No, I'm Not Finished Yet CULTURE

LIFESTYLE Anecdotes from a Non-Decorator

T o m a s Donnelly

Decorators, how do you do it? Once a prospective Architecture student, even I have been left scratching my head looking for those illusive interior design answers. I suppose the line ‘less is more’ really is true. Having spent my first year in what can only be described as blandness, I had learnt the mistakes of an ‘un-personalized’ drab room. A half-hearted attempt at satire was made however, but I don’t think a poster of an applauding Kim Jong Un captioned “Such wow, many cool” quite cut it. So, with the fresh start that a new house provided, I sought to do things differently. How much of this was to do with my new relationship status remains unclear. Strange how those things work isn’t it? Little did I know the sort of frustrations that were in store for me; colour matching, patterns clashing, bed moving, and curtains dashing. As trivial as the details are, if it doesn’t quite work then it won’t feel right. I knew very well the look I wanted, a sort of subtle modern sophistication without the pretentiousness. This vague idea provided little aid though. What is more, I am an unusual lad but a lad nonetheless (I’m talking weights in the corner with my protein shaker at the ready). And in that ‘Laddishness’ comes, I think, a propensity to be content with plainness. Additionally came a quite unusual take on budget responsibility, but that’s just me. I have even been described as boring, so the ambition of a nicely decorated room (literally the addition of unnecessary stuff), came as quite the challenge! Feeling coy, I thought I’d play it safe at the beginning. Enter my first addition - Patrick. Well, also Patricia. He/she is a Peace Lily and for the handsome sum of £3.15 (pot included), they have undoubtedly been the only triumph in this adventure. I say they, because it is actually a hermaphrodite. Brewing with confidence, on account of my recent success, it was time to tackle the walls. This was to prove a little less straightforward. Scouring the internet for deals, I was overjoyed to discover Amazon do themed poster sets of fifty 6 x 7 inch pieces, all under the price of a mere two hours work. Rather irritatingly though, my ever-hesitant nature managed to opt me out of that. I mean what was I to do with the pictures I didn’t like? No, I thought to myself, that would be wasteful, best look for something else. Many moments later, and after comparing the relative advantages and disadvantages of blue tack, white tack, and poster tape on porous walls, I stumbled upon something magnificent. Bright colourful abstract art characterised by an arrangement of harsh shapes. Sorry Royal Holloway poster sale, you may be convenient, but I bet you don’t have Wassily Kandinsky. It appears abstract Art does come with its drawbacks, however. Too many times have I woken up, startled by what I had wrongly positioned perpendicular to me. I mean, talk about bad Feng Shui at its finest. So, after all that I guess I’m back where I started - a plain wall and a bunch of posters looking for a home. (Editor's note: Last year at least, Royal Holloway's poster sale did, in fact, have Wassily Kandinsky)

LIFE ON FILM:

The resurgence of film photography in a digital world. N i a m h S t r o n g

Photos are everywhere, all the time. We are all interested in capturing our lives and sharing it with our friends and family. Now, when I open Instagram I’m met with a plethora of film photos that accompany the digital ones. When I got my first proper pay check at 16, I immediately brought a polaroid camera and became obsessed with it. A year later I bought my first disposable camera -a Kodak Funsaver 35mm- and have been using film ever since. After about four years of using disposables, this year I bought a Pentax Espio 738g camera and, unfortunately for my bank account, decided Kodak Portra 400 is my favourite type of film. In an age where we can take instant, constant photos on our phones, why do we revert to the dated and mildly impractical means of taking them? Why do I choose to go and pester my local Snappy Snaps employees once a month, asking them to develop yet another roll of film, mainly containing photos of cats and food? When photos on a phone are instant and free, why do I think it’s a good idea to spend my student loan on a new roll of film and film development every month? I’m far from being alone in this. Film photos, disposable cameras and film cameras have seen a surge in popularity within the last few years, and I can certainly understand why. The leading reason that springs to mind for this resurgence of retro methods is nostalgia. I think many of us remember being children and looking through our parent’s photo albums filled with film photos, and the retro look of film images makes even a night in Windsor’s ATIK comparable to aesthetic night from the 90s. I always thought my parents’ film photos of their younger selves looked so cool, and selfishly I want my own youth to be captured in this nostalgic way (they’ll never know the difference). It is so fulfilling to look through an album of film photos, compared to scrolling through them. I think the enjoyment of film photography is sparked by nostalgia for a time that came before us. Another attraction towards film photography is that it isn’t immediate and it’s unpredictable. You can’t take photos with your friends and then all gather round to decide if they’re dreadful and retake. You take one or two, and then you have to wait before you see the final result. You can’t pick them apart, you can’t inspect them afterwards, so the photo ends up being so much more natural. There aren’t any do- overs with film photos, so they have a certain authenticity and atmosphere to them that a smartphone cannot capture. You have no idea what the photos look like until a month or two (or maybe more) down the line when they get developed. A lot of the time you’ve forgotten how many photos you’ve captured before they’re developed. It’s so much fun when you get to flick through the newly- developed images to see all the moments you’d forgotten, all the photos you couldn’t remember taking. Least sentimental and meaningful of all, they just look great. Film photos have a certain unbeatable aesthetic, with so much more dynamic and depth than photos that phones capture. It’s an aesthetic people love and want, whether that involves buying a camera of their own or using filters to mimic the effect. While film photography may not be the most practical way of capturing life, it is definitely the most fun.

Seasonal Depression: Starting fresh in times of great change. E m i l i e Williams

As the trees start to thin and the days get shorter, the changing of seasons initiates a shift within me that is expected with this time of year. As someone who suffers with seasonal depression, otherwise known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this time of year has come to symbolise a negative change instead of a fresh start. My optimism hibernates and low moods kick in with the lack of sunshine. This change is in some ways universal, as many people may notice a shift in motivation and perspective once the autumn and winter months arrive. Seasonal depression, however, is much more than just being bummed out by colder days. Indicated by the name, the disorder is classed as a form of depression caused by the changing of seasons that lasts a long time and affects daily life. My first year of university was the most difficult autumn for me in terms of how I managed to deal with my seasonal depression. Moving from my hometown in South Wales to a different environment in Egham felt like a drastic change. I was initially doing well with making friends and socialising at the start of term, but I noticed myself closing in and isolating myself as the months went on. I felt alone, and ashamed since I suddenly felt unable to socialise or be my normal self. For the first time in years, the return of Autumn now provides me with a sense of hope instead of dread. I’m no longer anxious that I won’t be able to cope with the psychological effects of the cold and dark days. Most of that change is thanks to the realisation that I could gain control over my symptoms, which I realised when I began reaching out for help. The first step was to speak up about how I was struggling. I received help and support from my university which led me to learn about the therapies and practices that could help me. This also eased the pressure from my studies as the university was made aware that I required extra support. I began looking at my mental health in a different light, as something that I was experiencing rather than being controlled by. Since then, many factors in my life have changed that have provided me with the solid foundations needed for dealing with my seasonal depression. I have gained a healthy and beautiful relationship, new friends that care and support me, and a more positive relationship with myself. I have built and maintained new positive coping mechanisms that have guided me through rough patches and difficult mental headspaces. In my personal experience with seasonal depression, I’ve found that it highlights and increases issues that I have been dealing with that I may previously have been able to cope with during spring and summer. The hot sunny days, time spent outside, and the summer break away from studies provide some stress relief that isn’t necessarily available during the winter months. The changes in the season thus force me to reconsider the coping mechanisms that may not be sustainable long term, as they are dependent on variables only available in the summer and spring. Here are some of the things I’ve found to be significantly helpful in coping with my seasonal depression:

1. Communication

As soon as I began the conversation about how I was feeling, I suddenly felt less alone. Letting others in on my situation opened the doors to healing and being able to cope with my symptoms. If you are struggling with symptoms of poor mental health, it is important to reach out for professional help. This can begin simply by letting those around you know how you’re feeling and coping.

2. Sunlight

Light therapy is a common treatment for seasonal depression as we are less exposed to the benefits of the sun in the Autumn and Winter months. Taking the time to be out in the sun during the hours of light is important for receiving the mental benefits of the sun (with sun protection of course!). I bought a SAD lamp last winter that helped me whilst studying in the day and evenings when I couldn’t go outside in the sun, so I also recommend that as an option.

3. A daily routine

You’ve probably heard this a lot, but a regular daily routine can make such a difference to your mental health. Our brains thrive on routine and comfort, and this is an easy way to provide that for yourself. Whether this includes getting up at the same time every day or making time for exercise and socialising, tailor your daily routine around what is realistic and works for you.

4. Taking medication

Unfortunately, there is an unnecessary stigma around turning to antidepressants in times of need. Going on antidepressants was the best choice for me during a particularly difficult time last year. It allowed me to turn on the light in the dark room I was standing in and assess the situation in front of me. Although I have stopped taking the medication now, and although their side effects were unpleasant, I don’t regret deciding to start them. I was initially scared of them due to the stigma around them, but everyone’s experience is different. Always seek medical advice to discuss your options if you’re considering medication. If I were to give any advice to students during this new season, it would be to be kind and patient with yourself and to speak to someone if you’re struggling. This change in season doesn’t have to be a negative thing that we fear but can instead be a fresh start and a time to be kinder with ourselves.

Freshers Week: Make or Break?

B e t h McCowen

SENIOR LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Every Royal Holloway student, and student across the country for that matter, is now familiar with the term ‘Freshers Week’ and what it entails. This is the week which follows your move into student accommodation (unless you’re commuting), and mostly revolves around nights out with people you just met. There is a huge amount of pressure placed on the need to form a solid friendship group, preferably with your new flatmates, by the end of this chaotic start to term. So much of the build up to your first year at university focuses on this one week, which in reality is among the least important of all. Before lectures get started, everyone is trying to adjust to their new home, peers and degree. Moving to university is a big step, and it doesn’t feel easy or natural to everybody. This expectation that as an individual, you must be prepared for the start of work, comfortable navigating campus alone, and enthusiastically ready for several consecutive nights out, is frankly unrealistic for a large percentage of Royal Holloway newcomers, and that’s okay. Not all of us can function on just a few hours sleep before going out partying again with our new acquaintances, so from the start to finish of term, try not to be afraid to say no if you think it would be more beneficial for you to skip an SU night or two, after all there will be plenty more! Most of us don’t meet every single future housemate, partner or friend during our first week. Sometimes we might, but more often than not this isn’t the case, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! If you find that you didn’t have the time of your life during freshers, do not panic. You still have plenty of time ahead of you to make the most of your experience here. There are so many societies or sports to join, events (both alcohol-orientated and otherwise) to attend, people to meet and an education to enjoy. Over the course of the year, your feelings towards different people, activities and even places are likely to change anyway, so there is really very little purpose in worrying about making decisions to base your whole year, or even longer, around just yet. This is not to say that freshers week can’t be an enjoyable and productive experience, especially in a social sense, because it certainly can. However, it truly is not the be all and end all of your entire 3+ years here. I would advise exploring what societies or sports you might like to join (if you haven’t already), taking the time to get to know people from your halls and your course, as well as taking time out for yourself when you need it! In freshers week and beyond, self-care is vital for a successful academic year in every sense. So whether its solo dates, walks, a bubble bath or a book, allocate some time every week to detox. Many consider starting a degree away from home to be the ultimate fresh start, and when making such an important leap forward into adulthood, why rush it? Freshers week was just the beginning, and ultimately the most important thing is not how you start, but how you finish.