Student Pages Magazine Autumn Edition

Autumn 2018 Edition � #4

ALSO INSIDE

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• AUTUMN FASHION MUST HAVES

THE ULTIMATE

• GANG CRIME: BETWEEN THE LINES

NEW ZEALAND EXPERIENCE

• PREGNANCY AT UNIVERSITY • BEGINNERS GUIDE TO LINKEDIN ...AND MUCH MORE

EXCLUSIVES WITH JE N N A O RT E G

H E AVO N C LA R K E A • R O S IE JO N E S • C

• G R AC E SAVAG E

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Welcome to Welcome to our 4th Edition, the first of this academic year!

What an incredible journey it has been since we launched Student Pages Magazine 12 months ago.

We’ve jam packed this edition with fantastic tips to help you through the new academic year. From an incredible exclusive with non other than Jenna Ortega, an amazing competition for you and a friend to win a trip to stunning New Zealand, courtesy of STA Travel, and Money Hacks to cut your spending wisely! We’ve definitely got you covered.

So, there you have it, the start to the new academic year, and we’re here for the journey. Bigger, better and firing on all cylinders! Whatever your goals are this year, make sure you really push yourself and above all else make 2018/19 a year to remember.

Giving students the chance to get involved, write and be heard is at the heart of what we do and is why we started Student Pages Magazine, and why we’ve had such a great first year. We are constantly on the lookout for on-campus student correspondents, magazine distributors, and campus ambassadors. If you’d like to be part of the Student Pages team, get in touch to find out more at joinus@studentpages.biz.

Also, remember to check out our website for the latest articles, insights and reviews at studentpages.biz

Gareth

Editor-in-Chief and Founder

INSIDE FEATURES Exclusive Interview with Jenna Ortega 8-11

Exclusive Interview with Rosie Jones 16-17

Gang Crime: Between the Lines 28-33

Exclusive Interview with Cheavon Clarke 34-35

Exclusive Interview with Grace Savage 46-47

STUDENT LIFE

FASHION

CAREERS

TRAVEL

Frugal Life Hacks to Cut Your Spending 5

Interview with Menswear Designer at boohooMAN, Penelope Armstrong 21

Job Profile: Healthcare Support Worker 39

Competition: WIN a trip to New Zealand 26-27

Job Profile: Osteopathy

Mountains of Montenegro

Essentials You Need to Study

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Top Apps You need to Get Your Hands on This Year Pregnant at University

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PUBLISHED BY Student Pages Media Group Ltd. 199 Bury New Road Whitefield Manchester M45 6GE Tel: 0203 6016035 www.studentpages.biz PRINT Wyndeham Group DESIGNED BY Alison Cutler www.alison.graphics EDITOR IN CHIEF & FOUNDER Gareth Rifkin

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In Our Wardrobe 22-23 Accessory of the Season

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Best Buys under £50

25

41

Beginners Guide to LinkedIn 42-43

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Why Your Next Holiday Should be Budapest 50

Your Guide to Grad Schemes 45

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Saul Posel SUB EDITORS Edward Jones & Rudi Pediani SENIOR FEATURES EDITORS Elaine Zheng & Gabriella Wieland CAREERS FEATURES EDITOR Emma Rosen COMMERCIAL & DIGITAL MEDIA Joe Stas CONTRIBUTING STUDENT WRITERS Lizzie Benton, Katie Gaster, Ashleigh Rebecca McGreary, Liam Jackson, Stuart Storrar & Billie Lauren

SOCIAL MEDIA Peter Martz & Edward Little ADVERTISING Chantelle Davidson SPECIAL THANKS Jenn Ortega, Rosie Jones, Cheavon Clarke, Grace Savage, Amy Anne Williams, Guerrilla Marketing, Madiha Bashir & Joanna Elizabeth If you would like to advertise within Student Pages Magazine, please get in touch with us on 02036016035; or email advertise@studentpages.biz.

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GET IN TOUCH...

Frugal Life Hacks to Cut Your Spending With the cost of living not dropping anytime soon and a large student loan to keep you awake at night, it’s no surprise that financial stress can become a burden during a time when you’re meant to be living your best life.

In order to ease the pain of student life, and enable you to have the funfunds for all the good times, we’ve listed some simple, frugal life hacks to help you cut your spending.

Get Pampered on a Budget A haircut can easily break the bank balance when you’re pushing your budget, but it doesn’t have to if you get savvy about places that offer a chop at a discount. As well as looking out for any discounts online by following local hairdressers on Facebook and Twitter, find out if your local college are looking for hair models. Not only do these often provide an incredible discount, but you can also have other treatments, such as massages or manicures, at a hugely discounted rate.

better shape. Instead, quit the gym and start exercising at home. There’s never been an easier or cheaper time to get fit with all of the free workout videos online, and if you combine those with running in your local park you’ll be saving money in no time. If you struggle for motivation, rope in a friend and become each other’s personal trainer, challenging each other to new workouts every week.

The Timer Challenge If food shopping is where all your good intentions fall apart, this simple hack can save you money by ensuring you don’t get lulled into all the special offers and irresistible counter-side sweets. Before you hit the shops, set a timer for 10 minutes and challenge yourself that you’ll make it in and out

of the shop with everything you need in that time. Of course, adjust the timer accordingly to the size of food shop you’re doing, but look to get in and out without having added extras that weren’t on your list.

Switch Your Bank Account If you’ve had your bank account for longer than 2 years and you haven’t changed it in that time, then you could be missing out on a nice handful of money. Many banks now offer to pay you £100 just for the act of changing your bank account; while this may sound like a massive hassle it has actually never been easier, as the banks do all the hard work of swapping over your standing orders and direct debits.

By Lizzie Benton

Gym Alternative Admit it, how many times have you really been to the gym since you signed up? The truth is, many of us have the best intentions but don’t often follow it through, leaving our bodies and bank balances in no

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How joining societies can help your career Joining a society is great for your social life; it will introduce you to people beyond your housemates and those on your course, exposing you to people you share a common interest with. Let’s face it, societies are just really good fun. There is another motive to join one though, and this one is about life after university – joining a society could help you get a graduate job. In the same way that you needed extracurricular activities to help on your personal statement to get into uni, you will need be actively involved in a society to help you get a job.

commitments, along with anything else you do, whilst still meeting all of your academic deadlines. It will also say something about your interpersonal skills and verbal communication skills, along with negotiation and persuasion. Overall, it will show to an employer that you are generally a well-rounded individual who has something to talk about with your potential future colleagues.

There is a whole list of secondary skills you can draw on too, depending on the society you have joined. This could be anything from market research, fundraising and budgeting, to health and safety, responsibility for others, and aspects of law. It could give you the opportunity to take on a leadership role, set a vision for a team, motivate others, and utilise creativity in solving problems, along with the ability to work under pressure, be adaptable and set out of your comfort zone. All of these are skills which are invaluable to employers - it will help to make you workplace ready and help to distinguish you from other candidates.

There are many types of student societies to join during university, with a focus on sports, arts, subject-based, and everything in between. There are societies centred around setting up a business, debating, working in the local community, campaigning for a cause, Harry Potter, and beyond! Regardless of what you’re interested in, you are bound to receive two crucial things – transferable skills and the ability to network.

Depending on the society you join and the career you want to go into, it could even directly lead to a summer internship or a job after you graduate. Things like working on the university newspaper or radio station, or campaigning for a charity or political group can be great starting points for your career and will demonstrate that you can already do the job you want to land in the future; that you can prove your commitment to it. Societies that focus on entrepreneurialism or specific industries like law will substantially improve your level of commercial awareness in these fields, and employers have been known to directly recruit out of these societies in some universities. So you could find yourself with a killer job in a start-up or law firm just a year or two down the line.

Virtually all societies you join will demonstrate that you have excellent teamworking skills, as whatever you are doing, it will involve working well with other people, as well as showing that you are able to commit to your fellow society members. Another big box tick is time management and organisational skills, as you will be able to prove your fantastic ability to juggle your work and societies

You can talk about the skills and experience you have gained from your societies on your CV, LinkedIn, as well as on application forms and in interviews. Rather than mentioning a society in general, you can also talk about the specific things you’ve done, such as organising an event, to show that you really do have the skills you say you do and can explain the relevance of your experience.

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STUDY ESSENTIALS

FOR EVERY STUDENT

By Ashley Rebecca McGreary

Exams. No other word inspires the same total, mind-numbing panic. It’s the greatest source of stress for many students, but luckily the foundation of a good grade is a good study routine. Success is always within your own power. That’s an astronomical advantage. There are many ways to refine your study technique – not least through trial and error – but let’s start with the basics. Here are five fail-safe essentials for every study session.

olour

fC ❷ A Splash o

(s), t x e T r u o Y ❶ ionary t a t S & s e t o N It might sound obvious, but that’s exactly why it’s so easy to forget something you need.

Preparing a study tool-kit (pens, pencils, highlighters, post-its, etc) is the best way to avoid homicidal rage at 3am, when a misplaced highlighter hinders your notetaking. Your core text(s) and notes will serve as a launch pad for your study sessions, around which you can shape and structure your revision, so use them to your full advantage.

❸ Music for the Mind

Listening to classical or instrumental music is one of the best ways to aid focus and concentration during a dense study session, both relieving stress and inspiring creative thought. YouTube offers a range of compilations from film scores to music which encourages alpha wave production. Or if you find music too distracting, there are plenty of playlists and apps with white noise like the sound of rain or the murmur of a coffee shop.

Colour schemes and highlighting can help to boost memory retention.

Colour automatically makes your notes more visually appealing, especially when combined with the use of study-aids such as mind maps and revision cards. By producing notes that are visually dynamic, you prime yourself to memorise both the raw information and its shape/placement on the page, creating a mental reference of your revision which is readily accessible even from the exam hall.

ge ❹ Knowled ork of How You W

Everybody studies differently, so the key to exam success is understanding your optimal study conditions and working around them.

For some, bursts of 30-45 minutes’ revision, followed by a 10-minute break works best. For others, a single, uninterrupted block of 2-3 hours is more comfortable.

Some people work better in the morning, some in the afternoon, and some at night. Previous exam experience and a little experimentation will tell you where you fit. Find your optimum window and arrange the rest of your day around preserving it.

❺ Keep a Timetable

Most things tend naturally towards a state of entropy, revision included. The best defence, therefore, is organisation. It is always essential to keep a general revision structure in mind: what do you want to achieve, and by when? Planning in advance what you intend to do day-by-day, either by drawing up a grid or timetable, is the best way to balance the demands of work, life, and study. Writing down goals encourages a sense of progression and achievement, reduces stress and anxiety, and helps you manage your time realistically.

This practice works for assignments as well, and while these ‘essentials’ have been aimed primarily at exam success, they also apply equally to the demands of any Undergraduate/Postgraduate course.

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JENNA ORTEGA: BREAKING TYPECASTS & DEPICTING REALISM

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Despite achieving so much in such a short space of time, much of Jenna’s success is owed to the devoted standard of realism she portrays in her craft; truly engaging her audiences through a deeper and more profound style of acting. Student Pages Magazine spoke to the Disney actress and uncovered what it really takes to stand out from the masses in such a populated industry while balancing the competing challenges of fame and ‘normality’.

but she places staying grounded and connecting with her audience as the main motivation when enacting any role: “I want my performances to seem as real as possible. As an actress, part of your job is creating a bond with the character because you have to see the world from their point of view. Any actor can pretend to be feeling some type of way, but it is a truly magical experience when the actor is so authentic that you feel everything the actor is feeling.”

Early Beginnings – a Natural Prodigy?

Fame and Normality

Working in creative industries allows individuals an escape from reality. By activating that emotional trigger in your brain, suddenly, the world can be perceived from a totally new angle.

For Jenna Ortega, the appeal of her profession wholly reflects this notion: a craft which allows you to escape the mundanity of everyday life by immersing yourself into the world of another. When speaking about the appeal of acting, the Disney actress told us: “Being someone else and seeing the world from a different perspective is so much fun!”

While escaping the realities of the modern world is certainly an appeal for Ortega, her natural attraction to the world of acting doesn’t stop here. At aged just four, her first ever performance offered her that ‘light bulb’ moment that many of us only ever experience in early-adulthood: “They had the whole class stand up on the staircase. They placed four microphones for us all to share in front of us. As we started singing, I grabbed the mic and drew it towards myself.

I’ve always been an outgoing person and found performing so much fun, so I knew who I was from a very young age.”

Although Ortega’s theatrical destiny was affirmed at a young age, her vision to connect with her audience in her early years is something that has stayed with her. Of course, an important ingredient in Jenna’s methodology lies within relaying the message the script is trying to convey,

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Balancing work and studies is a difficult task to master at any stage in life. Throw in a contract with Disney, a demanding filming schedule or a role that inspires millions of children across the globe and you’ve certainly got a trying task on your hands. Ortega shows viewers across the world that doing exactly that is not only achievable, but you can have fun while doing it too: “On set, time-management is very important. I have a certain time reserved for school every day, so I go to school in-between takes. Once I’m wrapped up for the day, I go home and do a few more hours of school to make sure I get all of my work done.”

supporters I have. I love them so much and they deserve to know me for who I really am, not a fake persona I put out just to fit society’s idea of ‘cool’.”

While Jenna’s mantra of depicting the purest version of herself to her fans is evident for all to see, dealing with media attention can be a difficult trope for anyone to face. Ortega’s strong mental attitude, however, has allowed her to take fame in her stride and shrug off negativities: “I’ve always had tough skin. I don’t let a lot of things get to me. Being a teenager, a lot of us struggle with self-esteem and it definitely got to me at first but I got to the point where I stopped caring.

I came to the realisation that: I don’t know these people so they don’t play a significant role in my life.” Ortega says a lot of her strength and mental maturity arises from the support of her following: “I am so grateful to my fans. They have been so positive, so supportive and loving that I rarely see the hate comments.”

Being catapulted into the limelight and starring in a series which engages millions of viewers across the world can likewise hinder an actress’ relationship with her ‘normal’ life. When asked how she deals with her growing popularity, Jenna told us that the important thing is staying true to yourself: “I don’t let it affect me at all.

I’m always going to be the same Jenna no matter how many followers or

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From defying rigid archetypes of fairy-tale princesses in her role as Princess Isabella in the Disney series Elena of Avalor, to capturing such depths of emotion in her performance as protagonist Harley Diaz in serial-comedy Stuck in the Middle.

At aged just 15, Jenna Ortega has done much with her career that many of us only experience in our most whimsical dreams.

However, negativity in adolescence often comes from sources much closer to home. Showing her fans that she is neither immune from the taunts of fellow school children, she ushers them to block out the negativity and focus on the goals ahead: “Some kids at school thought I was ‘all that.’ Some said I was stupid and I felt like a lot of these kids just enjoyed making fun of me. Eventually, I realised that these people don’t care about me, so I’m not going to focus on them. I’d rather focus my attention on those that do love me and care for me.” While this is certainly a philosophy we should all live by, Ortega wants this message to

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resonate with young girls especially: “You really want to surround yourself with people that build you up, support you, and love you. That’s what I did and that’s what helped me push through.”

Challenges The volatile nature of the acting industry makes it a trying pursuit which cannot guarantee the security provided by a desk job. In many creative industries, you never know what’s around the corner. You can be working nonstop, then boom: a huge drought. Despite taking to the industry faster than a duck to water, she states that she is not immune to these trials and tribulations of the acting industry: “You could be working on one project after another then everything comes to a halt. Before you know it, you might not have work for months!” Despite the inconsistent routine of work sometimes unsettling the actress’ flow, a main challenge faced by any bidding actress comes in the form of those dreaded pre-show nerves.

Whether you’re used to regularly speaking in front of large crowds of people or you happen to be Angelina Jolie, when it comes to overcoming nerves, nobody is exempt.

Offering hope to those wishing to pursue an acting career, Jenna

advises distracting yourself from what it is you’re nervous about until those butterflies have subsided.

Once you’ve managed to battle those flitting butterflies in the pit of your stomach, established yourself in a career of showbiz and affected audiences across the world, you may still have to deal with the dreaded ‘imposter syndrome’. In any field, it is normal to have moments where you feel like your chosen career-path is simply not for you. Jenna reassures her audiences that these feelings are totally normal: “There are times when you didn’t get a job or you have too many nos in a row and it’s very easy to be discouraged. There have definitely been times in my career when I have questioned whether I can even act!” In order to push through these moments, it takes a huge amount of mental strength and determination: traits which Ortega wholeheartedly possesses.

“For me, just praying and believing helps. I’m very religious and believe everything happens for a reason. I feel like I was meant to be an actress so pushing forward, believing in myself and picking myself off the ground has been the key.”

Although it is completely normal to have thoughts of self-doubt when experiencing setbacks, Jenna’s ability to move her audiences denotes the entire opposite: “Some scenes can be emotionally exhausting, leaving you super tired for the rest of the day’s shoot.” Another challenge, Jenna states, is thinking outside of the box when playing an eccentric role: “When you’ve never encountered someone like your character before, you have

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to rely on research to truly get an authentic performance.”

And yet, despite all this, Jenna proclaims that her longing to draw emotion from audiences makes it all worth it.

Defying Conventionality While defying stereotypical tropes of beauty and extraditing rigid typecasts has been a major trope of the modern era, the media still has a long way to go. Like many children who did not conform to society’s archaic depictions of princes and princesses, Ortega experienced feelings of exile when watching fairy-tale movies as a child. Speaking of her role as Disney’s first Latino princess, she says: “I wanted to do anything I could to say I can look like ‘this’ princess or be ‘that’ princess. I’m so honoured to be part of a project that finally gives this to young Latinas. It’s so amazing that young girls now don’t have to go through what I went through. They now have a Disney princess that they can say ‘Hey, that looks like me!’”

Though Ortega has offered an important and relatable aesthetic to a once overlooked minority, the actress herself still experiences a sense of ethnically-motivated ostracism: “I’ve been turned down for roles, not because I couldn’t act, but because my colour did not fit the role.” While such knockbacks based entirely on something you cannot control can be discouraging to most, Ortega’s incredible mental strength once again allows her to perceive setbacks in a positive light: “I try to turn every negative into a positive. Instead of being discouraged, I realise it wasn’t meant to be and know that there is something better in the future to look forward to.”

Influences We all have major influences that motivated us to follow the dreams we uphold today. For Ortega, her influences mainly came from actresses starring in the movies she watched as

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a youngster: “Acting mainly caught me because of Dakota Fanning. I watched a lot of her films and she really influenced me. I wanted to be in her position so started practising. She was a very big part of starting my career.”

After entering the world of showbiz, Jenna continued to be influenced positively by those around her. When starring in Jane the Virgin, the Disney actress was in awe of her co-stars: “The women on the show are incredible. They’re all such strong, powerful women.

They influence me in a way that they stand up for what they believe in. As a teenager, it was amazing for me to be on a set run by these women.

They shaped my values and encouraged me to speak up for the things I believe in and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”

Future Plans When achieving one goal, it’s always important to stay focused and strive for the next. Despite Ortega making a success of herself as an on-screen actress, she has her eyes set on future pathways which allow her to strive for more: “Short term, I want to reintroduce myself in the film industry.

Middle term, I want to be working as a director, producer, writer, or actress!”

In light of her naturally expressive face, Jenna is often cast in comedies which have a tendency to exaggerate reality for comedic effect. In the future, Ortega hopes to be involved in more dramatic projects: “I definitely want to work on something dramatic.

I don’t know if I want to take on film yet, I’m still building my career. A short would certainly interest me so I could familiarise myself with the directing world.”

Though Ortega’s passion lies within earnestly engaging with a character and depicting a heart-wrenching

performance on-screen, she aspires to have more artistic control over her projects: “It’s the director’s project, so it goes in the direction they want it to go. Part of me wants more control on what I put out there. Being able to work with new directors every week, I’ve asked them what it takes to become a successful director and feel more motivated to become one myself.”

With Jenna’s strong ‘can-do’ attitude, we have no doubt that she will make her plans, both on and off screen, into a reality. For those longing to follow in her footsteps, we asked her what it takes to materialise theatrical dreams into reality: “Work on your craft all the time”, she told us. “Don’t just spend 5 seconds on a script even if you feel like you’ve memorised it. Work on your networking skills. Casting directors are used to people coming and performing for them. They’re not used to people engaging with them and being interesting!”

We have no doubt anyone who chooses to follow Jenna’s hardworking mantra can achieve every success she has.

By Gabriella Wieland & Elaine Zheng

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A new type of selfie app is coming Share, Comment, Like...

Earn rewards Launching November 2018

Selfie. Share. Be rewarded.

❶ UNIDAYS UNiDAYS is one of the most hyped student apps around, and for good reason. They save you cash on everything you need for uni and more.

When you download the UNiDAYS app you get discounts on everything from the freshest looks and meals out with mates, to tech that’ll take you from studying to streaming.

TOP APPS

YOU NEED TO GET YOUR HANDS ON THIS YEAR

We’re talking big savings of up to 50% and special deals on over 250 of your fave brands like ASOS, Deliveroo, Apple, EE, Spotify, and more. And it’s all for free.

No, seriously. It’s free to join, free to use and exclusively for students in sixth form, college or university.

❷ cherii

Launching in October, cherri is poised to disrupt the selfie app space in a huge way. By rewarding its users with free stuff when they post selfies, this will be the first app of its type in the UK.

If saving money on (pretty much) everything wasn’t enough, they’ve got comps, giveaways, next-level advice, and all the lols and life hacks you could want.

Open the app, take a selfie, add a frame or sticker and share it to your Instagram, Twitter or Facebook profile, but then things get exciting... when someone likes, comments or shares your post, you earn points in cherri, which can then be used to redeem products.

From burgers to clothes, from taxi rides to makeup, imagine posting a selfie in the morning and getting a free pizza delivered for dinner. it really is that simple!

UNiDAYS is our number one app, because, well, it’s indispensable. Get it now.

We’ve been lucky enough to have a sneak peak at the app before launch and this is going to be a huge one. It will be available on the App Store and Google Play in October. @cheriiapp for news on the launch.

❸ Babble

You’ve seen the adverts, of course; Babbel is probably the most iconic and publiclyconsumed language-learning app there is.

The free version offers up to 40 lessons in any of the 13 languages supported by the platform. Each lesson begins with a step-by-step breakdown of vocabulary through the aid of pictures, with key words subsequently incorporated into related phrases and short dialogues, depending on the student’s individual level, to help build conversational skills. With features such as: speech recognition exercises, handy pop-ups explaining important grammatical points, and the ability to target specific skills in addition to the general beginner’s courses, Babbel is well worth the hype, either as a crucial starting point or as a subsequent investment.

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Pregnant at University “I would cradle her in one arm while writing exam notes in the other.”

University is a significant experience in every student’s life; you’re pushed outside of your comfort zone from the get go.

Whether it’s learning to live on a budget or how to use a washing machine, university constantly confronts you with new challenges.

The idea of becoming pregnant during such an intense stage of life is a daunting one.

As someone who has never experienced being pregnant at university, I reached out to a good friend of mine who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this March, all the while completing her most intense year at university yet.

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Lisa became pregnant just before her third and final year studying a Childhood and Youth Studies course. Although the pregnancy came as a surprise, the idea of having children was always a welcome one for Lisa and her partner of four years. “We always said if it happens it happens.” So Lisa came off her contraception and, to their joy, the pair became pregnant much sooner than expected.

Unlike many pregnancies that occur at university, Lisa’s wasn’t completely unplanned and she had thought the situation through somewhat. “I always knew there was a possibility that I would get pregnant whilst at uni, but it didn’t bother me much. I knew there would be options, and, worse case scenario, I could quit uni or take a year out.” Planned or not, their lives were about to change enormously, as was Lisa’s university experience.

The responsibility of a baby is overwhelming and it’s understandable for a pregnant student to consider dropping out. Lisa already struggled to find motivation on the course she was studying and found her pregnancy made the work load even harder to tackle. “I was always tired, always doing something more important – decorating the baby’s room, buying the baby essentials... I’d always find an excuse not to start work.” Her one regret was that she didn’t get a head start on her work as everything got increasingly more challenging as her journey to becoming a mother progressed.

“My grades showed how being pregnant impacted my studying, they weren’t awful but I knew I could do a lot better. But passing university whilst having a baby was my priority, and not what grade I graduated with.” One of Lisa’s

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points of advice for pregnant women at university is not to overwork yourself or do too much at once. Your stress levels will affect you as well as your child, so if leaving uni with the highest grades possible is something you care about, perhaps taking a year out could be your best option.

parents.” Although it could feel scary, even isolating, to walk your university campus with a huge baby bump, the important thing to remember is that your baby is all that matters and the negative opinions other people may or may not have isn’t worth your time or energy.

Lisa considered dropping out many times, however the drive to prove she could complete her course as a pregnant woman kept her working hard. “I was planning how to tell my family and I knew every single one of them would assume that that was it for me. I knew I had no choice and couldn’t drop out or I’d never hear the end of it!” So she stuck with it and juggled her huge work load as well as her new born baby – sometimes literally: “I would cradle her in one arm while writing exam notes in the other.”

When I asked Lisa how she felt about her child affecting her future career plans, the

When it came to discussing her pregnancy with her university, Lisa was understandably apprehensive. However, her tutors turned out to be reassuring and helpful: “My course leader was great. She offered me support and spoke to all my lecturers for me, informing them of my situation.” Lisa was given more control over her deadlines and was allowed extensions on her work. “I contacted student support services who gave me some forms to fill out and send back in about how pregnancy would affect my studies and what extra support I would need.” Of course every pregnant woman’s situation is unique, as is how every university will handle student pregnancies differently.

response I received was heart warming. “My daughter encourages me to strive for a good career and to achieve my goals in order to support her financially and be a good role model for her.” Although it’s been tough, having a baby at university hasn’t held Lisa back or changed her future for the worse in any way. If anything, having her baby has pushed and inspired Lisa to chase her dreams and be a woman for her daughter to look up to.

By Katie Gaster

As a pregnant young woman, you may feel like you stand out in an environment like university. “I felt a lot of judgment from people around me and I put it down to the fact I look younger than I am. There isn’t much positivity around young

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ROSIE JONES A WIT WORTH THE WAIT

Rosie Jones is a charismatic critically acclaimed stand up comedian.

She has journeyed through her life with Cerebral Palsy – a condition she confesses has made her more determined to succeed.

While she had to resort to comedy her entire life to put people at ease, Rosie did not believe it to be a viable career path for her. She didn’t know any comedians with disabilities, especially ones who spoke slowly. “I thought I couldn’t be a comedian because my audience would get to the punchline before me,” she joked, “then, I realized I could use my voice as a comic device by playing with the audience’s expectations”.

Natural Progression Rosie began as a TV researcher who wrote questions for comedians, and eventually their jokes. “I loved doing that,” she recalls, “but I also wanted a little bit of the limelight because I’m a big attention seeker.” While she loved hearing the comedians telling her jokes, a part of her felt like they had been getting her laughs. This motivated her to go on stage for the audience to see where the jokes actually came from. For Rosie, this transition had felt very natural with her former career providing her with access to doors that would otherwise be unavailable.

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“I come from quite a funny family and we’ve always used comedy to bring us closer”. Rosie describes her parents as immensely supportive, without ever holding her back. The comedian confesses that her stubborn nature wouldn’t have let anyone do so regardless. “I told them, I am doing this now, and all they got to say was okay”.

Having booked to see their daughter perform for the fifth time, their unconditional support gives Rosie the energy to keep on going.

Due to her physical disability, people often expressed scepticism at the extent of Rosie’s capacities. “I like to prove people wrong. Their disbelief started a fire in me and allowed me to be more focused than ever”. Thanks

to her disability, Rosie doesn’t take anything for granted. Rather than a disadvantage, it allows her to remain humble and appreciate the little things.

Disabled, not Less Able For Rosie, a disability is merely another characteristic that can potentially be used to one’s advantage. “I wouldn’t give my disability up for the world,” she says. Not only has it made her stronger, but more determined, more persistent. “I’m not disabled. I’m just Rosie”. The media only amplifies these stereotypes through its tendency to portray disabled characters as one dimensioned, often as an angelic figure or a fragile victim.

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The comedian admits to being annoyed by these characterisations.

“We’re human beings, flawed just like everyone else.” Nevertheless, Rosie believes that we are making improvements as a society as we begin to see more representation of disability in the media. “It’s an ongoing process”, the comedian states.

Someday, the comedian hopes to see a “flawed bastard” on TV who only happens to have a disability. “It’s the only way disability can become normalised, rather than being seen as taboo or awkward.” In the end, the comedian reminds us that it is life all the same, and we’re not all the same.

Feminism – A Fresh Perspective For a long time, Rosie thought feminism meant an ideology you had to dedicate your life to. The reality today could not be more different for the comedian. For Rosie, feminism is about taking everyone as an individual and not having any preconceived judgements over them just because they are a woman.

“Even now, people judge me for being a woman, because of that ridiculous idea that all women aren’t funny. I do feel like I need to break down that idea very quickly when I get on stage.”

The comedian points to many more brilliant female comedians coming through the circuit. A change that she feels within the next 5 years or so, will be a bit more of a level playing field with men and woman.

Beyond Entertainment Rosie draws her inspiration from every day life, often finding herself in comic situations, especially when it comes to how able bodied people react to her.

“It’s brilliant,” Rosie tells us, “Most of the audience does not realise what I go through on a daily basis. I like giving them an insight into my life”. For Rosie, comedy and education come hand in hand; beyond laughter, she hopes to inspire reflection. “Being a comedian is such an honour. We are given a platform to express our own opinion and potentially change the listener’s perspective without them

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realising it, while creating laughter along the way”.

“The greatest joy in the world is to make people laugh.” In fact, the comedian still cannot believe she gets paid to do it. While the constant travelling can become quite lonely, Rosie believes that the ability to give people a break from their own lives and make them forget about their worries for a single evening makes it all worth it.

As Rosie says, in every job there are good and bad days. During the latter, she reminds herself of why she began in the first place. “My dream is bigger than me. I want disabled children to see themselves represented in the media. It’s about the next generation”.

Moreover, Rosie reminds us that there is more to learn from bad gigs, both in terms of execution and determination. “It stops you from becoming complacent. It makes you want to go out there and do it better”. If she had to sum up her entire career in one sentence, it would be a constant striving to improve with the hopes of someday becoming the best.

For those who wish to undertake the path of comedy, Rosie advises them to get out there and perform. “When I did my first gig, it set a fire in me”. It was only then that Rosie became certain it was what she wanted to do. “No one’s first try will be ground breaking. If a single person laughs, that’s amazing. If not, go home and rewrite it. Get back out there. You’re not going to be a comedian from your bedroom.”

Currently, Rosie spends most of her time writing for her upcoming show in Edinburgh while developing sitcoms and brainstorming for future comedy projects. Already in possession of her dream job, in five years’ time, Rosie wishes to maintain her role as a champion of diversity and keep doing what she is currently doing, only more of it.

By Elaine Zheng

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Life in

S L L A H T N E D STU

y : the sheer jo s n io t o m e f mixed bag o and slight a n is w o y n it k s r n e u e iv h Going to un ith fear of t w d e in b m o c me friends. t o n h e d m n e a it y c il x e m and ehind your fa b g in v a le t a place you’ll d r a d n a sadness t s e ts, halls is th ur first n o e y d e u b t l s il r a w e it y tand for most l For most firs a e d ig b y t t xpertise and e r e r p u a o ’s e r It . a o h t s e move in ome. Here w h m o r dent halls. f u y t a s w in a g g in in v v li izabeth time li

By Joanne El ips for t p o t r u o m r o fo experience t

❶

ENSURE YOU HAVE MORE EQUIPMENT THAN NOT Being over-prepared is better than being under-prepared. Seriously. stocked If you have the space, ensure you’re es, up with useful items like cutlery, dish forth. At glasses, cooking equipment and so h you the time you may not realise how muc do. need all of this, but you most certainly

❷

CONVERSELY, DON’T BRING IRRELEVANT STUFF WITH YOU It’s hard to know what to bring with you, especially if it’s the first time you’ll be living away from home. But be realistic about what you’re going to need - and stop thinking about every little thing you might possibly need, because more than likely you won’t touch half the stuff you bring with you the whole of your academic year.

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www.STUDENTPAGES.biz

❸

❹

PRE-BUDGET YOUR MONEY

you so This tip is really important. It will help you a save much throughout the year, and will k wor is this lot of hassle. The best way to do n the in, e out how much money you’ll have com ks, boo text , deduct all the necessities (like rent ngly per phone bills) and split the rest accordi best). you month or week (whichever suits of sum p From that total, you’ll have a lum gs thin nt money you can spend on the importa ). ying part like food, travel (and of course,

❺

SPEND TIME TO GET TO KNOW YOUR FLAT MATES

Halls are always big places, and you’ll m eet a lot of people from all wa lks of life. Your first year is when you’ll have more time to meet people socia lly, and those who you do meet will sh ape your university experience. Try and meet as many people as you can, es pecially during Freshers. Everyone will be in a great m oo d and you’ll make some lifelong memories during th is week.

If you do not have the confidence to speak to random people - don’t wo rry. Have a look at wh ich societies and sports groups are run during Freshers’ Fair. You will, without a doub t, find something you are passionate about and you will meet a great bunch of people who shar e the same passio n as you.

people as you Aside from getting to meet as many mates. It’s a flat r you w can, ensure you get to kno important. ly real is tip tough balancing act, but this knock on each When you move in, don’t be afraid to communal the in door and say hello, or spend time s who you one the be areas. These people are going to getting and year the will be living with for the rest of ed, tion men as in, Aga to know them is really helpful. year first r you e these people are going to shap with them. experience. Make time to hang out

❼

BE VIGILANT OF YOUR VALUABLES

Get to know and recognis e key faces in your halls.

It is a known fact that thi eves target student accommodation. If you live on the ground floor, always lock your windows . Especially if you’re nipping out for a few mi nutes. Keep belongings away from windows and open areas. Thieves can steal your belongings through the smallest opening, so do n’t give them the ‘window of opportunity’!.

Ensure you lock your doors whenever you lea ve and close windows - this will deter anyone up to no good.

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MEET AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN

❻

VE DON’T LEA RIES ET YOUR TOIL OUND & FOOD AR et and

you me people that Whilst most it’s better to trustworthy, live with are are sharing sorry. If you iletries be safe than keep your to s, e ti ili c fa is later. bathroom ank us for th th ’ll u o Y . u applies. with yo e same rule th , o to d o And for fo ound to be your stuff ar thing.

Don’t leave at’s the main th n ke ta easily

❽

AND LASTLY...

ENJOY!

Remember, enjoy yourself! You will, . without a doubt love every moment s orie You’ll make some incredible mem a in go and meet amazing people. It will ver. fore flash, so cherish such moments enjoy Remember to work hard so you can everything else that little bit more!

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Student Pages talks to

boohooMAN’s Senior Menswear Designer,

Penelope Armstrong 1. Which trends do you think will be big for Autumn 2018

4. What would you recommend to someone wanting to work in this field?

I think AW18 is a really exciting season for Menswear, there’s a big focus on styling and layering garments, and there’s been a huge increase in the number of brands showing menswear with womenswear. My favourite trend from the BOOHOO MAN AW18 offering is the Youth Anarchy trend with bright colour pops, club culture undertones and rebellious detailing.

Make sure you learn as much as possible about all aspects of fashion, and take inspiration from everything you do.

2. How did you get into Fashion Design, and forge your career in this field – where you are today?

I think I was lucky that I always wanted to be a designer, even when I was really young but It wasn’t until I went to university after an art foundation course that I decided to try Menswear. I was lucky enough to get a job straight away after uni and even ended up working in Barcelona for a while before returning to Manchetser.

3. Can you describe a typical day in the life of a Fashion Designer?

5. Why do you love fashion?

I’ve always loved fashion. Both of my Grandmas were dressmakers and I’ve always loved the thought of wearing my own designs and seeing other people wear them too. I think it’s important to forge a career in a field that you feel passionate about.

6. What skills are most important in Fashion Design?

An understanding of garment construction and fabrics is a must… you have to know that what you design can be made and have the knowledge to advise on fabric and trims.

And It sounds obvious but a personal interest in fashion is a must, I’m constantly scrolling through Instagram/tumblr/ pinterest and magazines for inspiration, it’s non-stop but it’s important to have a constant flow of inspiration when you’re designing every day.

I’m not sure there is a typical day!

I love that every day in my job is different, from creating trends and moodboards to attending meetings… to fabric sourcing around the world.

7. What would you recommend for somebody to wear to an interview as a Fashion Designer?

The only advice I’d give would be to be yourself and not try too hard. The important thing is that you feel confident and do your research on the brand you’re applying for.

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The monochrome piping keeps it classic and will look great paired with denim, leather or cord, come the colder months. Add a pair of statement earrings for extra interest.

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OVERNIGHT STOPS

Gang Crime B E T W E E N

T H E

L I N E S

Knife crime on the rise.

Shootings and stabbings across London and the UK’s biggest cities.

We’ve all seen the headlines, but have we read their story?

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www.STUDENTPAGES.biz

Gang culture presents one of the biggest problems faced by the UK’s biggest cities to date and is not just a modern problem.

From Glasgow’s razor gangs from the 1920s to London’s Hoxton Gang from the 1930s, gang culture in the UK’s cities is a historic part of the UK’s dark underbelly.

An integral part of this gang culture has always been knife crime, even in today’s modern world.

Digging deeper into this world of darkness, we caught up with young people directly affected by this underworld where violence is ever prominent.

Kevin Munga

Kevin is a law graduate, public speaker, and writer who recently published his insights into gang crime in his book ‘Young Black Males Have Potential’.

He articulates his thought on the complex issues of gangsterism, police brutality, and masculinity. He is the role model so many young men have been yearning for.

However rewind the tape ten years and his prospects didn’t seem so colourful.

Product of Environment Born in Paris, Kevin discovered gang culture when he moved to Croydon

and started secondary school. He was surrounded by a world of street names, reputation, and rivalry. The lifestyle intrigued him, but he never intended to get involved with gangs.

He eventually associated with a gang for his own protection, but his involvement did not stop there as he’d initially hoped.

“Once you join something, it becomes a habit or it takes over you so you kind

At First Glance Recent statistics prove a rise in ‘gang crime’ and media coverage of the issue has spiked as a result.

Yet the underlying problems behind the statistics have existed as long as urbanisation and are a product of innumerable psychological, domestic, societal, political, and economic factors. There is no one policy or investment that will pacify the violence; change needs to come from every angle. But the first step is understanding the roots of the issue.

We wanted to dig deeper into this urban underworld, so we caught up with the young people directly affected by the violence to hear their stories.

Why are otherwise ordinary youths getting involved in criminal activity?

How does society start to suture the wounds of the past? And who are the individuals behind the paralysing statistics?

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of become more of an active member yourself, ‘cause obviously what you indulge in eventually becomes who you are.”

He was engrossed in the gang lifestyle for several years until the needle scratch of a fellow gang member’s death left him re-evaluating his choices.

New Beginnings Kevin vowed to keep his nose down, to stay out of fights and focus on making money the easiest way: illegally. The

30

streets, however, were not done with him. Kevin had another wake up call when he was jumped by a gang and had a knife drawn on him. His instinct was to take revenge, but this feeling led him to a realisation.

“My transition started from living my life for Christ, going to church, and what it did was give me some applicable values, and that also developed into actually wanting more for myself, seeing that there’s no long term in this.”

Kevin moved away from the streets, started to share his experiences through public speaking and through his book, and went on to graduate with

a law degree. This September, he is starting his Master’s, and will continue to share the message that it’s never too late to turn your life around and achieve great things.

“I’m still young. I just turned twentyfive a month ago, and thinking if only these young men could see that – look, it still happened within my youth.

And it’s also addressing them and transmitting to them that no one was born a gangster or born a certain way where you want to hurt someone or terrorise people. So you’ve changed once already. You can do it again, in a positive way.”

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Nequela Whittaker Like many teenagers, Nequela was searching for her place in the world, but the environment in which she found herself was no place for healthy development.

Exposing the hidden side to an already misunderstood issue, Nequela tells her own story in ‘Street Girl’. The book, co-written by Tim Pritchard, reads with the narrative eloquence of a good thriller. But her story is no fiction.

Growing Up Nequela’s mum put a lot of time into fostering her talents, whether it was running, football, tennis, or playing the violin. Nequela’s personal development was not like most young people’s. She was very sheltered, and wasn’t able to understand a lot of the environment she was subsequently exposed to.

day inside, she was transferred to the young offender’s unit, which was on a seventy-two-hour lockdown following an incident involving napalm (sugar and boiling water).

depression, just swaying… I had a seethrough sack over my shoulder… and I tell you, the tear rolled from my eye and it slapped the floor. Even I could hear, it was so quiet.”

“When I arrived there, that was when the penny dropped that I was in prison.

The reason being, when I walked into the room, the room was dark like a cave and there was this white girl sitting on the bed in a state of

Reflection When the reality of her situation sunk in, Nequela started to contemplate her past, the choices she’d made, and

“I struggled quite a lot when I got through secondary school. Fitting in, fitting in with people, so having the latest stuff. I struggled with confidence. That’s something that I struggled with because I allowed myself to become a part of the crowd, as opposed to be a leader and pursue my running and my other career opportunities. But I became a leader in a notorious way as opposed to that.”

Behind Bars Neqeula became involved with stealing mopeds, selling weed on the estate, and later harder drugs around London. She was involved in conflicts with other girls, and had a growing list of convictions, narrowly escaping prison. She started to scale up her distribution, transporting ounces of class A drugs across the country, but her lifestyle was derailed when she was arrested on a drug run to Aberdeen.

She skipped court and lived on the run for a while before deciding to face the music. She was sentenced to fortyeight months in prison. On her second

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the advice she had ignored. Through all the lifestyle choices that defined her life at that point, one thing resonated with her more than ever.

Her mother’s words.

‘You need to dig deep in yourself.’

Nequela never understood what this meant until she went to prison and had to dig deep inside herself.

“I always said, why the hell is this woman telling me about digging deep?

I’ve digged deep. How much deeper can I dig? But when I went to prison, and I had that concept, I channelled it... and this thought of the state where you’ve got to make a good thing out of a bad situation.”

University After her release, Nequela returned to London and channelled her energy into completing her level 1 and 2 in youth work at Knights Youth Centre, before going on to study at Goldsmiths.

This was the best time of her life.

She found she learnt so much about herself. She immersed herself in the ideology of self-development and self-achievement and being able to reflect deep on herself and understand her own educational vocation. She found a new sense of purpose in studying to help others.

“I never gave myself a chance in secondary school because I just had to fit in. It was survival. So I didn’t have time to learn in secondary school properly the way I wanted to because I was fighting; I was selling drugs. It was a different kind of motive I was driven to.”

University gave her new perspective, the notion that she could be Nequela Whittaker, and not the product of an environment dictated by society. She is no longer the girl she used to be. For Nequela it was a fresh start, a positive environment, and an achievement she never would have dreamed of in the past.

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Jermaine

Lawlor Jermaine Lawlor is a youth worker and activist who has shared his own insights into the complex issues surrounding youth crime on some of the UK’s biggest media outlets. His mentoring organisation, V4YAV (Voice for Youth Against Violence) inspires and directs at-risk youths to more fulfilling futures.

Raised by the Streets With a lack of positive role models and father figure to keep him straight, Jermaine found himself on the streets from the age of nine or ten. His new family became the gang members with whom he shared the streets.

“Growing up on the streets I quickly learnt how to hustle (make money), the rule of no snitching, the imminent need for loyalty, reputation, and protection. I got caught in the ‘trap’, the ‘Scarface dream’. It’s every young male’s dream when you come from the streets. The thing about the streets is that you never know when your time will come to an end, whether you end up in prison or dead from a gun that your friend pulled.

After attending the funerals of many friends who had died on the streets, Jermaine was determined to escape the urban rat race. He found his faith and courage in God to turn his life around. He now supports youths in similar situations to his own and speaks out about the reality of the streets.

Where Does It Go Wrong?

Jermaine sees the cycles of young black men caught in the criminal justice system, the poverty, unemployment, the lack of opportunities, but what does he perceive to be the root of the problems?

“The government has made huge cuts to youth services, resources, and youth centres, and since have not invested a penny back into the community. Overrepresentation of negative images of youth, lack of parental supervision, poor education, and lack of positive role models is a major influence. Where society has failed, the streets offer an alternative and provides a lifestyle that a nine to five simply won’t provide…Major risks equals major rewards but what these young individuals fail to realise is it also comes with major consequences, but the need and want far outweigh the fear of prison.”

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What can be done?

Some believe the solution lies in re-funding police; others place their faith in employment and social opportunities for youths. Jermaine, like many other inside voices, suggests the affected communities themselves need to be supported from the ground up.

“More mentoring programmes [are needed], more youth workers, reinvestments into these communities, and more funding for organisations like Voice4YouthAgainstViolence who work with the disadvantaged and provide an alternative to custody and death by providing education, training, and employment opportunities.”

Jermaine’s Voice4YouthAgainstViolence differs from other organisations in their high work ethic and their belief in coproduction: tailoring their programmes and resources to suit the youths.

This is what he believes is needed the most.

Masculinity A lot of youths grow up with absent fathers or else don’t have any other male role models within the community. And when masculinity is painted by some to be a negative aspect, how do young males find courage and strength and connect with their inner selves?

“There is a blurred image of the ‘masculine man’ and ‘what it means to be a man in today’s society’. There is a platform void of positive role models in society. At least the media doesn’t portray enough of them, which means that the majority of young males are learning their masculinity from the streets and learn ‘how to be a man’ from a negative perspective.”

For young males coming from adverse domestic and social backgrounds, with no model of masculinity in front of them, this poses a big problem.

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“This has a huge impact on the emotional, psychological state and distorts the relation between man and women and women and man as a result, forming a poor relationship with masculinity.”

The Media Gang culture has been a hot media topic recently but many, including Jermaine, feel that coverage of the issue has not been entirely balanced or honest.

“I feel that the media only focus on the negativity in communities and fail to portray the positive work being done in these communities, the positive stories and achievements from positive young people and the lack of advertisement of positive role models and only focus on the negative.

Poor access to education is also a major issue and does not get enough attention. I also feel that mental heath is not addressed or enough coverage is given.”

Paving the Way Kevin. Nequela. Jermaine. Their stories are just three of the thousands of affected young people across the UK. They’ve arisen from adversity to lead prosperous futures, but how can society aid others in similar

predicaments to overcome their own struggles?

Eleanor Riley gives Catch 22’s perspective after dealing with thousands of young people across the country.

“Fundamentally as a society we need to stop seeing youth violence as ‘someone else’s problem’. In practical terms this means robust youth provision and active citizenship.”

“One of the key things we’ve learned from supporting people is that, in order to have any impact on their lives, you need to build a trusted relationship with them. This is the key focus across all our services, whether that’s an alternative provision school, a child sexual exploitation service, or our work in youth prisons. Without a network of positive adults, it would be easy for a young person to feel that nobody cares for them - as a society we need to build strong communities where they feel valued.

The headlines paint a bleak picture, but there is hope. Change is already happening. Countless organisations work tirelessly with the youth to encourage their development and prosperity. Individuals are finding their purpose in the darkness and spreading their newfound perspectives. There is much to be done but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We just need to keep the train moving.

By Eddy Jones & Stewart Storrar

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CALLED

-TO THE-

RING

Interview with

CHEAVON CLARKE Cheavon is a Jamaicanborn British boxer who brought home the bronze medal in the 2018 Commonwealth games.

He sat down with Student Pages to share his story of commitment, sacrifice, and world-class success.

By Elaine Zheng

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www.STUDENTPAGES.biz

Humble Beginnings

competing are nothing.

Despite having won multiple boxing medals and competed in competitions across the world, Cheavon’s first love was football. Despite his passion and dedication to the game, his team’s results never reflected the effort he invested. “I always give 110%,” the athlete says. His current team has broken countless records and is one of the best Britain has ever had, yet Cheavon aspires to go even further. “There are so many people who are trying to get where I am at”, he says. “While I am grateful for these opportunities, I believe there is still a long way to go.”

“My dad taught me to never panic,” the athlete says. “Once you panic you lose control.”

When you’re under pressure, you just have to slow things down and let things play out slowly. Only then can you maintain control. “The biggest challenge is maintaining your mental strength.

Those around you won’t always understand”. While they may acknowledge that you are trying to achieve something, they aren’t usually aware of what it takes, of what you must give up for the mere possibility of getting where you wish to go.

When Cheavon thinks back to his hometown in Jamaica, it puts his position into perspective, and his will to fight burns anew. “Not everyone gets the opportunities I have”, he reflects. “That alone keeps me grounded”. He knows that many would die for the opportunities he has had, and merely out of respect for that - for the people and the place from which he arose - he needs to be out there giving his all, regardless of how “far” others say he has gotten.

“That’s just who I am,” he shrugs. The boxer attributes his modesty to the teachings of his mother who kept his brother and him grounded as they grew up. She taught them that in the end, people are people regardless of the cars they drive. We all end up in a small box regardless.

“If you’re around me and not smiling, I’m not doing my job as a human being,” he states. For Cheavon, generation gaps are a myth. “It doesn’t matter who you are,” he says, “we can get along.”

In times of pressure, Cheavon finds himself even more psyched. His enjoyment only grows with the size of the audience and the expectation they hold for him. “When I’m winning, I feel like a God,” the athlete says. For Cheavon, a positive attitude is essential to victory. Every morning, he reminds himself why he is here. “I could be sitting in an office or driving a lorry, but I don’t want to be like everyone else”.

Mind over Matter The boxer shares his morning routine prior to heading into the ring: “I listen to music and try to have fun. Sometimes I’ll fall asleep - pretty much the same as every other day.” The real competition takes place before the fight itself. “I get nervous going to training,” Cheavon confesses.

“That’s where the fight is for me.” In comparison, the moments prior to

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“Being an athlete gives you a platform to educate,” the boxer tells us. Cheavon hopes to inspire the younger generation to be better, both as athletes and human beings, and have the courage to achieve everything they want in life. “The effort is always better you and yourself.

Nobody can tell you how much effort to put in.” In the end, consistent work is the only secret to success.

There are things you that will have to forgo naturally as an athlete: parties, alcohol, food. But Cheavon doesn’t believe any to be major sacrifices. “It’s just a part of the lifestyle. Just like a parent who chooses to stay in to look after their children, I’m not any different…I don’t know any other lifestyle. When I focus on something it becomes just that.” Having dedicated his life to boxing, everything else becomes secondary: birthdays, holidays, parties. For Cheavon, the only thing that comes before boxing is family.

What the Industry Needs If boxing became more prominent in mainstream television, it could inspire more kids to go down to their local gym and sign up. This would provide a secure environment in which they can develop their confidence and grow as individuals.

Eventually, it’ll translate into further ambitions and an increased desire to challenge themselves.

“It’s never too late to begin,” Cheavon reminds us. He himself only started boxing at the age of nineteen while others have started as late as twenty-one. Consistency and persistence are more important. “You just have to go for it,” he says, “and once you start winning, stay humble”. You can always learn.

Cheavon Clarke is Sponsored by: : #HyScaffscaffoldingLTD #fastLabourSolutionscontractsLTD .#SiANMANAGEMENTLTD)

by Elaine Zheng

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ADVERTORIAL

y r o t S s ’ h a n n Ha E CAREER

IM T TO FULL T N E D U T S E TIM FROM PART

When Hannah Mulholland started her Events Management degree at The University of Birmingham, she had no idea that eight years later she would be overseeing the activities programmes for nearly 4,000 residents across 60 of Barchester Healthcare’s 200 care homes for the elderly.

What started out as a job to fit around her studies and fund her passion for travel has turned into a lifelong career using her degree in ways she never thought she would.

Hannah talks to the Student Pages about the power of self-belief and how a student job can take you on an amazing journey.

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From pocket money to a passion

Making the difference

“Like many students I wanted some extra money while I was studying. I love travelling and didn’t want to give that up while I was on my course. I knew I didn’t want to do bar or banqueting work, so when a friend suggested doing some domiciliary care for the elderly, I thought it sounded much more interesting. The job meant working in the morning and evenings, before and after my classes – I would help older people in their homes get ready for their day and then prepare them for bed at night, and I really enjoyed meeting the people I was supporting.”

“Our residents have such varied and fascinating lives and we want them to continue their interests when they come to live in our homes. Just because people live in a care home doesn’t mean we can’t introduce new things. I have taught a 101 year lady to Skype so she can talk to her son in Canada – how amazing is that?”

However, Hannah couldn’t stop thinking about the people she looked after during her day. As an events management student, it was on her mind what activities an elderly house bound person could do during the day.

“I would worry my ladies and gents were sitting there staring at the TV, watching programmes that didn’t really interest them and not living their lives to full potential. So, with some of the money I earned, I would go to the charity shops and look for things that I thought would interest them, a jigsaw puzzle or a specific DVD, it all depended what their interests were.”

“It really got me thinking not only about how much we can learn from the elderly, but also what they can learn from us. It should all be about the quality of life they deserve.

There’s a perception that the elderly want to just sit drinking tea and watching TV, I decided that with my events degree I could blow that perception out of the water.”

Believe in Yourself However, like many things, the road is not always straight forward. Hannah had watched Barchester Healthcare build Harper Fields Care Home five years ago in Balsall Common – close to her own home. By then, Hannah knew she wanted to use her Events Management degree to bring an amazing, varied and vibrant activities programme to the residents of Harper Fields.

“I called Harper Fields and asked if they had an Activities Coordinator. I was told the role had already been filled, but I didn’t let that stop me, you make your own future. I asked the Manager to meet me, what harm would it do? I really believed I could make a positive difference to the residents in the home. I planned well for my meeting and pretended that I already had the job, so I mocked up some leaflets and worked out a timetable for the residents.

My determination worked – I was made Activities Coordinator and the other lady became my assistant. I was thrilled. Finally, I could use my Events Management degree to enrich and enhance people’s lives.”

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Hannah’s degree taught her an event is an event; no matter who is attending or where it is, you can make a positive difference. From this belief, Harper Fields has developed a 24/7 calendar of events ranging from cinema evenings and Reiki classes to swimming club and ‘mindfulness and meditation’ in which all the staff are involved.

“We also run a variety of trips for our residents, with the theatre being one of their favourites. I recently took a gentleman to the ballet at the Birmingham Hippodrome theatre who had never been before. He was in his 80s and I took him to the front of the stage and showed him what it all looked like, he was in awe. Watching his face was magical.

He was having the chance to experience something new at the age of 80!”

“I really enjoy planning the bigger events; bonfire night is one of my favourites.

We have even held a Vegan Festival (I am passionate about veganism).

But for all events, big or small, you have to think of every element; the marketing, press releases, entertainment, budget planning, and all the finer details that make an event perfect.”

Go as far as you can Hannah’s passions, her degree and belief that you can do anything you set your heart on has meant she is now heading up a new pilot project across 60 homes which will ensure all residents get the vibrant activities programme they deserve. It has also meant she has won many awards including, Barchester Healthcare’s ‘Activities Coordinator 2016’, and ‘Veggie Hero Award 2017’ from Vegetarian for Life.

“I had never considered a career in the care sector, I just wanted to do something that has a buzz, energy and a purpose to it. At Barchester not only can I can use my degree to help people to live a full and happy life, but I’m also invigorated and fulfilled.”

www.barchesterjobs.com

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ADVERTORIAL

Job Profile: HEALTH CARE SUPPORT WORKER Barchester Healthcare have six independent hospitals specialising in mental health and over 200 care homes across the UK. By providing award-winning care and investing in their 17,000 employees Barchester remain at the forefront of the UK’s private healthcare sector.

Becky Evans is a Health Care Support Worker at Barchester’s Billingham Grange Independent Hospital in Cleveland. Becky’s role is to assist those living with mental health conditions to empower them to take control of their lives. It’s about encouraging people to do things for themselves so they can have the best quality of life possible for them.

My role varies on a day-to-day basis. It can start with simply encouraging a patient to get out of bed in the morning, to providing house assistance, where we encourage things such as having meals on time or developing a good sleep routine. We also help patients have time away from the ward by taking them to places such as the shops, exercise classes or walks in the local parks.

I actually became a support worker by accident. I was doing an apprenticeship in a care setting and was asked if I would consider additional training. This provided additional qualifications and the confidence I needed to apply for a role with Barchester. I had become more interested in mental health so working at the hospital is a perfect fit.

“I really

love my job as I feel like what I do makes a real difference - it’s the little things in life.

Before I started working at Barchester I was concerned I’d find it emotionally difficult to work with people living with mental health problems. I needn’t have worried. The training I received at Barchester has taught me how to manage myself, and with the continual support from my colleagues, it hasn’t been a problem at all. Everyone really pulls together and supports each other; I love the camaraderie of the team.

To other young people interested in pursuing a career in care, I’d advise you to take every opportunity that comes your way. If you’re not sure whether working in the mental health sector is right for you, find out as much as you can about the roles and career paths available. Talk to people already in the job and get as much background knowledge as you can. Above all, build your communications skills as these are critical in this type of role.

I love my job and feel that what I do really makes a real difference. For me, it’s all about connecting with people and gaining an understanding of their thoughts and feelings. My biggest challenge is when a patient is in distress due to their mental health. I see my role as working with people to understand what could cause their distress and using simple techniques to keep them as calm and comfortable as possible.

Seeing that little sparkle on a patients face when they are doing something for themselves, I know I’m doing the right thing. My career has gone from strength to strength and I am now training to become a mental health nurse.

Find out more about Barchester and browse all the current vacancies @ https://jobs.barchester.com

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AEG is the world’s leading owner of entertainment venues and sports teams and the 2nd largest music promoter. AEG Europe comprises of The O2; SSE Arena, Wembley; MBNA Thames Clippers and AEG Presents, which includes the Eventim Apollo and Indigo at The O2.

We have a large variety of roles in Customer Services & Front of House, Engineering, Fleet Operations, Marketing, Finance, IT, Partnerships, Security, Contact Centre, Ticketing, Sales, Building Services and HR.

We have a variety of contracts on offer to suit everyone, why not visit our careers site to find out more: https://careers.aegeurope.com/

Job Profile: OSTEOPATH Student Pages spoke to Kerri Sherrard, a practicing Osteopath about finding her passion through a career in Osteopathy. This is her Story!

In her role as an Osteopath, Kerri treats patients to relieve pain and discomfort across all age groups, providing regular treatment to ensure patients with chronic problems are able to be kept as comfortable as possible.

It all started when Kerri took a gap year after A-levels, and found herself applying to the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“Whilst still at college, I was able to start treating patients privately for massage (as opposed to osteopathy) to build up experience. After graduating, I continued this as well as working for an osteopathy practice. I worked at patient’s homes at any time people wanted treatment, including late at night, to gain patients and experience.”

For Kerri, working in Osteopathy has allowed her to find excellence through the people she works with whilst enjoying the challenge through new patient case histories and examinations to determine the cause of the problem to properly resolve the issue. “My practice is always interesting because I see a huge range of patients from babies to the elderly and everyone in between.”

As a career, Kerri always wanted to do something medical, yet explore a medical profession where she could utilize her hands.

“I love my job – it is very satisfying when someone who arrives in acute pain gets up after treatment and says in surprise that the pain is gone. I love that I am able to help people everyday!”

“I love

my job – it is very satisfying when someone who arrives in acute pain gets up after treatment and says in surprise that the pain is gone.

Osteopathy is something you need to do for love of the job rather than the money. You need to genuinely care about the patients, whilst showing a dedication to work hard to build up a list.

It was not straightforward from the start. Kerri openly admits she was lucky to land a job straight away, however, the reality of finding work is anything but a walk in the park. Within the profession, a key part is building up your own patient list, which takes time. Something, Kerri, explains, is fairly common within the profession. One of the biggest challenges within Osteopathy is marketing. With the education on the subject limited, thus being able to contend with and embrace marketing, technological advances and research are key elements of building a successful career.

#StudentPagesMag

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A Beginners Guide to

LinkedIn is essential to establishing your professional life online – if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, you have no presence in the world wide web of work.

With over 1.5 million internships and student jobs currently advertised on the site, you shouldn’t wait until the end of third year before setting up your page!

Let Student Pages help you craft a profile that will attract and impress employers and peers alike.

Sign up with your personal email address, as your university address will expire once you’ve graduated. As with all social media platforms, it starts with a photo. Except on LinkedIn, this has to be the most professional photo you can find of yourself – you need to be smartly dressed, serious, and the only person in the picture. You know the photo your nan has up in her living room? That’s the one to go for.

sum up your key skills and the sort of opportunities you are looking for. You don’t need to include specifics about your degree or work experience here, instead you should go with skills and adjectives which describe you best.

Keep it short and sharp.

You then get to write a profile headline. This is the professional version of your Instagram bio – it needs to be informative, aspirational and searchable. Opening with ‘Politics and Spanish Student at Manchester University’ tells someone exactly what they need to know, or you could go with what you’d like your future job to be, i.e. ‘Aspiring Mechanical Engineer’.

In the second part of your headline you could say something like, ‘Looking for Internship Opportunities’, just to make your intentions crystal clear.

You can then move into your experience, which is the real meat of your profile. As a student, you are unlikely to have a substantial amount of work experience yet, however there is still plenty that you can draw on which will still help you to stand out. Start with the obvious things like details of your grades, specific modules you are taking, highlighting any skills or knowledge gained that is directly relevant to the workplace.

Taking part in a group project would be a good example of this, as it demonstrates teamwork, negotiation, leadership, and presentation skills – all of which are invaluable once you enter the world of work.

Your summary statement is the first set of details that employers will see about you. It only needs to be two or three sentences but should

If you have done especially well in something, you can add it to the Honours and Awards, Certifications, or Team Projects sections, as this is

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By Emma Rosen

an appropriate space for you to go into a little more detail. Don’t waffle on though, keep it to the point and remember the ABCs of effective writing: accuracy, brevity and clarity.

If you have done any voluntary work over the years, add this into Volunteer Experience & Causes. This could include societies at university, anything you’ve done during the summer holidays, or programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh.

Always link it back to the skills you’ve gained so employers can understand its relevance to the workplace, and demonstrate how your experiences have helped you grow as a person.

There is also space to add work, such as a link to your blog or examples of your design, writing, or analysis work.

There’s no need to add more than a couple of items here, just some of your best work that demonstrates your abilities. You can upload or link to media, websites, documents, or presentations.

The last sections to focus on are your Skills and Recommendations.

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Choose your strongest skills that you have demonstrated through your degree and any work experience you already have. This could range from written communication to teamwork, analysis, or customer service. Focus on your top 5 skills, as your aim is to get as many people as possible to endorse you for them through the Recommendations section – where a former boss or your tutor can write a short reference about how great you are.

The final step is getting a unique LinkedIn URL, which can be personalised like your Twitter handle.

Go to your settings and change your profile to public, which makes you searchable, and then select how much information someone you aren’t directly connected with can see about you. You can then edit your profile link so that when people Google your name, your LinkedIn page will come up. You could use this link on your CV or under your email signature to encourage others to connect and interact with you.

Once you’ve completed everything, ask a parent or friend to proofread your profile for you, as any errors can immediately strip away your credibility.

When your profile is bulletproof, you can start connecting with friends

#StudentPagesMag

and professional acquaintances. As with any social network, you aren’t immediately going to have 500 connections, it will take time to organically grow.

Once you do get to the stage of looking for summer internships, yearin-industry placements, or graduate jobs, you can use LinkedIn to research and follow companies and recruiters that you’re interested in. You can also use it to research someone who is interviewing you, though remember that unlike other social platforms, if you look at someone’s profile they will

get a notification telling them who has seen it (don’t stress to much about this unless you’re looking up an ex!).

LinkedIn is a great way to procrastinate productively. If you’re having a slow day of essay writing and need any excuse not to trawl through the library, have a play around on the website, join in discussions, join groups and research people’s careers. You’ll be surprised by what you learn from this window into the world of work.

You can view Emma’s profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ emmarosen1/

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The Student Pages Guide to

GRAD SCHEMES With graduate schemes opening for applications in the autumn term, now is the time to start getting your act together and thinking about life after university. Step one is not panicking!

Step two, however, is finding out a bit more about them and then deciding if they are for you. Only after that should you think about applying to the most relevant openings.

The benefits of a graduate scheme are that you’ll get a higher than average salary, compared with most grads, and you’ll receive training and mentorship which will guide you through your first years in the working world without necessarily dumping you straight in the deep end. You will also have a highly respected company name on your CV as your first job out of university and will likely have an immediate post-uni social life with all the other graduates on your scheme. Finally, lots of grad schemes will pay for you to take further qualifications if you are going into a specific profession, such as accountancy or law, which is a major incentive.

This all sounds great, but there are other things to bare in mind before deciding about whether or not to apply for one. You will usually need at least a 2:1 to apply, you may be asked to relocate, and likely will need to work longer than the average 9 to 5. They are all hugely competitive and the applications are lengthy and very time consuming. It often takes months to find out whether you’ve got the job or not,

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so you need to very patient. Imagine waiting for those UCAS offer emails for another four months!

Most importantly, though, it’s the type of work you’ll be doing when you get there. Grad schemes can mean working your way up from the bottom with little responsibility and lots of repetitive tasks, as there is an emphasis on learning from others. The can be frustrating if you’re the type of person who wants to progress quickly, doesn’t like the idea of being tied in, and wants to take on lots of responsibility.

If you have decided that a grad scheme is for you, then do your research! Your CV, application writing, and interview skills need to be the best they can be, as does your commercial awareness and knowledge of the companies you’re applying to. Take advantage of your uni careers service, as they will check through CV and job applications with you, run mock interviews, and are a great resource on all sorts of different industries. Don’t rush your applications, take time over them to ensure that they are the best they can possibly be. Remember to find ways to stand out from the crowd in your application, whether through your involvement in societies, starting a business, the internships you’ve done, or a blog you may have written.

You can also try registering with graduate recruiters like Milkround and Graduate Recruitment Bureau. As they have access to thousands of graduate-specific jobs in most sectors, they will work with you to put you forward for the right jobs and can provide advice on employability skills.

Keep track of application deadlines, which mostly run from September to Christmas, with jobs usually starting from the following September. Lists of application deadlines for grad schemes are available each year online.

Don’t worry if you don’t think grad schemes sound like they are for you though, as there are plenty of alternative options. Many people apply directly to companies for jobs and internships. You can also consider looking into postgraduate courses, starting your own business, or looking for opportunities abroad.

By Emma Rosen

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GRACE SAVAGE Beatboxing champion and vocalist Grace Savage was recently nominated best female solo act and songwriter at the Unsigned Music Awards of 2018. Following her debut EP ‘Savage Grace’, which the artist describes as a nervewrecking step into the music industry and a first attempt at self-introduction, Grace’s new album, ‘Control Freak’ reflects the confidence gained from a hearty reception. “I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone”, the artist proclaims. And indeed she has; this evolution can be observed in her collaboration with new writers as well as the refinement of her sound and lyrical nuance.

Inspiration and Influences Grace’s music is largely influenced by relationship dynamics, platonic and romantic, and the idea of power within both. “I didn’t realize that there was a theme running through [the songs] until I heard them all back in one go; hence the title, ‘Control Freak’. Nothing is truly equal in love. These songs acknowledge this changing dynamic within relationships. They explore how we withhold emotions to retain control, the process of trust, the idea of revival, of giving in, letting go, and the attempt to regain control once it’s lost.”

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“My mom and dad have always said to do what makes you happy.” A lover of electronic music and pop, Grace’s work naturally gravitated towards the genre. The artist expresses her gratitude towards her parents for not overwhelming her and showing disapproval for her choice to face an industry known for its uncertainty. Her other motivators include her drama teacher, Jo Lock, who inspired her to apply for a scholarship to study theatre, as well as her beatboxing sister, Bellatrix, and Dee Adam, who helped her find her singing voice. Her main musical influences are Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, and Jangle Monáe, amongst many others.

Art as Means of Connection The artist reveals that she spends a lot of time on lyrics.

“The story and message of a song is really important to me; it always has to come from a personal place if I’m writing for myself.” While she hopes her audience can connect with her music, Grace also wishes to produce music people can dance to, music that can generate a physical reaction. “If I can evoke simultaneous feelings of emotion and euphoria then I’ve nailed it.” Beyond ‘meaningless guff’ with a good beat, or anything too alienating, of which Grace believes the industry possesses more than enough, the artist wishes to create music that is exceptional both in sound and meaning, thereby establishing a concrete relation between the listener and herself.

“It’s great that EDM is increasing in popularity as long as it remains human”, she says. “If it remains too rigid and robotic, people will soon get bored of it. We all crave emotion and meaning in music. As long as artists and producers make music from the heart, rather than for money or commercial success, the sky is the limit.”

According to Grace, finding an excellent producer is absolutely crucial to an artist. “Any song can become something brilliant or completely misinterpreted and lost depending on the production.” Her own team, composed of Ben Cartwright and Chris Bartholomew, has a great chemistry, and with time, developed a good understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. “They are great guys with a lot of talent and passion,” Grace acknowledges.

“I’m very lucky to work with them”.

What the Industry Needs “The industry needs to hire more women, book more women, and just be more supportive in general.”

Additionally, more trust and development at grassroots level would be beneficial. The artist confesses that sometimes it feels like no one gives a shit until you’re doing really well. “People want on board when you’re getting millions of streams or selling out venues.” Nowadays, it feels

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like very few are interested in supporting artists at early stages, even when the music is great; quality doesn’t seem to be enough these days. According to Grace, there is more opportunity than ever to take charge of your career, but it is also more saturated and competitive than ever. Only those with the biggest team and the most money are the ones who cut through.

Down Time For Grace, slow exercise simply does not cut it. “I need to be chasing a ball and competing against someone.”

Additionally, Grace loves spending time with her dog and tries to get out into nature as much as possible. Recently, she has just completed an introductory course in Music Production and is considering producing her own music in the future.

Aspirations Currently, Grace is composing the music for a new play that will be performed by the Youth Company at Almeida Theatre and preparing for the upcoming festival season.

Her future plans include building a team with a manager and a booking agent, doing a support slot, signing a publishing deal to an indie label, and having her own headline tour. More importantly, she wishes to keep her artist integrity, produce quality work, make a living doing what she loves, and inspire young women to be powerful. We are eagerly anticipating the launch of her headline show and her follow-up single ‘Running under Water”, and look forward to seeing her at Beatherder and Citadel later this summer.

Grace advises aspiring musicians to mentally prepare themselves to work their arse off without any financial return for quite a bit of time, and to learn to deal with rejection on a weekly basis. Her own persistence was tested when she had to walk away from over thirty songs written over a four-year period and beginning from scratch. Finally, for those who wish to get involved with the business side, Grace suggests that they ought to do it for their love of music and championing artists rather than merely for monetary gain.

By Elaine Zheng / Photos: Jade Anouka

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The Mountains of

MONTENEGRO There is only one thing I can say about Montenegro...Mountains!

It is a country entirely made up of jaw-dropping, sprawling mountains.

The name Montenegro does give that away of course which translates to Black Mountains.

sight of an enormous pizza at the end of a strenuous day, drinking cheap wine and swimming in the Black Lake.

I arrived with my girlfriend in the heat of Podgorica, the nations’ capital. In terms of things to do for your typical tourist, options may be limited, but don’t jump to any conclusions just yet, because there is an authenticity that comes with places like this, unplagued by tourist traps and high prices.

From Podgorica to Belgrade

Our first move was up north to a mountain town named Zabjlak. It was from there that the natural wonder of Durmitor National Park awaited us. Powerful grey and jagged mountains surrounded the vast area as well as plush woodlands with towering trees and tranquil lakes.

An interesting fact for nature goers and fans of the great outdoors is that Durmitor National Park is home to the second largest canyon in the world, second only to the Grand Canyon in the USA. Despite these natural wonders that we found ourselves gawking at everyday in amazement, there was one particular manmade sight that compelled us the most — a pizzeria that sold 20-inch pizzas. As cultured as we are when it comes to travelling and as much as we enjoy delving into local cuisines — which we did; we just couldn’t resist the

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The more we talked to locals and learned about the country, the more we wanted to stay for longer and longer.

It seemed like a never-ending haven of natural beauty. A spectacular bus ride from the north to the beaches in the south epitomised this description as rivers flowed and the mountains remained as prominent and imposing as ever right down to the shores.

For some, the thought of boarding an 11-hour train journey in a hot country without air conditioning might seem a hellish prospect. Under normal circumstances I would agree, however this was not a normal train journey. The 296-mile journey from Podgorica to Belgrade passes through 254 tunnels and crosses 435 bridges, showcasing an array of mountains upon mountains that’ll leave you mesmerised.

The first two hours of the ride send you through the north of Montenegro, passing jagged mountains and jittering along bridges that would give anyone afraid of heights a heart attack as they gaze down at the fatal drops After voyaging through a seemingly endless tunnel the scenery transpired from mountains to bright green hills. As we entered Serbia we caught glimpses of rural life, passing farmers hard at work, stocky construction workers grafting away and the young folk hanging out around the railway lines. It was like, for a fleeting moment, peering in to the lives of others.

Written by Liam Jackson

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Why Your Next Holiday Should be to

BUDAPEST With more and more students taking on part-time jobs alongside their studies, city breaks are becoming an increasingly more attractive option. They offer a quick blast of fun with your friends, plenty of opportunities to expand your cultural knowledge, yet won’t break the bank. If you’re thinking of booking a trip this year, look no further than Budapest. With the majority of attractions within walking distance of the city centre, you can experience the city on a relatively tight budget, making it the perfect weekend getaway for students.

While Amsterdam, Rome, and Barcelona may come to mind when you think of “city breaks”, Budapest is a hidden gem.

The Hungarian capital is just over a two-hour flight from Gatwick. The city gained its name as it was originally split into two sides - you guessed it, Buda and Pest, separated by the River Danube which runs through the city. Herein lies your first must-do activity: catch a boat trip down the river, making sure to opt for late evening for incredible views as the sun sets behind the Hungarian Parliament: a truly impressive building.

For history buffs, Buda Castle is definitely worth a visit for magnificent views of the city and it even boasts a labyrinth for you to explore. You might recognise the building as the setting for Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ music video!

Next on the list is to take a dip at the Széchenyi Baths, established in 1913 and home to 21 pools, all heated to a toasty 18-34 degrees. There’s nothing quite like bathing with tourists and locals alike, breathing in fresh air while immersed in the warm water. Whatever you do next, you’ll leave feeling more relaxed than ever. As you can imagine, people travel from far and wide to visit the baths so booking is recommended, especially at peak times. It’s hard to believe that a day ticket will only set you back roughly £15, or you could even attend one of their famous ‘Sparties’ where the baths are transformed into a giant rave with drinks and music. Certainly a night under the stars to remember!

spots around the city, all previously abandoned buildings.

A far cry from student bars and club chains in the UK, each one looks completely different, offering a quaint charm like no other. Think mismatched furniture, crates repurposed as tables, graffiti on every surface and fairy lights adorning the ceilings. The result is an eclectic, rustic look perfect for some holiday snaps. However, be warned: they are always busy so make sure you arrive early to guarantee a seat!

A final mention must go to the various street food stalls and independent coffee shops in the capital; you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice, whether you’re after traditional Hungarian pastries, a flat white to go, or mulled wine come winter.

Budapest is also well-known for its Christmas markets, so instead of a selection box, this year you can treat your loved ones to handcrafted ceramics, delicious sweet treats, or perhaps some unique artwork of the bustling city.

By Billie Lauren

If you’d prefer a night out not spent in your swimming gear, be sure to head to one of the many ruin bars, a term you may not have heard of but which refers to various drinking

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