The Reading Rep Issue 32 by Reading Students' Union

Issue 32 MAY ISSUE COMMUNITY THEME

Special Bumper Issue

Community, Connectivity & Climate The Strength Of Society: How Coronavirus Has Helped Create A Community!

RELAX WITH RUSU Your Summer Calendar Sorted With Fun Tips For You To Takeaway!

Fill in our Representation impact survey to be in with a chance to win a two-month NOWTV Cinema and Entertainment pass! Four to be won on p3

What Can COVID-19 Teach Us About Our Response To Climate Change? A to Z Guide to Connecting Creatively: Keeping linked in during quarantine 1

RUSU.CO.UK

In this BUMPER Issue… May 2020

Features

StudentLife Life Student 04

Read the highlights of our Excellence Awards nominations in Your Say pages.

Community We explore the bright side of Covid-19. The sense of community that has sprung up locally and globally. What lessons we can take forward in our daily lives?

Connectivity Despite the social distancing measures enforced worldwide, connectivity has been thriving in unexpected ways. We highlight our favourite ways to stay connected with our A to Z guide.

Climate Whilst the world focuses on curing Covid-19 and going into lockdown, we found out the unseen benefits it’s had on environments around the world.

As PCLS’ first International Rep, Jenny tells us of the change and progress she’s made in the school.

13 Regulars

Humanities School Rep Alick tells us his best advice, favourite memory of Reading and his ideal way to spend a day off!

We’re discussing the wonderful and weird world we live in and the true meaning of “May the Fourth be with you”

FILL IN OUR IMPACT SURVEY TO WIN: rusu.co.uk/surveys/impact20

Head to the RUSU website to fill in the Academic Rep survey to be in with a chance to win a NOWTV 2-month Entertainment and Sky Cinema pass bundle!

4x sets of vouchers to grab! Prizes worth £100 Has this year felt Enchanted or was it more like Mission Impossible? Whether it sometimes left you feeling Clueless or made you think I am Legend, there are Billions of reasons you lot love being Reps so please don't tell us any Big Little Lies. This prize is Absolutely Fabulous so get entering our prize draw when you fill in our annual survey now! Find five minutes in your day to take a quick break and complete our annual Rep impact survey for your chance to win a prize really worth bagging. Here at RUSU, we’re always trying to improve the experience for our Reps which is why we’re asking you to have your say before the end of term to let us

know how we can progress next year. It is a different world we are living in now since COVID-19 and we certainly would appreciate your ideas! And as one last thank you for your year as Reps we’re offering you and 3 others the chance to win one of four NOWTV Sky cinema and entertainment passes for 2 months, totally free and totally on us! To help get you through what may feel like Ground Hog Day (have we got enough movie references in yet!), tune out of the news and tune in to some of your favourite movies, new and old, plus some great boxset series are now available for you to get stuck into! So, what are you waiting for?!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS This giveaway is open to all student RUSU members aged 18 or over, excluding employees of the organisation or their families. Voucher is valid for one entry per person. This voucher cannot be exchanged for cash, or replaced if lost or stolen. CLOSING DATE: 29/05/2020 at 3pm. Please note: Sports and kids passes sold separately. Passes automatically renew at end of two months unless cancelled. Wireless broadband (minimum speed 2.5 Mbps) required.

Your Say Check out what students are saying about staff. Plus, share your stories with us by getting in touch…

“They has consistently been a fantastic academic teacher & mentor throughout my years at the Uni. His teaching methods encourage participation, are inclusive & challenging; demanding the best out of his students. As a mentor outside he has encouraged me to achieve my best, beyond what is expected as a lecturer. A true asset to the university.” “There are not enough words here to say how much of a difference he makes to Pharmacy. He always has a smile on his face, remembers our names and makes such a difference to lectures and other classes he is a part of. Most importantly, he makes us feel good about ourselves, by helping us to make a positive out of our mistakes and is always kind.” Student nominations for the RUSU Excellence Awards 2020

Pick up a prize next month…

Be our star letter in our next issue & pick up one of our exclusive personalised notepads, complete with an inspirational quote!

WHY YOU WANTED TO BE A REP “I’ve always been one of [those] people who like to get stuff done, and I like to do it myself, therefore when issues started to arise within my degree, I decided that it was my turn to step up” “I ran to be a Rep because I wanted to make the most of my university year and I like to fight for others”.

May the Fourth be with You This latest issue of the Reading Rep was published on May 4th which has fondly become known around the world as Star Wars Day. The phrase, however, was first coined by Margaret Thatcher’s campaign team as she was elected Britain’s first female Prime Minister on May 4th 1979. It then became used as a Star Wars pun in 2011- who’d have thought?!

the view RUSU RATES…

Photo of the month! Every little positive helps! RUSU President Molli shared her positives throughout the lockdown and inspired us all to be more grateful of the little things…

Friday Night Dinner, Series 6, C4 Our favourite eccentric family are back and funnier than ever in this new series. From the unwavering sibling rivalry to the loveable (but slightly disturbing) Jim, we’ve been delighted to have it back on our screens.

The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood, £8.99, Vintage Publishing

Positive affirmation of the issue:

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

– Dalai Lama

Every little helps… To keep spirits up in our new online office, members of the team have been creating virtual activities to brighten our day and take our minds off Coronavirus- even if just for an hour. We’ve taken part in everything from Bingo to Easter egg hunts and even an online version of Ready Steady Cook! We’ve also bought some of our regular favourites into the virtual world including our weekly trip to the pub, (instead of Park House, we’ve been parked in our houses on a Friday evening) virtual random acts of kindness and the Great RUSU Bake Off. Lots of the ideas have been shared on our RUSU Community Facebook Page so feel free to join in and share your fave ways to keep entertained or take inspirations from the fab ideas already shared by other students!

With all this time on your hands, why not read this classic dystopian novel that creates a future that is creepily believable. Focused around female oppression, this is a must-read for our generation.

Sustainable hygiene and beauty! With the UK just about recovering from the toilet paper hysteria there’s no better time to turn to sustainable products. From soap to make-up remover, Maya’s Refillables has it all and is readily available as a click and collect service from RUSU reception (when we’re open!)it couldn’t be easier!

CELEBRATING Our wins here at RUSU this month!

Mental Health Success! RUSU Welfare Officer Gemma King ran this year’s Mental Wellness Fayre on World Mental Health Day this year and it was a roaring success. She put all her efforts into making the event memorable and engaging and encouraged students to take a break and think about their mental wellbeing. With over 80 students attending the Fayre, we'd say she did a fab job! Well done Gemma!

Hearing loops now installed in 3sixty! Charlotte Hyde, RUSU’s Disabled Students’ PTO has out done herself with all the hard work she’s put in this year and almost has too many wins to celebrate! One of our faves was ensuring hearing loops were installed into 3sixty to make the venue accessible to as many people as possible. She’s looked out for everyone this year and has guaranteed disabled students are being represented.

Sustainable Computers! This year sustainability has been one of RUSU’s main priorities and RUSU President Molli Cleaver has taken the priority in her stride. Her “Make Your Mark” campaign has provided tips and refillables to students and successfully lobbied to the University asking them to affiliate to Electronics Watch. This means that the rights of workers supplying our electrical goods will always be protected. What a great win!

Our Advice Service pass their audit with flying colours! Our Advice Service are one of the hardest working departments at RUSU and we think they deserve recognition for passing their recent audit without being given any recommendations to improve their service - that sounds like they were pretty perfect to us! The team met with the Auditor and they only received positive feedback and excelled in many areas. Aren’t we lucky to have such a wonderful service!

WORDS: BETHANY BROWN, REPRESENTATION IMPACT COORDINATOR

Whilst Covid-19 has affected everyone in different ways, it has brought people together (figuratively speaking!) on local and international scales. The power of people’s kindness and resilience has been seen worldwide and has provided hope for many in these turbulent times. There are many lessons that can be taken from this pandemic but it has undoubtedly proven that when faced with a crisis, people’s good nature prevails and this has heart-warming effects which should never be underestimated.

Working at home in isolation was a concept that everyone knew was coming but wasn’t something I had necessarily prepared for. I feared that not being able to see anyone from Reading for a couple of months (except virtually of course) would make me feel lonely, isolated and separated from those I spend so much time with.

What I hadn’t considered however was how em -powering and supportive everyone would be and how keeping behind our closed front doors could actually bring a nation together. With failing to find a free seat in the library or a sold out union night now a distant memory, it’s hard to believe that the community spirit is thriving.

Although, hard to adjust to, this new way of living has taught us all to constantly look out for others and has cemented all key workers; from bus drivers and supermarket workers to our tireless NHS staff, at the heart of our society, as well as on the front line of our defence and we couldn’t be more thankful.

In my lifetime, I have never seen a society so appreciative; ask any one of the million individuals standing on their doorstops clapping for our carers every Thursday and I’m sure they’d agree. Obviously this shift to online working hasn’t benefited all and there are lots of businesses struggling as a consequence.

they can, selflessly risking their lives to save others. Individuals making the incredibly hard decision to live away from home in order to save lives whilst protecting the ones they love. Teachers making and delivering thousands of school lunches to children that otherwise wouldn’t be fed.

Perhaps we should all turn our attention to supporting local businesses whenever and wherever we can, both now and going forward. What has inspired me the most is the selflessness of individuals across the world. 20,000 former NHS staff going back into hospitals to help where

The endless list of selfless acts we have witnessed over the past few months has been so heartwarming that it helps to restore our faith in humanity and our hope that, as a global society, we can overcome this. My personal favourite news story recently has been Captain Tom Moore, who, at age 99

“For all those finding it difficult: the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away”

Captain Tom Moore

Want to feel part of the community spirit? There’s loads of ideas across social media and wider internet you can take inspiration from. You can also join our RUSU Community page on Facebook and share your own tips on how you’re surviving isolation.

has walked over 100 laps of his garden (2.5km) before celebrating his 100th birthday. The whole nation got behind him and when I last checked he’d raised over £30 million for the NHS as well as securing a number one single. Not only has his campaign raised an unprecedented amount for the NHS, it has inspired others to do the same. Six year old Frank Mills, who was born prematurely and has spina bifida (and only started walking 18 months ago) has raised over £120,000 walking ten metres a day and is often cheered on by supportive neighbours. As Ingrid “Never doubt that one person Newkirk says: “Never doubt can make a difference”. that one person can make a ~ Ingrid Newkirk difference”. Social media has been flooded with good news stories like these, viral challenges to provide five minutes of distraction and messages of thanks to all those helping. Also seen however are clips of grandparents meeting their new-born grandchild for the first time via video call or Happy Birthday banners held up from the pavement, Members of RUSU staff have been working hard to pointing towards the ensure that morale stays high across the organisation. windows of those in selfWe’ve all thoroughly been enjoying our weekly isolation. Society has proved Quarantine Quiz as well as judging the efforts in Bake that we can adapt and Off and Ready, Steady, Cook (although disheartening overcome even the hardest that we’re not able to actually taste the bakes). We’ve of times – we should be also started morning coffee breaks, a staff room lunch proud! hour and more, to ensure that we still have time to catch If you look in a dictionary, up with those from different departments which have community will be described been a success all round! as “a group of people living in the same area or The dictionary definition is understandably devoid of connected by a similar emotion but for many the support and warmth stemming concern or interest”, which from their local community has been what has kept them on any typical day would going. Whilst communities are physically built by be an apt description, but proximity, it is the people that shape them and form the now it means so much communities that have provided help and relief more than that. desperately needed over the past few months.

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For some the power of community is represented by the whole nation showing appreciation for the NHS by clapping together at 8pm, for others it’s as simple as seeing a pint of milk and loaf of bread left on the doorstep of a vulnerable person. The sense of unity has been seen globally, from the ad hoc sing-alongs seen on balconies in Italy and Spain, to the millions of rainbows adorning the windows, pavements and even farmer’s fields across the UK. It’s inspired others to show their appreciation and help out wherever they can particularly looking out for those most at risk. Supporting the vulnerable and appreciating those whose work is usually taken for granted has become our priority and rightly so. Key workers have become the backbone of our society and should be championed for a long time to come. In many cases, it is the community initiatives that have had the biggest impact; arguably much more than the work of governments.

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If this new, adopted lifestyle has taught us anything, it’s that we should all be just a little more appreciative of what we have.

The constant donations and offering of help that can be seen nationwide are providing on hand support and help for those that really need it, a true sign of society looking out for the most vulnerable. Some of those isolating at home have taken the opportunity to practice self-care and emerge from lockdown as better versions of themselves. One of the easiest ways to achieve that is simply continuing the expressions of kindness we have seen globally, cherishing the sense of community that has been built and appreciating the small things around us. If this new, adopted lifestyle has taught us anything, it’s that we should all be just a little more appreciative of what we have. The community spirit that has surfaced amidst the heartbreak and fear has provided strength and whispers of hope to many. It has shown what the power of community can achieve and how when everyone comes together, the spirits of thousands can be raised. Let’s hope this benevolent attitude continues long after Coronavirus has been beaten, as for one, the lessons we’ve learnt shouldn’t be forgotten easily.

CONNECTION NOW: An A to Z guide on how to stay linked in during Covid-19 quarantine WORDS: HANNAH SMITHSON

Photo: RUSU Student voice – next meeting is online Tues 12th May 6:30pm

Our connectivity in recent days has been somewhat redefined! Not being able to hug our friends and family, having to stay two metres away from anyone who doesn’t live in your household and not being able to hold or attend parties or gatherings, means we are changing our behaviours and relationship with how and why we connect. Plus, social distancing is now a thing! But can we still unite online and truly feel part of our communities, albeit virtually? And what lessons can we learn?

Someone suggested recently, that social distancing would have been a nightmare for teenagers in 1918, when the world saw the Spanish Flu spread after the war, because they wouldn’t have had the same technology we do to keep in touch. Certainly, I imagine young adolescents in 2020 keeping connected with their sweethearts is a lot easier nowadays on WhatsApp and FaceTime than it would have been back then. We are, in some ways, lucky that virtual spaces and social networks exist during this COVID-19 crisis, to help keep us acquainted with one another, up-to-date with the news and able to continue to connect in the ‘cloud’, despite our isolation. Thanks to the internet, not only are we able to carry on working from home and running some services, we are also discovering new ways to associate and function on the web, such as running online training and conferences and perhaps, more importantly, virtual pubbing!

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"I was initially hesitant to join the online video conference because I thought it may be boring and could have technical difficulties. But rather than continue to isolate myself, I saw it as an opportunity to maintain social connection and a positive distraction from all the uncertainty brought by the pandemic. Surprisingly, the video training (run by RUSU) was participatory; the involved parties had plenty of opportunities to speak and contribute in the discussion, and it almost felt like we were in the classroom. Perhaps it was also the fact that I was comfortable in my pyjamas and I was able to eat my lunch properly that helped!" ~ Ryan Louie Madrid, Communication for Development MSc International student who took part in Online Scrutiny Panel Training in March

A-Z Guide We wanted to share a few tips of how you can stay hooked-up on Google Hangouts, joined up on Microsoft Teams or united with your union online to ride out these unusual times we are living through…

A Active. Not only is keeping active (in the physical sense) super important but keeping actively engaged online may help you to get through what is turning out to be a lot of days in lockdown*. Remember if you need independent, free and impartial advice as well you can get proactive and visit our RUSU Advice service online rusu.co.uk/advice/getadvice/ *(Adding a tiny disclaimer here to ensure you take regular screen breaks though, so your eyeballs don’t go fuzzy!)

Blackboard. Be sure to login for news and updates on your virtual school slate Blackboard. Find out the latest news from your department on exams, assessments and everything teaching and learning related. And give Blackboard Collaborate a go

Community. Keep in touch (if you can) with those communities you were part of before lockdown.

Perhaps you were part of a sports team or society, that you can connect with on a WhatsApp group with now. ‘A problem shared, is a problem halved’ as they say.

Discord. Designed initially to help gamers talk to each other in real time, this online chat system allows you to use multiple rooms to connect with others whilst playing games. Don’t forget, every Monday is Retro Games online at RUSU (check out the details on our announcements page).

Energy. It’s important when communicating with others, to keep your energy positive and grounded, particularly at this time. This is easier said than done when you’re in a forced quarantine! But when you do have a scheduled online chat or meeting, try going for a walk outside* beforehand to refresh your mind so that you’re alert when you’re online. *(As long as it’s one form of exercise outside your front door a day as per government guidelines!)

Frequency. Keeping to a frequent routine online is better than an all or nothing approach. We’ve discovered in these times that we need technology, so checking emails or social notifications may be necessary to stay in touch. That said, there’s no harm in popping your phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ after a certain time in the evening to help you wind down and unplug for a while.

Goals. In an article by author of Making Habits, Breaking Habits, Psychologist Jeremy Dean, PhD quotes a study, showing that ‘motivation increases by 35% by simple goal setting’. Setting daily and weekly goals can help you feel more productive online and inspired if studying from home. And ticking off that 'to do' list is so satisfying too!

Hugs. Ok so we can’t physically hug our friends at the moment and boy does it suck! But we can send virtual hugs and warm GIF messages that will put a smile on friends faces. Plus, we will all cherish hugging loved ones so much more when we can.

Internet. Where would we be without it? Having a stable internet connection is crucial currently. If your current provider isn’t serving your needs, check out uswitch.com/broadband/ packages/ if you need a better connection!

Joy. Do what makes you feel joy. An old adage that really is spot on. Whether you’re connecting physically with those you live with (still giving hugs where you can!), connecting virtually online, connecting with nature on walks or connecting spiritually where you have more time to contemplate, remember to connect with whatever makes you feel joy!

You may already know it, especially if you have anything to do with RUSU (as we love it!). But Kahoot, is the online platform that allows you to create virtual interactive quizzes and participants can login in and join in to their hearts content.

Lifestyle. Changes to the way we live have been forced upon us since lockdown. New restrictions have meant we’ve had to change our daily habits rapidly and although some changes may be frustrating, there will be some things, such as working from home and enjoying daily exercise or walks that will benefit our heath and the health of our planet in coming days. Just breathe in that cleaner air!

Moodle. Upon Googling Moodle after being advised of it as a useful e-learning tool, their website announces itself at the top of SEO as ‘the world's most popular learning management system. Start creating your online learning site in minutes!’

News. (in small doses!). There is sense to consuming news during an international pandemic but making sure it doesn’t overwhelm you is important. ‘Little and often’, like many things in life is wise.

Oppia. When it comes to teaching and learning, Oppia is a free site for sharing knowledge via interactive lessons called explorations. Learn from user-created explorations, or teach and create your own. A wonderful tool for online training.

Positivity. “Look for something positive each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder”, is one of my favourite positive affirmations going and quite frankly, it’s a lovely concept to live by. That said, take this time to build positive connections where possible and let go of those negative Nellies in your life. Quizzes. I doubt many of us have got through a month of lockdown without doing a quiz yet! Every Thursday is Quiz Night at RUSU- Our usual quiz master Alex will be streaming live from 20:15 rusuquiz.eventbrite.co.uk

ROSIE. (Rep Online Student Impact Evaluation). Or RUSU Rep’s very own digital Rep tool, ROSIE, comes in quite handy for Reps at this time, when the only option is to gather feedback from students online, rather than faceto-face. Share your feedback with RUSU here -> www.rusu.co.uk/rosie

Student Voice. Sharing your stories and amplifying the student voice is what the Reading Rep, as a student newsletter, is here to do. Please write to us at academicreps@rusu.co.uk

if you would like to get involved and look out for our next Student Voice meeting (which will be held online on May 12th).

Teams. (or Microsoft Teams). You may all know of Teams by now and hopefully, as UoR students now have access to it, you can schedule and join virtual meetings with peers, staff and RUSU staff too. Teams live is also a feature that may be coming soon to help with learning and broadcasting events to large groups. Watch this space… ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’ doesn’t it?

Utilise. Make practical use of the technology you have access to in order to save time and work more efficiently. Use your emails for work but schedule out times to study and then turn your email off when you are not expected to reply. Keeping to a routine is key to avoiding stress. Viral videos. You must have been living in a cave if you haven’t seen some of the virtual vids doing the rounds virtually about COVID-19. My personal fave is the Little Mermaid parody of ‘Under the Sea in quarantine’. If you haven’t seen it, Google it now – you’re welcome!

WhatsApp. What’s up? Download WhatsApp for instant messaging services to connect you with friends and family wherever you are in the world so you can ask them that question. This app bought by Facebook for $19 billion in 2014, fast became the world's most popular messaging application by 2015, and has over two billion users worldwide as of February 2020.

X is a diverse group of inventors and entrepreneurs who build and launch technologies that aim to improve the lives of millions, even billions, of people. Their goal: 10x impact on the world’s most intractable problems, not just 10% improvement. Find out more x.company/projects

Yoga. If you’re into it, great! If you’re not into yoga, don’t sweat it. Anecdotally, there are tonnes of benefits to connecting with yourself once a day. Whether you like yoga for the benefits it brings the body, mind or spirit, it’s certainly a great way to strengthen your connection with yourself. Check out online home yoga videos on YouTube – why not try a 30 day yoga challenge to help count down these quarantine days!

Zoom. There has been some controversy over this virtual meeting platform. Initial concerns about security seem to now have been ironed out and its usability functions are friendly. You can even use break out rooms virtually!

WORDS: ABIEE HARRIS, CAMPAIGNS & RESEARCH COORDINATOR

his year Relax with RUSU is here with a

daily calendar for you to follow. With a world not as we know it, the calendar has been created with staying at home in mind. It helps you to explore different themes to keep your mind busy with positivity and as productive as possible. We know relaxing at the moment isn’t easy but here are some tips and activities to get you started. To see our suggestions for each day of the calendar go to the RUSU Community Facebook group, and remember to share what you’re doing to get involved each day by posting on social media, using the hashtag #RelaxwithRUSU and tagging RUSU. PRODUCTIVITY You might have heard these all before but be honest, have you actually tried them (I know I haven’t!)

KEEP TO A ROUTINE

Get up at the same time each day and work for the same length of time. What you do will become habit and you will spend less brain power wondering what to do and more on the things you need it for.

HAVE A WORKSPACE AWAY

FROM YOUR SLEEPING SPACE This is sometimes easier said than done, but it could just be the other side of your room. Keep your bed and sofa places you can go to relax and unwind. You’ll have a better night’s sleep for it and you’ll wake up recharged, ready for the next day.

REPLICATE A WORK ENVIRONMENT

You’ll feel more ready to do some work if you get dressed. Supposedly, you’re also more likely to remember something if you learnt it in a similar environment. Maybe do your revision at the same time of day or in the same room you will take your exams; your brain will thank you for it.

MAKE A PLAN (AND STICK TO IT!)

Yes, it takes time to write a plan, but it will be worth it in the long run. It will give you a bit of accountability and it will keep you busy. You’ll also know what to do next so it’s one less thing to think about.

TAKE REGULAR BREAKS

Apparently, your brain can only stay focused for about 10 minutes at a time. Look away from your screen every 5-10 minutes then have a longer break after one hour. Go for a quick walk or make a cup of tea – just don’t get too distracted! Add them to your plan if your mind easily wanders.

FOOD Some foods have been proven to keep your brain at its best – try this memory-boosting, anxiety-busting smoothie for breakfast to start your day right (it’s vegan too)! 1 small handful of blueberries It’s been found that blueberries help improve short-term memory and protect the brain from stress.

1 banana When you’re stressed your body uses more potassium. Bananas are full of potassium, so starting your day with one will leave you feeling less drained if you do start to feel stressed. 1 tsp chia seeds Chia seeds are said to improve memory and keep the brain cells communicating. One study claims that chia seeds also increase brain volume which would definitely be helpful for the revision!

1 small handful of spinach Leafy greens often help you produce dopamine, a pleasure inducing chemical, so will help you to feel calm and content. Half a cup of oat milk This will fill you up to keep you going for longer, and is full of B vitamins which can elevate your mood and combat stress. 1 tbsp maple syrup Not only will this give your smoothie a sweet kick, the manganese in it can improve your overall mental stability.

DID YOU KNOW? Green tea not only keeps you awake during the day but apparently it may also make you smarter too! So why not swap your coffee for some green tea? Plus, fatigue, confusion and foggy thinking are all signs of dehydration. Start your day with a glass of water to make sure your mind is clear and ready for the day.

SLEEP/REST Sleep is important for various aspects of brain function so it’s no surprise that a good night’s sleep can improve concentration, productivity and performance. It is almost like hitting a reset button and gives you energy for the day ahead. There are five stages of sleep, and each night you go through all of them several times to set you up for the day. Stage 1: Your eye movements slow down and you are in a light sleep. This means you are reasonably alert and can be easily woken. This stage doesn’t last very long, usually about seven minutes. Stage 2: This stage is also fairly light but it’s when your brain waves start to slow down. If you’re looking for a power nap this is the best time to wake up! Stage 3: This is the beginning of deep sleep where you don’t experience any muscle or eye movements. It’s harder for you to be woken up.

Stage 4: This is the golden stage; this is restorative sleep. Your body repairs muscles and tissues, stimulates growth and development, boosts immune function, and builds up its energy for the next day. Rapid Eye Movement (REM): This stage lasts about an hour each time. This is where most dreaming occurs and your brain is most active. Your heart and blood pressure increase, breathing becomes fast, irregular and shallow and your eyes jerk quickly in different directions. This is also (most importantly) when your brain consolidates and processes information from the day before so it can be stored in your long-term memory (remember this the night before an exam!).

EXERCISE We all know that exercise is good for us, that’s no secret. Try this 10-minute workout to get your blood pumping, your endorphins going and to give yourself a break. It might not feel relaxing at the time but it will have a longer lasting effect. Choose your intensity: Beginner: 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest Intermediate: 40 seconds work, 20 seconds rest Advanced: 50 seconds work, 10 seconds rest

• High knees (for a no impact alternative, go fast but don’t jump) • Burpee with push-up • Squat jump (if you want a no impact alternative, don’t jump, go on your tiptoes at the top instead) • Plank with shoulder tap • Jumping lunge (no impact alternative, you guessed it… don’t jump!) Repeat!

MINDFULNESS The word mindfulness can often be quite daunting. All it means is being more aware… aware of the world around you, aware of your feelings or just aware of the sounds you can hear. Studies show that it can help combat stress, so it’s definitely worth giving a try. Here are some apps to help you be more mindful (be that meditating for 10 minutes or just noticing how you feel today): Headspace Ten Percent Happier Stop, Breathe & Think Reflectly Calm

FROM ONE CRISIS TO ANOTHER: What Can COVID-19 Teach Us About Our Response To Climate Change? Taking lessons from these unprecedented times WORDS: KYLE SMITH, INCLUSITY COORDINATOR

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Take a look at our checklist on the Make Your Mark campaign page to see how you can be more sustainable at home!

A substantial reduction in air pollution levels in India has allowed many people to see the Himalayas in the distance, a magnificent but usually rare sight.

midst the current

coronavirus crisis, it's awfully easy to get lost amongst the negativity. Social media is flooded with fear, the streets are empty and desolate, and many of us are facing the lonely realities of isolation and social distancing. Few could have predicted the sheer magnitude of the outbreak and the effect it has had on our daily lives, but it's important to try and remain in good spirits. We will get through this if we support each other.

So, without losing sight of the severity of coronavirus, we muse on what the crisis has taught us about becoming a greener society. At this point, it is worth noting that whilst the global climate crisis should always be high on our priority list, the impact this disease is having on people’s lives should not be understated. Instead, let’s try and make some sense of how current circumstances have inspired us to adapt. What reasonable adjustments can we make to our lives in the future to better protect our planet?

“Whilst we're all staying indoors, video calling our friends and watching tiger documentaries, the natural world is taking a well-earned break from human activity”

MOTHER NATURE'S R&R Whilst we're all staying indoors, video calling our friends and watching tiger documentaries, the natural world is taking a well-earned break from human activity. With grounded flights and silent roads, we’re beginning to see the effects of controlling our environmental impact in real time. In China, the enforced lockdown has resulted in a notable improvement in air quality. A 30% drop in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in comparison to this time last year is staggering, and is the equivalent of removing

almost 200,000 cars from the road! Similarly, in the UK, the lockdown imposed in March has seen levels of NO2 above some cities reduced by as much as 60%. In India, with the cover of air pollution slowly lifting, people are beginning to catch a rare glimpse of the Himalayas on the horizon (and for many people, this will be the first time). Globally, oil prices have plummeted thanks to some of the lowest demand the industry has ever seen. Clean air provides huge benefits to everyone, and whilst we are not achieving it under circumstances that anyone would have wanted, it is clear that by using our cars more sparingly and flying less often we can make this change long term. By replacing our morning drive with a train or bus journey on board transport powered by clean, renewable energy (that means ditching those nasty fossil fuels!), we can make our planet’s air quality better. Not only is this a win from an environmental perspective, but in terms of public health, improving air quality will help make us all less susceptible to respiratory diseases in the future. But it’s not just the air that is improving – wildlife is seizing the opportunity to return to areas that would normally be teeming with people. Big cats are lounging in the sun on popular safari trails in South Africa,

goats are taking charge of quiet Welsh towns, and aquatic animals are enjoying a largely unbothered rest in Venice’s canals. This surely shows that under pragmatic and measured controls, we can provide a world that accommodates both tourists as well as nature. But far closer to home, coronavirus is showing us what we can do as individuals to tackle climate change.

IMPROVISING ONLINE Without access to our normal offices, and without our usual face-to-face meetings, we're being forced to use technology more creatively, and this has revealed a whole new array of options available to us in the workplace. Working from home has presented problems for most organisations but it is the responses different employees are engineering

that shows how adaptable we can be. Virtual quizzes and mass online gatherings have become our new norm, and many of us are making the most of the chance to work in our pyjamas and bring our pet to our desk with us. And whilst not all of our normal work routine can be completed from the comfort of our own homes, the fact we can still carry on with many of our tasks and maintain productivity without commuting to the office, suggests there are real benefits to adopting a more flexible working environment policy nationwide. Cutting out our commute wherever possible could do a great deal of good for the environment in the long run, and this is especially true for workers who have to occasionally travel great distances for conferences or to visit their head office. Working remotely gives us the opportunity to cut down our mileage, save on fuel, and reduce pollution.

Under lockdown restrictions, a new wave of fun, online resources have washed over the internet. Check out the Multiple Sclerosis Trust’s quiz to support a good cause, RUSU’s own reimagining of the Mojos Quiz, or take some tips from this BBC article to host your own! Source: MS Trust

But lockdown isn’t just changing how we work – it’s changing what we’re working on. A new wave of marketing strategies have been pushed to the forefront in an attempt to capitalise on the nation’s current dependency on the internet. With so many eyes on social media so much of the time, the emphasis has been firmly set on pioneering new and engaging online content to capture the attention of the nation. Not only does this allow us to reach audiences we may not have reached before, but it shows the value in moving away from focusing entirely on producing physical, printed content and instead balancing this with fun digital stuff. The younger generations are becoming more and more tech savvy, and these are the generations we need to inspire if we want to save our planet. These generations will become the scientists and the conservationists of the future if we can pique their interest.

Lions lounge on the road in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, free to relax unbothered by tourists.

Working digitally has made many of our common office habits completely redundant – the hard copies of committee meeting papers you might normally produce certainly aren’t needed when you’re already meeting on your computer. With the exception of printing for accessibility reasons, many of us are now noticing a reality where we probably don’t need physical copies of a lot of the things that would only end up in the recycling bin anyway. And with us all so well connected online, the lockdown is showing us how our community spirit can achieve incredible feats – and this is undoubtedly a huge asset to us in our fight for the planet.

PRESERVING THIS Many of the COMMUNITY SPIRIT measures needed to Society has truly effectively fight come together in this climate change time of uncertainty to won’t be easy and show unwavering may well require us support to our public to make huge services, our key changes to how we workers, and each live our lives. other. In any crisis, it is the help we give “In any crisis, it is the each other that help we give each serves as the other that serves as the backbone to backbone to recovering recovering and and rebuilding rebuilding over time. over time.” What this shows is our ability to work Without question, we together when we’re cannot do this as all on the same page, individual countries and that is something and it is essential we we desperately need all work together to to do to combat achieve these goals. climate change. This As we have seen idea was recently with the current supported by activist pandemic, teamwork Greta Thunberg, who is possible and can reminds us that we be very rewarding, can “change our and it is this habits and treat a teamwork that will crisis like a crisis" allow us to make the when required. world a better place.

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A PINCH OF SALT Greta Thunberg (below) believes we have a great opportunity to use our newfound community spirit in the battle against climate change. But Greta has also spoken of something else that will affect this battle. Understandably, living sustainably has been pushed back in the minds of most people amidst everything currently going on. And rightfully so – the health and welfare of our friends and families is the priority. But what this does mean is that when we come through this, it is difficult to predict what will be on society’s agenda. Climate change may simply not be as important to people as it was at the beginning of the year. In order to fight the disease we also need to rely heavily on single use items, which inevitably results in an increase in waste from disposable gloves, tissues, and similar objects. On top of this, the reduction in travel and positive implications of this may be completely undone when lockdown restrictions are lifted.

It is likely people will want to get out and explore with a new lease on life once they can leave their house, and that means all those previously cancelled flights will just be rescheduled. Tourists will flock back to the beaches and planes will return to the skies. And this points to an even bigger problem. The tourism industry has suffered greatly from the pandemic, and this includes ecotourism as well as conservation initiatives that rely on visitors. The unpredictable and potentially catastrophic effects coronavirus may have on the global economy may be very bad news for the environment – most businesses may not prioritise sustainability when strapped for cash. And we must remember how the public perception of this virus affects wildlife. The beliefs held by many regarding where the virus originated from will only add to the persecution faced by already endangered species, such as pangolins and many species of bat. Pangolins are already one of the most heavily exploited animal species in the world, and whilst they are capable of carrying diseases similar to COVID-19, they have played no confirmed part in transmitting this disease. The origins of coronavirus remind us that we should not be meddling with wildlife and should exercise caution and distance when dealing with wild animals.

Now, as the world’s attention turns in part to the trafficking of species such as the pangolin, we can only hope governments take a sensitive approach to protecting these animals.

SOMETHING TO TAKE AWAY Coronavirus is a horrible disease. It kills people, forces us all to stay inside, and stops us from seeing our loved ones. No amount of positive impact it may have on the environment will change that, or make it less important that we recognise just how serious it is. But with that in mind, we can all take something away from this experience. If we work together as communities, as campaigners, we can be a true force for good. We can change things; we can turn the clock back on climate change. But it will take a massive effort once we come out on the other side and have the chance to assess the damage this period has done. We must embrace what we have learned about working digitally, and be more sensible with how we travel in our daily lives. And we must remember that to protect ourselves from diseases that can potentially pass from animals to humans, we should protect those animals in turn by calling out wildlife trafficking at every opportunity. We will get through this – let’s ensure our planet does too!

Celebrating International Psychology Rep of the Month, Jennifer, first to complete the RUSU Reward and Recognition Scheme Psychology International Rep Jenny Koehler talks about her experience as a Course Rep and how it impacts her future employability, builds her confidence and how she is committing to spread this message to others. Reward and Recognition RR: The Reward and Recognition scheme is new for this year – how has it been beneficial to your Rep experience? JENNY SAYS: It made me feel like I got the best out of being a Rep. A lot of the workshops and other things I did for the Rewards and Recognition Scheme I probably would have never attended or even heard of otherwise!

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As a Rep you get the opportunity to actually change something and help your fellow students be heard and improve the university experience not just for yourself, but for others too.”

JENNY SAYS: I am currently in my second year of my degree which is Psychology with Neuroscience, but I am the Psychology International Course Rep as I am from Germany! If I’m being completely honest, I first put myself forward to be a Course Rep because I thought it would look good on my CV, which it does! But it was after being elected that I realised the extent of its possibilities. I attended the training and the first few meetings, and after getting to grips with the role, I realised it is actually a lot more than that. As a Rep you get the opportunity to actually change something and help your fellow students be heard and improve the university experience not just for yourself, but for others too.

RR: How do you feel now you have completed it? (You are the first one!) JENNY SAYS: I would say I feel proud that I did it but that makes it sound like it was a chore. I feel happy that I got the opportunity to do all these cool things and actually get some rewards out of it! RR: Any tips or advice for future Course Reps? JENNY SAYS: Have a positive attitude. If you're a Course Rep and you are motivated, you'll have a great time working with you fellow Reps and the Schools and the Uni and completing the Rewards and Recognition Scheme will be a breeze. Being a Course Rep is not a burden or a chore, it's an opportunity to grow and make a difference. 12

Announcements After the University released the revised examination and assessment plans, students had A LOT to say about it. RUSU opened a vote to gather student opinion over whether ‘RUSU should lobby the University to adopt a no detriment policy including a grade safety net?’ From 2nd April-7th April, 4,137 students voted resulting in 4,073 ‘yes’ votes, 75 ‘no’ vote and 16 abstentions. With an overwhelming number of ‘yes’ votes, it was passed and RUSU are now continuing to ensure that as many students are supported as possible, particularly finalists and postgraduate taught students. To find out what RUSU’s next steps are, click HERE.

rusu.co.uk/studentvoice

NOW ONLINE!

TUES 12TH MAY – 6:30PM

18TH – 22ND MAY RUSU EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS 2020

Announcements Senior Rep training dates confirmed for summer term Choose 1 of 6 sessions that will run online (we will send you the Zoom link nearer the time!) but please sign up to your preferred date and time on the Doodle Poll below: https://doodle.com/poll/2kz3g9952gabxhci May- 20th 2-4pm, 21st 11am-1pm, 25th 2-4pm, 27th 10am-12pm June - 1st 5-7pm, 2nd 1-3pm

SAVE THE DATE: School/Senior Rep Consultation (handover session) - Friday 5th June 2-4pm Sign up here https://doodle.com/poll/udek9fp4vm52tqm3

Game On is a campaign aimed at providing information on what sports are available to students with differing accessibility requirements, either on campus or within the Reading community. The campaign aims to provide sports teams with the knowledge and confidence to support students with accessibility requirements, allowing these students to get involved with new sports and activities whilst at university. To keep up to date with this campaign go to rusu.co.uk/representation/campaigns

“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” ~ Winston Churchill Take part in our back page quiz and get a free Starbucks and Academic Rep water bottle!

Sharing a coffee with… UG Humanities School Rep Alick Ashby

Quickfire Q’s Comedy or horror? Comedy Text or call? Call Pasta or pizza? Pizza Instagram or Twitter? Insta Apple or android? Android Truth or dare? Truth Cats or dogs? Dog Book or movie? Movie Exam or Coursework? Coursework Mojos or Mondial Mojos

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED… “If no one comes back to stop you, how bad an idea could it have really been.”

WHAT SKILL WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO MASTER… Playing piano. MY FRIENDS WOULD DESCRIBE ME AS… Loyal, dependable, always late. FAVOURITE MEMORY OF READING SO FAR… Welcome drinks at the Lacrosse social and our first match against UCL. YOUR PERFECT DAY OFF WOULD BE… Travelling somewhere exotic.

IDEAL DINNER PARTY GUESTS… Jesus, Mohammed Ali, Albert Einstein. FIRST THING YOU DO IN THE MORNING… Stretch and have a coffee. WHATS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT? Getting in to Reading University. DREAM CAREER? Prime Minister

Psst… Alick is the current School Rep of Humanities and Treasurer of the History society. The History formal has had to be postponed from the 5th June – check out rusu.co.uk for updates.