Student Life Issue 42 by Student-Life

S T U D E N T L I F E I S P R O U D TO B E S H O RT L I S T E D A S F I N A L I S TS F O R T H E M E N TA L H E A LT H B E N E F I TS AWA R D AT T H E @ I N S I D E O U T AWA R D S I N LO N D O N Proudly supported by

ISSUE 42

Lifestyle Magazine by Young People, for Young People

COVER IMAGE BY EMMA WRIGHT

produced in association with

DON’T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE... subscribe online at www.studentlife.org.uk

9 ENTERTAINMENT

Music, movies & more

17 GAMING

Women in Gaming

19 ART

Poems & book reviews

29 FASHION

Fashion Influences

33 BEAUTY

Nourishing hair

37 TRAVEL

Post-pandemic life

39 MY PLANET Local emergency 41 SEXUAL HEALTH

Advice and awareness

43 MENTAL HEALTH Self Care

55 PHYSICAL HEALTH & SPORT The crossover with MH

58 FOOD

Vegan Easter Eggs

62 MY LIFE

Your thoughts

64 LGBT Upcoming Events 66 TECH AR 68 MY MONEY Student Finance

Editor’s WORD Hello! Welcome to issue 42 of Student Life’s lifestyle publication, soon to be formally known as My Life! Chances are, you’re probably reading us in your school, college or University and boy does it feel good to be back! We hope you’re settling back into a routine and are enjoying being back in the classroom or spending time with your friends again. You are all doing an incredible job at adapting to these rather unusual circumstances! Let’s think positivitly as this being our first step out of life as we’ve come to know it and instead into a time where we have more social freedom, holidays are allowed and most importantly we can hug our loved ones. In this issue, we introduce to you to our latest project and some opportunities you canbe involved in. Enjoy!

Best wishes,

Rachel

Search us on social @studentlifeorg *NOT CHECKED 24/7

Meet our Co-Editors Our magazine wouldn’t be possible without our Co-ed’s but we are always on the look-out for more! MY LIFE CO-EDITOR GLORIA DARGATZ Hi I’m Gloria! I am a student from Germany and I have been visiting a British school for a year. In my free time I do competitive swimming, dance ballet and work with aid organisations. I am endlessly grateful for the opportunities Student Life gives me and I’m looking forward to talking to you and reading your articles.

ART CO-EDITOR KAY SABERTON Hello – I’m Kay, your Art co-editor! I am returning to study at the University of Suffolk as an MA student. My interests include: the arts, graphic novels, literature, and film. I am a firm believer that reading and creativity are vital to us as, ‘To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it’ – Kurt Vonnegut.

BEAUTY & MY PLANET CO-EDITOR LIBBY DAWSON

ENTERTAINMENT CO-EDITOR FRAN MULVEY

Hey, I’m Fran your Entertainment coeditor! I decided to get involved as it allows me to expand my creativity. Studying English at the University of Suffolk, and an aspiring author, I’d love a career in publishing.

I’m Libby, an English Literature and Media Communications graduate, working with Student Life to gain experience in Marketing, Business Development, Social Media Management and now, work in Editorial! It is a great platform to be involved in.

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CO-EDITOR RACHEL MITCHELL Hi I’m Rachel and I am the current co-editor for Sexual Health, My Life, Tech and Careers! However, I would love to find some students who are interested in being a co-editor and taking on some of these areas! Let me know if that’s you!

GAMING CO-EDITOR LOUISA SADLER Hi, my name is Louisa. I’m the gaming and physical health co-editor and also currently an English Student at the University of Suffolk. I love reading and writing and looking forward to pursuing a career in publishing whether as an author or as someone who helps publish new books!

BEAUTY & TRAVEL CO-EDITOR ELISE DIXON My name is Elise Dixon and I’m one of the co-editors for the Beauty and Travel Sections. With a passion for makeup, I love learning about new products as well as exploring the world around me, and look forward to bringing you new and exciting products and places to visit.

FOOD CO-EDITOR AARON BEAVIS Hi, I’m Aaron, your co-editor for food. I’m a budding writer who aspires to be a media and film journalist. I take English Literature, Language and Film Studies and additionally have been posting on my blog since February 2019.

ART CO-EDITOR CHLOE SHAWCROSS Hiya! I’m Chloe And I’m An Art Co-Editor! I Enjoy Reading, Writing And Painting! I’m Currently In Year 11 And Have Hopes Of Moving On To Med School Later In Life! I’m Also A Huge Animal Lover With Two Furry Rabbit Babies Of My Own!

MENTAL HEALTH CO-EDITOR MIA PATIENCE Hello! My name is Mia. I’m currently studying Musical Theatre at college and hope to become a full-time actor eventually! I enjoy writing and one day would love to release a book of my own. I feel strongly about mental health as people close to me have suffered and I believe it isn’t spoken and taught about enough and I’d like to change that!

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MY MONEY CO-EDITOR ADRIANNA GNIFKA Hi! I’m Adrianna, I currently study English Literature, History and Politics. I am looking forward to studying English at University next year and then further pursuing a career in academia or politics. I enjoy dance, learning about different languages and cultures, writing poetry and being a spectator of the arts.

FILM CO-EDITOR CAMERON LUSTY

I have recently graduated from the University of Suffolk where I achieved a 2:1 in Screenwriting. My passion for film and writing about film is what led me to Student Life magazine.

Co-Editor Vacancies Roles available across:

SUFFOLK

NORFOLK

KENT

Get in touch with Rachel at rachel@studentlife.org.uk to find out how to get involved!

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COVID-19

awareness project

We are so proud to have been selected and funded by Public Health Suffolk to expand our exisiting project work through the COMF initiative. The Contain Outbreak Management Fund provides funding to local authorities in England to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and support peer-to-peer content in print and online around covid awareness amongst young people and produce a documentary film for countrywide distribution, using our in-house film production company ‘Unity Films’. We will also be expanding our Mental Health Ambassador programme to include Covid Ambassadors and this work will continue to expand into alternative provision settings.

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Cast and Crew Needed! If you’ve got an interest in film and media, acting or just simply giving something new a go, then this is an opportunity not to be missed! We are looking for young people to be involved in two new upcoming film projects. One film raises awareness of Mental Health and the other centres around COVID-19 - the impact it’s had on us and how we can prevent its transmission. To be involved, you do not need any

experience as our professionals will upskill you in any area of interest. There are also opportunities to be involved in pre and post-production and editing. The best bit about it is that our projects are produced by young people, for young people!

TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE EMAIL MEDIA@STUDENTLIFE.ORG.UK

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Calling all Photographers and Writers

See your photos or articles in print If you have an interest in writing or photography then we need you! No experience required Have your say and share your stories Looks great on CVs and applications Receive a writing and photo credit

Take the first step, email us to find out more: rachel@studentlife.org.uk 8 • I SSUE 42 • S TUDENT LIFE

ENTERTAINMENT CO-EDITOR FRAN MULVEY

Sadder Days Vol.1 BY RAHUL ANEESH

Sadder Days Vol.1 is the debut project from Las Vegas Hip Hop collective Sad Art Collective, here are my thoughts on each track of this project:

SADDER DAYS: This is mainly an intro skit which gives an overall taste of what the overall project is going to sound like, each member sings “Sadder Days” over a chilled synthesized instrumental, which is a play on words of “Saturdays”, this intro adds captivation when the project is played like an album.

MY TIME FEAT. STRYTLLR & NEVOS TYLER: Strytllr has these smooth R&B style vocals and talks about his depression and wanting to “jump off the edge”, to find a better place. In the easy-going chorus he talks about wanting to make the most of things, and Nevos Tyler gradually slides across the jazzy instrumental, throwing a lot of witty bars in the process. This song was very fun to listen to.

GO AHEAD FEAT. NEVOS TYLER, JOEL THE UNICORN & MARCO 4D: Now we dip out feet into a sea of fun carefree songs. It’s got some slick animated flows and lyrics from each of the members in this song. I also like the bubbly production, suitable for a Caribbean setting and atmosphere.

DADDY FEAT. TANNA MARIE, JOEL THE UNICORN & LONGLIVEMOSI: This one features a lot of bold personality. Especially Tanna Marie with her sassy singrap flow along with sexualised lyrics giving this track even more of a reason to revisit, Joel and Mosi give the track more sexual presence and come in with some quickwitted lines about sex. This is probably a song that slaps hardest for the parties.

SENTIMENTAL FEAT. JOEL THE UNICORN, MARCO 4D, ZERBY & TANNA MARIE: This does give off some nice Earthgang vibes because of the wacky adlibs and interesting deliveries. Despite the song having a very upbeat instrumental it does have some serious

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subject matter about being in a toxic relationship with a woman and the bad mental side effects. The chorus is also very smooth, and the adlibs make it a lot more fun and animated.

IT’S LIT FEAT. ZERBY & LURK FRANKLIN: This is probably the most outlandish of them all. Starting off with a quirky chorus on top of a glossy grimy instrumental, in the verses I can definitely spot some Brockhampton influence, yet it doesn’t take away from the entertainment value of the song. The opening line of Lurk Franklin’s verse got a few giggles out of me, and I just love the overall energy of his verse, this song is quite tongue in cheek.

WINNING FEAT. MARCO 4D & LURK FRANKLIN: Both add spirit and charisma as well as off-the-wall flows and hard-hitting lyrics (in a fun and entertaining way). The trap drums also provide bounce, as the song title suggests it’s about being unstoppable and living their finest life. This track definitely makes me feel unstoppable.

BACK IT UP FEAT. LONGLIVEMOSI, MARCO 4D, JOEL THE UNICORN & ZERBY: The verses of each member in this song still never fail to impress in terms of character. They also

have some raunchy sex lines, but what does let this track down for me is the monotonic chorus which essentially lacks groove. Otherwise the song still has a notably sexual nature.

TELL ME FEAT. TANNA MARIE AND STRYTLLR: Now we move into more of a slow R&B direction. Both artists softly sing about how their boyfriend/girlfriend isn’t feeling ok and isn’t admitting their feelings, the lyrics painting a picture of the distress and worry both artists feel. I also enjoy the soft guitar riffs along the track to give it its melancholic nature. Overall, I think it’s a nice switch up.

BUSSIT FEAT. JOEL THE UNICORN & MARCO 4D: The instrumental sounds like it was made for nightclubs. I enjoy the smooth chorus and delivery from Joel, while in the verses adding the fact he’s bored during this pandemic (we all are). Additionally, I enjoyed the strong flow from Marco 4D where he talks about having a good time with the ladies. Overall, this is a celebratory closure.

Overall, this is a very solid effort. I’m interested to hear what they have in store in the future and hope that they eventually gain more recognition.

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Train to Busan (2016) Train to Busan is a South Korean film written by Park Joo-suk and directed by Yeon Sang-ho. Its budget was a reported $8.5 million, and it earned $98.5 million at the worldwide box office and was South Korea’s highest grossing film of 2016. There’s a chance most of you reading this will already know about this film in which case this will take the least amount of convincing of any Film of the Month I’ll do. If you haven’t heard of or seen this film and you’re a fan of zombies, thrillers, gore; or you like eclectic casts of characters, themes of family, friendship, and human compassion in the face of human survival - or you’re just a big fan of trains - then this film should be on your list. Set in South Korea, it follows a group of passengers on a train as a zombie outbreak occurs. The film has grotesquely visceral visual and practical effects that will have you captivated by the horrendous distortions and contortions of the zombies’ appendages. Its story is basic – human survival in the face of unexplainable horror – but its writing is great. It creates characters with

FILM OF THE MONTH

BY CAMERON LUSTY

depth, pathos, levity, who exhibit a wide variety of personalities. The characters all feel different, they serve a function, and you care for them that if – or when – they die you will be left possibly weeping (the person I watched this film with did cry and I was almost weeping). T the predominant theme (the nature and behaviour of Man/people when faced with their death) is supported by a few underlying themes but there’s one I liked that I felt wasn’t developed enough so was inconsistent. The theme I’m talking about is a dichotomy and representation of the classism in South Korean society; and the privilege that comes with being in, or at least perceived to be in, the ruling elite. It’s important to note South Korea has a very Western, Capitalistic society and I think the social tensions that come with that system is presented in this film. That could be one reason why this film has resonated with Western audiences. This is represented by the character of the COO of Stallion Express (played by Kim Eui-Sung) who orders the train driver

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to leave the other passengers, not the only time he tries; and then assumes an authoritarian and dictatorial position when he’s placed in charge of the scared room he finds himself in. His behaviour in that situation leads to them locking the other group out, a group of vulnerable, bloodied and beaten survivors, including a child (played by Kim Su-an). The main protagonist, the little girl’s Father, Seo Sook-woo (played by Gong Yoo), is a hedge fund manager and is perceived as part of the capitalist elite (as demonstrated by the remarks made by Ma Dong-seok’s character). (Also, I want to take a moment to give a shout out to Ma Dong-seok’s character as he is hands down the best character in the film. I could easily devote a whole article to him.) Sook-woo’s story could be viewed as him shedding his capitalist life for one rooted in humanity. This is evidenced physically by his suit being ripped and stained as he progresses through the zombie infested train. And evidenced in his behaviour: at the beginning he’d rather work instead of taking his daughter to her mother’s; but by the end he would literally sacrifice himself to make sure his daughter arrives safely. An expression of this theme are the zombies themselves, representing the extreme effects of un-checked capitalism: the metamorphosis of people into beings that have no humanity, no consciousness, but merely the desire to consume and eat, even at the detriment to the survival of others and the very foundations of society itself. This can also be evidenced by the cause of the zombies – nuclear weapons – which is arguably Capitalism’s greatest achievement. Would it have been possible,

or as effective, if not for Western free market capitalism? Beyond the themes of human kinship and class struggle, it’s also a Zombie movie. And as someone who considers themselves a Zombie fanboy, I was blown away by the ones in this film. As mentioned above, the practical effects/ special effects were amazing, and the zombies were detailed and scary. There’s one reservation I had about the zombies going in and that was that they ran. In my opinion, true zombies, by definition, shouldn’t run. It’s their relentless shuffling perseverance that makes them scary; how something that slow can cause so much damage and chaos is part of the function of Zombies. In there lies the challenge for writers when they use Zombies. But, Train to Busan flips it on its head and makes them quick. The reason I didn’t mind it in Train to Busan is because the film would have actually been worse if the zombies could only shuffle. Setting it on a train means slow, shuffling zombies would be easy to run from. Whereas the Train to Busan ones are terrifying because they are quicker than the humans effectively. The film’s setting made it a necessity that the zombies run. If the film was of worse quality, then maybe this would be a bigger criticism and I wouldn’t be recommending it. Or maybe these aren’t “true zombies” after all (that could be an interesting article).

Send me your thoughts – and movie recommendations – to my email: cameron@student-life.co

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My Comfort Films and Shows BY CELESTE SPAIN Like everyone else I have a range of comfort films and TV shows I turn to when in dire need to do any of the following; escape reality for a bit, have a laugh, kill some time – and, of course, cheer myself up when life seems dull and grey. Here are my top five recent comfort films and TV shows:

MURDER MYSTERY (NETFLIX) STARRING JENNIFER ANNISTON AND ADAM SANDLER Escape to sunny Europe where all is calm. At first. Soon adventure strikes and you’ll be on the edge of your seat. We all know Jennifer Aniston from Friends - if you don’t go watch it on Netflix asap, then get back to me and I’ll quiz you!. Adam Sandler plays a New York cop and Jennifer Aniston plays his wife, who has a love for murder mystery novels, and they go on a European vacation and end up invited by a rich stranger to a private yacht party of this stranger’s family. Before they know it they’re slap bang in their own murder mystery, it’s all excitement for them except

for one thing… they’re the prime suspects!

FRIENDS (NETFLIX) I think you all saw this coming especially after reading the first in this list. What can I say about Friends? From Joey’s “How you doin’ ?” and Chandler’s sarcasm, to Phoebe’s ‘Smelly Cat’ song, Friends is a must watch and an absolute classic. For those who haven’t watched this TV show, the clue’s in the title. It’s about an amazing group of friends who live and work in New York: Chandler, Monica, Ross, Phoebe, Rachel, and Joey. We follow their lives on screen but I’ve never been able to watch it and not smile and laugh all the way through.

ANY MUPPETS FILM You’ve got to love The Muppets. From Muppets Take Manhattan to Muppets Most Wanted starring Ricky Gervais and even further back to Muppets Treasure Island which, a day before I wrote this article, celebrated its 25th anniversary in America. The Muppets films are a

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comforting watch. Join the countless characters: Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Rizzo, Fozzie, Walter and the whole gang in these heartwarming films. I thoroughly recommend watching any and all of these films. You may take one look at a picture of any the films on your google search and think ‘no, it’ll be cheesy and I won’t enjoy it.’ To me it can bring me from misery to joy within a few seconds of watching the characters and their antics on screen.

JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN (NETFLIX) STARRING ROWAN ATKINSON From Mr Bean to Johnny English working for her majesty’s secret service Rowan Atkinson is a comedy genius. Johnny English Strikes Again is the third film of the series. He’s happy to leave his position as a Primary School teacher to become a secret agent once again with his sidekick

Boff. Johnny English even meets the Prime Minister (played by Emma Thompson), she explains that they are grappling with a technological super villain. How will English cope after so many years out of the game? Perhaps all he needs is a good bit of British ingenuity. I also recommend watching the previous two films as well.

BROOKLYN NINE NINE (NETFLIX) I’ve binged watched this American TV series so many times! It’s based in a fictional version of the NYPD (New York Police Department), specifically the 99th precinct. The main character, Jake Peralta (played by Andy Samberg) is a talented detective despite his immaturity who quite often conflicts with his commanding officer Captain Raymond Holt. The show is modern, exciting and LGBT inclusive. You will fall in love with the characters one by one throughout the series.

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Netflix

Debate BY CAMERON LUSTY

Has Netflix changed how we watch TV and movies? Well, gone are the days, mostly, where we had to wait a week for our favourite shows; and where we would memorise the TV guide (or was that just me?). And definitely gone are the days where you had to rush back from the bathroom, so you don’t miss even a second of the latest episode of Doctor Who (other popular primetime shows are available). Some shows do still air weekly, but, even then, it’s becoming more and more common for them to simultaneously do that and make all the episodes available on their respective streaming – or “catch up” - services (such as BBC iPlayer or 4od). They still give you the chance to watch it whenever you like, instead of being forced to watch it at a specific time and date – which is how it always was. My question is: Are you “catching up” if you’re watching episodes that haven’t been released? Or are you catching ahead (whatever that means)? The success of weekly released TV shows (such as WandaVision and The Mandalorian to name two) is because 1: they are phenomenal shows; and 2: because we are becoming so used to binge watching that watching it weekly is not laboured by being the standard norm. It’s also important to note both of those

shows were released on a streaming service – so maybe they see a balance is the key. Streaming services mean people have ready access to a library of films. Before, if a classic, must-see movie was on TV, for all you knew that could have been the last time they would air it. But, with streaming services, you don’t need to rush. In fact, you can take your sweet time, you can watch as many other movies and TV shows first and it will probably still be there for you afterwards. The algorithm waiting, tempting, seducing you to watch it. But - the important question is - is it a good thing or a bad thing? I personally love it. I have discovered TV shows and films I never would have watched if it wasn’t for Netflix and other streaming services. They serve the function of a library, where films and TV can be preserved and watched by future generations.

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An interesting change could be a blurring of the lines of popular culture between generations. Every generation has their own catalogue of shows they relate to the most (because they watched them during their childhood; and nostalgia is a powerful drug). But, with steaming services, it’s not guaranteed people will watch the shows of their generations, they now have access to shows previous generations did. Children in the 90s and 80s effectively had to watch the shows of those decades. But kids now don’t have to watch shows from the decades they were raised on. They could choose to watch the shows that the 80s and 90s kids watch. Or even further back. What, then, does that mean for the zeitgeist? If they don’t watch the same shows they can’t share the same experiences; will that lead to a disenfranchisement in the newer generations? Will they not feel as connected to each other as previous generations have? Perhaps it will lead to a strengthening of inter-generation connections. Only time will tell if streaming services are a new bastion of watching content. Or, as

with most things, the different services will get too entrenched in competition and their fate will go the same way as cable in America (it already kind of has what with the plethora of streaming services now available). Netflix’s influence is undeniable; we just don’t watch TV shows the same way. And based on Netflix’s foray into making award worthy films, they may change the fundamental nature of how we watch the best films as well. In conclusion, Netflix’s dominance and influence is obvious, but only time will hold the answer as to whether they will become everyone’s preferred choice as their AI enhanced algorithm is superior to everyone in some Black Mirror-esque world; or if they eventually take over the world and force us to watch every episode of Friends on repeat. The power is literally… In your hands. Send me your thoughts – and movie recommendations – to my email: Cameron.lusty@student-life.co

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GAMING CO-EDITOR LOUISA SADLER

BY LOUISA SADLER

Women in Gaming

Inspired by International Women’s Day, I thought I would share some of my favourite female protagonists in gaming as a way of highlighting the strength women have and the progress that has been, and is being made, to achieve equality within the gaming industry. SPOILER ALERT AHEAD!!

LARA CROFT One of my favourite female protagonists within gaming is definitely Lara Croft. One of my fist games growing up was Tomb Raider where I played as Lara as I discovered tombs, artifacts and explored places I didn’t even realise existed when I was younger. I never really played the original Tomb Raider games but watched my mum and uncle play them on the PS1, it wasn’t until the Legend Tomb Raider series was

released on PS2 that I really began my journey with Lara. What I particularly liked about this version of Lara was her strength and determination to discover what truly happened to her mother when she was nine years old. This version of Lara alongside her mother were the only survivors of the plane crash in the Himalayas but after discovering a portal within a temple, Lara lost her mother and had no idea what happened to her. When she is older, Lara sets off on a journey to discover the truth over her mother’s disappearance that leads her to myth of King Arthur’s Sword Excalibur and the myth of Avalon. I really admired the strength of Lara in this series of games and her determination to know what really happened all those years ago but also admired her sassiness and quick wit when interacting with friends, colleagues and even when interacting with her enemies.

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When the survivor Tomb Raider series was released back in 2013, I really liked the new direction that Lara’s character was taken in. Rather than following the events after Tomb Raider Underworld, the survivor series explored Lara’s character as a woman who just left university on her first exploration, unaware of the horrors that she will encounter. I like that this Lara had a sense of vulnerability to her, as someone who didn’t want to kill whether that was human or animal but had to accept that in order to survive, she has to kill. I liked that this series took its time to show Lara’s Journey from uni graduate who was introverted and had no desire to

kill to a woman who has earned her well known title of ‘Tomb Raider’; I loved going on this journey with Lara Croft and hope I get to go on more adventures with her in the future.

AQUA Those who are regular readers of Student Life will know I often talk about Kingdom Hearts as it is my favourite game series of all time and this time it will be no different.

Kingdom Hearts also contains one of my other favourite female protagonists in Aqua. Although Aqua wasn’t first introduced into the Kingdom Hearts saga until 2010, she became a fan favourite and one of my favourite characters within the series. One of the things that I love about Aqua is her willingness to do whatever it takes to protect her friends. When Ventus’ heart was damaged after his battle with Vantias, Aqua took Ventus’ sleeping body back home to the Land of Departure where she locked it away to keep him safe until his heart recovered and he woke up. The Land of Departure transformed into Castle Oblivion that allowed Ventus to stay hidden after Organisation XIII infiltrated Castle Oblivion to manipulate Sora and his memories in Chain of Memories. Aqua went one step further to protect her friends, especially Terra after he was taken over by Master Xehanort. After battling Terra as a way of trying to expel Master Xehanort from his body, Terra’s body began to succumb to darkness and enter the Realm of Darkness. Aqua went after Terra’s body to prevent it from entering the Realm of Darkness but realised she couldn’t save both her and Terra. Rather than letting Terra enter the Realm of Darkness, Aqua sacrificed herself and sent Terra back to the Realm of Light so she was the one who would wander the Realm of Darkness. The strength and determination to protect her friends is something I really admire about Aqua and to me makes her one of the strongest characters of the entire Kingdom Hearts series in my opinion.

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ART

CO-EDITOR KAY SABERTON

A Catnap BY AMBER SPALDING

Curled up on a warm, summers day thin, black hairs shed with every stroke, floating like dandelions in the mild air. With every exhale he nuzzles deeper a fetal position, comforting. A gentle breeze cools his fur, gliding, like birds over water, leaving temporary ripples on its surface. As I curl my finger around his tail, an opaque pupil stretches open and gives me a discrete wink. A soft purr hums as I kiss him between his two velvet ears.

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Meet the Artist:

Sophie Debenham

1. WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU DO? I’m Sophie, a youth photographer based in Suffolk. I am in my second year in college, but this is my first year of studying Level 3 Photography at Suffolk New College. I have been doing photography for almost 5 years in June. I mostly put out my work on Instagram for my followers to see. I have also taken photos and written for a few Student Life articles too.

2. WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR WORK? The focus of my work is purely to take photos of anything I find eye-catching. The genres I like to focus on are very mixed. I also use my work to inspire others to take photos too. I mainly take photos of places in Suffolk and surrounding areas. A few locations I have been to are the Orwell Bridge and Bury St Edmunds. I like to try out new types of photography and styles too. I also make IGTV videos on all things related to photography which you can watch on my Instagram page @sophsinfocus.

3. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK? A few artists who have influenced my style are Brandon Woelfel who is a photographer based in New York, and Julia Trotti who is a portrait photographer based in Sydney. I also look for inspiration from Pinterest along with my followers who are very talented. What inspires my work is seeing different photos on my Pinterest feed, going to different locations, and looking at other photographers’ work. What first got me into photography was my friend Ola during a shoot together where she asked me to take her photos, and my whole journey carried on from there. My friends and family are also very supportive of what I do.

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4. WHERE CAN READERS VIEW AND FOLLOW YOUR WORK? People can find out more about me by heading over to my various social medias @sophsinfocus. My Instagram and Facebook are the main platforms I use to post regular content. I also have Pinterest, VSCO and TikTok where I post a few different things. Alongside this, I have a website where you can see more work, and can also purchase photo prints for digital download on www.sophsinfocus.com.

5. WHAT ARE YOUR ARTISTIC GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? My goals for the future are to expand my work to a bigger audience, to go to more places once lockdown is over, meet more new people, start future projects, and get more creative.

6. WHAT ROLE DOES THE ARTIST HAVE IN SOCIETY? I feel like photographers have a huge part to play in society. Because your photos can inspire someone else and can also be so interesting to any person who looks at them. Also photographers have a platform no matter how big or small to make a positive change in society. Because I feel like there is a huge stigma around young people which is shown in society in a negative way, but I think that us young people should be able to break the stigma and show our talents no matter what they are.

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The 4 Best Book Series for Escapism BY ROSIE WEDGE With lockdown number three still upon us, sometimes the best thing to do is to try and take a step away from our current reality. Instead of trying to tackle it, we can indulge in a bit of escapism. Whether it’s through our favourite games or TV shows, it can really help to just escape to another world for a little while. So, I thought I would share my top 4 series to read during lockdown if you’re looking for a bit of a whimsical fantasy getaway.

1. THE WITCHER BY ANDRJEZ SAPKOWSKI I read this series for the first time in 2020 between the first two lockdowns and

boy do I wish I’d bought the books when they first came out. Since the release of the Netflix show, and the success of the games, I think a lot of people are more familiar with the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, but not as many people seem to have given the books a shot, which is a shame. Of all the books I read in 2020, this series was my absolute favourite. It blends modern fantasy with Polish folklore and mythology, to create this incredibly fleshed-out fantasy world full of magic and monsters. Whilst the series does get quite dark towards the end, I still think that this is one of the most epic adventures you can take yourself on if you’re looking for a high fantasy series to get stuck into.

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2. SHADES OF MAGIC BY V.E. SCHWAB

3. THE WHEEL OF TIME BY ROBERT JORDAN

This series got me through lockdown number one! Shades of Magic follows Kell Maresh, one of the only remaining Antari, who is able to travel between the four layers of London, some of which are abundant with beautiful magic, some stripped of their magic, and others having been corrupted by their magic. However, Kell’s simple life as a messenger for the King of Red London and a smuggler on his own terms get crossed over when he crosses paths with the aloof and mysterious Lila Bard. What ensues is one of my favourite fantasies of all time, filled with corrupt magic systems, dimension travelling, and even a magical tournament full of duels. Do yourself a favour and read this series if you haven’t already!

If you’re looking for an absolute monster of a series to binge, then The Wheel of Time is the one. It spans fourteen books, all at over 600 pages each, and has a total of 2,782 distinctly named characters. When people say “epic fantasy” they mean The Wheel of Time. This series follows a seemingly conventional fantasy plotline to begin with (the chosen one embarks on a mission to save the lands from a dark force) but splits off into different directions like you would not believe! If you want to fully immerse yourself in possibly the biggest fantasy series of all time, I wouldn’t recommend anything else above this.

4. SAGA BY BRIAN K. VAUGHAN & FIONA STAPLES If big, chunky fantasy series aren’t really your thing, then this graphic novel series may be the best way to go. The writers are currently on a mid-point hiatus, but the 9 volumes currently out kept me going during lockdown number one, and the series is due to begin again soon. This intergalactic series is narrated by Hazel, the child of two alien species from warring planets that have fallen in love and fled their planets so they could be together. But it’s not long before their past catches up with them, and war is looming. This series has some of the most complex, morally grey, inclusive characters I have ever seen, and there are few graphic novels that have made me cry…but oh my goodness was this one of them. (Warning: Contains some mature sexual content, advised for readers aged 16+).

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Reasons to Read

TOLSTOY

BY ADRIANNA GNIFKA In preparation for my A-Level English Literature coursework I decided to read Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy as I would be writing about the theme of adultery. For those of you that don’t know, Leo Tolstoy was a 19th century Russian writer during its ‘Golden Age’ of literature. Amongst fans of classic literature like me, Leo Tolstoy is considered a god, mostly for writing the epic War and Peace – a one-thousandpage novel about the Napoleonic wars which follows the lives of five aristocratic families. Its themes? The obvious war and peace, as well as family, death, and philosophy amongst others. It is probably these universal topics combined with an

interesting plot and Tolstoy’s extraordinary writing style that make this the ultimate classic. Whilst I have to admit that I have never fully finished War and Peace because of the sheer intimidation it causes, I decided to read Tolstoy’s other highly acclaimed classic novel, Anna Karenina, before I commit any further. Anna Karenina, a morality novel, deals with the themes of love and death as well as adultery and the philosophical questions of life, similar to War and Peace. It also surrounds the lives of four noble families and specifically a likeable society woman named Anna that falls in love with a cavalry officer named Vronsky, despite being married to her highranking husband, Karenin. This eight-hundred-page work of art is slightly shorter than War and Peace and seems a little more bearable to most readers, allowing you to grasp Tolstoy’s (immaculate in my opinion) writing style. The reason why I have mentioned this twice already is because despite being such a monster of a novel, the writing flows extremely well (it actually surprised me) and at the time it was being written, Tolstoy was one of the writers that pioneered interior

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monologues. He revolutionised the type of writing that allows us to delve into characters’ minds and understand why they do what they do – their emotions and thought processes. This was central to why Anna Karenina was and still is such a successful morality novel. Though do bear in mind that your opinion of the novel may depend on the translation you’re reading as it was originally written in Russian, so some may be better translated than others. I personally read the Penguin Classics version and would definitely recommend it. Another storyline intertwined in Anna Karenina is that of Levin, an atheist landowner that marries Kitty, the girl he loves, but questions his purpose. This storyline follows themes of religion, nature, and the Russian landscape more closely. Surprisingly this part of the novel made me appreciate nature and the often insignificant moments more, especially during the crazy time we are living in now. At one point when I was reading the novel under the sun in my local park surrounded by the greenery, I felt the same beauty of life that Tolstoy describes when Levin is working his land. I have to admit that reading this book was like a marathon and Anna herself doesn’t appear until around 60 pages in. Another thing to note is that all the characters’ names are Russian so they may be difficult

to grasp at first unless you’re Eastern European like me. Tolstoy describes everything heavily, this includes the setting, some often irrelevant side characters, and the political climate/ historical context of what was happening in Russia at the time. Though I didn’t fully understand what I was reading at every moment of the novel, it only adds to the effect of what Tolstoy creates. A post I found on Tumblr about the novel said something like: ‘Tolstoy creates a world so much bigger than yourself which is why after finishing Anna Karenina you are left empty’. I agree with this in its entirety, because even though I didn’t know what ‘the Slavic question’ was, it added to the world Tolstoy created – the gorgeous, scandal and gossip infused society of imperial Russia. I wanted Anna Karenina to continue even after sprinting in that 819page marathon. It is for these reasons that I believe you should read Tolstoy at least once in your life, if not for his literary genius then at least for the plot. As for me, I am now trying to take another dip into Tolstoy’s world and attempting (for the third time) to start reading War and Peace. I’m finding that having properly grasped his work, it’s not as intimidating as I first thought, and I believe I can learn to properly love and appreciate this novel as many other scholars do.

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The City of

Tears BY FRAN MULVEY

Having really enjoyed The Burning Chambers back in 2019, I was pleasantly surprised and thrilled when I was allowed to read an advanced electronic copy of the e-arc of The City of Tears. I was, however, unprepared for the journey the sequel would take me on. It had moments that were tense, gripping, and had me on the edge of my seat; heart hammering and very nearly in my mouth, and my hands almost shaking with nerves and anticipation. It ripped my heart open and then healed it, ripped it open and healed it again over and over (why Kate Mosse, why?! crying emoji). It had me nearly bawling my eyes out on more than one occasion, alongside that feeling of having my heart ripped open. I think the last books that made me feel so much were The Challenger (Contender #2) by Taran Matharu, and Stormtide (Ashen Torment #2) by Den Patrick. This sequel really made me feel things, and was a step up from the first novel; more action-packed, it was fast-paced, and the writing was gripping and really pulled me in. I enjoyed seeing the character development and seeing them grow together, and when I’d finished the novel all I could think was, ‘I need the next one! I need it now!’ The only critiques I really have are, first, that the secondary storyline and

characters that we are introduced to in the chapters early on in the novel don’t seem to be mentioned at all during the rest of it. The story follows Minou and her family’s story, yes – but the fact that these secondary characters are mentioned early on, it stands to reason that they also play a part in Minou’s story somehow. I would have liked to see them appear more often – though if there is another sequel, which I hope there might judging by this one’s ending, this will probably happen there. Additionally, although I enjoyed the different perspectives and seeing various parts of France and Amsterdam, I found it difficult at times to follow the story because the plot jumped around a bit between characters and storylines. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and the twists and turns it took me on in its tale. If you enjoyed The Burning Chambers,

I recommend you pick up the sequel; it’s amazing, and I seriously look forward to the next one – I hope it’s a trilogy, at least!

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The

WPrizeomenfor 's Fiction BY KAY SABERTON

THE 16 BOOKS LONGLISTED IMAGE CREDIT THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION

This year’s longlist for the Women’s Prize for Fiction has been announced, the variety of books once again demonstrating the diversity of stories in women’s fiction writing. The shortlist of six books will be released on Wednesday 28th April with the winner announced on Wednesday 7th July. Each year I look forward to the longlist as a chance to discover new stories to devour. I am particularly excited to read Burnt Sugar, Summer, and The Vanishing Half as I have had my eye on them since their publication. Let us know which books you’re looking forward to reading @studentlifeorg! And if you’re interested in writing book reviews, please contact me at: kay@student-life.co.

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the longlist 1. THE VANISHING HALF BY BRIT BENNETT 2. SMALL PLEASURES BY CLARE CHAMBERS 3. PIRANESI BY SUSANNA CLARKE 4. THE GOLDEN RULE BY AMANDA CRAIG 5. EXCITING TIMES BY NAOISE DOLAN 6. BURNT SUGAR BY AVNI DOSHI 7. BECAUSE OF YOU BY DAWN FRENCH 8. UNSETTLED GROUND BY CLAIRE FULLER

2 0 2 1

TRANSCENDENT KINGDOM BY YAA GYASI

10. HOW THE ONE-ARMED SISTER SWEEPS HER HOUSE BY CHERIE JONES 11. LUSTER BY RAVEN LEILANI 12. NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THIS BY PATRICIA LOCKWOOD 13. CONSENT BY ANNABEL LYON 14. NOTHING BUT BLUE SKY BY KATHLEEN MACMAHON 15. DETRANSITION, BABY BY TORREY PETERS 16. SUMMER BY ALI SMITH

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FASHION CO-EDITOR ELISE DIXON

BY ANONYMOUS

Beauty Standards in the Fashion Industry From a young age we are taught to dress up pretty, skinny, tall, be blonde and be thin girls. They had to have makeup on, tiny dresses, high heels and even dogs in purses. This isn’t even a close reflection to the endless pages of runway models with bronzed flawless skin, shiny hair, a tiny waist with flattering or revealing clothing. We have been taught to recognise models as beautiful women wearing clothes and associate body characteristics and specific body

features with the idea of fashion and who can wear certain things. Photoshop then continues to edit their bodies creating more insecurities and flaws as well as a very toxic industry that puts nearly every girl under pressure to look a certain way. The endless possibilities of diets and Botox and plastic surgery just creates an unrealistic image associated with fashion. It can also be supporting larger and more curvier bodies having the same effect on the opposite end of the spectrum creating unrealistic ideas and standards.

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FASHION and its Influences on Everyday Life BY ELISE DIXON

Fashion influences our everyday life whether we like it or not. We can appear more friendly and make ourselves appear taller or shorter. What we wear on the outside, is also like a mask of who we are, and how we represent how we feel on the inside. There are so many examples of what we wear that plays a part in our everyday lives such as when we meet new people. When we go for interviews, we try and represent a side of ourselves that is committed to the job, organised and respectful. We dress to fit the roles that are needed, we wear uniforms at school as a way to make us all equal and prevent bullying for example. Though when we are not in any of these roles and just going out shopping, we can express ourselves in any way we wish. We can make people see us as peaceful and calm by wearing blue or lovable by wearing pink. Through our clothing we can almost control how people feel about and see us. Our clothing influences our social interactions, 30 • I SSUE 42 • S TUDENT LIFE

how much respect is given to us, and can also determine outcomes. I believe fashion does influence our everyday quite significantly because as humans, we do unfortunately judge a book by its cover, and for people it’s what we look like on the outside. We can show authority through clothing, job positions and personality just through different fabrics. Through fabrics transformed into garments, when we wear clothes that make us feel good, confidence

naturally follows. The confidence that can be achieved through wearing clothing that makes us feel good, can also change outcomes from showing assertiveness and feeling more confident to speak in public or even as small as speaking in front of the class. I feel that more people should feel comfortable enough to explore different fashion aesthetics, as some people are pressurised to fit in with what the large majority of society wants. Try new aesthetics and see what makes you feel the most confident!

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS AND FASHION First impressions are everything, the way you dress shows the person you are meeting how you’re feeling and if you care to be meeting them. Like they say, first impressions are everything. It is important to dress for the occasion. An excellent example of this is the outfit you would wear when attending an interview or business meeting. Although it is important to show who you are as a person it is also important to show the employer that you are serious about working within the company and that you are professional. Wearing gym gear for example would not be an acceptable business/interview attire as it shows you are careless about attending and would rather be working out. An acceptable outfit would consist of a shirt or blouse with tailored skirt or trousers, a blazer or

BY MIA PATIENCE

cardigan. One could also decide on a tailored dress that is modest and professional. Shoes should also look quite simple but professional a great example of this would be a loather or low heel pumps. You can find many of these items on the high street and online for affordable prices! ‘Primark’ and ‘Newlook’ do a wide range of both Men’s and Women’s formal clothing in a range of sizes for affordable prices! This is a very respectful approach to a business career situation. As students, we are at the age when dating begins to approach, and many people may be asked out on a first date! Although this may seem daunting, it is important to dress to impress and a big part of that is also related to your personality so it’s great to dress in what your comfortable in. If you are very feminine, you could try a dress with some pumps or heels-or turn it into a casual look and add some trainers or ‘Converse’. Jeans and a nice top are a great option if you are more comfortable in that type of outfit- great for both genders! Many of these pieces are available on the high street and are very affordable. Within fashion, price and store is not important, if you are comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing! First impressions in fashion are so important to show who you are as a person and are highly encouraged!

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BEAUTY

SUPPORTED BY

CO-EDITOR LIBBY DAWSON

Q&A Libby Dawson WITH

WHAT CHANGES THE MOST ABOUT YOUR BEAUTY REGIME IN SPRING?

The best thing for me about the change in season is that I get to strip everything back down to basics. During the warmer weather I much prefer to embrace my natural hair and natural skin; I don’t like to reach for the fuller coverage makeup products and because of the fresh Spring air, I like to let everything breathe. I haven’t worn makeup for months during lockdown, now I’m worried about my skin when I put it back on. I think this is definitely going to be a problem for lots of people, as many of us have been embracing the natural look during these lockdown months. I think I’ve definitely forgotten how to apply makeup, so I really need to get back into a rhythm with it too. My advice would be that we are (hopefully) going to be coming out of lockdown during the warmer months, which is a blessing! We can ease our skin back into makeup gently, and start by

using BB creams, tinted moisturiser and products that aren’t as heavy. One of my favourite things about the summer months (as I’ve mentioned briefly above) is that I don’t feel like I need to wear lots of makeup as I much prefer to let my skin breathe. By using these products and not going straight back to full coverage heavy makeup, this’ll definitely be better for your skin and give it a chance to get used to products again. It’s also important to remember your skincare and get into a good cleansing routine too.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCT AT THE MOMENT? At this current moment in time, my favourite beauty product has got to be between the Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer and the Lee Stafford Coco Loco Coconut Balm. I’ve never really used concealer before but this Revolution product is great, and I’m really enjoying dabbing it sparingly on my face and blending it out as a base. Then, the

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Coconut Balm has been great for restoring my dry ends. I’m going on a bit of a journey at the moment with my hair and this has definitely helped me to keep it feeling nourished and soft. I’m feeling anxious about heading back into the beauty salons when everything re opens. Again, I think this is something that a lot of people are going to be feeling so you shouldn’t feel alone with this. Whilst it might feel important to support these businesses when they re open, it’s even more important to do what you feel most comfortable with, and you shouldn’t feel pressure to book in your haircut, nail appointment and wax all at once! I’m sure that everyone is going to be working their hardest to ensure everything is 100% safe for when you feel ready to have your beauty treatments.

HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR HAIR IN GOOD CONDITION? As I’ve said, I am currently on a hair journey myself, and trying to keep it in its best possible condition is definitely not easy! My top tips are to, drink water, try not to wash your hair regularly, keep the heat off (easier said than done), brush your hair from the bottom up to avoid breakages, treat it regularly / use oils to ensure the ends stay nourished, and ensure you’re getting enough omega3, protein and iron. If you’re like me and are struggling with your hair and potential loss, please remember to speak to your GP, because your body could be lacking in many things that can contribute to hair problems. And with that being said, keep reading to find out how one of our beauty writers has transformed the condition of her hair!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE NAIL COLOUR? I will admit that I am incredibly boring when it comes to my nails, and my favourite colours do depend on the season we are in. I love a classic all white, or a simple white tip, especially throughout the summer months. As well as that, I love a simple nude/baby pink/beige, and my favourite colour at the moment is a creamy oatmeal colour; I’ll have these colours 90% of the time but especially in Spring and Summer. Then, in the Autumn and Winter months I like to spice it up with a bit of burgundy or a dark red wine shade. You won’t catch me with a lime green, any glitter or nail art, I like to keep it very basic and plain.

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Nourishing

Hair Treatments BY AMY CURTIS Finding the right treatment for your hair can be difficult. You walk into Superdrug or Boots or even browse online and you are faced with so many options. It becomes near impossible to decide what is best for you. One might be cheaper but you’ve never heard of the brand before or, you may have heard of another brand but the price is extortionate. Then you have all the others in between, different colours, shapes, scents, all promising a varying

degree of textures and hair conditions. Even looking up reviews can be difficult because one person will review claiming that it is the best thing they have ever used whereas someone else will warn you away from the product with skull and bones. Where do you even start? I’m going to talk you through my newfound hair treatment and what has worked for me. I’m not going to promise you the world and that this will definitely work for you because it all depends on your hair type and current condition. Working out what your hair needs is the first step to finding the best treatment for you. Personally, I have always suffered with dry hair from years of colouring, but the catch-22 is that I find my hair becomes oily quickly too. I switch my hair colour regularly between blonde and purple and have extremely fine hair. Lockdown hit and I knew that this was my time to get my hair back to its best self. I used B4’s hair colour remover and knew that to get my hair in better condition, I had to sacrifice making it a little worse first. Pro tip: don’t use hair colour remover in the same room you’re going to be working in later that day. The smell lingered in my nostrils for the entirety of the 8 hours. I do not recommend trying this at home!

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When I washed out the colour remover, I used Garnier Ultimate Blends Papaya shampoo and conditioner. This brand has been an absolute game changer for me. The papaya one is specialised for damaged hair and I knew that this was just what I needed after using who knows how many chemicals in my hair. Next step for me was getting all the dead ends chopped off to create a more blunt edge. As my hair is so fine, I find that by having my hair cut, this helps to increase thickness. Getting your hair cut often is a step that most seem to forget about when they are caring for their hair. By cutting your hair frequently, you are removing any strands that have become lifeless and enabling the new hairs to grow back healthier. This has been difficult for most people recently and I know we’ve seen an increase of lockdown haircuts. If you can confidently cut it yourself then chop away but if you’re not feeling certain then it may be best to wait until the hairdressers open again. I decided not to wash my hair for a few days and leave it to create its natural oils. Try not to wash your hair too often because this can also cause dryness. If you notice that it’s taking a long time to blowdry your hair then you know that it’s seeking some nourishment.

Final step and this one is my favourite, after 3-4 days, when you do wash your hair, don’t use any conditioner in the shower. Once you get out of the shower, apply Garnier’s Ultimate Blends Banana Hair Mask. Do not be afraid to slather this on. You can use this mask just as a conditioner, a leave in conditioner or a hair mask. If you are trying to repair your hair and get some life back into it then I recommend leaving this on overnight by placing a towel on your pillow and washing it off in the morning. The Garnier Blends shampoo, conditioner and hair masks have been life savers for me and they have brought my hair back to life. There is a huge variety of them to cater for all different hair types including damaged, coloured and dry. I’ve found that I use these products regularly and alternate between them to keep my hair in its new-found shiny condition. Not only do these smell amazing enough that you want to eat them but they’re also vegan friendly! My personal treatment won’t work for everyone. Everyone is different but these treatments are so well-rounded that I do believe that you will find a treatment that is right for you and your hair type!

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TRAVEL CO-EDITOR ELISE DIXON

Over Pack or Under Pack? BBY ELISE DIXON As you see by the title, is it better to overpack or underpack? Both have their advantages and disadvantages, as with anything in the world. But let’s talk about overpacking first… Overpacking can be great, as you can make sure you have everything you need to hand, even if you don’t particularly use everything when you go away from home or abroad. However, you’ll never let yourself be left short of anything. With extra clothes packed for example, if there are any disasters with bad weather that ruins clothes or falling in mud or any situation similar that requires a clean set of clothes, you’re in luck if you overpack. Though, the downsides to overpacking are when you buy gifts for family, buy clothes of your own and any purchases… it ends up not fitting in the bag or suitcase. Making it a very stressful journey on the way home, attempting to fit all your belongings in a few bags.

When we look at underpacking, the disadvantage of overpacking then becomes the benefit of underpacking. When you have less belongings, travelling and carrying around your bag or suitcase is a lot less physically demanding and can make the journey a lot easier and less tiring. It also becomes less belongings to worry about, making your journey more stress free! Underpacking also comes with its disadvantages, such as accidentally not packing enough clothes in case of emergencies, not having many belongings that are likely to be used as well. Though with underpacking, it seems there are more benefits as with making travelling easier as well as being able to have room for your purchases you buy when away from home. As long as you are strategic with what you pack and the necessities, underpacking is probably the better option of the two!

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How soon will you travel after the Pandemic? BY ANONYMOUS With the world turned upside down, the outside world seems a lot scarier than it did before. Travelling has always come with risks, though never as severe as a deadly global pandemic being a risk of travelling abroad. There are laws surrounding a disease that’s barely been in existence and essentially controls our lives currently. Personally, for me, when I think of travelling abroad I am finding it quite nerve-racking… The fear of the unknown is one fear many people will be able to relate to as life is changing and evolving before our eyes. With the possibility of vaccine passports, needing documents to say we have had the vaccine with questions like

how long will this have to be the case? Will this be the new social norm? We get flu jabs and see it as routine and normal, though will we see this happen with covid-19? For me, I am nervous to start travelling again, realistically we’re in a time that its main threats are seen as diseases. With the neglect of healthcare systems all over the world, it was inevitable to have a disease to take the world by storm like it has. There’s a desperate need for countries to cooperate closer together in order to be upfront with new diseases and alerting nations. We have been forced as a world, to evaluate our systems, and there needs to be a change. But that’s just my opinion!

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MY PLANET

CO-EDITOR LIBBY DAWSON BY SOPHIA BOLTON SIREN CALLING PROJECT LEAD

Is Locality Key in Tackling Climate Change? It is clearly not surprising to anyone reading this section of Student Life, that there are reams upon reams of ways we can make individual changes and advocate for national changes to reduce both the likelihood and impact of the impending climate crisis. At the end of February, we held Siren Digital, an East Suffolk based environment themed festival run by young people, for young people. This involved live streamed discussion events about the environment; interspersed with dance, photography, short films, and music. Throughout the weekend we had nearly 2500 Facebook Live views and covered multiple topics from fashion to music, and wellbeing to food. Bringing more than 70 young people together in one place to discuss a range of environmental issues, this discussion ranged from broader solutions to the minutely specific and, multiple themes emerged. For me, the most surprising was locality. Climate change is a unique challenge full stop, let alone in the context of localism. Conversations were had about the impact of corona virus and how regional focus is now of greater importance than ever

before, especially with restrictions on travel and those few months we spent in the regional tier system. The music industry, one of the worst hit sectors by the pandemic and arguably receiving the least financial support, was discussed at length. Looking to the future, it is likely we will see a greater number of local music festivals with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of those attending. The outcome of the discussion was hope that larger touring artists will begin to play a higher volume of smaller local gigs, increasing their carbon emissions through greater travel but reducing carbon emissions overall through the reduced travel of attendees. Not ideal but a solution. A second environmental theme where locality was key was the discussion on food. Value was key here: value built through local relationships and its benefit for mental wellbeing; value-for-money in cutting out supermarkets as the middleman; and the financial value of supporting local food businesses. This way we could have much needed stimulus into our regional economy which has greater financial rewards than any form of trickledown economics. In addition, value to our

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originating means we know what we are putting into our body, not to mention the farming processes used and the obvious reduction of carbon footprint through travel miles. At this point it is worth adding the second main theme which emerged throughout the festival. This was that what we can achieve through individual choices within the “system” is so minuscule we need other forms of change. ‘The System’ could be defined differently by every one of us,

but ultimately, I see it as an economic and political system in which trade and industry are controlled privately for profit, rather than by the state for the benefit of everyone. A world controlled by moneydriven individuals with little foresight for our future as young people. Our local authorities have ‘declared a climate emergency’, but does control by the system reduce our ability to achieve change on a local level? Ten years ago, the government began to prioritise locality in a rapidly globalising world, promoting decentralisation and empowering local councils, neighbourhoods, and individuals. The aim was to free local authorities from government-mandated tasks, allowing communities to have more say in decisionmaking. Unfortunately, this was then

followed by radical budget cuts, so despite having freedom to prioritise, authorities have reduced income. Alongside this there is little clarity about their responsibilities, especially in relation to large-scale international issues such as climate change. The solution? Well, outside of our day-today choices and priority of locality, we can add our voice to the Fridays for Future campaign, the next protest is March 19th. In addition, vote as soon as you are old enough not just in national elections but in local elections too, young people have the lowest voter turnout of any demographic and this is even lower in council elections! Research the candidates and their record on advocating for climate justice. In addition, join activist and political groups, to make sure they are steered by young voices internally as well as externally. Finally, whilst we are achieving our goals of a sustainable future, the last emergent theme of the festival was wellbeing, bringing in over 50% of our views across the weekend. Eco-anxiety, climate depression and activist burnout are all huge issues amongst our generation. Be kind to each other, reach out if you need help and remember, no campaign, no goal, no issue is ever more important than looking after your own mental wellbeing. FOLLOW SIREN CALLING ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER: @itssirencalling JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: www.sirencalling.org/email-sign-up FRIDAYS FOR FUTURE: www.fridaysforfuture.org/march19

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41 • SE XUA L H E A LT H • S TUDENT LIFE

A short message about your sexual health:

SEXUAL HEALTH CO-EDITOR RACHEL MITCHELL

During the Covid-19 pandemic we are encouraging you to follow Government social distancing advice to make sure you keep yourself and others safe. Tips to keep safe: n keep your distance from people not in your household (2 metres apart where possible and at least 1 metre otherwise) n wash your hands regularly n don’t meet people outside for activities where you can’t safely socially distance, this includes for sex.

Now is a good time to think about your sexual health. What you can do 1 Stock up on condoms You might not be able to access normal Terrence Higgins Trust services for a while but you can get free condoms posted to you at an address you choose. See links below. 2 Make sure you haven’t been passed on an infection during sex You can get tested for sexually transmitted infections for free by ordering an STI testing kit online to be sent to an address you choose OR by calling the iCaSH sexual health clinic on 0300 300 3030. iCaSH clinics are still open but by appointment only. Don’t worry, anything we send you is delivered in discrete packaging by Royal Mail. Get more information or support: n To get free condoms by post visit tht.org.uk search for “free condoms” n For free chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing tht.org.uk search for “chlamydia” n For contraception and other STI testing icash.nhs.uk/suffolk or call 0300 300 3030. n For short videos on how to use a condom, consent and other sexual health advice - youngandfree.org.uk n HIV and sexual health – tht.org.uk

CONSENT: When things start to get back to normal we understand that you might want to hook up with someone. Please remember that it’s important to make sure you have got clear consent, an enthusiastic yes. Check out our video on consent at youngandfree.org.uk

Thanks very much and we’ll see you at some point in the future. Stay safe. 42 • I SSUE 42 • S TUDENT LIFE

MENTAL HEALTH

Part of our COVID-19 awareness project

CO-EDITOR MIA PATIENCE

The Effects COVID-19 has had on my Mental Health BY ELISE DIXON Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the world and has made everyone’s lives very different in a variety of ways. Such as students having to have their whole education put online and their social lives being stopped. With the lockdowns we have been through, staying in touch with our loved ones and friends has never been so important. The emphasis on looking after ourselves has never been so important. With the lack of school day routine, and not being able to make plans with friends we naturally turn to binge watching Netflix and playing video games without a thought of time. For many students I know, they have struggled with their mental health a lot, as have I. Our lives used to be going outside every day to school, to essentially feeling like we’ve been locked in our homes by the pandemic. I feel for many people as this pandemic has given people a new sense of appreciation for life and the limited time we have. The country has lost so many loved ones to this pandemic, from news articles stating constantly how many

people have died, from the time we wake up in the morning and before we go to bed. It’s been very hard to stay positive when you know what’s happening in the world. My mental health was severely affected throughout the pandemic to the point of neglecting myself. Such as the simple things like hygiene. Whilst this isn’t something I’ve asked other people my age about, I’m sure many people will be able to relate and understand. Though many students had lessons, we were deprived of a lot of human interaction and now we are back in our schools and colleges. It feels almost illegal to be with other people in the classroom and knowing the threat of Covid-19 could affect your life at any moment, like being sent home to isolate, puts us in a state of constant fear of the unknown. I feel this has definitely put life into perspective for many people as at the end of the day, life is short and extremely valuable. We spend so much time worrying about exams and jobs, we forget to lead our lives by what makes us happy rather than what’s expected of us.

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The Warrior Within

I run towards the man, but he tells me to turn back,

BY KURTIS STEIGMANN

but I’m thinking of this soldier,

But I’m concerned that, he’s hurt bad, he tells me to leave, so I turn back, I said he will be fine, I hope he heard that. You’ll be fine, I hope you heard that. 2 hours pass, it’s mostly settled now, the shooting has settled down, as time grows older, is it too late, is it over?

On the battlefield, fighting for life, I look to my right, and there’s a soldier on the floor, not dead, but screaming, not dead, but pleading, not dead, but bleeding, No one can help him because everyone is struggling, as I watch the man scream, I can’t stomach it,

No, it can’t be, he told me to turn back in a heartbeat, now there’s tears running from my face, and my heart bleeds, I can’t breathe, and I can’t grieve, I’m still fighting for the army, intense regret, he could’ve been saved, now it’s too late, he could’ve been saved, now it’s too late. I look to my left, I see struggle, a man trying to take his life,

IF THIS ARTICLE HAS BROUGHT UP ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

with the pills that the doctor gave him,

This is the real struggle, that many face,

I’m thinking that I’ve got to save him,

they say that time heals,

and I’ve got to save her,

but they’ve not got many days,

I’m feeling the same hurt,

moments away from asking for help,

but so is the woman that raised her,

but then they hesitate,

it’s a cycle that never ends,

the phrase “man up”

a cycle that takes life but doesn’t give,

is very strange,

consistently worrying what others think,

so help the man that displays the pain on his face,

I ask if I can help,

and help the man who doesn’t say his pain,

what can I do,

for many they live in a constant rainy day,

the man replies,

this ever-evolving cycle of pain,

I’ll be fine,

let’s rise up to pain,

come back later,

and fight another day.

I can’t let him down, like the others do, but I’m also ill, I’ll return once I heal. 2 weeks pass, and I’m feeling better, I’ve been thinking about the man, he’s been on my mind, but I’m better, so I’m sure that he’s fine, I walk into his flat, when darkness bleeds it’s all black, the emotion makes me fall back. Intense regret, he could’ve been saved, now it’s too late, he could’ve been saved, now it’s too late.

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The Strain of

MENTAL HEALTH in Lockdown BY GABRIELLE STONES Challenging is the first word that comes to my mind when I think of the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenging, and in majority of cases; mentally taxing. The range of restrictions and local to national lockdowns has had a harsher impact than I believe we ever could have imagined. Whilst it has been estimated that more than two thirds of adults in the UK (69%) report feeling somewhat or very worried about the effect COVID-19 is having on their life, we can all agree that the pandemic has affected us all in one way or another, and in this current climate we need to focus on our wellbeing mentally, physically and emotionally. Within this article, I’m going to delve deeper into some of the tips and tricks on how to cope with the mental strains that come with the ever-changing lockdown measurements and tell you how I’ve coped personally; because let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster!

Part of our COVID-19 awareness project

TIP ONE Firstly, the main thing I learnt and quickly got out of the habit of was oversetting tasks for the ongoing days. I don’t know about you, but to me, the days are feeling substantially longer and as if they’re on a repetitive loop. The worst thing you can do is set yourself too many goals to achieve, whilst adapting to a new way of life. In general, we need to realise that even waking up and making the bed is a goal achieved. Celebrate it. This pandemic has meant that our usual routines have been shaken up, and if sitting for hours and only getting up to get a cup of tea is what you have achieved today, then there is no harm in doing that at all. We need to listen to our bodies, listen to our minds. Doing nothing is still something; because we’re looking after ourselves and listening to what our bodies need. Never think that because you’re sitting down, you’re not achieving something, because you’re achieving more than you can think during a pandemic.

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TIP TWO Tip number two is to take time for yourself. Being in lockdown means we have to bring work, school, and everything else we could venture out for, into our homes. A common thought is that because we’re sitting from the comfort of our sofas, we have to achieve more or be more productive than usual. I can tell you now; that’s not true. Keep taking regular snack breaks, and breaks to go for a stroll with your dog, and most importantly take time away from your computer and phone screen. Now we’re in full swing of e-learning and zoom meetings, we’re straining our eyes more than usual, and this should be a key reminder that not only should we take mental breaks, but visual ones. Turn that screen off and rest. As a student myself, not only has my screen time increased, but also my spare time. A huge tip I can give to you fellow students, is don’t feel like because you have spare time, you have to fill it with time studying. Spare time is allowed and highly essential. You’re not being unproductive by having time out; it’s just as necessary as the studying part. Whilst The UCL COVID-19 social study monitored 90,000 UK adults who

had reviewed their mental health symptoms throughout lockdown, levels of anxiety and depression fell in early June as lockdown measures began to lift. Whilst it’s a positive drop; this doesn’t change the emotions we’ve all endured during this pandemic, and it won’t change the experience we’ve all had. We need to focus on our mental states, and take this experience into our stride. We’ve all lived and endured a global pandemic, that got sprung on us all in the blink of an eye. We’re strong enough to take our everyday routine and alter them to the new ways of home life. We should be glowing with positivity that we have the ability to work through this pandemic, and in years, months or even days to come, we’ll all look back at this self-isolated journey and realise how strong we all are to adapt to it. Struggling was a key part of this process; we’ve all realised our strengths and become mentally stronger for it. Let’s take the positive out of this pandemic, live one day at a time with no strains, and accept our bad days. Bad days are a way of life and we shouldn’t let our bad days think it’s a bad life. Keep your head up, because the end goal is near.

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Are we Educated Enough on Mental Health at School? BY BETH JOBSON professional help, there are many ways around this, one of them could be with your mobile phone. Schools try hard to understand and grasp the concept of mental health, not only what it is like to have ill-mental health as a teen but also what it is like to suffer from it or be the close friends and family that can see just what a drastic impact it has had on the individual’s life and their way of being. The education system preaches about speaking to someone if you are struggling with ill mental health however from an adolescent point of view it isn’t that easy; you may find it very hard to talk to a stranger or anyone about what troubles you even if you know they won’t judge, and this could be due to multiple personal reasons. Sometimes it’s hard to even get the diagnosis and many may self-diagnose things such as depression, bipolar disorder etc. and whilst it would be more efficient to be diagnosed by the doctors sometimes this just isn’t possible for people. However, if you feel as though this is you, remember you are not alone! If you do not want to see a counsellor or do not wish to seek

There are many apps you could download, for free, on your mobile phone or your pc, whatever electronic device you prefer which may benefit you. I found that these apps really helped me: ‘moodflow’ (a journal for all your moods you can make notes for anything that has happened that may impact your mood) and headspace (I find it a great app for meditation and allows me to de-stress and feel overall in a better mood after). Another way could be finding a new hobby to keep you busy and entertained for example reading, singing, drawing or anything you desire. However, you probably already know about these apps and how exercising can help as it is what the schools tell us to look out for and take part in. Personally, I feel as though the education system and the curriculum needs to involve more coverage around mental health, not just to do with how to help someone with it but to be more precise about what ill-mental health is. For

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example, many people may say things along the line of “I’m so depressed that England lost that rugby game” or people may make jokes and trivialize these disorders “my roommate is acting so bipolar this week” sentences such as these reduce the power of these words and takes away the severeness of these disorders which could make the people who are affected feel inferior and pushed aside from society. I believe people know that they’re not genuinely depressed from a game or that their friend isn’t really acting bipolar but just might be having a bad week. However, we have almost made it acceptable to joke about these things not realising the effect it may have on an individual or a group of individuals. Schools and higher education need to outline how this is wrong to say and how you should reword certain sentences and change it to “I’m so disappointed that England lost” or “my roommate has been moody this week” it is these little changes that you may not think twice about before saying that could have a huge impact on people.

When you were in school sitting through your mental health awareness assembly or lesson did you truly learn anything? Were you only mainly told about Depression and PTSD? Probably or at least for me, I feel as though this is the case. The education system tends to only really talk about these two and may mention a few others but they don’t go into specific detail. So what should we learn about? Should we bother looking at the symptoms in case someone we know is struggling? Of course! I have sat through many mental health awareness assemblies and I don’t recall eating disorders ever being mentioned which is horrendous considering an estimated 1.25 million people in the UK have it and the numbers are on the rise. Is that statistic a surprise considering all of the body shaming and the unrealistic expectations of society? I feel as though the education system needs to teach a better understanding when it comes to OCD, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia as well as many others. We need to learn how to prevent, overcome and help!

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Wellbeing During Self-Isolation

Part of our COVID-19 awareness project

BY PIPPA POGSON

Below are a few tips to help maintain good mental health during this difficult time. We’ve been in this position for a long time now, but we are (hopefully) nearly out the other side.

my tips:

1. STAY POSITIVE WHEREVER POSSIBLE

board games, grab a pack of cards or learn something new

Each day try to think of 3 positive things and/or 3 things you are grateful for

3. LIMIT TIME SPENT USING DEVICES/ SOCIAL MEDIA

2. FOCUS ON THE THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL. FOR EXAMPLE: Washing your hands often and thoroughly Your home environment – make your workspace or lounge, etc. a clean and nice place to be Keeping your distance from others wherever possible Eating well Activities – bring out your favourite

It could be very easy to spend hours scrolling through the many different articles and news sources that are regularly being updated but this can increase anxiety and confusion Take regular breaks from the media – maybe leave your phone in a different room or allocate times of the day where you are allowed to use it Make sure you are reading only factual information, for example from the Government, WHO and NHS websites.

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4. STAY CONNECTED TO LOVED ONES BY USING VIDEO CALLS AND/ OR MESSAGES 5. LOOK AFTER YOUR BODY Exercise can be a useful tool to clear the mind, as well as to help with physical fitness – Utilise YouTube videos, and workout apps (FitOn is a very good app) to move your body.

Ensure you are eating well – getting the nutrients we need from food items such as fruit and vegetables is hugely important for our mental health, brain functioning, physical wellbeing and immune function.

6. FOR THOSE WHO ARE WORKING FROM HOME: SEPARATE WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE Where possible, allocate a work space, such as a home office to use only for work Only work your normal hours, for example from 9-5 then close off the workspace and try to relax

7. IF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A CLOSED OFF GARDEN (WHERE YOU WILL NOT COME INTO CLOSE CONTACT WITH OTHERS) USE IT TO GET FRESH AIR. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT IT IS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE SPRING! THE SUN KEEPS SHINING AND THE DAYS ARE LIGHTER!

Please listen to government advice regarding Lockdown. Even if you do not have symptoms, you may carry the disease and pass it on to someone who is more vulnerable than you. Be kind to yourself and others! This is a very uncertain time for us all but we are in it together. It is okay if you are feeling anxious – allow yourself to feel that way, look after yourself and be kind to yourself.

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IF THIS ARTICLE HAS BROUGHT UP ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

Support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse

07765 052282

survivorsintransition.co.uk

Arts in mental health and wellbeing

insideout community.com

For confidential suicide prevention advice contact

0800 068 4141 papyrus-uk.org

Advice, guidance and practical support

01473 252607 4yp.org.uk

The mental health charity offering support and guidance

0300 111 6000 mind.org.uk

depressionuk.org Run by people with experience of living with anxiety and stress

03444 775 774 anxietyuk.org.uk

We’ve got lots of advice about looking after yourself

0800 1111

childline.org.uk

Improving teenage mental health by stemming commonly occurring MH issues at an early stage

www.stem4.org.uk Whether you’re stressed, anxious, low or depressed, we can help

0300 123 1503

wellbeingnands.co.uk Advice for those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking.

studentsagainst depression.org Support people over 18 who have been bereaved by suicide

0300 111 5065 uksobs.org

NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL

A national self-help organisation helping people cope with their depression.

NATIONAL

turning-point.co.uk

NATIONAL

lighthousewa.org.uk

Providing a wide range of health and wellbeing services

NATIONAL

01473 228270

giveusashout.org

NOR/SUFFOLK

Supporting women who have suffered or are at risk of domestic abuse

Text 85258

NATIONAL

thecalmzone.net

In a Crisis? Anxious? Worried? Stressed? Shout for 24/7 help

NATIONAL

0800 58 58 58

NATIONAL

Campaign against living miserably

SUFFOLK

samaritans.org

SUFFOLK

116 123

SUFFOLK

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year.

NATIONAL

www.familyfirst-uk.org

SUFFOLK

0300 772 7715

NATIONAL

Supporting families through change

NATIONAL

IN AN EMERGENCY PHONE 999 FOR NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROBLEMS CALL NHS 111

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PHYSICAL HEALTH & SPORT Steps with Rick CO-EDITOR VACANCY

BY RACHEL MITCHELL If your step count has taken a dip recently and the lack of sunny weather has meant walks are few and far between, then I present to you Rick Bhullar! I have recently been introduced and I am hooked! These low intensity workouts combine step movements and fun music in a way that you won’t even believe how

many steps you’ve done at the end. Some of the sessions are as quick as 7 mins for 1000 steps meaning you can fit it easily into a day or there are longer ones that let you get all 10,000 steps. I highly recommend giving it a go if you’re looking to increase your fitness!

55 • I SSUE 42 • S TUDENT LIFE

Part of our COVID-19 awareness project

The Crossover between Physical Health and Mental Health BY LAUREN MARTIN Home-schooling and being isolated has brought a lot of stress on people during lockdown. One of the ways I have learnt to cope with this is by exercising. Last lockdown in March I exercised a lot and became really fit, because this lockdown hasn’t given the nice weather like it did before, I have struggled to exercise as much and this has impacted my mental health in the way that I don’t feel as confident in myself anymore. I decided to make a routine and start to get back into it. I have started to run more, do online workouts and walk around 10,000 steps a day when possible. Doing these activities alone is a really good way to clear your head and let everything go however doing it with

someone else like a family member or socially distanced with a friend can help you to feel less isolated. Making a routine has really helped me to feel organised. This is helpful however understanding that it’s okay to break this routine is really important. Everybody has days when they feel unmotivated and lazy, it’s important that you never force yourself to exercise and to instead, listen to your body because it knows

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best. The right amount of exercise will help clear your mind, keep you motivated and decrease your stress levels. Exercising has helped me take some time away from my school work and because of this it’s taken a huge amount of stress away. This has helped me to focus better and feel more confident with my school work and revision because I’ve been able

to go away and come back to it with a completely fresh head. Keeping in a routine has helped my mental health in numerous ways, it has helped me to feel more motivated and happier because I am more energized. It’s also important to understand that you do not have to be exercising every day, for 2 hours, lifting weights and doing 50 press ups, a little exercise a day can help more than people realise. Walking outside for half an hour a day can help relax your mind and help you focus, there is something out there for all ages, no matter the ability. Listen to your body and heal your mind.

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FOOD C O - E D ITO Whether you’re trying to do right by the planet, be healthier, keep the animals happy or are simply searching for mouthwatering chocolate, I’ve got your back. This year, the vegan selection of Easter eggs is bigger and better than ever. In this guide, I’ll explore some brands of vegan Easter chocolates to make sure you find the chocolate of your heart’s desire to celebrate this upcoming holiday. All the chocolate I talk about are available in supermarkets or online.

R AARON B E AV I S BY C E L E S T E S PA I N

DOISY & DAM DARK CHOCOLATE GOOD EGGS - The mini eggs of the vegan world. Delicious, mouth-watering, these chocolate eggs even have the classic sugar coating. Just tucking into a pack of these brings back childhood memories for me.

GOUPIE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES - I discovered these triangular crunchy truffles at Christmas and boy did I eat a lot of them - need I say more? Flavours include: Original, Mint, Orange, Espresso and many more.

First, I’ll focus on the Easter snacks (small chocolate eggs, truffles, and sweets):

MUMMY MEAGZ CHUCKIE EGG - For those who don’t know this is the famous vegan creme egg created lovingly by this family run UK brand ‘Mummy Meagz’. It is vegan, gluten free and wheat free. I thoroughly recommend this chocolate treat as it’s mouth-watering, melt-in-the-mouth magic. Perfect for all chocolate lovers.

BOOJA BOOJA TRUFFLE SELECTION BOX (EASTER EDITION) - Booja Booja, despite it’s funto-say brand name, are luxury truffles. I tried one espresso truffle and one rhubarb and vanilla one at Christmas - they were delicious! Now onto the vegan Easter Eggs you’ve all been waiting for:

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The

Ultimate Guide to

VEGAN EASTER EGGS

2021 MOO FREE CHOCCY EGGSPLOSION EASTER EGG - Out of the eleven Easter specific chocolate options Moo Free are offering this year, I went with this mix of milk chocolate, white chocolate and marshmallows! This UK based brand with fantastical animal characters on each packet makes delicious rice milk chocolate. Other Moo Free Easter egg flavours: chocolate orange, bunnycomb (fun honeycomb equivalent), original, mint chocolate and sour cherry.

NOMO CREAMY CHOC EASTER EGG & BAR - The NOMO collection of eggs includes: milk chocolate original, fruit crunch, and caramel and hazelnut crunch. NOMO is one of the best Vegan chocolate brands I’ve ever experienced. I would argue that NOMO easily surpasses the dairy giant equivalents but that’s for you to decide.

BUTTERILK EASTER EGGS (WITH BARS) - Flavours include: chocolate orange, caramel and sea salt, caramelised hazelnut

and crispy berry sundae. I cannot describe these better than Vegan Food and Living does – “Featuring a generously thick chocolate shell, Buttermilk’s dairy-free Easter eggs are made from responsibly sourced, natural ingredients and packaged in 100% plastic-free and compostable materials. Both the Zingy Orange Crisp Flavour and the Salted Caramel Crunch eggs are infused with sea salt crystals, giving a satisfying crunchy texture, and come complete with a chocolate bar soldier”. Prefer dark chocolate? I recommend

HOTEL CHOCOLAT VEGAN EASTER EGG & DIVINE CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS. These are my top picks for this year, there are many, many more vegan Easter eggs to choose from so feel free to search ‘vegan Easter eggs’ into Google for the full range. Have a lovely Easter filled with chocolate joy!

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TOAST - the Pinnacle of Food BY AARON BEAVIS

There are very few things I can remember from when I was young. My selective memory only holds onto certain aspects of my early life, typically elements that have persisted and remained a huge part of my life. I can remember watching Doctor Who for the first time when I was 2. I can remember being stuck in a pram whilst my Nan chatted with a neighbour for what felt like hours. That still happens now however I tend to leave the pram at home these days. I can also vividly remember hating bread but completely adoring toast. My favourite food is halloumi and I’m not a huge fan of cheese so my contradictory tastebuds have also stuck around. I’ve since gotten over my artophobia (fear of bread) and in turn my burning passion for its toasted counterpart has only grown in strength. In my eyes, toast is the butterfly to bread’s caterpillar and the toaster is the chrysalis that transforms it into its ultimate form. Even plain toast

is a gift unto society. The crispy exterior combined with the softer, chewier interior is more impressive than most man-made feats. Splitting the atom? I’m sure that was impressive at the time but when they woke up the morning after the celebratory gettogether I don’t think they were salivating as they waited for their proton to be the right shade of brown. Speaking of history, the origins of toasted bread are not fully known. The Romans popularised the consumption of it but they did not invent the idea and it is unknown how long it had been around before then. It’s actually quite sad that whoever thought of holding bread near a fire will never get the credit they deserve. Back in the present, butter kicks down the door with the aggression of a mother on Albert Square at Christmas and blows our tiny human minds. I don’t go too crazy with this golden delight as you can sometimes have too much of a good thing. I want all

6 0 • FOOD • S TUDENT LIFE

the butter to soak right into each slice which also means I have to move fast and precisely before the toast cools down too much and doesn’t melt all of it. In regard to other toppings, I admit I’m not very adventurous and mostly stick to butter or its alternatives but I can appreciate what they all offer. Jams and marmalades completely switch the script and turn it into a sweet treat, perfect for the fastapproaching summer. Chocolate spreads are also sweet but a lot more indulgent. I personally appreciate the hazelnutbased ones but my personal relationship with nuts is a story for another time. Finally, there is the conversation starter – Marmite. Despite the slogan, I neither love nor hate it but I can only eat it in very small amounts however I’m sure some people like it as much as I like toast.

box. It wanders a bit and visits other mealtimes or sometimes just takes a break on the journey between meals. It can sometimes be an accompaniment to a larger meal although I tend to avoid that because the toast would steal the spotlight too much. On the other hand, even if eating toast at any time of the day was considered taboo I would still do it and not feel bad about it because it’s simply that good. So, what did we learn? Toast is pretty good but, as much as I wish it weren’t the case, I know that it is only my opinion that it’s one of the best things to ever exist. I’m sure someone reading this thinks toast is abhorrent. I’m sure someone else thinks Marmite is the best thing to ever exist instead. In conclusion, the Romans knew good food.

There is even more that can be done with toast. I know it’s hard to believe but it’s true. The toastie is a foodstuff in its own right. It’s like a sandwich but much, much, much better. Cheese is a vehicle but you can have any passengers you want! You can add meats, vegetables, sauces and more. I personally put mushrooms, red peppers and add a little bit of spice in some form. For those who don’t want something so cheesy, just toast bread before making a sandwich. It’s a life-changing experience and completely changes the texture profile. Finally, toast is superior to most foods because it is considered acceptable for any meal of the day. It’s typically associated with breakfast however it’s not stuck in the breakfast

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MY LIFE CO-EDITORS RACHEL MITCHELL & GLORIA DARGATZ

To make this really work, ensure your target is not too ambitious as this can demotivate you, or too easy – a Goldilocks’s target. I have found this to be one of the best strategies for staying motivated to continue to exercise even when I have a mountain of university work to do.

Staying Motivated

IF YOU’RE HAVING ONE OF THOSE DAYS WHERE YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO EXERCISE, THINK TO YOURSELF “IT WILL MAKE ME FEEL BETTER PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY AND WILL HELP RELIEVE STRESS”:

BY THOMAS HEATHWAITE

CREATE A WEEKLY HABIT: Having a habit is vital to ensuring you have the motivation to do the exercise and to continue it during times of stress. Therefore, decide which days you want to do exercise on and at what time. Repeat the exercise on each of these days and use a habit tracker to log if you do or do not meet your goals. Try to build up a habit over 4 weeks, doing exercise on the same day at the same time each week, and a habit will form before you know it!

SET YOURSELF A TARGET THAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE: Having a target to work towards is one of the best ways to continue to stay motivated to do that exercise, even through times of stress.

Reminding yourself of the benefits of exercise can really help you to stay motivated. Trust me! I have experienced days before where I could not be bothered to go running, but I told myself the benefits and when I got back, I felt so happy and so much better mentally!

YOU CAN REGRET BEING LAZY AND NOT DOING EXERCISE, BUT YOU WILL NOT REGRET DOING EXERCISE: I know I have regretted not doing exercise and giving the excuse that “it is too wet outside” when, I was just too lazy to do it, but I also know I will not regret doing exercise as I will feel so much better for it. Furthermore, by not doing the exercise, you are not helping to relieve stress, and so you will become more stressed – a vicious cycle; whereas if you exercise, you will relieve that stress.

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LGBT CO-EDITOR VACANCY

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BRIGHTON & HOVE PRIDE

When: 17 - 28 March

When: 6 - 8 August

Where: Online

Where: Brighton

For more information and to book, visit: https://www.bfi.org.uk/flare

For more information visit:

APRIL

SEPTEMBER

NATIONAL STUDENT PRIDE

https://www.brighton-pride.org

LONDON PRIDE

When: 19 - 25 April

When: 11 September

Where: Online

Where: London, Details Tbc

Get your free ticket here:

For more information visit:

https://www.studentpride.co.uk/ #national-student-pride

https://prideinlondon.org

JUNE LONDON TRANS+ PRIDE When: 26 JUNE Where: London, Details Tbc For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/londontranspride

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THESE EVENTS ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITES STATED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE REGARDING COVID-19 REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES.

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TECH

touch, pain, pressure and temperature) and olfactory (smell). The first piece of AR technology was an AR head mounted display system, developed by Ivan Sutherland, a computer scientist, in 1968.

CO-EDITOR VACANCY

BY RACHEL MITCHELL

Augmented Reality What is it and where can I find it? Augmented Reality or AR as it’s often known as, is defined by good old wiki as being ‘an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic (touch), somatosensory (conscious perception of things such as

In 2008, the first AR commercial application was launched in Munich. The technology consisted of a magazine that featured an interactive BMW advert. When a camera was placed in front , a virtual car would appear on the camera screen. The car could be manipulated and rotated depending on the movement of the magazine. This creation paved the way for many more AR inventions, some aimed at consumers, others to highlight societal issues. An example of this is the National Geographic’s campaign in 2011 which highlighted rare or exists animal species. The video is available on YouTube but they brought animals ‘to life’ including a rather large T-Rex! More recently though, a game that brought crowds of people together to walk the streets, parks and places of interest was of course, Pokemon Go!

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Personally, I am a huge Pokemon fan since back in the day. Pokemon was my childhood and *nerd alert* I’ve still got my cards to the day! So when this game was released I was stoked. Just to have a current Pokemon game available in the App Store was enough for me to download it. However, the ability to use the app with augmented reality is what really catapulted it above the rest. Using the app’s AR setting, users could walk around their environments and while doing so, Pokemon would randomly pop up and appear to be beside them. I never thought I’d come head to head with Pikachu himself but I guess dreams come true. The game then goes that you need to catch the Pokemon with pokeballs and lures you might have picked up on your travels. A clever element that brought

people together, was the creation of Pokemon gyms. The gyms were ‘hosted’ by specific landmarks around your area. For example, where I live, there were particular buildings such as churches or restaurants that were identified to be gyms. In these areas, users could interact with eachother in a Pokemon battle. The winner, would occup that gym until another user came along and defeated it. There’s a lot more to the game but it definitely brought the use of accessible and fun AR to the forefront of everyone’s minds. Other games have since followed and while the success of Pokemon has somewhat flatlined, this game has set a benchmark for future developments and I’m excited to see what might come next.

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MY MONEY CO-EDITOR ADRIANNA GNIFKA

Student Finance Simplified BY ADRIANNA GNIFKA University can be daunting enough without all the paperwork and the thought of financial burdens, but luckily applying for student finance isn’t as complicated as you might think. Knowing where you stand with all the payments for your accommodation, tuition fees and living costs will also take away from the stress of starting university, so the earlier you apply the better. First of all, there are some important deadlines to note – if you’re starting university and applying for the first time, do so by the 21st May 2021, but if you are a returning student you have until the 25th June 2021. This is because applications take up to 6 weeks to process, especially since there is always an influx, so it’s advised that you don’t leave it all until the last minute. All student finance applications are done through the Gov UK website and they also provide lots of helpful information especially if you’re an EU or international student. There are also multiple loans students usually apply for and the amount of money they receive

depends on their household income and background – these include the ‘Tuition Fee’ loan which goes straight from the government to the university and is paid back after you finish your degree and earn above a certain threshold, as well as a ‘maintenance’ loan used to pay for your accommodation and living costs which is paid into your bank account every term and is also repaid later on. As well as this, you can apply for grants and bursaries which go towards your living costs if you are eligible, and these do not have to be paid back. Though these depend on the university you are going to and so you apply through them – the easiest way is to check your university’s website and their details about any financial aid they may offer. Bursaries and grants are also offered by charities and do not have to be repaid either. The easiest way of checking your eligibility for these is by using the Turn 2 Us grant search which is also linked on the Gov UK website under the Student Finance section. In summary, students have many options when it comes to financial aid and it shouldn’t be something you fear.

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Student Finance FAQs WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR STUDENT FINANCE?

HOW MUCH STUDENT FINANCE DO YOU GET?

Brace yourself, this one *can* get complicated...

Again, (as you’ll come to learn) this answer will vary person to person but we’ll give you a rough idea.

In most straightforward cases, you are eligible for both tuition and maintenance support if you’re studying an approved course at a registered uni and you haven’t previously started a degree or similar course. You need to be a UK citizen or have ‘settled’ status. You need to have been living in the UK for at least 3 years before the start of your course. Rules are slightly different for Irish students or if you’re coming to study from the EU. (If that’s you and you’ve started a course in or before the 2020/21 academic year, you can apply for the Tuition Fees Loan, but you won’t usually get help paying living costs. If your circumstances differ to what’s stated above, for example you’re looking to study part-time, then it’s best to contact Student FInance for advise on an indiviudal basis.

There are two main loans: The Tuition Fee Loan and The Maintence Loan TUITION: “lets you borrow enough money to pay course fees in full, up to £9,250 a year (or up to £6,000 a year at private unis). How much Maintenance Loan you get for living costs depends on your household income and where you live while studying”.

MAINTENCE: “The maximum Maintenance Loan that most can apply for is £9,203 a year, though there’s a bit more on offer if you study in London or spend part of your course abroad. Many students will get less than the maximum, so it’s important to check for yourself!”

For more information, visit: www. savethestudent.org/student-finance/the-bigfat-guide-to-student-finance-2012.html

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Student Life Issue 42

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MY MONEY

TECH

MY LIFE

FOOD

PHYSICAL HEALTH & SPORT

SEXUAL HEALTH

TRAVEL

BEAUTY

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