef98aee0 100644
--- a/model/stream-unit.go
+++ b/model/stream-unit.go
@@ -19,11 +19,11 @@ type StreamUnit struct {
 	StreamID        uint `gorm:"not null"`
 }
 
-func (s StreamUnit) GetUnitDurationMS() uint {
+func (s *StreamUnit) GetUnitDurationMS() uint {
 	return s.UnitEnd - s.UnitStart
 }
 
-func (s StreamUnit) GetRoundedUnitLen() string {
+func (s *StreamUnit) GetRoundedUnitLen() string {
 	lenS := (s.UnitEnd - s.UnitStart) / 1000
 	lenM := lenS / 60
 	lenH := lenM / 60
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func (s StreamUnit) GetRoundedUnitLen() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%2dmin, %2dsec", lenM, lenS)
 }
 
-func (s StreamUnit) GetDescriptionHTML() template.HTML {
+func (s *StreamUnit) GetDescriptionHTML() template.HTML {
 	unsafe := blackfriday.Run([]byte(s.UnitDescription))
 	html := bluemonday.
 		UGCPolicy().
diff --git a/model/stream.go b/model/stream.go
index fc3572c71..1f771e5af 100755
--- a/model/stream.go
+++ b/model/stream.go
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ type DownloadableVod struct {
 }
 
 // GetVodFiles returns all downloadable files that user can see when using the download dropdown for a stream.
-func (s Stream) GetVodFiles() []DownloadableVod {
+func (s *Stream) GetVodFiles() []DownloadableVod {
 	dFiles := make([]DownloadableVod, 0)
 
 	if s.PlaylistUrl != "" {
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func (s Stream) GetVodFiles() []DownloadableVod {
 	return dFiles
 }
 
-func (s Stream) GetLGThumbnail() (string, error) {
+func (s *Stream) GetLGThumbnail() (string, error) {
 	thumbs := map[string]string{}
 	for _, file := range s.Files {
 		if file.Type == FILETYPE_THUMB_LG_CAM_PRES {
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ func (s Stream) GetLGThumbnail() (string, error) {
 	return "", fmt.Errorf("no large thumbnail found")
 }
 
-func (s Stream) GetLGThumbnailForVideoType(videoType VideoType) (string, error) {
+func (s *Stream) GetLGThumbnailForVideoType(videoType VideoType) (string, error) {
 	mapping := map[VideoType]FileType{
 		VideoTypePresentation: FILETYPE_THUMB_LG_PRES,
 		VideoTypeCamera:       FILETYPE_THUMB_LG_CAM,
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ func (s Stream) GetLGThumbnailForVideoType(videoType VideoType) (string, error)
 }
 
 // GetThumbIdForSource returns the id of file that stores the thumbnail sprite for a specific source type.
-func (s Stream) GetThumbIdForSource(source string) uint {
+func (s *Stream) GetThumbIdForSource(source string) uint {
 	var fileType FileType
 	switch source {
 	case "CAM":
@@ -158,67 +158,67 @@ func (s Stream) GetThumbIdForSource(source string) uint {
 }
 
 // GetStartInSeconds returns the number of seconds until the stream starts (or 0 if it has already started or is a vod)
-func (s Stream) GetStartInSeconds() int {
+func (s *Stream) GetStartInSeconds() int {
 	if s.LiveNow || s.Recording {
 		return 0
 	}
 	return int(time.Until(s.Start).Seconds())
 }
 
-func (s Stream) GetName() string {
+func (s *Stream) GetName() string {
 	if s.Name != "" {
 		return s.Name
 	}
 	return fmt.Sprintf("Lecture: %s", s.Start.Format("Jan 2, 2006"))
 }
 
-func (s Stream) IsConverting() bool {
+func (s *Stream) IsConverting() bool {
 	return len(s.TranscodingProgresses) > 0
 }
 
 // IsDownloadable returns true if the stream is a recording and has at least one stream associated with it.
-func (s Stream) IsDownloadable() bool {
+func (s *Stream) IsDownloadable() bool {
 	return s.Recording && (s.PlaylistUrl != "" || s.PlaylistUrlPRES != "" || s.PlaylistUrlCAM != "")
 }
 
 // IsSelfStream returns whether the stream is a scheduled stream in a lecture hall
-func (s Stream) IsSelfStream() bool {
+func (s *Stream) IsSelfStream() bool {
 	return s.LectureHallID == 0
 }
 
 // IsPast returns whether the stream end time was reached
-func (s Stream) IsPast() bool {
+func (s *Stream) IsPast() bool {
 	return s.End.Before(time.Now()) || s.Ended
 }
 
 // IsComingUp returns whether the stream begins in 30 minutes
-func (s Stream) IsComingUp() bool {
+func (s *Stream) IsComingUp() bool {
 	eligibleForWait := s.Start.Before(time.Now().Add(30*time.Minute)) && time.Now().Before(s.End)
 	return !s.IsPast() && !s.Recording && !s.LiveNow && eligibleForWait
 }
 
 // TimeSlotReached returns whether stream has passed the starting time
-func (s Stream) TimeSlotReached() bool {
+func (s *Stream) TimeSlotReached() bool {
 	// Used to stop displaying the timer when there is less than 1 minute left
 	return time.Now().After(s.Start.Add(-time.Minute)) && time.Now().Before(s.End)
 }
 
 // IsStartingInOneDay returns whether the stream starts within 1 day
-func (s Stream) IsStartingInOneDay() bool {
+func (s *Stream) IsStartingInOneDay() bool {
 	return s.Start.After(time.Now().Add(24 * time.Hour))
 }
 
 // IsStartingInMoreThanOneDay returns whether the stream starts in at least 2 days
-func (s Stream) IsStartingInMoreThanOneDay() bool {
+func (s *Stream) IsStartingInMoreThanOneDay() bool {
 	return s.Start.After(time.Now().Add(48 * time.Hour))
 }
 
 // IsPlanned returns whether the stream is planned or not
-func (s Stream) IsPlanned() bool {
+func (s *Stream) IsPlanned() bool {
 	return !s.Recording && !s.LiveNow && !s.IsPast() && !s.IsComingUp()
 }
 
-func (s Stream) HLSUrl() string {
+func (s *Stream) HLSUrl() string {
 	hls := s.PlaylistUrl
 	if s.StartOffset > 0 {
 		hls = fmt.Sprintf("%s?wowzaplaystart=%d&wowzaplayduration=%d", s.PlaylistUrl, s.StartOffset, s.EndOffset)
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ type silence struct {
 	End   uint `json:"end"`
 }
 
-func (s Stream) GetSilencesJson() string {
+func (s *Stream) GetSilencesJson() string {
 	forServe := make([]silence, len(s.Silences))
 	for i := range forServe {
 		forServe[i] = silence{
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ func (s Stream) GetSilencesJson() string {
 	return "[]"
 }
 
-func (s Stream) GetDescriptionHTML() string {
+func (s *Stream) GetDescriptionHTML() string {
 	unsafe := blackfriday.Run([]byte(s.Description))
 	html := bluemonday.
 		UGCPolicy().
@@ -255,11 +255,11 @@ func (s Stream) GetDescriptionHTML() string {
 	return string(html)
 }
 
-func (s Stream) FriendlyDate() string {
+func (s *Stream) FriendlyDate() string {
 	return s.Start.Format("Mon 02.01.2006")
 }
 
-func (s Stream) FriendlyTime() string {
+func (s *Stream) FriendlyTime() string {
 	return s.Start.Format("02.01.2006 15:04") + " - " + s.End.Format("15:04")
 }
 
@@ -272,16 +272,16 @@ func ParsableTimeFormat(time time.Time) string {
 }
 
 // ParsableStartTime returns a JavaScript friendly formatted date string
-func (s Stream) ParsableStartTime() string {
+func (s *Stream) ParsableStartTime() string {
 	return ParsableTimeFormat(s.Start)
 }
 
 // ParsableLiveNowTimestamp returns a JavaScript friendly formatted date string
-func (s Stream) ParsableLiveNowTimestamp() string {
+func (s *Stream) ParsableLiveNowTimestamp() string {
 	return ParsableTimeFormat(s.LiveNowTimestamp)
 }
 
-func (s Stream) FriendlyNextDate() string {
+func (s *Stream) FriendlyNextDate() string {
 	if now.With(s.Start).EndOfDay() == now.EndOfDay() {
 		return fmt.Sprintf("Today, %02d:%02d", s.Start.Hour(), s.Start.Minute())
 	}
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ func (s Stream) FriendlyNextDate() string {
 }
 
 // Color returns the ui color of the stream that indicates it's status
-func (s Stream) Color() string {
+func (s *Stream) Color() string {
 	if s.Recording {
 		if s.Private {
 			return "gray-500"
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ func (s Stream) Color() string {
 	}
 }
 
-func (s Stream) getJson(lhs []LectureHall, course Course) gin.H {
+func (s *Stream) getJson(lhs []LectureHall, course *Course) gin.H {
 	var files []gin.H
 	for _, file := range s.Files {
 		files = append(files, gin.H{
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ func (s Stream) getJson(lhs []LectureHall, course Course) gin.H {
 	}
 }
 
-func (s Stream) Attachments() []File {
+func (s *Stream) Attachments() []File {
 	attachments := make([]File, 0)
 	for _, f := range s.Files {
 		if f.Type == FILETYPE_ATTACHMENT {
@@ -387,8 +387,8 @@ type StreamDTO struct {
 	Duration    int32
 }
 
-func (s Stream) ToDTO() StreamDTO {
-	downloads := []DownloadableVod{}
+func (s *Stream) ToDTO() StreamDTO {
+	var downloads []DownloadableVod
 	if s.IsDownloadable() {
 		downloads = s.GetVodFiles()
 	}
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ func (s Stream) ToDTO() StreamDTO {
 }
 
 // FirstSilenceAsProgress returns the end of the first silence as a quotient of the length of the stream
-func (s Stream) FirstSilenceAsProgress() float64 {
+func (s *Stream) FirstSilenceAsProgress() float64 {
 	if len(s.Silences) == 0 {
 		return 0
 	}
diff --git a/model/user.go b/model/user.go
index 5b30425b8..e948a143b 100755
--- a/model/user.go
+++ b/model/user.go
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ type UserSetting struct {
 }
 
 // GetPreferredName returns the preferred name of the user if set, otherwise the firstName from TUMOnline
-func (u User) GetPreferredName() string {
+func (u *User) GetPreferredName() string {
 	for _, setting := range u.Settings {
 		if setting.Type == PreferredName {
 			return setting.Value
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ func (u *User) GetCustomSpeeds() (speeds CustomSpeeds) {
 }
 
 // GetPreferredGreeting returns the preferred greeting of the user if set, otherwise Moin
-func (u User) GetPreferredGreeting() string {
+func (u *User) GetPreferredGreeting() string {
 	for _, setting := range u.Settings {
 		if setting.Type == Greeting {
 			return setting.Value
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ func (u *User) GetSeekingTime() int {
 }
 
 // PreferredNameChangeAllowed returns false if the user has set a preferred name within the last 3 months, otherwise true
-func (u User) PreferredNameChangeAllowed() bool {
+func (u *User) PreferredNameChangeAllowed() bool {
 	for _, setting := range u.Settings {
 		if setting.Type == PreferredName && time.Since(setting.UpdatedAt) < time.Hour*24*30*3 {
 			return false
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ type AutoSkipSetting struct {
 }
 
 // GetAutoSkipEnabled returns whether the user has enabled auto skip
-func (u User) GetAutoSkipEnabled() (AutoSkipSetting, error) {
+func (u *User) GetAutoSkipEnabled() (AutoSkipSetting, error) {
 	for _, setting := range u.Settings {
 		if setting.Type == AutoSkip {
 			var a AutoSkipSetting