Student Life - November 2017 by Student-Life

ISSUE 10 • NOVEMBER 2017

Lifestyle Magazine for the Students of Ipswich

Proud supporter of

Photo from Student Life IMAGE LIBRARY

STUDENT Life

1 • NOVEMBER 2017 • S T UD E N T L I FE

“

Editor’s

to think about what has been achieved in such a short amount of time and we have you to thank for this! Now we are out in the big world on our own and I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities this will present- and I hope you do too. In order for us to continue to go from strength to strength, we welcome any student writers, new or returning, to be involved in our exciting and dynamic magazine. As a recap, you are invited to contribute and write on any of the following topics: FINANCE, BEAUTY, FASHION, HEALTH (PHYSICAL, SEXUAL OR MENTAL), TECHNOLOGY and TRAVEL. It’s so simple to share your experiences with us. Reach out via email to info@student-life.co I’m excited for upcoming projects (which hopefully we can reveal more about soon!) and for the spotlight we are currently shining on Mental Health awareness - something that is very personal to me; like so many others who have already shared their stories in Student Life. Let’s continue to Shatter the Stigma! As you can see, there is lots happening and lots to be energised about. In the meantime, check out our dedicated Student Life website at www.student-life.co and see you next month!

WORD

Best wishes, Rachel Gilbey Co-editor

“

Hello and welcome to the first publication of Student Life as its own stand alone magazine! Wow! It’s incredible

Contents... STUDENT BEAUTY Make-up Do’s and Dont’s ...................................................................... 4-5 STUDENT STYLE Doing It In Demin ........................................................................................ 6-7 FINANCE Tuiton Fees, Maintenance and More ............................................................................ 8 IPSWICH CHURCHES Sunday Only? ...................................................................................... 12 STUDENT HEALTH Dedicated Mental Health Series ...................................................14-23 2 • NOVEMBER 2017 • S T UD E N T L I FE

MYSTERY SHOP REPORT

GRAZING SHEEP

REVIEWER’S NA ME : Rachel Gilb ey VENUE : The Gr az

TIME & DATE : 20 /10/17 at 9:10 SCENARIO TO RE VIEW : Coffee & Cake

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5 EXCELLENT If you’re not imm is little seating sp ediately sold, then I dare you to the array of seat ace downstairs, take yourself up step foot inside. While there overlooking the ing on offer. A window table is id the stairs and choose from with a hot cuppamarina, or if not, find a little corneal if you want to brunch and a book. The er where you can right at ease. quirky, yet homely qu décor will make ietly sit you feel ACKNOWLEDGE D PROFES REASONS WHY

SIONALLY/ APPROPRIATELY DRESSED

WITH A SMILE/ GREETING?

YES

CUSTOMER SE

NEEDS IMPROVIN

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WEARING A NAME BADGE

THANKED FOR CUSTOM

N/A

YES

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REASONS WHY

SMILING AND GAVE EYE CONTACT

VERY GOOD

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GOOD

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HANDLED QUERIES/ISSUE S PROFESSIONALLY

N/A

EXCELLENT

I was immediate any assistance. I ly greeted on arrival by a friendl to accompany it. was able to swiftly order my Am y lady and asked if I needed ericano and choo While my order was se upstairs and my drink was brough being processed, I was told to taa pastry ke a seat t to me once it wa s made. SUMMARISE TH E EXPERIENCE IN 6W Relaxing, Homely , Peaceful, Restful ORDS , Refreshing & En joyable I think I’ve found my new favourite local coffee shop second visit but I ! This has only be am already lookin en my g forward to goin recommend the re g back. I can high asonably priced ly hot drinks and I and sweet bites to sing praises of th eat. In addition, e savoury the offering of ho anything from a memade meals is delicious cooked brilliant; breakfast to lasa healthy smoothie. gna, to a refreshin I look forward to g and returning soon.

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STUDENT Beauty

THE MAKE-UP DO’S & DON’TS WRITTEN BY INDICA JAMES

Applying make-up is one of those skills that can take a while to get a handle of, so don’t let it put you off if you can’t master it first time. For some it can be a long process, and I for one can definitely vouch for that. So, in this article I’ll be giving you a few tips and tricks that I have learnt along the way that hopefully will come in handy for yourself, on your own make-up journey. FACE Enhance the skin’s natural glow in these colder months by using a good moisturiser suited to your own skin. Then apply your foundation on top of this. The use of one beauty product with a SPF is always recommended to protect your delicate skin from the Sun’s UV rays. EYEBROWS Tweezers, a spoolie brush and a brow pencil matching your natural shade of your brows is all you need to create natural and well-groomed brows. Fill them in following the natural shape starting from the tail-end first and use a lighter hand as you get towards the centre. Use the spoolie to blend out any harsh lines to give a soft and natural effect. Anything too dark or too harsh will contrast with your face and for eyebrows, this is what we want to avoid.

inspiration as of course you don’t have to just follow what everybody else does. Always be confident in your own looks. Mascara is a great way to finish an eye look or simply just to frame your eyes without any makeup at all. LIPS AND CHEEKS Brighten up the face with a complementing shade of blush to your skin, applied on the apples of your cheeks. Always moisture your lips and exfoliate with a light scrub 2-3 times a week to keep them plump and looking healthy. When it comes to lip colour, go out and experiment with what suits you, however, usually frosty pinks may be ones to avoid. REMOVAL Massage a cleanser into your skin and let it sit for a few minutes to help it break down your makeup. Then use a gentle hand with cotton pads to wipe the makeup excess off. Try to avoid face cloths as these can hold bacteria that you wouldn’t want to spread around your face. Once makeup is removed, use a moisturiser to replenish the skin’s moisture even if you, like me, have very oily skin.

MAKE-UP ON A BUDGET Shops such as Boots, Superdrug and TKMAXX are great places to have a search around for cheaper yet very good quality beauty products. Never feel like a higher EYES price means better quality as I really don’t Experiment when it comes to eyeshadow think this is the case. Once again, you’ll as this is something that is personal have to find what works for you; so don’t be preference. YouTube is a brilliant resource scared to go around every tester you can when it comes to eye looks as there are 4 •if NOVEMBER • Sin T UD T L I FE theE N shop. so many possibilities, even it’s just for 2017find

Choosing your

MAKE-UP ESSENTIALS WRITTEN BY STUDENT LIFE’S BEAUTY PARTNER ROSIE MAY PRIMER One of my favourite cheaper-alternative primers is the Nivea Men Post Shave Balm. A lot of the YouTube community use this, and it makes your makeup stay on all night! The formula is really thin and runny and feels lightweight on the skin, but still acts as a great base for foundation.

HIGHLIGHT I personally prefer a lot of drugstore highlighters over high-end ones anyway, so this saves me money in itself! One of my favourites is the Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter in the shade ‘Golden Lights’. It is blinding and makes my skin look super glowy.

FOUNDATION The L’oreal True Match Foundation is a great drugstore product. It is a lightmedium coverage, however can be built up without becoming cakey. The range of colours is great and it only retails for £9.99! The formula has 24hr hydration, meaning no matter what, it’ll keep your skin looking fresh and flawless!

BROWS Brows are an extremely important part of the face. The MUA Brow Pomade is a very good drugstore dupe for the Anastasia Brow Pomade. It comes in a very similar pot and works perfectly with an angled brush (it comes with one in the lid too).

CONCEALER The Collection Lasting Perfection is a great drugstore concealer. The coverage is lush and only retails for £4, meaning it won’t break the bank! I also like to buy this in a very dark shade to use as a cream contour.

MASCARA My all time favourite mascara is a highend one. However, I don’t always have the money to be re-purchasing it a lot. The Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara is a great quality drugstore mascara. It curls my lashes and gives them a dramatic look which I love!

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WITH FASHION EXPERT PAM DAVIS

DOING IT IN DENIM Jeans are certainly one of my favourite items of my staple wardrobe, and always have been. Lets start from the beginning… They were invented by Jacob Davis in partnership with Levi Strauss back in 1873. Originally designed for cowboys and miners, jeans became popular in the 1950s among teenagers. Jeans were a common fashion item in the 1960s hippie culture and they continued to be popular in the 1970s and 1980s youth cultures of punk rock and heavy metal. Historic brands include Levi’s, Lee and Wrangler. Today, jeans remain a very popular fashion item and come in various fits. Jeans are pants made from denim or

dungaree cloth and are named after the city of Genoa in Italy, a place where cotton corduroy, called either jean or jeane, was manufactured. Denim jeans were originally dyed blue partially because indigo dye was cheap and readily available in large quantities in America, but also because the dye was dark enough to easily hide stains. HOW DO WE ENHANCE A SIMPLE PAIR OF JEANS? Jeans and T-shirts go together like “strawberries & cream”, nothing says classic cool more than this traditional combination. Let’s look at some key looks to dress jeans up or down, and the key shapes and styles. I love the idea of smartening up jeans with sharp tailoring, a neat jacket; add heels and a glam evening top and you are good to go!

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When it comes to jeans themselves, a darker wash is better for work, without the rips and tears! Lighter washes tend to be more casual and black jeans offer diversity for any occasion. > Add a Blazer –it’s a great way to add a splash of colour > Classic T-Shirts and shirts > Add a pair of heels/loafers/boots/ pumps > Glam/Smart tops STYLES AND SHAPES It is a total minefield when it come to the vast range of shapes and styles that the high street and designers offer. 4 CLASSIC JEANS STYLE •BOOTCUT

Comfy and fit nicely and perform a balancing act on fuller figures.

• STRAIGHT LEG

Flattering, but also rock and roll, grabbing you in the right places. • SKINNY

These are great on the right body shape, ending just at the point around the heel of the shoe. • WIDE LEG

Cleverly cut higher at the back, so they do not gape, but do not give you a gap! OTHER STYLES INCLUDE:Boyfriend Jeans Classic Jeans High Waist Jeans Kick- Flare Jeans Coloured Jeans DOUBLE DENIM It’s the question that divides the nation: Should you or shouldn’t you double up on your denim? Double Denim is a trend that comes and goes – you either embrace it if you are comfortable with the look or not?? The choice is yours!

7 •

GET IN TOUCH E: pamela@fashioncandy.co.uk M: 07713 095355 www.fashioncandy.co.uk NOVEMBER 2017 • S T UD E N T L I FE

STUDENT Finance

FINANCE WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD

Over the coming months, FINANCE will be a core topic covered in great detail. Everything from bank accounts, to overdrafts, to savings, to rent deposits, to mortgages will be under the spotlight. This month we take the page title literally and hear an account of the Government’s student loan & grant process, via Student Finance England. SFE offers, amongst other things, loans for Tuition Fees, Maintenance for Living Costs & Studying Abroad, when applying for a place at University.

In my first year, experiences with Student Finance England were positive. However, recently, I have found that this experience has changed. I found the application process daunting initially, as I was not aware of the processes due to it being my first time. However, during the process I found that there were many documents that were accessible via the Student Finance Website which are created and provided to help students apply for their loans and grants. My experiences changed recently after the scrapping of the NHS Bursary. I believe that due to this the allocation of loans and grants was affected. I had a few problems with my student finance for my last year of studying and had to call their call centre. After a very unsuccessful first phone call I called again; in total I ended up calling them over 7 times for the same issue. The communication seemed to lack, as every time I called I had to explain the situation again, even after asking them to document what had happened. After nagging and going back and forth with the university, they finally confirmed an amount to be paid to me. However, I believe all of this could have been avoided. The payment schedule is, in my opinion, unhelpful and confusing. If you are a first-time student living by yourself, trying to manage finances with the 3 payments a year can be difficult and daunting. I believe that, like the bursary, student finance should be payed monthly. Monthly payments would help students learn how to budget, in preparation for when they start work. For more information on eligibility and how to apply visit www.gov.uk/student-finance

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fancy yourself

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ISSUE 06 • JULY 2017

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STUDENT Life

13 • J U LY 2017 • WAT ERFRONT L I FE

Our Strategic

PARTNERS

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STUDENT Life

films and generally thinking as artistically and creatively as possible. That’s when I found out what I really loved!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

At the tender age of 17, I discovered writing was a true passion and that studying and making films was an obsession. This discovery changed everything I knew about myself and where I wanted to end up.

Student Life catches up with the Kesgrave High School’s Alumni WRITTEN BY JON PARKER

Jon is 28 years old and decided to get involved with Student Life because Kesgrave High School and Sixth Form played such an integral role in his educational development and future career. I started at Kesgrave High School way back in the year 2000, eventually leaving the Sixth Form in 2007 with A-levels in Media Studies, Film Studies and English Literature & Language. Thinking back on it now, it all seems like such a very long time ago but some of my fondest memories were made in that school.

There was one particular English assignment that really stands out in my memory. I was asked to write a short film script as part of the course and I sat in the Sixth Form study hall and wrote an entire script of ten or so pages in one afternoon. At the end of the day I went over to Mr Wheatley’s classroom and showed it to him - he immediately asked if I’d applied to study Scriptwriting at University, something I didn’t even know existed! The rest is history. A year later I left Sixth Form with the grades I needed to attend a degree course at Staffordshire University. Three years after that I graduated with Honours and was offered a place on a Masters degree at the same University. I graduated with Merit from the Masters and moved back to Ipswich to start a career as a freelance filmmaker.

I should start by saying I wasn’t the greatest student! I wasn’t particularly interested in a lot of lessons and I found it difficult to find a subject where I excelled. That all changed when I got to Sixth Form.

Since then, I’ve moved back and forth between Ipswich and London, helped produce a television commercial starring Nigella Lawson, been pitch side camera on a televised football match, worked with a host of different celebrities including Ronan Keating, Kenneth Branagh, Vincent Kompany, Bevereley Knight and Michael Ball.

With the help of several amazing teachers; Mr Wheatley, Mr Hall, Miss Mann, Mr Smith and Mr Thatcher, I found myself surrounded by encouragement and inspiration for writing stories, crafting

My career has taken me to places I never imagined, I’ve seen and done things I never believed were possible and it all started in a little town called Kesgrave, just outside Ipswich.

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IMAGES TOM ALLEN WRITTEN BY SOPHIE NUNN

Full name- Nigel Burgoyne Age- 58 years old What occupation did you dream of doing whilst growing up? I always wanted to be a footballer or an architect What was the last photo you took on your phone? I went to Plymouth with my 18 year old daughter, to visit Marjon University. She had forgotten her phone so we ended up taking a selfie on my phone. What was the last music that you purchased/downloaded? It was the full Ed Sheeran album, ‘Divide’. You go to a restaurant that serves every cuisine in the world, what starter do you order? I would order the chicken satay. What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? Thank God it’s Thursday! What was the last thing that you bought for less than £20? It was a yellow Nike t-shirt for the Young 11 Day. • NOVEMBER Minds Mental Health

Q& A NIGEL BURGOYNE Head Teacher at Kesgrave HS

Bungee, parachute, skydive or terra firma? I would choose terra firma, because at my age, I prefer to keep my feet on the ground. How much money would tempt you on to a reality show and what would the show be? I reckon a couple of thousand would do it, and that reality show would have to be I’m a Celeb, as I absolutely love that show. If you could have personally witnessed an historical event, which event would it have been? It would be the Berlin Wall coming down, as it was just such an amazing moment in time. What is your signature dish? Spaghetti Bolognese or I can make a Quorn version for my vegetarian daughter, which is just as good! What is the last book you couldn’t put down? I read 2 books this summer, but the last book I couldn’t put down was called Hot Milk, by Deborah Levy. It was very unusual and goes to unexpected places-mentally. What is one word that describes you best? Only one? Well I’d have to say 2017 • S T UD E N T L I FE energetic.

WATERFRONT Churches WRITTEN BY REV. TOM ROUT

SUNDAY ONLY? Tom Rout is vicar of the Ipswich Waterfront Churches (St Helen, Holy Trinity and St Luke) and Anglican Chaplain to the University of Suffolk and Suffolk New College. He is married to Nicola and father of 3 young children. “But you only work one day a week!” It’s a jibe church leaders know well. Usually it’s said in jest, because the joker knows better. But as it’s said so often, I guess it’s a perception many people have - that ministers only work on Sundays (besides the occasional Saturday wedding in the summer months!) and spend the rest of their time out on the golf course, or at home with their feet up. If anything, it’s the opposite extreme many ministers, vicars and priests struggle to take even a single day off a week. So where are they then? It’s true that quite a lot of a minister’s time is spent out of sight. That could be a sign they’re shirking their responsibilities, but usually it’s because they’re taking their primary role seriously – they are taking the necessary time aside to prepare properly for teaching and preaching. Skip this step, and you won’t say anything worth people listening to on a Sunday!

of Christian belief starting mid-November). I also go into schools to take assemblies, am available to meet people for private pastoral conversations and visit care homes and hospitals when needed. In my work with the chaplaincy, we’re either in the office (available by appointment or if people drop in) or offering hospitality in our spacious meeting room – there’s free tea, coffee and toast for anyone who wants to drop in on a Tuesday morning. On Wednesdays, a team goes into Suffolk New College, identifiable in our purple hoodies, to talk to students about issues they’re dealing with. This month we’ll be involved at both the College and University with Remembrance Day events. Obviously, there’s a need to be digitally or virtually visible. The Waterfront Churches website is currently being overhauled and set for a relaunch before Christmas. The Chaplaincy advertises events and activities on social media platforms and via staff/student emails. You can always get in touch via tom@ipswichwaterfrontchurches.co.uk or t.rout@uos.ac.uk

But there’s no point studying and preparing, if you’re not also engaging with people. This autumn we’ve tried doing that through evening courses (one on Parenting Children and12 a 3•week overview 2017 NOVEMBER

• S T UD E N T L I FE

SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY Our latest strategic partnership, sees Student Life join forces with Suffolk Constabulary. WRITTEN BY RICHARD STEWART

Several weeks ago, I held a first meeting with Sergeant Darren Oxbrow, from Suffolk Constabulary’s Children & Young Person and Schools Engagement Team; part of the wider Community Safety Team based at Landmark House in Ipswich. We chatted over a coffee in the Salthouse about my plans for the publication and in particular, the work that was already underway surrounding tackling the stigma of discussing student mental health. Having gone on to discuss the first processes of producing a mental health film to be delivered to students, Darren was excited about the whole concept and we said our goodbyes, with the promise of a follow-up meeting and some potential funding from the Police. True to his word, Darren delivered on a reunion and on match-funding and we are now delighted to welcome Suffolk Constabulary as one of Student Life’s strategic partners. The collaboration was sealed with the joint desire to want to reach out to a young adult demographic and really make a difference in providing help, support & advice, but most importantly by providing a platform for peer to peer mental health advice. Darren elaborated; “Suffolk Police are delighted to be working in collaboration with Student Life and other partners on a new project within Ipswich, which is focused on mental health and supporting young people so there is a better understanding of the issue. We want to encourage young people to have the confidence to talk about their problems with the belief that they will be listened to, and that appropriate support will be available. Suffolk Police are committed to supporting young people to ensure they have a safe place to talk about issues relating to their mental health”. The next few weeks and months will see a huge amount of work undertaken by our two teams and I am looking forward to reporting on progress. Readers will also see a lot more of Darren’s team’s work in print and online as he becomes a regular contributor to our publication.

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MY Life

WHERE’S YOUR

HEAD AT?

CO-WRITTEN BY ASHLEIGH MORTON, REBECCA HUDSON & MADELEINE NORRIS

Where’s Your Head At? is one of a number of Societies based at the University of Suffolk. With a primary focus on mental health, the Society also focuses on general wellbeing; aiding students & staff with additional issues such as stress or even loneliness, through events and socials. The Where’s Your Head At? society was founded in September 2016, and was formed after realising the mental health services being provided in some universities across the UK were not adequate. The main aim of the Society in its first year was to raise awareness of mental ill health and to try and reduce the stigma around mental health disorders. In September 2017, a new committee was voted in with new views and aims for the WYHA? Society. The new aims were for the Society to become a safe place for students to come and talk about their own mental health stories, and to share tips on their personal coping mechanisms. The Society can also provide pathways to mental health organisations and the mental health

services within the University. The new committee, like the committee of 2016/17, also feels that mental health awareness is important and wish to continue to be a catalyst of change for the way mental health is perceived and treated, at the University, as well as the local area. In addition, we aim to provide a permanent safe space for those in need; that is run in conjunction with the Where’s Your Head At? Society and the University of Suffolk’s counselling service. The work we have carried out since the Society was founded has been mostly campaigning and raising awareness for mental ill health and trying to reduce the stigma around it. We have also worked on building partnerships with the Student Services at the University of Suffolk, Student Life; and with the Vice Chancellor of the University, Richard Lister. We have hosted different events such as a coffee afternoon and a film night in collaboration with the Film society. The Where’s Your Head At? Society successfully advertised and signposted different talks provided by the Suffolk Psychology Society, which we found could make a difference to student’s lives. Last year’s committee members also

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completed the two-day Adult Mental Health First Aid course by MHFA England, which was held at the University of Suffolk. This course allowed the committee members, and everyone who attended, to be able to understand different mental health conditions and how to help individuals during a crisis. The new committee for Where’s Your Head At? consists of the President, Ashleigh Morton, the Secretary, Rebecca Hudson and the Treasurer, Madeleine Norris. Ashleigh is a third-year Psychology and Early Childhood Studies student and was the Vice President of the Society for the previous year. She felt that the society should play a more active role when it comes to the management of mental health conditions of students at the University of Suffolk, and therefore ran for the position of President at the society’s Annual General Meeting. Ashleigh is currently working on her dissertation which is investigating how the mental health services at the University of Suffolk could be improved for students. The secretary, Rebecca Hudson is a third-

year Digital Film Production student. As someone who suffers from mental health issues, Rebecca wanted to help other students going through similar situations. Rebecca wants to promote mental health awareness through campaigning and her films. Last year, she produced a film regarding her experience with depression. The treasurer, Madeleine Norris, is a first-year Accounting and Financial Management student. Maddie wishes to make mental health a topic that individuals are not scared to talk about and use her experiences with different mental health conditions to help others in their journey to recovery. Where’s Your Head At? is planning to host many different events over the next 6 weeks, including our weekly social meet-ups; where both members and non-members can meet us at the Cult Café every Wednesday from 6-7pm and Thursday from 1-3pm. Come to relax, have some food or a drink and a chat, we look forward to seeing you there! We will be providing a different activity at our socials each fortnight such as card games; board games; tip sharing, sharing of different self-care books, fictional books, and discussions about different TV shows. The Society will be holding informal mindfulness sessions every Thursday between 6-7pm, this will include mindfulness meditation and art therapy. The location and starting date for these sessions will be confirmed at a later date. Feel free to talk to the committee members regarding anything and we will try to point you in the right direction and support you in any way we can. For more information regarding our events and regular updates, please like and follow our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WYHAUOS.

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STUDENT Health

H T L A E H L A MENT

M EN TA L H EA LT H . TO ED AT IC ED D 6 PAG ES A RE TH E FO LLOW IN G

FOREWORD BY RICHARD STEWART

This month, our writers discuss the state of heightened anxiety, which often leads to a panic attack. As usual, our writers have written from personal experience and have wanted their stories published, to help reduce the stigma of openly discussing emotional wellbeing. We all have mental health, in the same way that we all have physical health. By contributing to this and future editions of Student Life, existing and new writers will help us.

“STAMP OUT STIGMA” WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD As a student mental health nurse, I often come across service users who are extremely anxious and service users who have panic attacks. I have been taught ways to aid others through their panic attacks, however it was not until recently that I had to use these techniques myself. I took a long time to decide whether to open up about

my recent experience, but this is what we are trying to stop! Opening up and talking about your experiences enables others to understand, identify with, and feel more comfortable with discussing their own experiences. On top of this, it helps stamp out stigma and it creates awareness.

When I was in university, I became unwell with symptoms that mirrored a stroke, my sense of self and others changed and I felt extremely strange and unwell. I believe this caused me to have a panic attack; I then started to find it difficult to breathe normally, I felt extremely sick, and I had a feeling of impending doom. During the attack I kept trying to remind myself to keep calm and breathe slowly and deeply, but trying to do this when I felt overwhelmed was extremely difficult. The aftermath of my panic attack is difficult to understand as I was unwell alongside this. However, since the neurological episode I have started to suffer with heightened anxiety which is making everyday life difficult. I try and manage this with distraction techniques; I tap in certain orders to help distract myself from the uncomfortable physical symptoms the anxiety causes me. I also use self-help techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy tasks, which I have found in selfhelp books that are available in mainstream

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book stores. I have found that breathing techniques such as 7/11 help - the 7/11 technique helps me to ground myself and also enables me to focus on something other than the horrid sensations. I also have started to access help from professionals, as I have recognised that I am not managing the anxiety by myself at the moment. Third party help can be extremely beneficial. It is important to talk about your worries and anxieties, as not only does it provide a sense of relief for you, it can also enable the third party to help you make sense of what it is you are experiencing. I have found that herbal remedies have helped provide me with relief too. I use rescue remedy and Kalms to take the edge off the anxiety when it gets really bad. It is extremely important to recognise that anxiety and panic attacks are extremely common. Statistics show that 1 in 6 people report that they’ve experienced a mental health problem; you are not alone. It is also important to understand that anxiety and panic attacks are your body’s natural way of responding to what it interprets as a threat. Sometimes knowing that it is a natural response for the body can bring comfort and relief for people. What is that phrase people use? A problem shared is a problem halved.

“FIGHT OR FLIGHT” WRITTEN BY AYLA BLOOM Let’s imagine you’re in a room. A small room. There are no windows in this room. Neither is there light. Just four walls. And you, right in the middle. Now close your eyes. Imagine the walls are closing in. You can feel them touching you. How do you react? Your heart thumps; your palms are

sweaty; your throat is dry. To the nonsufferer, this might seem like a scene from an action film. However, for someone who has anxiety, this feeling is only too real. What I have just described, is the feeling of a panic attack. Panic attacks present themselves as a manifestation of anxiety. They are the body’s response to a situation, also referred to as ‘fight-or-flight’, which can trigger a reaction in the individual. For example, imagine you are walking in the woods and you are faced with a dangerous animal. Your first instinct would, most probably, be to run away; the ‘flight’ response. For someone with anxiety, specific situations can trigger the same reaction, sometimes resulting in a panic attack. Although most individuals can comprehend what causes their anxiety to rise, others cannot. However, what is known is that panic attacks can be caused by prolonged periods of stress. In the case of myself, this is something I have known all too well. At 17-years of age, I had my first panic attack. It was during sixth-form that I was walking to my English Literature class; one of my favourite lessons. I had just re-drafted my coursework for probably the tenth time that week, determined to get an A. But that was part of the problem. I convinced myself it wasn’t good enough. My hand shook over the handle - to the rhythms of my beating heart. My legs felt like lead. I couldn’t go in. I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t go in there. Run away, my brain told me. You need to run away. And so, I did. And there began my first experience with anxiety. Imbued in the academic perfectionism I had placed on myself. Nonetheless, it was one of the most awful (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE...)

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things to have experienced, but it made me realise that I wasn’t myself. It made me want to talk to someone about how I felt, a brave step in itself! With the school counselling service, I learnt that anxiety and panic attacks aren’t anything to be ashamed of. Instead, the most important thing is to accept the situation at hand. Rather than fighting against the feeling, one can learn how to manage anxiety through coping mechanisms. There is no doubt that everyone is different, but one of the ways I have managed my anxiety is through accessing CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) through the counselling service at University. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved! And getting things off your chest to someone you can trust is a great way of reducing your anxiety. Another method I have been introduced to is compassionate mind therapy. Devised by Paul Gilbert, this method encourages the individual to imagine that they are a friend going through the same thing. On reflection, if you were the friend you would not discourage them, but would want to come up with a solution to help. The advice you would give your friend, you should give to yourself. This can be a fantastic

way of rationalising your own thoughts - by imagining them through a different perspective or angle. Remember: A step-back doesn’t equate to a defeat. Keep going. Keep striving. And be brilliant.

“PRONE TO PANIC?” WRITTEN BY 17 YR OLD 6TH FORMER I had my first panic attack when I was 16. I was at school. I suddenly felt very anxious at lunch time and I started to feel dizzy due to my rapid breathing and lack of oxygen. I was with my friends at the time and they had to get the medical lady at school to come and see to me. By this point I couldn’t feel my hands or my legs so she had to grab me a wheelchair. I was also slightly zoned-out but I was fully aware that the rest of the school were looking at me which happened to make me more anxious, so, I was wheeled to the medical room to get out of everyone’s sight. A few teachers were aware by now and all tried to recover my breathing back to a normal state. As this was my first panic attack it didn’t really work because I was so scared; I didn’t exactly know what was going on and thought I was going to die due to not being able to breathe! Eventually an ambulance was rung (which attracted even more attention!) but the paramedics were so helpful. I was at a point where I almost

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fainted, but I quickly recovered from that state and my breathing went back to normal. There can be many reasons that trigger a panic attack. Mine was about my job I had the next day. The previous weekend I was told I looked unhappy and I needed to stand up ‘straighter’ & look happier. Even though this was not the case at all, around customers I obviously came across differently to how I was acting in the kitchen (where the public couldn’t see me). For me to hear that I looked unhappy, did knock my self-esteem because I was worried about how everyone else viewed me. Therefore, the day before my next shift, I was so worried that I got in such a state. But other reasons behind panic attacks could be general stress, perhaps about family/friends, school/university/ work and/or financial reasons.

A general way of getting your breathing under control is by the following steps: 1. Relax your shoulders. 2. Sit/stand up straight with both feet flat on the floor. 3. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. 4. As you breathe in, your stomach should move outward. 5. Breathe in gently and regularly – some people find counting helpful (e.g. in for 4, out for 7) 6. Do this for as long as you need. It shouldn’t take too long to return to steady breathing.

The idea of practicing your breathing can seem quite tedious, What I didn’t do, which I would encourage everyone to do, is tell people why you but if you just take a few minutes are anxious. I bottled it up so much it out of your day it can really help eventually came out through a panic your anxiety. It can help with attack. This doesn’t happen all the time, of dealing with day-to-day stress and course, but at least try to prevent one by any worries you may have. I do a speaking out about your feelings. I’m sure couple a day and I am starting to if I did, I wouldn’t have got to the point of a do some more with my current panic attack. therapist. At the moment, I have I recommend that if you have anxiety two apps I find really useful, one and/or are prone to panic attacks, you is called Headspace and the other, regularly practice breathing techniques. Calm. They both have a variety You can find several ideas online - but of breathing and meditation it’s handy to know roughly how to control exercises, but what’s particularly your breathing when you feel heightened good about Calm is that you can anxiety. listen to very relaxing sounds, such as, ‘fireplace’ or ‘rain on leaves’. I listen to these when I need a time out for a while. I really encourage you, whether you have help or not, to visit one of these apps, try an see how it goes! 19 • NOVEMBER 2017 • exercise S T UDE Nand T L I FE

STUDENT Health

WHAT IS ANXIETY AND HOW DO WE DEAL WITH IT? WRITTEN BY EZRA HEWING, HEAD OF MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION, SUFFOLK MIND Anxiety is an emotion which has evolved to help make us think twice before taking risks – in other words, it is essential for survival. However, if feelings of anxiety persist over a period of time they can be a real problem. For example, the stress hormone cortisol which accompanies anxiety can trigger physical illnesses. Also, if anxiety gets out of control it can give rise to, and take the form of a various anxiety disorders. Post-traumatic stress responses are fueled by anxiety, and include intrusive thoughts and memories of stressful events, flashbacks and nightmares, angry outbursts, and being hypervigilant and constantly on the look-out for causes of fear and worry. Obsessive compulsive disorders and phobias are also forms of anxiety disorder. What these anxiety disorders have in common is that they are all attempts to predict how we will meet emotional needs in the future, which include needs to feel safe and secure; to feel a sense of control over our lives; and to ensure that we don’t

lose important relationships. Anxiety disorders attempt to solve problems which might prevent us from meeting these needs, by maintaining a state of readiness to respond – even if it doesn’t always feel that helpful and can make us miserable! One reason anxiety can make us feel out of control is that it begins to arise before we are even aware of it. A part of our brain called the amygdala, located in the unconscious emotional brain, or limbic system is involved in risk assessing what our senses tell us about our surroundings – your amygdala is your own personal security officer. Your security officer is essential for survival and if it spots a potential danger can send us into fight-or-flight – a state which drives us to run or jump out of the way, or lash out to defend ourselves. The security officer risk assesses danger by matching what our senses tell us to previous experiences. However, it only looks for partial matches before reacting and cannot see the bigger picture which rational thinking allows us to examine. In other words, if a red motorcycle of a particular make and model was present when you were involved in a road accident, and somebody suggests you get on a

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stationary motorcycle which is similar, the security officer may decide that it’s a close enough match, and fire off anxiety to try and keep you safe. And this is how panic attacks are triggered. A panic attack is characterised by a shortness of breath and/or choking sensations; an irregular heart beat; sweating, shaking or trembling; chest pains; and feeling sick. Panic attacks occur in response to a perceived threat, whether real or not, and often the sufferer can be unaware of the cause. To protect us from the perceived threat, the body reacts by releasing adrenaline and speeding up our breathing. In particular, the out breath gets much quicker, because the body wants to get to the next intake of oxygen in order to pump blood, and therefore energy to our major muscle groups – so we can run away from the threat! So what can we do about this? Well one clue is in the pattern of breathing. By reversing the pattern of our breathing we can change the way that we feel – instead of shortening our out breath we make it longer.

The technique for doing this is sometimes called 7/11 breathing, and this is how you do it: 1. Start by placing your hands on your stomach and breathe in filling your stomach up with air and hold it (many of us tend to shallow breathe most of the time). 2. Then breathe out more slowly than when you were breathing in. It is the outbreath which stimulates the relaxation response. 3. Repeat this process, counting to 7 in your mind when breathing in, and to 11 when breathing out. The number doesn’t really matter so long as the out-breath is longer than the in-breath. As well as practising 7/11 breathing, the skilled use of guided imagery and visualisation techniques, together with the support of a counsellor or psychotherapist, can help to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety disorders. Contact Suffolk Mind to find out more 0300 111 6000 or visit suffolkmind.org.uk

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STUDENT Health

Never Part OF THE PLAN WRITTEN BY RACHEL GILBEY Studying for a University degree with a long-term health condition was never part of the plan; but in September 2011, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. I was due to study Midwifery at University Campus Suffolk from February 2012, but being newly diagnosed with an incurable illness and having undergone surgery in September was scary enough to deal with, let alone the daunting thought of moving to University. Still, the move went ahead and I enrolled as a Midwifery student. Initially all was well and I was really enjoying my course, however, my Crohn’s began to make things difficult. The operation hadn’t been successful in putting my Crohn’s in remission and I was experiencing a flare. From that moment on, attending placement became a lot harder. I was in constant pain, unable to keep food and drink down, constantly fatigued and walking was difficult. 12

hour shifts at the hospital were not easy! I battled on until February 2013, but by the time I had finished first year I still had lots of placement hours to make up. It was agreed that I could take some time out to focus on getting better and then rejoin in Dec 2013; to finish my placement hours and then start year 2 in Feb 2014 with the cohort below. However, this didn’t go to plan and following some new treatment, I lost all of my hair. I had to withdraw from Midwifery (hardest decision of my life) and instead transferred to an Event Management degree - something I was interested in on the side. My hair loss had come as a shock and it took getting used to. A year later, once my course of treatment had finished, my hair returned. I battled on through my degree and in October 2016, I graduated. I was really fortunate to have such great University staff, lecturers and friends around me. The Student Support team put reasonable adjustments in place, so I could adhere to deadlines with ease. Please don’t ever feel like you’re alone at Uni. There are always people around to help and support you.

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SHOCK & HORROR IN MY HEART WRITTEN BY ANON Inside I wanted to scream, scream for all the times doctors looked at me like I was crazy, scream for all the times I further pushed myself to get up, try harder, take the stairs and smile like everything is perfectly fine. But no sound escapes my lips, I take the leaflets about psoriatic arthritis (PSA) and hobble off to further tests that now seem scary and have the potential to alter my future. I read the leaflets Ginny the nurse handed over, with shock and horror in my heart, alone in the pathology lab, imaging room and pharmacy. This has to be a mistake, who would need to take so many tablets, I hate taking tablets. What do they mean stress is a trigger? Here I sit trying desperately to make sense of what I am reading, fully aware I live with a stress disorder and PSA is triggered by stress!

So now what? “Go home, rest, we will have further results for you at your consultation with the Doctor on the 11th July”; 18 days to find the worst-case scenarios for those with this condition on YouTube, Google and from those damn leaflets. No one ever speaks of the gap in-between being told your diagnosis and the next appointment and yet this is possibly the hardest part of hearing about any health condition. I mean really, 18 whole days until I get answers to the questions buzzing around my head! The irony is this though, for 18 years I have struggled with my mental health, namely depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder - I was a combat medic in the Army. Not one person has had empathy for me in regard to the condition. Yet finding out about the PSA, something much more tangible, has triggered in people some level of sympathy if not empathy; why is that? PTSD has stopped me gaining employment I wanted, it’s stopped me going to see friends and family, being in relationships, leaving my home and I have lost my temper with people and institutes. It has disabled me far more than the PSA ever could and yet because you are unable to see it, to feel it, or to understand it, it is ignored and more invisible than ever. That is the real sadness to this situation don’t you think?

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STUDENT Health

JOB BOARD VACANCY

WANTED

STUDENT WRITER

UNIVERSITY ALUMNI AND FORMER LOCAL 6TH FORMERS/ COLLEGE GRADUATES

If you’ve ever fancied yourself as a writer, then look no further. We are looking for writers to join our editorial team and cover topics as diverse as Physical, Sexual & Mental Health, Tech, Fashion & Travel. • Based remotely – home, Uni(!), halls • No customer facing work • Deadlines to meet! • Regular meetings with the Editor The role does not carry a salary, but the successful applicant will be paid applicable expenses and their name will be ‘in lights’! No experience is required, you just have to be an articulate writer. * No closing date set

If you have a story to tell, then look no further. We are looking for former University of Suffolk/former University Campus Suffolk students (Alumni) and former local 6th Form/College Students, to tell us their story as part of our ‘Where Are They Now’ series. The series showcases former students who have gone on to live a life-story that will help/inspire others. We are also keen to hear stories of advice that you would give to your younger-self! No experience is required, you just have to be an articulate writer. * No closing date set

Replies please to richard@student-life.co

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