ISSUE 01 March 2019
THE MIDDLESEX ECHO MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
I N T RO D UCT I O N FROM THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NEWSPAPER
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POW! MEDIA publication
M AT HS & Y( O U R ) LIF E ‘CHANCE’ BY LOUIS– MICHAEL HEINRICH
MDXSU ELECTIONS: THE RE SULTS NIGHT & WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US
By Melissa Nabre, photography from the Student’s Union
On Friday 8th March, Middlesex University held it’s annual Student Union Elections Results Night. Join us as we take a deeper look into the election results, our new representatives and the entire nomination process. After weeks of having the Student Union staff, all dressed in purple, chasing you around campus, having manifestos thrust onto you, and seeing the ever present ‘HAVE YOU VOTED?’ question posted everywhere in the university, the results are finally in for the Middlesex Student Union. Do you recognise your new reps? Flip to pages 10 to 11 to see who won! We’ve all read the manifestos, or at least glanced at them before leaving the little slips of paper lying around campus. With over twoand-a-half-thousand members of the student body voting for their favourite nominee, this year’s elections were interesting to say the least. Results night in MDX House was jam-packed with campaign teams and supporters, with the SU providing many awards aside from the Presidential elections. The ‘Best Campaign’ was awarded to Uduack Benson, ‘Most Innovative Campaign’ was given to Derek Lamb, ‘Hardest Working Campaign Team’ was handed to Reygan Davison, and ‘Candidate’s Candidate’ was accepted by Seakhy Lay. These teams and campaigners all helped to let you guys know about what their candidate would do for you, and worked hard to do it, so a big congratulations to them for their hard earned achievements. The question is - now what? It is up to these people to represent us as a student body and improve aspects of university life that we complain about, so how do their manifestos help us? Our new president has explained that he
will improve the academic situation for commuter and international students, while also working to make the student’s voices heard through student representatives and student voice leaders. This not only provides a solution to the constant complaints of the Commuter Student Group and International Student Group community, but also gives them more opportunities to receive the education that they want, without being held back by travel fares and lack of communication, as well as giving us a voice that will actually be heard. Lucy Holland has explained that as the re-elected Vice President for Art & Design and Media & Performing Arts, she will continue her hard work in improving her mental health and guidance campaign, as well as providing the students with a list of trusted estate agents and tackling the issues of high pricing across the university. This not only gives students relief in knowing that they are living in safe and reliable places, but also reduces our worries in regards to money, both during university and after it. For more info about Lucy and her plans, flip to page 3!
Tahmina Choudhrey has explained that she is fighting to make misogyny recognised as a hate crime, spreading out the deadlines for exams, and creating more awareness for international issues. This means that we, as a student body, get better educated on various issues on various topics that effect all of us, as well as helping us reduce our stress when it comes to exams and that dreaded deadline season. Khalid Abumaye has explained that he will be focusing on improving placement choices for nursing and medical students, providing more opportunities for postgraduate students for jobs and support, and bettering the welfare of the students on campus. Meaning that medical and nursing students will have reduced stress in finding a placement, and students are given more favourable circumstances in finding reliable jobs. This year’s elections sparks a range of changes for Middlesex University. Let’s wish the new team luck and hope they manage to fulfil their promises to us!
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THE MIDDLESEX ECHO - ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2019
AN INTRODUCTION FROM THE EDITOR
EDITORIAL
By Natalie Rose
For the last year or so I have been working as the head of the POW! Magazine, maintaining the online blog and looking into its publication. It’s been a long and complicated process – a true rollercoaster, full of highs and lows, ups and downs, challenges and successes. At the end of the last academic year we had a close call and almost published our first printed magazine in two years. However, due to unforeseen challenges, it proved impossible in the end. This was the fire I needed to start me on a new path and a new project – introducing a student newspaper to campus. I’m a strong believer in the power of journalism. There is an inarguable need for the media in the modern world. It observes and documents and allows the population to access information that would otherwise be entirely inaccessible. Politics and global news topics particularly have benefitted from the rise of media and journalism. The ‘pulling back of the curtain’ so-to-speak has allowed the population to have a better understanding of what it is going on around them, and has allowed them to comment and critique the situation as required. It allows us to point out what is fair or unfair in the world, what needs changing, what is hurting our society the most. It therefore felt essential for me to introduce onto our campus somewhere for this information to be provided. Somewhere that students could go to discover more about what’s really going on in their university, in our city – London – and what interests lie at the heart of our student body. It was also important for me to provide a way for students to get their voices heard. Whether their passion lies in their course – whatever that may be – or politics, arts, technology, entertainment. If a student
EDITORIAL TEAM
Natalie has been acting as editor of POW! Magazine for the past year. She has taken on a variety of projects to revitalise the POW! brand and bring more journalism to campus. Here she introduces her main aims for The Middlesex Echo and explains why she set up this student newspaper.
wanted to say something, they needed somewhere to say it. So that’s what I present to you here. Each issue of this newspaper will contain a variety of human-interest articles, opinion pieces, current events and news topics, columns from students with unique points-of-view, advice and reviews, and anything else we can find. We are in the process of setting up a more structured work-environment here at The Middlesex Echo, and we will also be looking for sub-editors to lead teams of writers and help with creating spreads. I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed creating it; and, if you’re interested, please don’t hesitate to get involved!
Photography:
Contributors:
Natalie Rose Editor & Design
POW! Media
Melissa Nabre
Louis-Michael Heinrich
Katherine Turner
Lisa Hunt
Rebecca Torrie
André Thompson Student Media Co-ordinator
Middlesex University
Neil Tucker
Anastasia Protopapa
Veronika vee Marx
Rebecca Green
Lucy Holland Editor-in-Chief
Petria Koumi
Roxie-Anne
Mariella Smilas
Katherine Turner Petria Koumi
A NOTE FROM YOUR EDITOR-IN -CHIEF
LONDON WEATHER FORECAST
By Lucy Holland
Hello! I’m Lucy Holland, your Vice President of Art and Design, Media and Performing Arts, and also your Editor in Chief of POW! Media! I am so excited to introduce you all to the first ever edition of The Middlesex Echo! When I was a student, I studied Creative Writing and Journalism, and while POW! magazine was a great outlet for articles, I believe the introduction of this newspaper will encourage aspiring journalists and students on campus to submit articles about what they think matters to MDX students. Whether that be changes on campus, politics, panel discussions or covering events on campus. As your re-elected Vice President, I will be continuing my work on the ‘We Need To Talk’ mental health campaign, as well as my work on housing to fight against rogue landlords and the rising costs of rent for students. If anyone would like to get involved in any of the campaigns I’m working on or have any queries, don’t hesitate to contact me via l.holland@mdx.ac.uk.
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EDITORIAL
THE MIDDLESEX ECHO - ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2019
I hope you will all enjoy the different outlook of covering news and current affairs on and around campus that The Middlesex Echo will bring. You can all get your voices heard and submit any articles via www.mdxsu.com.
MON 11
MON 18
TUES 12
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WED 13
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THURS 14
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FRI 15
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SAT 16 / SUN 17
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HIGHEST TEMP
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LOWEST TEMP
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MEASURED IN DEGREES CELCIUS SOURCE: ACCUWEATHER
INSIDE THIS EDITION Feature
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Student Life
MDXSU Elections: The Results Night and What This Means For Us
Searching for Aural Gold
The Balance Between Study & Money
Page 5, By Neil Tucker
Page 10, By Melissa Nabre
Theatre on a Student Budget
Your New Elected Student
Pages 5, By Rebecca Green
Officers, pages 10-11
Burlesque: Empowerment or Tease?
Events on Campus, page 11
Front Page, By Melissa Nabre Editorial An Introduction from the Editor Page 2, By Natalie Rose A Note from Your Editor-in-Chief Page 3, By Lucy Holland Editorial Team, page 2 Weather Forecast, page 3 News & Politics Pay Rises: For the few and not the many Page 4, By Lisa Hunt
Pages 6, By Roxie-Anne Student Voice Sports & Fitness
‘Chance’: Maths & Y(our) Life
Relax... Play LAX
Page 12, By Louis-Michael Heinrich
Page 7, By Katherine Turner
‘Blue’ Page 12, By Rebecca Torrie
Commentary & Advice
‘Who And Why?’
Commenting On: The Middle Ground
Page 12, By Anastasia Protopapa
Page 8 Do Doctors Really Know Best? Page 9, By Petria Koumi
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THE MIDDLESEX ECHO - ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2019
NEWS & POLITICS TOP NEWS TOPICS FROM OUR NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS
PAY RISES: FOR THE FEW AND NOT THE MANY
By Lisa Hunt, photography from ‘Express’
Throughout the duration of university, the majority of students have held down a part time job at some point. If you have then you would know that minimum wage is £7.38, which most companies love to pay their employees, only increasing this amount as the government requires. There has also only been a 1% increase to our civil service workers, such as nurses and teachers, which provide vital work to help our children and within the NHS. These positions are usually funded through taxes, and an increase in wages for these careers would mean an increase in taxes. As you may know, these jobs are essentially vital and due to the lack of funding there has been a large fall in the number of teachers and nurses who stay within the field for more than 5 years. So, imagine the shock when MPs have recently received an annual raise of 2.7%, which means that they will get an enormous £79,469 annually as their income. This doesn’t include the list of expenses they can file for such as travel, lunch costs and even stationary! To give some insight in to why this is so atrocious, the average wage is currently £28,677, which is barely a quarter of what MPs will receive next year. Teachers on average earn even less at £18,007 which barely covers their basic necessities such as rent and bills, and there are plenty of news articles and opinion pieces which illustrate teachers having to provide books, stationary and classroom utilities that enable them to do their jobs efficiently. Add this is the long work hours and multiple exams, assignments, class planning and an increase in student numbers, they are not being paid what they deserve.
In comparison to this though, there is an argument to be made that MPs are representative of the population, therefore the responsibility of ensuring that the voices of the people are heard should fall down to them and as such they should be paid more. However, in the current climate of Brexit, austerity, increased living expenses and even a decline in education funding, we should really be questioning what our taxes are going towards. MPs have argued that they require this extra funding, given the huge amount of work they are currently doing in the run up to the Brexit negotiations and the necessity to have a staff force which is able to keep up with it. However, following the multiple extensions that the government has asked for, it seems that they are more arguing about Brexit as opposed to getting anything done regarding it. Obviously, this is a hot topic right now, and the decisions made from these important negotiations impact the society, however there is a narrative that MPs are projecting by accepting and allowing this wealth divide to continue. The House of Commons are supposed to be an elected body which we rely on to make good decisions regarding the current laws and regulations which they initially put forward when they were asking the population to vote for them. Yet this is a complete demonstration of an ‘Us VS Them’ mentality where they still vote to maintain the 1% wage increase for civil servants (which doesn’t even align with inflation) which therefore means that the people who are most vital to our civilisation are worse off then ever.
SHOREHAM AIRSHOW PILOT ACQUITTED OVER CRASH DEATHS The pilot of a jet which crashed at the Shoreham Airshow killing 11 men has been found not guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence. BBC News, 8th March
JEREMY HUNT: UK-EU RELATIONS ‘COULD BE POISONED’ IF BRUSSELS FAILS TO BUDGE Foreign secretary issues warning amid stalemate over Brexit backstop negotiations The Guardian, 8th March
HERE’S HOW THE INDEPENDENT GROUP CAN BECOME A PARTY The new group should make the best of Brexit and present itself as the champion of opportunity and social justice The Times, 21st Feb
LIFESTYLE &
ENTERTAINMENT
THE MIDDLESEX ECHO - ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2019
SEARCHING FOR AURAL GOLD
By Neil Commodore Tucker, photography from the Student’s Union Working as a Corporate Engagement & Publishing manager for a record exposes me to a lot of music, but you still have to know where to find it. So, here’s a quick run down of some decent places to find those sonic (aural) treasures. Middlesex students are particularly blessed when it comes to discovering an evening of sonic treats. North London has some of the best mix of live music venues in the country, all conveniently close together and easy to get to (and even more importantly - get back from!) The best pickings of the music scene are found in Camden. Boasting three of London’s best performance spaces within walking distance of each other and the tube station: KOKO, Electric Ballroom and The Roundhouse offer pickings from some of the biggest international artists. However, as is so often the case, some of the finest jewels around are found with just a little
bit more searching. For those in love with a distorted guitar, The Underworld, The Blackheart, The Devonshire Arms, Nightclub Kolis/The Lounge and The Unicorn have options unmatched anywhere in the UK. Those who are after a more electronic night are just as spoilt for choice, with The Camden Assembly, Dingwalls, FEST Camden, Scala and the Electric Ballroom. However, everything else on offer still boggles the mind. From international artists playing intimate and sweaty shows at The Blues Kitchen, Northern Soul ska and rock n roll at Joes, truly vintage vinyls at the Elephants Head. The beautiful thing about all of these venues is the fact they are independent and mostly locally owned. This shows through in the quality of their programming and, just as importantly, sound quality!
THEATRE ON A STUDENT BUDGET Being a theatre fan when on a student budget can be difficult, especially when living in London with the West End on your doorstep. With this temptation you might find yourself trying to decide whether to eat this week or whether to break the bank and buy tickets for your favorite show. If this is sounding scarily relatable then here are some ticket hacks to help you avoid maxing out your student overdraft. Day Seats: Many (but not all) theatres release several last-minute tickets on the day of the performance for a discounted price, making them much more affordable than the average price of a ticket. These are known as ‘day seats’ or ‘day tickets’. To access these, you usually need to visit the theatre’s box office around 10am to purchase them in person. Most day seats average at around £10 to £30 depending on the show. Sometimes the view in these seats can be restricted, but for the amount that you have paid you can’t really complain. More often than not you still have a good view of the stage. Do your research and find out which shows offer these and for how much.
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Standing tickets: Like with the day seats, many theatres offer standing tickets on the day of the performance. These are only sold once all the seated tickets are completely sold out. They tend to be cheaper because you have to stand for the entire performance, and they are at the back of the theatre. Again, look online to see which shows offer these and for how much. Returns: Most theatres offer cheaper tickets that have been previously bought and then returned. (Usually because the buyer is now unable to attend.) Visit the box office to see what they have on offer. It’s like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. Get ‘Appy: Today Tix is a brilliant app that allows you to take part in ticket lotteries for a fair few shows. If you win the lottery, you can buy up to two cheap tickets on the day of the performance. These tend to be very good seats and are often only around £20 for a ticket that might usually cost £80. It isn’t a guarantee that you will win, but it is brilliant when you do. If you don’t fancy taking part in the lottery, you can also buy cheap tickets on there.
By Rebecca Green
It has many larger known shows as well as a few lesser known ones, so there is a good selection of shows on there to choose from. Entry Pass-National Theatre 16-25 Discount Scheme: The National Theatre provides free memberships for 16-25 year-olds (and people outside of those ages providing that they are a student) which allows you to access tickets for their plays for only £7.50. With this membership you can also access a series of exclusive workshops and events. You can find more about this on their website. Mousetrap Theatre Projects: Like the National Theatre, Mousetrap Theatre Projects also provide memberships for young people aged between 15 and 29. Every month they send you an email telling you the different shows you can see with their discount. These are always between £5 and £15. They also host a series of events and workshops. Disclaimer: I have not been sponsored by any of these companies. They come under personal recommendation.
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LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT
THE MIDDLESEX ECHO - ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2019
BURLESQUE: EMPOWERMENT OR TEASE?
By Roxie-Anne (Burlesque Performer), photography by Veronika vee Marx
One thing I get asked a lot is: Why do you do burlesque? Do you do it for the fact you can take your costumes off on stage? The attention you may get? Or to empower women? Starting burlesque, I did it to help with my confidence. I used to look in the mirror and see an unhappy face, never completely happy with my own image. I wondered constantly how I could change my image to suit what I was seeing in the magazines I read. My thoughts were more about trying the latest diet that never worked, or thinking of how I could remove the fat I didn’t want without having to pay the huge price tags that celebs could afford for their procedures. I wasn’t looking in the mirror and admiring the beauty that I have. Never did the thoughts of the costumes, the feathers or the hours I would spend rhine-stoning my bras, nipple tassels and corsets enter my mind. Performing burlesque has empowered me to admire my body, including all its curves and my tiger stripes (that’s what I call my stretch marks). But also, by experience I was able to become a burlesque instructor, which helped develop me into a person who could create the burlesque society here at Middlesex University. From the girl who started looking in the mirror wondering why I wasn’t ‘perfect’, to being able to develop my own skills in performing professionally, but also empowering other women to appreciate the beauty that they have. From new mums or those that just needed an extra push to show their beauty, we’re part of a big burlesque family who are able to stand together with a costume full of rhinestones and big feathers. And who wouldn’t want that?
Behind all the showbiz and performances, there are the hours and months preparing myself and my girls to perform the best of our
Burlesque Society rehearse every week on a Wednesday in Studio 3 in the Grove, 6-7pm for boys and 7-9pm for girls. Join the society on the SU website and join the Facebook chat for live updates on events and rehearsals.
ability, training each of them to be able to take a corset off, or a pair of stockings, whilst pointing their toes… which takes a lot of technique and practice! But also preparing yourself mentally to perform. A lot of girls come to me at the beginning saying the words: “I never want to perform on stage, I’d be too embarrassed.” And before you know it, they come off stage, full of confidence and cannot wait to do it all over again!
SPORTS & FITNESS
This year my New Year’s resolution was to challenge myself and try things out of my comfort zone. So I decided to try lacrosse - a sport which I have never done before, only seen on Wild Child (if you haven’t watched that movie would highly recommend it). Not knowing what to expect I went to the lacrosse training sessions with friends who were already apart of the team. It was a new challenge I wanted to try. Researching lacrosse, I discovered that lacrosse was a sport created by Iroquois - a Native American Tribe - originally calling the sport ‘Stickball’, as it was played with a stick and a ball. The first historical European record of Stickball was made in 1637 by a French Jesuit missionary. The original name for the sport was Stickball however the name was changed as the French word for stick is La Crosse. It is believed by native people that lacrosse was a gift to them by the Creator therefore they play in honour of him. This traditional belief still continues in native tribes such as Iroquois as they still refer to Lacrosse as the Creator’s Game. Developing from the original roots of the sport to honour and be played as a tribute the Creator, it has become a recreational activity. In contrast to today’s game, in the original version of the sport there were a large number of people involved in a single game. In an interview with the Kids Press Corps, Alfred Jacques stated “[There were] up to 100 to 120 players on the field at the same time”. (This quote was taken from Alfred Jacques whose family has
THE MIDDLESEX ECHO - ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2019
RELAX... PLAY LAX
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By Katherine Turner, photography by Katherine Turner
been making and selling lacrosse sticks for 48 years at the Onondaga Nation.) Jacques went on to further state: “Before we play the [traditional] game, we have a religious ceremony before the game and a religious ceremony after the game. It is part of who we are as a people. It defines part of who we are.” In Europe, lacrosse has increased in popularity among people outside of the Native American community since the first encounter of the game in Europe. Lacrosse became a scholastic and professional sport particularly popular in America and Canada. When the sport was first discovered, only men could play and tribesmen did not use equipment. With the change and development of society, women can now participate in the sport and additional equipment is used. In today’s game, equipment such as gloves, helmets and padding are used by participants as a source of protection. Men’s lacrosse games are full contact matches thus they use protective gear which has been introduced as the game has developed. In contrast to the men’s game, the women’s version is not full contact, therefore they do not use the same protection. This is the first year Middlesex has had a lacrosse team, but only have a men’s team at this moment in time. The women’s team is slowly building in numbers but is still in need of people to create a team. From my first training session I was nervous thinking everyone else will be professionals and I am just going to be awful,
The lacrosse team at Middlesex trains Wednesdays 2-4pm and Thursdays 5-7pm. People are welcome to turn up and give it a go or just watch to see what it’s all about!
knowing my terrible hand eye coordination. But there was no need for me to be nervous. Everyone is in the same boat. The bulk of the lacrosse team have never played lacrosse, only starting in September when they decided to have a go at a new sport and socialise. My nerves were also shattered through the welcoming and friendly atmosphere created by the members of the team. When I struggled with catching, there were people there to help me - they would just have a chat and show me how to do it and just ease me into the process. There was no one judging, only helping! Since playing Lacrosse it has built my confidence and allowed for me to socialise and become friends with people who I would not have become friends with if I hadn’t have tried it. Outside of lacrosse training, the team holds social events to allow for the team to relax and get to know each other at a better level whilst just having fun.
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THE MIDDLESEX ECHO - ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2019
C OM M E N T I N G ON: T H E M ID D L E G RO U N D St u c k In T h e M id d le With B lu e s
COMMENTARY & ADVICE Every issue of The Middlesex Echo will include a unique critical commentary on a current event / news topic by an anonymous contributor. The editors and officers involved in the publication of this paper do not share these views.
“Lest we forget extremist thinking will always seek to keep peace by quashing critical thought.” The middle ground. What was once a sentiment of impartiality and constructive reasoning is nowadays a mark of cowardice and treason. How dare someone refuse to blindly follow one side to the extreme! Surely if we bully them into choosing, they’ll believe us? This sentiment is dangerous as it’s not only found in politics, but has crept into other aspects of our lives as the truly outspoken try to dictate how we think. Soundbites such as “you can’t play that music, only we can” or “you can’t celebrate this if you’re not part of our culture“ paints the world into black or white corners and serves to discriminate rather than teach. It may sound strange to correlate the way we push political agenda with cultural bias but it works very much the same. The “us and them” mentality has reached a point where we as a society would rather destroy ourselves than listen to a counter-view and, as this mentality seeps further into our daily lives, we gradually lose the ability to think for ourselves. Middle-ground thinkers are not the enemy, they are the ones who wish to bring about change but not through destroying their enemies. Lest we forget, extremist thinking will always seek to keep peace by quashing critical thought. Being in the middle means, for example, we can appreciate a white man playing blues music while being understanding of the harrowing history which created it, rather than condemning it or being ignorant towards it. The beauty of centralised thinking is its grounds for debate and the ability it gives us to take from two differing opinions to create something new. Now, this should not be confused with compromising, where each person sacrifices a belief or action in order to please the other person, but rather taking on board new information and assimilating it into your
world view. Unfortunately, when confronted with people whose minds are closed to the non-likeminded, you feel demotivated and disassociated, as if you’re not entitled to see both sides. We are at the mercy of the placard wielding banshees, eager to snap us up before the other ones do.
“We are at the mercy of the placard wielding banshees...”
I can tell you honestly, that even as I write this, I haven’t conveyed my sentiment clearly enough as it is my own world view but that’s okay. If I were to tell you exactly what to think, it would defeat the point of my article. I only wish that people think constructively and do not try to pigeon hole their views into right or left, black or white, for or against. Instead, think about how they can use what has come before them from both sides to enhance their world view. A famous line from Aquaman in an old cartoon series was: “Never trust an amphibian, land or sea pick a side!” I’d say there’s always a boat or a bridge.
BECOME A COMMENTATOR
We are always looking for new people to contribute to this section. Please get in touch with the editorial team at powmag@mdxsu.com with the topics you would like to comment on. Your identity will be kept completely anonymous. These articles will have to clear through approval, and so will need to follow some guidelines. However, we do promote controversial opinions in this section.
THE MIDDLESEX ECHO - ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2019
DO DOCTORS REALLY KNOW BEST ?
By Petria Koumi, photography by Petria Koumi and still taken from the movie Mean Girls
COMMENTARY & ADVICE
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Ninety-seven months and a week exactly since the day I was told needles would be my new best friend and my whole life would smell of an artificial medical elixir. Honestly it doesn’t bother me though. A 12-yearold shoveling cake in her mouth like the fat kid from Matilda with one hand and doing an injection in the other shocked people, but its normal, an everyday thing really. “Right, so I’m going to change your ratio.” Let me stop you there, Miss Minimum Thirty-Four and a Half-Thousand a Year loudmouth. Have you asked what I think? Nope. At 3am my pump could start screaming and I can successfully fill it with insulin and change needle still pretty much asleep. Sugar goes low in the middle of Primark and you’ve got to sit on the floor in the middle of the shop with your mum feeding you Lucozade. Been there. I’m not saying that doctors are wrong, I’m just saying that they should ask. Ask what you think should be done to improve things, or ask how things are going without being judgmental and patronising. I honestly think people dealing with chronic conditions are amazing. Each and every day brings new struggles, and just like my sugar levels they’re up and down! So many times I have actually said: “I don’t want to diabetes today, please don’t make me!” But I haven’t got a choice, the same way thousands of others don’t either. I don’t assume I know better than you about your life, so at least ask about what effects mine.
Do doctors really know best? Let me rephrase: Doctors don’t know best. It’s a bold statement, granted, but nevertheless true. Well occasionally. Now there is no doubt that they are ‘qualified’ to practice medicine, but can they really tell me about something that I’ve been living with every day for years? It makes sense really, telling a girl with three IVs in her arms and so drugged up on morphine that all she can think about is ‘Pasgetti’, that you know better than she does. Her mum quietly sat in the corner trying to shush her daughter and kindly saying ‘go on doctor’, and her dad still not quite understanding what diabetes is after eight long years. Here we go again, same old, same old. Yes, you stuck up old witch, I know how to set a temporary basal rate. Dad’s eyes going wide as these complex words are said, never before heard by a non-diabetic or someone who devotes their career to it, without any understanding of what they mean. Honestly why do they think they know better? I’m not talking about the technical science that, really and truly, unless it’s going to cure me or make my everyday life easier, I don’t really care about. It’s the day to day things: “You know how to carb count right?” Sickly sweet smile on her face as she tilts her head ever so slightly towards a ‘Carbs And Cals’ guide book. “Thirty-three grams,” is the confident reply, a slight head tilt towards the Snickers bar on the ridiculously worn wooden table that don’t quite extend in height enough to fit over a hospital bed at a normal human height, so has to be mechanically dropped so it’s like you’re lying on the floor. “Hm” is the reply. Just hm. All it takes is one look at a plate of food, the taste of a single mouthful or a crumpled up old packet of crisps left at the bottom of your bag that had probably turned to salt and vinegar breadcrumbs (probably shouldn’t eat that anyway but who cares) and it’s no longer food, it’s a number, a ratio, an insulin fix.
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THE MIDDLESEX ECHO - ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2019
THE BALANCE BETWEEN STUDY & MONEY
STUDENT LIFE
By Melissa Nabre, photography by Mariella Smilas
As someone who has been an ambassador for Middlesex University many times, representing only the best for the prospective students, I get asked this question a lot: “What about working while studying?” Now, this is what I usually answer with: “It is easy to hold a part time job or two while studying, as long as you balance it out properly.” Most university students find that they need to have a job in order to survive. From being able to buy all the books and stationary required, to being able to afford food and the bills, or even rent; life outside studying needs a little dough to be feasible. The issue that most have, however, is scheduling that time to work in-between class times and still having time to focus on assessments or exams. After all, conflicting schedules could lead to making the decision of what you consider to be a priority: work or your education?
you balance your work and study properly. No matter how much money you need, your education is also incredibly important. Middlesex University has no issues with students having a job or two outside of class, and even provide jobs for those that want to stick close within the Student Union or even in the University itself through the MDX Works service. But when you’ve missed a week of lessons because you’ve prioritised work, that is when the university will start to have issues.
Since I have two self-employed jobs, including working in an events company, Splendid, and as a Student Ambassador for Amazon Prime, it is important that my time management is on the dot. In order to do this, I not only have my planner, but also several calendars that I keep updated every week. However, I am also aware that not every student can be as obsessive about planning as I am, so you only need one of these things to help you. Diaries and little planners are so easy to get, and usually quite cheap. Even so, the purchase is definitely worth it. The next important step is to make sure
VICE-PRESIDENT Art & Design and Media & Peforming Arts LUCY HOLLAND “I just want to do what my manifesto says and continue all of the hard work I’ve done so far.”
Flexible hours are a blessing to all students working, since it means that they can schedule work hours so that they do not clash with classes. Self-employed jobs are also great since you can work in your own time and organise work hours around your class timetables. My advice? Get yourself a planner. Planners, calendars, and diaries - all these things will help you organise yourself so that you can minimise clashing events, see when you need to plan time to study, and keep track of your work hours. Personally, I cannot live without my planner. Since purchasing my ‘little book of life’, it has gotten so much easier for me to see what and when I need to be doing something.
YOUR NEW ELECTED STUDENT UNION OFFICERS
VICE-PRESIDENT Business & Law TAHMINA CHOUDHERY “I want to carry on the previous representative’s hard work.”
Balancing work and study is difficult, especially when you also factor in your social life and hobbies, but time management is a skill that every student needs to have and build on. It also adds a little extra to your CV and something that every employer looks for. So, to all the students out there wondering how the hell they’re supposed to be able to work and study at the same time - chill! There are many ways to organise your time, and an abundance of stationary that can help you do this. All you need is good time management skills, the resolve to get over any laziness, and a positive outlook to successfully balance study and money.
VICE-PRESIDENT Health & Education and Science & Technology KHALID AUMAYE “There is a lot to be done for the uni, and I really want to focus on anonymising marking for fairness.”
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THE MIDDLESEX ECHO - ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2019
EVENTS ON CAMPUS
PRESIDENT
14
MARCH
HIVE SOCIETY: INSIDE OUT EXHIBITION / PILLOW FORT PERFORMANCE Inside out is an Exhibition brought to you by Hive Society and Lona Lee surrounding the theme of mental health. MDX House @ 5pm
ANAS BADAR
MDXSU INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: MDX TALK Four successful internationals living in the UK are invited to share their stories, tips and advice for succeeding with you. H116 @ 6-8pm
“I just want to help everyone that has had struggles in uni, like myself.”
14
MARCH
11
MARCH
POW! MEDIA: NEON FOREST (UV PARTY) Pow Media! together with Kosmos Records presents a special club night at MDX House. Neon lights, house music and your inner animal all night up until 2 AM. This is a charity event through MDXSU’s RAG Society. MDX House @ 10pm-2am
STUDENT TRUSTEES AASHI TEJWANI
LIBERATION ART COMPETITION EXHIBITION AND AWARD GIVING
TASHEEM ROSTOM
We will be presenting prizes for the top three pieces of art work submited in our call-out for artwork surrounding the theme of Liberation - What is Liberation to You?
SUAD SALAAT
19
MARCH
Grove Attrium @ 4-5:30pm
28
MARCH
MDXSU HOUSE PARTY: FULL MOON PARTY Join us at the last MDXSU House Party of the year for another night of great tunes, giveaways, FREE pizza and much more! MDX House @ 10pm-2am
12
THE MIDDLESEX ECHO - ISSUE 01 - MARCH 2019
STUDENT VOICE
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. Do you think you have a unique point-of-view? Do you think you can talk about your student life and how it’s different to the typical student on a biweekly basis? If so, please email powmag@mdxsu.com to speak about getting yourself a regular column in this newspaper. GET YOUR WORK PUBLISHED If you’re a creative student then this newspaper presents the opportunity for you to get your work published in a printed publication. We publish work both anonymously and with credit, so do not hesistate to submit yours today at powmag@mdxsu.com.
WHO AND WHY? I want to know how you all ended up here So far and yet always so near I know that we all eventually come here
What color is the blood that runs inside
Where your body sleeps forever
or it doesn’t anymore
is where the soul is wide awake
Your love ones visit you to your home
But for some reason I want to know why cause some of you left too soon this life
Honoring your loss with their presence
They water the flowers What is that the grave hides
keeping them alive for you
The marble upon it
Hoping you will come back in life
Did flesh remain on your body
By Anastasia Protopapa
and keeps dreaming
Who and why? can decide who lives and who dies? Who will go to heaven? and who will rot in hell
‘ CHANCE’ : MATHS & Y( OUR) LI FE Hey there,
By Louis–Michael Heinrich
I’m Louis and I study Maths with Computing at Middlesex. Maths has always interested me and I’m ever more fascinated by how well maths describes our lives. Chance is something that is surrounding us every day and doesn’t only describe how we succeed, but also how we interact with others. For example, 25% of drivers used their phones before an accident and said: “It won’t be me”. Also, the chance of winning the lottery is 1 in 45000000, but people still argue that: “You never know”. There are quite a few events that we might relate to something other than a structured science, but in fact, maths can help us to rethink decisions and add a unique point of view to our choice. Sometimes that is quite easy, for example the chance for a candidate to become the next MDXSU president. There are 10 candidates and 1 free space so, simplifying our thought process and forgetting about other factors such the publicity of that candidate etc. we can reduce the chance to 1/10=10%. That was easy.
‘Blue’ By Rebecca Torrie
or it’s completely gone
Whether you want to become the next president of the Middlesex Students Union or the president of the United States of America you’ll have to spend some time on maths to understand ‘chance’. The chance to win but, also, how to effectively increase the chance of winning. And that’s what I’m here for as an SLA. Alongside tutors from the Design and Engineering department, I work in the Maths Help Centre (Hendon Library) which is open for students from ALL courses every day from 1pm-3pm. Whatever (maths related) queries you’re trying to solve or projects you’re working on, we’re there to support you and get it done. Problem solving is a big topic in maths and I would even claim that its usual for a mathematician to be stuck in a scientific problem. However, we can solve that together and improve your skills in teamwork. Knowing this, what might be the chances I meet you there in the future?
