Student Life - March 2018

ISSUE 14 • MARCH 2018

Lifestyle Magazine for the Students of Suffolk

www.student-life.co

Proud supporter of

Cover photo by MEGHAN ROBINSON using a Canon 1300D 1 • MARCH 2018 • S T UD EN T L I FE

STUDENT Life

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Editor’s

Best wishes, Rachel Gilbey Co-editor

WORD

CONTACT US 01473 35 35 12 rachel@student-life.co www.student-life.co Snapchat: studentlifesc FB: @studentlifeips Instagram: @studentlifeips

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Here we are in March already!

Time really does fly when you’re having fun! Student Life HQ is a busy and exciting place at the moment, with lots of projects underway! Our Mental Health sub-section is growing rapidly month by month, which is a credit to all the hard work and enthusiasm Leanne has brought to the team!

Our Suffolk Schools project is approaching an exciting point as we recently reviewed the first edit of the Mental Health film. This project is hugely important to us and I just want to take a moment to thank all those who attended Waterfront Life’s Restaurant of the Year Awards and helped raise an amazing £1000 towards it. This is immensely generous and I’m looking forward to seeing how your contributions will help shape and develop the venture. Last month also saw a new feature with Rory’s review – a great opportunity to find out honest feedback about the movies and shows flooding onto our screens.

I’d highly recommend a read if you’re an avid cinema goer! To leave you on one final note, we are proud to say we have been nominated for an award! Later this month, we will be attending the 2018 Suffolk Coastal Business and Community Awards where win or lose, there is sure to be a lot of dancing!

Contents...

STUDENT STYLE Date Night ....................................................................................................... 4-5 STUDENT BEAUTY Pink Tones for Spring Time ................................................................ 6-8 STUDENT REVIEW Rory’s Film Reviews ......................................................................... 14-17 STUDENT SUPPORT Parkside Academy .........................................................................18-19 STUDENT SAFETY Cyber Safety ........................................................................................ 20-24 STUDENT HEALTH Mental Health Magazine ............................................................... 29-50 2 • MARCH 2018 • S T UD EN T L I FE

AT THE LOCK

W W W. J O H N O L I V E R S . C O M

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BRAND IDENTIT Y & LOGO DESIGN WEBSITE & BLOG CREATION PRINT DESIGN START-UP ADVICE & TECH SUPPORT

3 • MARCH 2018 • S T UD EN T L I FE WWW.MAKEANDMARKET.COM

SPRING WARDROBE CLEAR OUT Time to indulge in a good wardrobe cleanse – ready for the seasons ahead.

Wardrobe Cleansing will allow your wardrobe to breathe again!

Over the years, it is easy to accumulate an excessive volume of clothing, shoes, accessories, bags etc. Expensive mistakes can be costly to you, ensure your wardrobe is wearable and workable for your lifestyle.

There are lots of hard and fast rules to achieving the right wardrobe for you, so here are my Top Tips to Spring Clean your wardrobe.

Choose an afternoon, undisturbed, music and comfortable clothes to take on and off, and a good full sized mirror.

QUESTION YOUR WARDROBE Ask yourself - Have you worn it in the last year?

- Does it have holes, stains or excessive wear?

- Does it still fit?

- Do I feel good in them?

If the answer if NO to all of them - move it 4 • MARCH 2018 on!!

WITH FASHION EXPERT PAM DAVIS

CULL YOUR WARDROBE Create 3 piles of clothes: 1> for throwing out/donating charity/friends 2> for not sure 3> for keeping Start working your way through your wardrobe, trying some items on as you go and get rid of those pieces that are taking up valuable space.

Only keep the clothes that really suit you - be honest and brutal!!

MAKE YOUR CLOTHES WORK FOR YOU Decide what you want your clothes to do for you?

KEEP IT ORGANISED A wardrobe is far more approachable and appealable if its neat and tidy, so organise it into sections.

Think - Jackets with jackets and tops with

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tops, and so on. If you are super organised (like myself) then arrange your pieces in colour order from light to dark Invest in good hangers for your wardrobe, THEN PREPARE……

Make a list of what you need, and your budget. You’re not going to be able to buy everything at once so look and start with the basic items first.

BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION… Keep your wardrobe limited to a few key shades of colour to begin with and build on mixing colour into your wardrobe in time.

WARDROBE STAPLES These staple items will serve you through an average week – from work to the weekend, from the gym to the pub, from the office to dinner – with each piece selected for its versatility. The end result: minimum clothing, maximum utility and exceptional value for money.

My selection of my must-have wardrobe staples to build the perfect core wardrobe; take your pick, shift out what you don’t need, and add what you do!

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WOMEN Classic Jacket Camel Coat Trench Coat Black Blazer Tailored Pants Classic Shirts Jeans: All Colours/Style Little Black Dress Simple Chic Dresses Statement Skirt Perfect T-Shirts: All Colours Simple Smart/Casual Tops Comfortable Knitwear Black/Nude/Colour Heels Brogues Black Chelsea/Long Boots Belts, Scarves, Hats Bags, Jewellery, Perfume!

MEN Classic Black/Grey Suit Black/Navy Stylish Coat White T-Shirts Jeans: All Colours/Style Casual Knitwear Chinos Tailored Trousers Trench Coat Classic White Shirts Smart/Casual Shirts Blazer Ties/Cravats/Neckwear Brown/Tan Shoes Brogues Black Boots Holdalls Belts Aftershave!

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

STUDENT Beauty

Pink Tones for Spring Time WRITTEN BY STUDENT LIFE’S BEAUTY PARTNER - ROSIE MAY Winter is slowly becoming distant and Spring is upon us, so changing up your makeup routine and products can tie in with the seasons! The dark red and plum lips and smoky eyes are now about to be switched up for pink lips and colourful eyes!

Throughout Winter, I like to stick to darker colours for the darker weather. Wearing red and plum lipsticks and playing around with smoky eyes is complemented by the darker weather to bring out the depths of the makeup and face. Darker and chiselled contour is brought to life by the glum weather, creating new contours in the face.

Entering Spring means putting these skills away and bringing in new techniques to welcome in the new weather. For me, Spring means colourful looks and blushed cheeks.

I like to use pinks and oranges on the eyes, whilst using light pinks and nudes on the lips. I’m not a huge wearer of blush on a day-to-day basis, but I feel that it brings a nice amount of colour to the face as the sun is starting to make an appearance again.

One of my favourite eyeshadow palettes to use on my eyes for these types of looks is the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette. Although I don’t find the Naked Palette collection very pigmented, the colours in this palette just scream ‘Spring’ to me. It has a range of

mattes and shimmers, and starts at white working its way down to a shimmery black. It has a gorgeous selection of pinks and mauves and is great for creating the perfect pink look. This palette can be bought in Debenhams for £39.50, however they tend to be on offer quite a lot and Makeup Revolution do some very good dupes if you’re wanting to save some pennies!

A palette that I like to use for my cheeks and my eyes is the Sleek Blush By Three palette in the style Lace. I’ve had this palette for YEARS and unfortunately one of my colours has completely fallen out! Nevertheless, this palette is three vibrant blush shades and the pigment is stunning. Because the colours are so vibrant, I’ll use a very tiny amount on the apples of my cheeks to add some colour

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baby pink is beautiful. It has just the right amount of shimmer in it to not look too ‘in your face’, but blend in smoothly to your blush to add some shine. This highlighter is very affordable at £3 and they have a range of colours that are equally as lush!

to my face, then will use the colours on my eyes. This way I’m getting total use out of the palette but also it complements my face if the colours are matching. This palette is £7.99 in Superdrug and worth every penny as it is so versatile.

For highlight I will stick to the pink theme also. I’m usually not a big fan of pinktoned highlighters, however in the Spring it blends in with the blush effortlessly to give a glow-from-within. One of my favourites is the MUA Undress Your Skin in the shade Pink Shimmer. Not only is the pattern of this highlighter SO cute, but the shade of

Instagram - @rosiestewartbeauty_ YouTube - Rosie Stewart Beauty Blog - rosiestewartbeauty.wordpress.com

For the lips, I use a range of light and dark pink shades. I’ll often move over to some nude shades also, but as the rest of my face is pink I may as well match up!

One of my favourite shades is the Kylie Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in the shade KoKo K. As annoying as it is that it is Kylie Cosmetics, it is a beautiful shade. The reason I’m saying that is because it is so difficult to access her products from the UK! Shipping charges, shipping times and then a surprise customs charge that costs almost as much as the product itself just makes it not worth the hassle! However I love this lip shade and the candy smell of the formula is so nice! A cheap and accessible alternative to this shade is the Primark ‘Get Lippy’ lip kit in the shade Pink Lemonade. I did a ‘Testing Primark Makeup’ video on my YouTube channel and I was so shocked by the results! This was the lip kit I used in the video and it’s still one of my favourites. The colour is identical to the Kylie one and I’d even say the formula is better! They even included the candy scent! Another alternative I love is the NYX Lip Cream in the shade San Paulo. This is a little darker, but equally as smooth and beautiful.

Changing your makeup style from Winter to Spring can be very fun and simple. Brands will start bringing out new products to link in with the season and everyone will start looking colourful and pretty! I sure can’t wait for the sun to make its appearance again.

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On arrival the show is quite overwhelming to say the least. There are stalls for as far as you can see, covering all areas of beauty; skincare, makeup, haircare, teeth whitening, liposuction and so much more! I knew straight away I wanted to find Make Up Forever so we headed straight there and you could tell it was the most popular stand. They had to use a ticket system so that when you picked out products that you wanted to buy you had to wait for your number to be called out to pay for them. It was so manic! I ended up buying the Ultra HD Foundation Stick as I’ve wanted it for ages but never knew what my shade would be. I then bought one of the Star Lit powders. Everything on the stall was 40% off retail price so I knew I needed to take advantage of it!

Professional

BEAUTY SHOW

2018

WRITTEN BY ROSIE MAY The Professional Beauty Show is a show held at the Excel Centre in London, bringing together makeup and beauty junkies from up and down the country.

This was my first time visiting the show and I was so excited! I’d seen it advertised on Facebook a few times saying it was free entry so I decided to go for it. I had a little read-up of the website before the show and what brands would be attending and as soon as I saw Make Up Forever on the list I knew it would be worth the two hour drive!

All of the teeth whitening and liposuction looked really interesting but I was a bit apprehensive to try. They seemed like the type of things that after a few days it wears off and it was a waste of money. Famous people such as Jess from Love Island were there trying these types of services, but I was happy to just watch!

There were stages dotted around the show, showcasing certain products and makeup looks and even haircare for men! Even though the show seemed to be targeting women, there were a lot of stalls for men and live stage shows too!

One stage that took my interest was the man who invented StylPro. I have one and I love it so it was interesting to hear how he came up with the idea!

Overall the show was a great experience and I definitely will attend again next year to pick up some bargains!

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STUDENT Life

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Student Life catches up with the University’s Alumni WRITTEN BY JENNIFER MEREDITH

Jennifer is 24 years old and studied English at University of Suffolk whilst pursuing a career in journalism and blogging.

This time last year, I had just woken up in a hotel on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France. It was early, but the sun was glinting off the crystal clear water of the Riviera and below my window the street was bustling with expensive cars and well-dressed people. I got dressed, went downstairs to eat breakfast (continental, no less), and strolled outside to the front of the hotel where my ride was waiting: a 1950s Porsche Cabriolet. My itinerary mentioned something about a day in the life of Audrey Hepburn in Two for the Road, but I had no idea it would be quite this glamorous. I was to be whisked around the winding roads of Nice, taking in its exciting history, colourful architecture and enviable weather, when just one week prior I was sitting in an office in Ipswich, wondering what brand of microwave rice I was going to buy for dinner that evening.

That’s what I love most about my job: the variety. One month I could be wandering through the ruins of ancient Rome, the next I could be working with the wonderful people at Student Life to help inspire budding journalists and bloggers. There’s no end to what you could experience in this career, or who you could meet. And there are a variety of ways to get here; though mine started with university.

I studied English at University of Suffolk and, for me, the most exciting module was Professional Writing. I got to learn the basics of the career that I was already so deeply invested in, and I was able to meet the right people who have been endlessly helpful in getting me on track.

Although the road hasn’t been as smooth as the aforementioned Promenade (I’m now freelancing and flitting between London and Suffolk due to the closure of a publishing company I was working for), I’ve worked hard enough to experience some opportunities that I could only have dreamed about if I’d have pursued a different path, and I’m excited to discover what is yet to come.

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STUDENT Travel

BAGS OF

TIME

Travelling with Attitude WRITTEN BY CLAIRE KING

Our series of monthly articles invites readers to send in light-hearted stories of their travel experiences.

“Why would I drive an extra 14 miles?” I think to myself. I’m tired & hungry and my bladder won’t hold out that long. I wonder how many risk-takers drive past the exit in 8 miles, only to happen upon a traffic jam and curse their luck?

After a further 7 miles, the Services’ signage tells me that I have the choice between Starbucks, KFC, Burger King and M&S. I’ve struck motorway service area gold. What a choice. Coffee, chicken, reformed meat or stealing one of the aforementioned’s tables and eating a takeaway pasta salad. Why don’t M&S ever provide seating in their services-based outlets?

Before I have time to ponder that 1st world problem further, I find myself in the lorry park. I’m pretty sure I followed the picture of a 1960’s car correctly, but I couldn’t have done, because Eddie Stobart rules this car park. I re-trace my steps and see the error of my ways…..the thoughtful

designers had swapped from retro car sign to tarmac markings at the final hurdle and I had forgotten to adjust my skills accordingly.

I eventually park up, match my walking speed to my bladder requirements and head straight to the ‘ladies’. I will spare readers unnecessary detail of the following 4 minutes, suffice to say that the experience is one-stop short of a music festival.

So….it’s now decision time. I opt for the ‘healthy’ choice of an M&S wrap, packet of sea salt crisps (ok, not that healthy) and the juice of some oranges.

The very polite lady (of course she is, she’s M&S trained) asks me for most of my ten pound note (well it is a motorway services M&S and it’s not just any food) and I try to look nonchalant as I sit myself down at one of the Colonel’s tables.

The food is the usual quality that I have come to expect of Marks’s and I am refuelled. I put my rubbish in the military man’s bin – in for a penny, in for a pound - and I return to my car for the next part of my journey on the 25th motorway in Britain.

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WRITTEN BY JON SOUTHGATE

SUFFOLK FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

What does it take to become a

FIREFIGHTER? Jon Southgate is a Station Commander, his role being that of Deputy District Commander of the South District of Suffolk’s Fire & Rescue Service Hello again, by the time you read this, we’ll be in full swing with our first recruitment campaign for full-time Firefighter posts for around 10 years, so I thought I’d use the opportunity to explain just what it takes to do the role!

As you can imagine, competition is intense and only the best applications get through the various sifts. Last time we ran the process, we received around 3,500 applications! Below I’ll include some tips on what to consider if you find yourself applying for a job. We’re seeking applicants with a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths, evidence of good fitness and teamworking skills, plus:• Commitment to Diversity and Integrity • Openness to Change • Confidence and Resilience • Working with Others • Effective Communication • Commitment to Development • Problem Solving • Situational Awareness • Commitment to Excellence • Planning and Implementing

CHANGE HEADING

need an example under each heading to demonstrate full understanding.

Now, whilst we seek all of the above, a Firefighter also has to be pretty good at working under pressure, working at heights, working with casualties, working in water, working with animals, have an understanding of chemistry, an understanding of human physiology, be compassionate, follow orders, be good at working with other agencies, understand the elements of combustion…to name a few additional skills!

All of the above are relevant skills for both full-time and part-time Firefighters; because everyone does the same job (although some stations / crews have specific specialisms) so evidence on an application really does have to stand out!

If you’re completing an application or putting a CV together, make sure you give yourself full credit for your achievements.

Most of us will say “we did this or we did that”, but don’t be shy in claiming what you specifically have done; remember, a career may depend on what you write!

I’d strongly advise you to do some research on how best to complete an application, run it by someone before you submit it - but above all, read questions through twice so you fully understand what is being asked – we all know what we mean, but getting that message across is a real art!

We ask evidence around those personal qualities and attributes in the form of 1/ The main aim of your application is to make What was the situation? 2/ What did you an employer think “wow, we really must have do? 3/ What was the outcome? we 2018 •this 11 • and MARCH S Tperson UD EN TinL Iour FE organisation!!”

WRITTEN BY ROSIE WEDGE

RELATIONSHIPS Welcome to our newest, regular feature offering advice to students on aspects of family/friend/personal relationships.

In the hot-seat is Rosie, a current 6th former at Kesgrave High School and a founder member of the Student Life steering group.

Hey there! I’m Rosie, and I’m really excited about bringing this new feature to Student Life! This new section will be focusing on relationships, from family relationships, to friendships and personal relationships.

I feel like I’m saying relationships a lot here…Let’s cut to the chase.

Throughout my life, I have had a lot of experiences in this particular area. Some good, some bad, but all educational. I have learnt and grown as a result of all of them and I wanted to share some of my experiences with you guys. I’ve always been someone who is open about their experiences if I feel it benefits other people, and I enjoy helping people when they go through something similar to my own experiences.

So, to kick-start things, I want to talk to you guys a little about sibling relationships, particularly the renowned horror…of a younger sister. Maybe that’s a little bit harsh, but I’m sure many of you who have a younger sister, particularly those of you who are the older sister will agree. You love your sister, she is your mini-sidekick and you’re a team…but she annoys the living daylights out of you.

It’s always been very tough for me as my

sister, who is 15 months younger, and I have nothing in common. That may sound like an exaggeration, but if you take blonde hair and gender out of the equation, we’ve got nothing. Personality-wise, hobby-wise, everything-wise. This can make it very difficult to get along because there is nothing we can do that we will both enjoy together.

Yet I was determined to try and find something that we both enjoyed that we could do together and get along with. As we have grown up, we have got more distant in terms of our personal interests, but our bedrooms are on either side of the same wall, which means there is always that through-wall conversation of winding each other up and tapping on the walls when the other one of us is trying to sleep. Living in the same house, 7 days a week, there was no escaping each other.

So, I tried to cast my mind back to when we were kiddie-winkies, when we played together much more. Now, I have always loved me some gaming. That’s one thing that often set me and my sister apart. I still have my old DS Lite, my PC games, my PS2 and PS3, and treasure them, whereas my sister has broken about 3 DS’s in her lifetime and could never get the hang of a PS controller. Yet I remembered how much she loved her DS as a kid; she was just a bit of a clutz!

I suggested she get a second-hand DS, which she did…in the same colour as mine *grrrr* but I let that one slide. So, we sat down and tried it out; Mario Kart

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tournaments, Nintendogs Bark Mode where we just offloaded the junk our Shih Tzu’s picked up on their walks on each other…and we had fun. We had laughs, and we actually got along. By being kids again, we had some really good fun.

Maybe that’s the key to it; go back to a time when you did get along. Instead of trying to change who you are now to complement each other, try and go back to some common ground you used to have. Chances are, it will work, because I like to think that our inner-kid is still there inside each of us, and with kidness (yes, I just made that word up) comes the ability to remove any judgements and differences against one another, and just have fun and love one another.

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RORY’S WRITTEN BY RORY BATHGATE

It’s fair to say that Russell Brand and controversy go hand-in-hand. The outrageous comedian has had his fair share of scandals, from violence with the paparazzi to lewd messages left on answerphones.

This is, for many, his main selling point, and if shallow outrageousness is what you seek, look no further than Re:Birth.

Those excited for the politicallycharged, ‘more presentable’ Brand shown in The Trews will leave the show disappointed - he’s clearly made an effort to return to old form here, dwelling on politics only long enough for a few gags. Indeed, there’s a clear intention to distance himself from the outspoken social revolutionary he’s sold himself as over the past few years; a screen, displaying clips of Fox News, CNN, the BBC and others criticising him opens the show, with Brand noting

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RUSSELL BRAND R E : B I RT H that his involvement in the past few general elections was “weird”.

Instead, the focus of the show is his new experiences with fatherhood, and all the self-examination that comes with it. Over the course of the show, Brand attempts to dissect his own struggle with addictions, from drugs to sex, whilst considering the kind of person he wants to be as his child grows up.

What this show really seems to be about is peddling Brand’s new self-help book, Recovery, which promises to “free you of all addictions”. Whilst an admirable desire, Brand’s presentation of himself as some sort of self-help ‘guru’ doesn’t feel genuine - the lines between performer and therapist are blurred throughout the show, in what can only be cynicism or delusion.

A particularly uncomfortable section had Brand reading out surveys voluntarily filled in by audience members, unwittingly disclosing their worst sexual encounters and embarrassing moments with parents’ to the whole

RORY’S RATING

audience. This would at best have been a risky, if funny move by Brand - had he not followed it up by announcing the rows each person was in, and projecting their faces on-screen for the entire theatre to see. This was comedic overkill - the surveys on their own were risky humour, but the moment the house lights came up the whole audience were subjected to real second-handembarrassment.

There are several real laughs to be had in the show, but they’re more often than not overshadowed by Brand’s repeated attempts to unify and shame the audience as much as he shames himself - in the hands of someone like Frankie Boyle, it could have worked, but Brand fails to cut it.

Overall, Re:Birth is a somewhat enjoyable, if misguided show that misses the mark for all but the most die-hard Brand fans, and comes across as more of a desperate comeback tour than natural return to stage.

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RORY’S WRITTEN BY RORY BATHGATE

This summer, audiences were treated to Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, a dramatic adaptation of the historic British evacuation from the beaches of France towards the beginning of the Second World War. This is not that story. 100 miles away, Joe Wright sets his sights on another war story, one of political intrigue and moral rumination, but one just as important as any guns blazing tale; Winston Churchill’s first days in office.

As ever, Gary Oldman simply disappears into his role. One does not for a second doubt that Churchill himself is up on the screen, with simply flawless attention to detail taken to replicate his appearance, speech and mannerisms. Oldman also mixes in quite a helping of humour, a welcome characteristic of Churchill’s that was disappointingly lacking in 2017’s Churchill. Ben Mendelsohn

turns in an excellent performance as King George VI, a match for Colin Firth’s portrayal of the same figure in 2010’s award-winning The King’s Speech.

Set over the few weeks from appointment as Prime Minister to the evacuation of Dunkirk, the film shies away from Churchill’s problematic past; his time in the First World War, for example, is not dwelled on for too long at a time, whilst the future of the war, and his position in power, is only referenced in epilogue text. In this way, the piece remains rooted in its mission to depict Churchill in a time of change and vulnerability, though fails to delve too deep into his character as a whole. For the most part, the story is strong, focusing on Churchill and his difficult transition into Downing Street, as well as the machinations of politicians such as Neville Chamberlain and Lord Halifax to remove him as soon as he’s arrived.

There are, admittedly, weaker moments - a particularly whimsical scene has Churchill travel on the tube to Westminster, ingratiating himself with everyday Londoners, which compared to the rest of the carefully executed plot felt rather cheap.

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DARKEST HOUR

Visually, the film is a marvel to behold - cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel paints scenes filled with contrast, from the godlike rays that pierce parliament to the sombre, shadowy framing of Churchill during scenes of great sadness and confusion. The camerawork is also sublime, and far more creative than one might expect from a period drama, with long tracking shots and extreme close-ups immersing the audience with excellence and enthusiasm.

Gripping, stylish, and quite funny, Darkest Hour is a tour de force for Oldman, who carries the piece to victory in typical bombastic fashion in spite of some farcical plot elements - the definitive Churchill film, but by no means perfect.

RORY’S RATING

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Study Time WRITTEN BY ROSIE WEDGE

Welcome to another first! Our new, monthly feature offering advice to fellow students on study techniques & tips. Student Life’s roving reporter, Rosie, will be heading up this new section, but if you have any tips or tricks that you want to share, simply let Rosie know at info@student-life.co Going into sixth form from GCSE feels scary. You over-hear the conversations of sixth-formers discussing the dramatic, crazy changes that go on regarding work load, and how the step up is just “too much to handle”. Well, believe me, it’s not. The step up, as expected, is large, otherwise a GCSE would have the same prestige as an A Level. However, it’s likely that these studying horror stories you hear are a result of being unprepared. As a secondyear sixth former, I have several helpful tips that I often give to people before they start sixth form that I wish I had known, because they really would have impacted my first year of A Level studies for the better.

TIP NUMBER ONE: GET OUT OF THAT GCSE EXAMINATION BOARD MINDSET. Most A-Level courses will run on the same examination board as their GCSE equivalent, as a lot of the GCSE content can be considered the foundation to the A Level, and therefore to use two separate exam board would be ridiculous. However, what is ridiculous is that the exam board uses different mark scheme approaches. What I mean by this is that the question formatting is very different, and the expected answering formatting is very different. Don’t be fooled into thinking the content will just be harder, as the style of the content will also be altered.

When answering questions and completing work, try not to write in good old GCSE style; really take on board the new examination style. I advise reading the examiner’s report before each module begins!

TIP NUMBER TWO: GET YOURSELF SOME FANCY-PANTS PENS Now, I don’t mean come into sixth form, Hogwarts style with your quill and ink pot, but what I do advise is getting some good quality coloured pens, alongside your black-ink pens. When taking notes in class, don’t do what I did at first, which was write page upon page of notes in black ink like we had to do at GCSE, because none of the key information stands out. Of course, you may be thinking “What’s wrong with highlighters?” Well, the issue is it’s very tempting just to highlight everything! Its fun, its pretty, we all love some highlighting action. Whereas if you are constantly swapping into coloured pens, you will probably only have the patience to swap when you really need to. This means you only make the key points stand out….instead of the key points, the secondary key points, the sub-secondary key points and so on, which makes revision easier.

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TIP NUMBER THREE: WIDER READING *Ugh, I sound like all my teachers*, and that’s because my teachers were right!

Wider reading will be your saving grace.

Now, at GCSE you show up to class, learn some stuff (hopefully!) then leave & revise what you learnt. Boom. Well unfortunately, at A-Level there is a little more to it. You need to do your wider reading. Please note the use of the word ‘need’ there. It will benefit you massively, in three key ways; 1. It will generally expand your understanding of the subject, and over time will improve your interpretation and analytical skills.

2. If there is something in the class course; for example a study in psychology you do not understand, you may be able to replace it with one you discovered yourself and do understand. (always ask your teacher first before substituting studies in case the specification requires you to know that one exactly) 3. It will make your work a lot better.

Having extra insights, another perspective,

and information that isn’t what every other pupil up and down the country is writing, will make yours stand out and is likely to secure you a few extra marks in the exam for showing a wider range of knowledge.

This may not work for all subjects, however for subjects that are essaybased, this is the key to your success.

TIP NUMBER FOUR: DON’T SET EXPECTATIONS The worst thing you can do, is mentally set-up how you think the course will run. Instead, ask other people who were on your chosen courses how it went, and prepare for that. There is no point creating some mental fantasy based off countless American movies, or expecting your life to be like an episode of ‘Skins’ because the likelihood is that it won’t. Go in with an open mind because by doing so, you are more likely to enjoy the course and more importantly, succeed in it!

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STUDENT Safety

ONLINE & SOCIAL MEDIA ENVIRONMENTS CO-WRITTEN BY PROFESSOR EMMA BOND & KATIE TYRRELL

Professor Emma Bond is Director of Research at the University of Suffolk.

She is Professor of Socio-Technical Research and also Director of the Suffolk Institute of Social and Economic Research (SISER).

Katie Tyrrell joined the University of Suffolk in 2017 after graduating with an MSc in Mental Health Research with distinction from the University of Nottingham. Katie is a member of the Suffolk Institute of Social and Economic Research (SISER).

TOWARDS DIGITAL CIVILITY: ADOPTING A UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY APPROACH The Digital Civility project at the University of Suffolk is an innovative, new project that was awarded funds from the HEFCE Catalyst fund. The University aims to increase digital civility and improve

the online safety of students in relation to online harassment over the coming year. We are delighted to be working with national experts and online safeguarding partners to improve our students’ wellbeing and safety online.

We have a number of interrelated strands to our project, which include improving students’ understanding of illegal content, inappropriate content and conduct online and simultaneously raising awareness of digital civility, digital citizenship and respect online especially in regard to gender; ethnicity; sexuality and disability.

The scale of the project for a small, newly established university is remarkable but it would not have been possible without the substantial in-kind contributions, advice, guidance and support we have received from our range of external partners for which we are extremely grateful – Microsoft; the Internet Watch Foundation; Revenge Pornography Helpline; Marie Collins Foundation; Professor Andy Phippen, Plymouth University; Robert Bond, Bristows LLP; Paul Maskall, Blue Lights Digital; Simon Dukes, Cifas and UK Safer Internet Centre.

Our approach though is not only focused on students as the project also aims to up-skill and increase staff confidence in talking to students about online behaviours and responding effectively to disclosures and concerns including unwanted contact and

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illegal content. Like other HEIs, student welfare is of paramount importance and the University of Suffolk has an established suite of relevant policies in operation.

Furthermore, work is actively undertaken and strategically aligned to bring awareness of issues such as safeguarding, hate crime and abuse and specialist staff training has already been delivered in targeted areas of the institution.

Our Digital Civility project offers new opportunities to build upon our already established safeguarding strategic principles of ‘prevention’ and ‘response’; and, in collaboration with our partners, specifically address issues of hate crime and online harassment of vulnerable groups. It is being delivered over the course of the year using health promotion principles of primary; secondary and tertiary prevention.

Workshops and seminars on what is legal and illegal; recognising hate crime and staying safe online; how to recognise and report illegal content and the importance of consent in image sharing and distributing are being offered to students and staff. Furthermore, awareness raising materials and educational resources have been employed across the campus, the VLE and via social media.

Using an evidence based approach, we are simultaneously running more targeted activities for potentially more vulnerable groups. Research, suggests for example, that women and the LGBT+ community are more vulnerable to online harassment and stalking; coercive and controlling behaviour and revenge pornography and that students from ethnic minorities; LGBT+ or with a disability may be more likely to be the victims of hate crime and online harassment. The University of

Suffolk’s Student Union have been at the centre of the design, development and delivery of every aspect of the project and we also have an advisory group of students which include our elected Liberation Officers (Black and Minority Ethnic, LGBT+, Students with Disabilities, Women’s), working alongside the project team to provide advice and guidance on key and emerging issues; regular feedback about the success for the project and how best to engage students with the project.

The project was subject to ethical approval from the University Ethics Committee and at the beginning of the project our staff had specialist training on responding to disclosures on online sexual abuse from the Marie Collins Foundation, recognising hate crime and how to report online abuse and effectively support students.

Adapting the award winning 360 Degree Safe review tool designed for schools, we developed an improvement plan for online safeguarding at the start of the project which will be reviewed at regular intervals during the year. Additionally, in order to evaluate and monitor the impact of the project, we are very grateful to Microsoft for allowing us to use their Microsoft Digital Civility questionnaire.

We are very privileged to work with a range of national expertise in this field and by adopting a whole university and community-led approach to online safeguarding and preventing online abuse and harassment it is envisaged that our student safety in relation to online harassment and abuse will be substantially improved. We will be sharing our approach and outcomes with HEFCE and intend to host a national conference of ‘what works’ in safeguarding students online in the near future.

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STUDENT Safety

ONLINE FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT WORKSHOP Simon Dukes (CEO, Cifas) WRITTEN BY KATIE TYRRELL Nudes, dick pics, you name it, it has been covered… I am talking about the Blurring Boundaries conference held at the University of Suffolk of course. In addition to sexting, a number of topical and serious issues affecting the online lives of young people were brought to light throughout the morning sessions. Most importantly, practitioners, academics and students from all walks of life engaged in debate and conversation around how best to empower young people to remain safe in the everexpanding online world.

It is the afternoon sessions of the conference; people move swiftly into the Waterfront Auditorium for a talk led by Simon Dukes, CEO of Cifas, the UK’s fraud prevention service. As an online fraud and identity theft novice, I go with it, naïve and not quite knowing what to expect, notepad at the ready. The talk begins with a gentle introduction to identity theft, including the rather terrifying fact that identity fraud

victims under the age of 21 has increased by 34%! So ‘how do we go about stopping this!?’ I hear you say… well Simon has some excellent top tips, which I will share with you, right here, right now…

1. CHECK YOUR PRIVACY SET TINGS, and although you’ve probably heard that a zillion times, YouTube the Cifas ‘Data to Go’ video, you will never look at a free cup of coffee in the same way.

2. INSTALL ANTI-VIRUS, and be careful on free public Wi-Fi, these can easily be mimicked!

3. BE CREATIVE AND COMPLEX with your passwords.

4. THINK LINK… ever got those phishing emails from fake Amazon or iTunes email accounts asking you to pay your bill by clicking on a dodgy link? Yeah, nice try fraudsters!

Simon finishes gracefully with a quote from Mitch Ratcliffe:

“A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any other invention with the possible exceptions of handguns and Tequila.”

Brilliant. Note to self: Ok, first and foremost, protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity fraud, oh and next time you’re venturing into Ipswich town centre on a Saturday night, lay off the Tequila!

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Hate crime including online content can be reported via www.report-it.org.uk If you have been the victim of fraud or wish to report any form of cyber-crime contact: www.actionfraud.police.uk/ If you have been a victim of revenge pornography, the helpline can provide advice and get images removed https:// revengepornhelpline.org.uk/ you can also contact the Revenge Pornography Helpline on 0345 6000 459 or via emailhelp@revengepornhelpline.org.uk You can anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content; criminally obscene adult content and nonphotographic child sexual abuse images here to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF): https://www.iwf.org.uk/ You can report online abuse or illegal activity https://support.google.com/legal/troubleshooter/1114905 Reporting content linked to terrorism https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism Reporting indecent or offensive content on Twitter: https://support.twitter.com/articles/15789 Reporting indecent or offensive content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/yt/policyandsafety/en-GB/reporting.html Reporting indecent or offensive content on Instagram: https://help.instagram.com/519598734752872 Reporting indecent or offensive content on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/reportlinks Reporting indecent or offensive content on Snapchat: https://support.snapchat.com/en-US/article/report-abuse-in-app

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STUDENT Safety

Safer Internet Day

BLURRING BOUNDARIES CONFERENCE WRITTEN BY ROSIE STEWART Back in 1993, there were no children online and no E-Commerce as we know it.

In 2017 there were an estimated 2.4 billion smartphone users, with 91% of children aged 13-17 having one. As technology has reached new levels and social media is the ‘norm’ for children from a very young age, days such as Safer Internet Day have become increasingly important in raising awareness for the risks of the web.

As an ex Kesgrave High School student and new Business Development Manager for Student Life, I had the opportunity to attend the Blurring Boundaries conference at the University of Suffolk. This conference was taking place in honour of Safer Internet Day, and was mainly filled with primary and high school teachers brushing up on their knowledge to relay to their students.

It was very interesting to attend the conference from a ‘youngster’ point of view, seeing as I am only 18. I was the youngest in there (it seemed) by at least 10 years, so it was interesting for me to hear all of this information and the risks from an older adult’s point of view, as I have grown up around social media and smartphones from a young age. Websites

such as Omegle were sites we’d have a laugh on at sleepovers in our early teens, but the conference brought to light the dangers of these sites that you don’t realise as a youngster.

The conference brought up some interesting questions such as; Should we be blaming the platforms for these risks and problems? I thought this was an interesting question, as I don’t think we really can blame them. Platforms are set up to enable people to be social, interact with people from all over the world and even make new friends. Most of these sites aren’t set up to cause risks, but with over 2.13 billion monthly active users on Facebook for example, it is hard to monitor every single thing that happens on this platform.

Other interesting views were spoken from certain teachers in the conference room relating to the distribution of explicit imagery. Some high school teachers in the room were voicing that they would overhear in class that students were exchanging these photos, maybe even not of themselves. This brought concerns throughout the conference room, as anyone under the age of 18 that is taking part in this are breaking the law under distribution of child pornography.

This is why days like Safer Internet Day and conferences such as this one are so important. Although our awareness of the internet shouldn’t be narrowed to just one allocated day, it is important to know the risks of the internet and know the law. It’s also important to know that you can speak to people if you have any concerns over the internet. Teachers, parents and online tools can enable you to voice any concerns you may have and how to avoid coming face-toface with some dangers.

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biography which may include what you like to do outside of work.

WRITTEN BY SIAN ROBERTSON

Student Life is delighted to have joined forces with Career Ready UK. The organisation helps raise young people’s aspirations and bridge the gap between education and work, by providing access to real experience of the world of work. Here Career Ready’s Regional Manager for Cambridge and Ipswich, Sian Robertson, introduces the charity to readers.

There is no right or wrong way to present your CV. It is YOUR CV and it is a reflection of who you are. Being creative in your presentation is never a bad thing, unless you allow your creativity to take over your professionalism. CV’s are often sent online now via email or LinkedIn so it’s a good idea to make sure the format you send it in retains any creative elements you may have added. It’s also a good idea to take into consideration where you are sending your CV too, if you are applying to a graphic design company then I would suggest using the CV as an opportunity to show off your abilities. If you are applying to a law firm, I would suggest using a more formal presentation as this is likely to be the style of presentation expected from employees on a day to day basis.

However you decide to present your CV, the core components should always be present.

Employers will expect to see; your personal information, e.g. name/address etc., your qualifications, your experiences a short 25 •and MARCH 2018

TOP CV TIPS Be consistent – when you write your profile or bio, make sure it aligns with the experiences and skills that you have written about throughout the CV. It’s also important to make sure that you maintain the same style of writing and chosen layout.

Be concise – Long CV’s are not always the best.

It’s important to list all of your qualifications and experiences but make sure you really focus on writing around those that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. Filling your CV with lots of irrelevant information will not please an employer. A good CV should be rewritten or adapted for each job that you apply for.

Be truthful – Lots of people wrongly chose to enhance the skills that they list on their CV. Make sure that you are honest when writing about yourself – employers will (and do!) check out what you write, and many will ask you questions at interview based on what you have written in your CV. Be professional – use correct language and grammar at all times. Avoid colloquialisms and abbreviations. Assume that the person reading your CV is of a different generation. Your language must therefore be clear enough for anyone to understand. It is also a good idea to use a standard font and text size for the main information in your CV. YOU CAN CONTACT US AS FOLLOWS:

Career Ready UK National Office 25 Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5LB Tel: 020 7986 5494 www.careerready.org.uk https://twitter.com/CareerReadyUK https://www.facebook.com/CareerReadyUK https://www.linkedin.com/school/954160/ • S T UD EN T L I FE

TERRY HIGGINS

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

STIs WRITTEN BY ANDY TURNER

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections you can pick up and pass on during sex, and can be caused by one of three things:

PARASITES

Pubic lice and scabies can be caught without having sex, from bedding and towels - but this isn’t common.

Some STIs can cause symptoms within a few days, others may not show for days, weeks or months. Unfortunately not all STIs have symptoms at all, or if you do have them you might mistake them for something else.

Whether you have symptoms or not, a regular sexual health check-up will detect any infections. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed to go to a clinic, as staff have seen everything before and will treat you with respect and without judgement.

HOW CAN I STAY SAFER?

BACTERIA

Infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis are usually easily cured with antibiotics.

VIRUSES

These include HIV, herpes, genital warts and hepatitis. Viruses are harder to treat, but with time your body can get rid of some viruses on its own. Viruses such as HIV cannot be cured though, and need to be managed with medication. You can be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

You can lower your risk by using condoms and Femidoms. They don’t take away all the risk however, as they may not cover the part of the body where the STI is. Also, some STIs are spread during types of sex where people are not as likely to use condoms or Femidoms, for example oral sex, although you can use dental dams for protection. Remember, other contraception just protects against pregnancy, and offers no defense against STIs.

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You can still get an STI if you have very few sexual partners - but the more sexual partners you have, the more likely you are to have sex with someone with an infection.

CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHOEA

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are two of the most common STIs among young people, but generally the easiest to treat. They are passed on during vaginal, oral or anal sex. They can also be spread by sharing sex toys when a new condom is not used for each person.

The infections are often symptom-free for women, but for men symptoms of gonorrhoea usually show in 10 days.

Left untreated they can cause serious problems in both men and women, including infertility.

If there are any symptoms, they can include discharge, and pain when urinating or during sex.

Chlamydia or gonorrhoea in the throat is usually symptom-free.

Testing for these two infections is quick and painless, and they can be treated with a course of antibiotics. You’ll be advised not to have sex until treatment has finished or you could pass on the infection. If you were given a single dose of antibiotics you will be asked to wait for a week to have sex.

You can have an infection without knowing, so regular check-ups are a good idea, especially if you are starting a new relationship or you want to stop using condoms with your partner.

MYTHS AND TRUTHS

Some people believe you can get an STI from a toilet seat. This is most definitely a myth!

WHAT ABOUT IF YOUR PARTNER’S A VIRGIN?

Fine right? Well depending on how your partner defines being a virgin, it is possible for them to have contracted an STI. Your partner might not have had vaginal or anal sex, but may have had oral sex with someone (and still consider themselves a virgin), putting themselves at risk for an STI. People assume all lubricants are fine to use with condoms, but oil-based lubricants (like baby oil or Vaseline®) can break down latex and allow STIs to pass through. You need to be using water based lube. Those on the c-card scheme will only ever find water based lube in their packs.

Final myth is that once you have had an STI and have been treated for it, you can’t catch it again. Unfortunately bacterial STIs can be caught multiple times. That’s why we always urge you to test regularly!

People you have had sex with also need to get checked - a clinic can contact them if you don’t want to.

You can get a test at a sexual health clinic, order one online at www. youngandfree.org.uk or from one of our outreach workers.

GONORRHOEA

CHL AMYDIA

27 • MARCH 2018 • S T UD EN T L I FE Email: sexualhealthsuffolk@tht.org.uk Website: www.tht.org.uk

GET IN TOUCH E: ben@corecoachingco.com W. www.corecoachingco.com WRITTEN BY BEN STEWART

FUEL YOUR FOCUS People underestimate the value of good nutrition and hydration when it comes to hard work and long term focus. When you’re tired or low on energy your body craves sugar which is why you head for all the wrong things to fuel yourself with.

Instead of reaching for that can of energy drink or caffeine tablets, give your body what it needs so you can deliver the best your brain has to offer: WATER

Do not underestimate the power of water.

The average human body is made up of around 60% of water, and without it our vital organs, muscles, blood cells and so much more simply wouldn’t function properly. The more hydrated you are, the more focused you can be. Think water is boring? You’re not alone. Thankfully there are healthy, natural ways to mix things up so you can enjoy drinking it: - Fresh ginger - Lemon or lime slices - Fresh mint - Orange slices - Fresh strawberries 28 • MARCH 2018

Drink around 2-3 litres of water a day, every day and you’ll be surprised just how much of a difference this will make to the quality of your work.

SNACKS

Instead of grabbing a microwave meal or fast food that is full of refined carbohydrates, sugar and other bad things, give your body and mind what they need to thrive. Options can include unsalted, un-roasted nuts such as almonds, walnuts and cashews which are all packed with energy and nutrients. Vegetables surprise surprise are packed full of goodness that will also make your body happy and keep you going when things get tough. Even something as simple as carrot and pepper sticks with hummus will provide lots of great energy.

BALANCE

A lot of people think the best way to get things done is to charge full steam ahead.

While this may feel like you’re getting more done because you’re constantly working, the quality of output will start to decline the longer you push yourself.

Instead, dedicate a duration of time to keeping your head down and giving it your all, then stop and take a break so you can stretch and rest your eyes. Repeat this process as often as you need to so you can get your work done, and you’ll be surprised just effective • S Thow UD EN T L I FE this strategy is.

MENTAL Health SUPPLEMENT

Mental health difficulties are like weeds in your garden.

We can spend so much time ignoring the issue that the root spreads.

Digging deeper identifies the root; removing the root, removes the problem.

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“

Editor’s

WORD

Best wishes.

Leanne Arnold Mental Health Co-editor

Contents...

CONTACT US 01473 35 35 12 leanne@student-life.co www.student-life.co Snapchat: studentlifesc FB: @studentlifeips Instagram: @studentlifeips

“

The mental health calendar for March is very fitting, as it is the month of the University Mental Health Day. This took place on the 1st, however why dedicate one day to this? Student Life is all about creating awareness of mental health particularly aimed at students! We have decided to run some articles on people’s experiences with their mental health and how it impacts on their studies. Please take a look!

February has been a busy month with lots of time dedicated to working towards getting Student Life further on the map! We have also been working very hard towards something exciting, all will be revealed in due course – but what I can say is that its focus is on mental health and will be a big step in educating students on the reality of mental health. Watch this space!

Here’s to a fantastic March.

Read, enjoy, and take care!

SELF CARE ............................................................................................................................................. 30 PMDD ......................................................................................................................................................... 31 STUDYING & MENTAL HEALTH ...................................................................................33-35 YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ................................................................................. 36-37 WHERE’S YOUR HEAD AT? .................................................................................................... 44 MENTAL HEALTH IN PREGNANCY ..................................................................................... 45 LGBTQ+ AND MENTAL HEALTH .................................................................................. 48-49

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STUDENT Health

SELF CARE

YOGA WRITTEN BY RACHEL GILBEY The great thing about yoga is that you can practice it pretty much anywhere (as it only requires yourself), and you can go at it alone or with others. I’ve recently taken up yoga again this year having tried it previously and I have found there are many self-care benefits. I attend a weekly class where I participate in an hour session.

Yoga is great for releasing tension and stress as well as gaining tips for breathing control and mindfulness. As well as this, there are physical benefits too! Yoga helps to stretch and flex your body, focusing on

various areas. Some individuals find that it assists in increasing flexibility! While yoga’s roots are embedded in spiritual discipline, you need not be spiritual to give it a try. The more that I attend, the more I see myself applying tips and poses into my daily life. There are a number of classes available to try in Ipswich, including one at the University of Suffolk, where the Students’ Union run a weekly session for £1 for students and £3 for non-students. It’s worth a look if you get a chance! www.uosunion.org/ most-active-students/ ipswich-schedule

MENTAL Health

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should align with one’s menstrual cycle and only occur during this time. Although these symptoms will fade at the beginning of one’s period (which can feel like a release), they will start again once the cycle is finished.

PMS vs. PMDD?

LET’S TALK ABOUT PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) WRITTEN BY AYLA BLOOM Cramps. Cravings. Bloating. Tears. Mood swings. Every woman has to deal with the wrath of Mother Nature’s visit at some point in their lives. But imagine your period giving you the urge to commit suicide. While menstruation can bring up a whole host of symptoms, it could point to something more serious than regular Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?

Despite being classified as a psychiatric condition, PMDD is very rarely discussed and many are unaware that they have it.

In its simplest terms, PMDD is an extreme form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

PMDD is characterised by emotional symptoms that can begin at least two weeks before menstruation starts. There are 11 symptoms that qualify a PMDD diagnosis, including; suicidal thoughts, depression, panic attacks, intense feelings of hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and fluctuations in appetite, just to name a few. In essence, these symptoms

Although symptoms of PMDD are practically identical to that of PMS, it is important to recognise that PMDD symptoms are heightened. For instance, you might feel tearful for no particular reason two days before your period starts. But for an individual with PMDD, tearfulness is felt on a grander scale.

Many have reported that their behaviour becomes erratic during this time and they might do or say things that are completely out of their nature. Others go further to state that PMDD has caused unemployment, the breakdown of relationships, and even suicide attempts, in some cases. As this demonstrates, symptoms of PMDD have long-term effects on an individual’s daily life.

WHERE CAN I GET HELP?

If you, or someone you know, thinks that you might be experiencing PMDD it is vital to seek physical and emotional support.

One of the first steps should be a visit to your GP. Because the symptoms of PMDD are very similar to other conditions, it is important to rule out any other underlying diagnosis that might be causing these symptoms. As well as physical, you can also seek emotional support. You might want to talk to a friend, parent, or counsellor about how you’re feeling. In addition to this, there are many online groups including PMDD Awareness UK and Mind.

IF THIS ARTICLE HAS BROUGHT UP ANY2018 EMOTIONS 32 • MARCH • S T UDTHAT EN T LYOU I FE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

MENT AL HE JUGGLING WORK, LIFE & HOME

ALTH

WRITTEN BY CAROLINE ROBERTS

Caroline is studying BA Hons English. She wanted to get involved with Student Life to gain real magazine-writing experience and to have the chance to be a voice for mature students at the university.

As a full-time, mature student and mum I juggle lectures, study and deadlines with the school run, clubs and running the house. Although my other half is incredibly supportive he works long hours, so it’s inevitable that a lot of the organising is done by me. With a family to look after I’m like most students with caring responsibilities – I just keep going.

I’ve come to realise though, that you can only do this for so long. I’m in my second

& STU

DYING

year of study now and have learned the hard way that sometimes I just have to give myself a break.

If I don’t, my mental health suffers and the tension builds up so much that I feel stressed and anxious, and this exacerbates my reflux and my night-time teeth grinding. Both bring their own health issues which then negatively affect my study further: headaches, heartburn and sore throats. Then I feel more stressed because I worry I’m making myself ill and it’s hard to regain some sort of control. It’s easy to say, ‘find time to relax’ but it’s so difficult in reality. Any mature student, in fact any student, will know how hard it is to unwind after a deadline or to take time out when there’s a pile of reading to do or a presentation to prepare for.

MENTAL Health

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I really do believe though that making a bit of time to chill out is so important for my mental health.

The key to making that happen for me seems to be organisation and planning, which sounds like more work, but if I manage my time by scheduling in my reading, assignment writing and deadlines (and stick to them!) then just the feeling that the tasks are under control makes me feel better. If I know I’ve allocated the time to complete my assignments then I feel able to give myself some time off, whether it’s to spend a day with my family or just enjoy not having to feel pressured for a bit.

Getting a change of scene and a mental break refreshes my brain and stops me feeling like it’s just a constant treadmill of study and day-to-day family routine. I can enjoy my study more and in the long run I’m keeping myself well for when I really do need to ‘just keep going’.

NEGATIVE THOUGHTS MAKE IT REALLY HARD TO CONCENTRATE Louise is a 6th Form student and part of the editing team on the mental health supplement of Student Life WRITTEN BY LOUISE DICKMAN I know for sure that suffering from a mental illness/having poor mental health can affect school and your studies. I’m

currently studying A Levels and I find it really hard to concentrate when I have a billion negative thoughts going around in my head! Being in a bad place doesn’t help when you are trying to complete tasks or revise. I was revising only a few days ago and about an hour had gone by and I had written about two sentences because I had so much going on in my head!

The main problem around students with mental health issues is actually having the motivation to do some homework or go to class, and when it’s started, it’s difficult to keep the concentration going. But you have to know what works for you when trying to complete work. For example, for me, music keeps me in the zone and blocks out all background noise and thoughts.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE MORE TIPS AND TRICKS; Study in short periods of time with breaks (if you can’t concentrate for long amounts of time – do it in chunks with 5-10 mins breaks in between so you don’t get too bored and distracted) WORK SOMEWHERE QUIET AND MESS FREE. Also, try to eliminate any distractions like your phone or iPad or similar. (Unless you’re using for educational purposes!)

USE MOTIVATIONAL METHODS. Something that works for a lot of people is putting a chocolate or sweet every few pages in a text book so you have a reward for getting through them.

PRIORITISE TASKS. Don’t do the easiest one first if it’s got to be handed in in a

IF THIS ARTICLE HAS BROUGHT UP ANY2018 EMOTIONS 34 • MARCH • S T UDTHAT EN T LYOU I FE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

couple of weeks, do the tasks that are most important and need to be handed in sooner. Get anyone, whether it be your parents, siblings or friends to ask you questions on what you have just completed to make sure it’s really gone in!

Something else I also did was let my school know I was struggling and asked for extra help with the topics I couldn’t get my head around which was beyond helpful.

Remember, your mental health comes first. Don’t put yourself under too much stress or beat yourself up, it’s not worth it!

I got so stressed and worked up last year that I didn’t do well and I’m re taking year 12. So remember there are always second chances and alternatives to make things right, even if it doesn’t feel like it now.

ASSOCIATION ANXIETY WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD Not too long ago my anxiety levels increased, and I started to find it more and more difficult to go into university and attend lectures. I had a scary experience with my physical health whilst attending a lecture and was rushed into hospital. Since this, my anxiety has been quite severe when in social settings and especially in university. I believe this is anxiety through association, sometimes when we experience negative things in certain situations we can often associate the negativity with the setting it occurred in.

My university friends and lecturers were extremely supportive and there was not a time where I didn’t feel safe in that respect,

however I still wasn’t able to budge the awful looming feeling of doom. I would find it extremely hard to concentrate on content in lectures as I was so preoccupied with trying to ground myself and control my body from having a panic attack. I missed lots of content from that semester which caused the anxiety to double, worrying about being behind but worrying about being in lectures. It became a very nasty circle of continuous worrying and feeling anxious about just about everything.

The worst part? The fact that the physical health condition was only worsened by high levels of stress and anxiety. To be honest, everything felt pretty dark and I was unsure whether I had lost too much content to complete the essays that were due for that module. But along with the student counselling and therapy services, fantastic support and understanding from lecturers, and constant support and encouragement from friends in class I was able to complete a full day, then another, and another. It was tough! But what I want you guys to realise is that there is so much support available, there are many ways to aid you in achieving your grades and completing your essays. Peer to peer support, extensions, deferrals, tuition, tutorials, mop-up sessions. It is so important for students to realise that studying with a mental health condition is 100% achievable, that there are measures that can be put in place to aid you in this, and that your mental health condition does not define you and/or your abilities to study.

Keep at it! You got dis!

MENTAL Health

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Tips & Advice

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED Got a burning question about mental health difficulties? Want non-professional, peer-to-peer advice? Look no further, this feature will appear every month and invites readers to send in questions regarding mental health for tips and advice*. My name is Leanne and I have both specialist training and personal experience in mental health and will aim to provide userfriendly, non-professional advice to anyone who asks for it!

Q.

MY BOYFRIEND AND I KEEP FIGHTING, I’M WORRIED THIS IS BECAUSE OF HIS DEPRESSION BUT HE WONT TALK ABOUT IT. WHAT CAN I DO? A. This situation can be difficult, especially when the person involved finds it difficult to discuss their mental health. I think the main thing is to always be there to support them, and make sure that they know this is available if they decided to use it. Another thought is that perhaps it is worth talking to others involved to reduce the stress and anxiety it may be causing you. Are his family and friends aware? If so, this could be a possible route of approaching

him about the subject – it’s important to remember that sometimes talking to the person you’re in a relationship with can be more difficult than talking to someone who isn’t as close to you.

Q.

I’VE NOT BEEN GETTING ON WITH MY FAMILY AND I THINK IT’S BECAUSE OF MY MENTAL HEALTH BUT I FIND IT TOO HARD TO TALK TO THEM. WHO AND WHERE CAN I GO TO TALK ABOUT THIS ALL!?

A. There are many different places that support mental health, one being a personal tutor at the place you’re studying.

However, I recognise that this isn’t always

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the most suitable option. There are ways you can speak anonymously to people who can offer support, such as Childline. There are also student counsellors that you may be able to approach. However, if you prefer to talk to someone away from your place of study there are services such as Suffolk Wellbeing who you can self-refer to, or your GP will be able to sit down with you and signpost you to local services. We do have a contact list at the end of the mental health subsection where you may find some contact details that can offer you the support you are after.

Q . I AM A GUY AND HAVE STARTED

HAVING FEELINGS FOR ANOTHER GUY. I’VE STARTED TO FEEL REALLY DOWN ABOUT THIS AND AM WORRIED IT IS AFFECTING MY MENTAL STATE. ADVICE? A. It is really positive that you recognise what may be making you feel down as this gives you a platform to work on when tackling your low mood. There are loads of different services that can help you to talk through your feelings and help you understand what you are experiencing.

I think its super important to highlight that you do not have to put a label on yourself! Be yourself, people are so much more accepting these days and sexuality is much more fluid! Please have a look at the contacts list at the end of the section for places to contact. Another thought is whether you have any friends or family members that you would feel comfortable approaching about this.

Q.

MY DOG HAS JUST DIED AND HE WAS LIKE MY BEST FRIEND. IT’S

How to ask: PLEASE SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: LEANNE@STUDENT-LIFE.CO

*Please note not all questions will be answered, and all will be posted anonymously. If you are seeking urgent or professional advice, please see our contact list at the end of this sub-section.

MAKING ME NOT WANT TO LEAVE THE HOUSE AND MY FRIENDS ARE STARTING TO LEAVE ME OUT OF THEIR PLANS. I FEEL STUCK, HOW CAN I GET OUT OF IT? A. It’s a natural reaction to isolate ourselves when we are feeling down, it’s common to feel demotivated and tired. But isolating yourself from others is not always the best thing to do when you are suffering from low mood, I would definitely advise to approach your friends about what is going on and how it is affecting you. You may find that your friends can accommodate how you are feeling when arranging to meet up and plan time for when and/or where you feel safe.

Grief can affect us in all manner of ways, if you are still finding it difficult to cope with in a week or two maybe it would be worth thinking of approaching someone trained to support you? Hang in there though, just remember that bottling up emotions is maladaptive, talking to others helps share that load you are carrying around on your shoulders.

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STUDENT Health

MENTAL HEALTH:

STAY WELL TO

STUDY WELL WRITTEN BY EZRA HEWING, HEAD OF MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION, SUFFOLK MIND

How do we balance the challenges of studying and staying emotionally healthy, when we are experiencing stress and mental ill health? And how do we make sure that we can concentrate to study, manage our time and avoid the pitfalls of perfectionism?

Readers who follow Suffolk Mind’s Student Life column will know that good mental health depends upon having our emotional needs met in balanced healthy ways. Our emotional needs include: the need to feel safe and secure; to feel that we have a say over the direction of our lives; to give and receive attention; that we are valued by others and feel part of the wider community; that we have privacy and time to reflect; that we share an emotional connection with others; and that we are stretched and challenged in ways which give us a sense of meaning and purpose.

So the first thing to check is how well your needs are met and what can you do to improve them.

Concentration requires the ability to give quality attention and having a certain amount of privacy. That means we need to have enough attention capacity to focus, free from other demands. The better your emotional needs are met the less there’ll be to worry about and you’ll have fewer distractions.

One of the biggest challenges of our times is the demand on our attention of social media, advertising and online sites like Netflix; all of which are designed to cut into our private time, distract us and focus our attention on advertising.

Because we only have a certain amount of attention available to us each day, it’s really important to use it wisely. If you are studying, limiting yourself to using social media at certain times of the day can reduce the likelihood of being drawn into threads or advertorials which aren’t relevant to your studies.

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can be helpful to aspire to be perfect, it’s important to remind ourselves that nothing is ever perfect, we’re always growing, and that perfectionism is an illusion which gets in the way of learning and getting better.

If perfectionism gets in the way of finishing work on time, ask yourself, ‘is it good enough?’ ‘Does is do what it is supposed to do?’ ‘Can I put the finishing touches too it once I have the basics in place?’ The answer is likely to be yes.

If you’re concerned about your internet usage, perhaps keep a tally of how often you check sites a day, how often you feel the impulse to look at your phone and how often you resist temptation – this kind of practice can help to bring habits under conscious control.

A barrier to managing time effectively is having unrealistic expectations and trying to do too much; so try doing the exact opposite. Give yourself a task which is easy to do in a short space of time and give yourself half a day to work on it.

When you finish it you’ll feel the rewards of satisfaction which will give you the motivation to do the next task. Break up your big tasks with small satisfying ones to maintain motivation.

Very often perfectionism arises in people when they have been judged harshly at an earlier point in their lives. In other words their need to feel valued and respected was unmet, and they then feel that they have to meet somebody else’s ridiculous standards, even when the person is not going to be marking their essays or exams!

This can really take the fun out of enjoying a challenge, which is what studying should be about.

If this sounds like it might be the case for you, it can help to remind yourself that the younger you was not responsible for other people being judgmental; perhaps, imagine yourself explaining to the younger you that other people’s opinions don’t matter; what’s good enough is good enough.

For more information about mental health and wellbeing visit suffolkmind.org.uk or call 0300 111 6000.

What about perfectionism? Perfectionism is a form of black-and-white thinking which can take over when we are faced with stress or challenging situations. While it

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STUDENT Health

‘P’ IS FOR PERFECTIONISM: LET’S TALK ABOUT ‘ACADEMIC PERFECTIONISM’ WRITTEN BY AYLA BLOOM

bases their self-worth on academic ability.

If their work isn’t ‘perfect’ they see this as a reflection of themselves. In turn, the individual will set goals for themselves which are simply unobtainable. Whether this is extreme or familiar to you, academic perfectionism is an issue that is often left in the dark.

According to a recent study, over 20% of students reported that academic perfectionism was the leading factor for their anxiety and depression. A further study discovered that students with perfectionist tendencies are three times more likely to consider suicide. These figures are extremely alarming. So, what can we do to help?

Essays. Reports. Presentations. Deadlines.

You know the drill. For us students, this is the protocol for earning a degree. But what happens if you fall into the category of ‘academic perfectionist’? This month, I would like to tackle the issue of academic perfectionism and discuss ways that it can be managed.

If you’ve been stuck in a mode of thinking it can be hard to get out of it. The first step is to admit you are a perfectionist. It is important to acknowledge that you are experiencing these feelings. Perfectionism is complicated because it is often met with praise. You are acknowledged for being hard-working and dedicated. They see an exceptional piece of work; not the hours you spent correcting a single word in a 3,000 word essay which resulted in you crying because the word didn’t feel like the right one. It’s a vicious circle.

I have always been what one might call an ‘academic perfectionist’. I’m that person who will stay up until 3am trying to construct the perfect sentence; who starts an essay over and over again because I think it doesn’t look right; and worries for weeks about a full stop being in the wrong place. To summarise, academic perfectionism means that an individual

Perfectionism can be a positive thing. It can make us flourish and achieve what we may never have imagined to be possible.

But, it can also consume us. If you are experiencing these feelings, it is important to speak to someone. This might be a lecturer, counsellor, parent or friend. It can be difficult because perfectionists often believe their way of doing things is

Perfectionist : a person who refuses to accept any standard short of perfection.

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the ‘perfect’ way, especially if it has gotten them success before. It can be difficult to open up, but I can assure you that everyone has experienced perfectionism at some point in their lives.

I used to think my perfectionism was precious. It was just something I was known for. Everyone else knew this too. I used to thrive off getting the best grades and the praise that came with it. Because perfectionism had gotten me so far in my career, I was worried about letting go. It wasn’t until I thought about how much it was affecting my happiness that I decided to speak to a professional. Trust me when I say that opening up about

my perfectionism was one of the best things I’ve ever done. If anyone is going through the same thing, I urge you to seek guidance. Please, don’t feel guilty or ashamed about the way you feel.

I’ll leave you with something someone told me a little while ago that sums all this up perfectly: Just try your best. Grades are important but don’t let them defeat you.

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Quay Place brings together wellbeing and heritage by offering a range of therapies, classes and trainings. The venue is also available for room hire and wedding receptions.

Events in March 2018

Regular Groups at Quay Place

Learn to Speak Childish Thursday 22nd March, 6pm – 7.30pm If you’d like to better understand your children’s behaviour and communicate better, come along to this free session.

Poppy Craft Mondays, 10am – 12pm Join our free group to make 2,018 poppies to commemorate Armistice Day on 11th November 2018.

Easter Family Fun Day Friday 30th March, 10.30am – 2.30pm Free activity day for families on Good Friday, including an Easter trail, crafts and a homemade Easter Bonnet competition.

Sporting Memories Mondays 10.30am – 12pm This free group brings together anyone over the age of 50 to talk about sport.

Weddings at Quay Place Looking for a great venue to hold your wedding reception? We have a dedicated team & some wonderful wedding packages. For more details email weddings@quayplace.co.uk.

Colouring Group Mondays, 2pm – 4pm If you like colouring and find it difficult to get started, come join our free group.

Craft Group Wednesdays, 1pm – 3pm Make and do something new alongside others at this free event.

Quay Place, Key Street, Ipswich, IP4 1BZ quayplace.co.uk 01473 569696

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Mental health charity, Suffolk Mind, has a range of opportunities to get involved; from fundraising, becoming a friend or volunteering. Visit www.suffolkmind.org.uk Volunteering Opportunities

Get Fundraising

Research Administrator This role is based in Felixstowe or Ipswich and includes assisting the Research Coordinator with administration.

Are you organising an event or taking part in a sponsored challenge and would like to raise money for Suffolk Mind? If so, we would love to hear from you - email carole. thain@suffolkmind.org.uk or call us on 01394 330823.

Fundraising Events Volunteer Based in Felixstowe, you could be part of our fundraising team helping with admin, event planning and preparation.

Reception Volunteer Based in Bury St Edmunds, you will be the first point of contact for Suffolk Mind. You will answer calls and greet visitors.

Children’s Activity Helpers This role will include helping to run and set up a children’s activity area and engaging children in activities at Quay Place in Ipswich whilst parents and carers relax.

Become a Friend of Suffolk Mind Join our free network and receive information, help and support to make your own mental health a priority, and create a life that meets your needs. For more information visit Suffolkmind.org.uk

To apply for a volunteering role, or for more information, contact Corrina Hanley on 0300 111 6000 or email Corrina.hanley@suffolkmind.org.uk

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the University of Suffolk, there are many different informal and formal organisations to receive support from. These include: Suffolk Mind; Student Minds; Samaritans; Student Services, and many more. If you would like any more information about different services, please do not hesitate to ask by messaging our Facebook page at: www. facebook.com/WYHAUOS.

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.

Where’s Your Head At? has been very quiet over the last month due to increasing workloads, however we have a lot of very interesting ideas that we would love everyone to be involved in. WYHA? are working towards creating our own handbook for individuals and students who are going through any stress or mental health issue, this should be available for students to access in April 2018 ready for the stresses of exams. If you need any support from organisations outside of

Over the next month, we will be raising awareness for maintaining positive mental health and having healthy coping strategies for stress. We will be continuing to hold our mindfulness sessions for students who are feeling the stresses of daily life. These mindfulness sessions will contain mindful colouring and guided meditation, using the app ‘headspace’. These sessions will also be used to allow students to share their own self-care tips and learn new ones which some people may not have thought of. These mindfulness sessions will be held every week throughout the Semester and through the Easter break from 26th March – 16th April.

Days, times and locations for these sessions will be confirmed at a later date. We do have a very exciting event which will be happening at the end of April - we will be holding a charity dog walk. More information will be available on this event at a later date.

Our committee members are almost always available on our Facebook page, so if you want someone to talk to, have any ideas for future events or need a point in the right direction for outside support, please contact us. We are always open for new ideas on how to help the students at UOS, so if you have any ideas or comments about this Society, you can always contact us on our Facebook page or through the Students’ Union.

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WRITTEN BY SUZANNE BROWN

MENTAL HEALTH POSTNATAL DEPRESSION

in Pregnancy

Suzanne is 21 years old and is studying midwifery. Suzanne decided to get involved with Student Life because she wants to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health conditions during pregnancy and up to a year following birth.

your partner and/or baby. Women who experience these symptoms may lose concentration and interest in the wider world, find it hard to sleep, have a reduced appetite and may find it difficult to bond with their baby. PND can also affect partners too, hence the importance of being aware of any behavioural changes.

The body goes through a lot of changes throughout pregnancy and following birth, including some women experiencing the “baby blues”. The “baby blues” include feelings of tearfulness and feeling overwhelmed within the first week after giving birth. It is important to realise that the “baby blues” do not last long, so any symptoms similar that do not pass within 2 weeks of birth, or that start later, may signify postnatal depression (PND).

Speaking up about concerns about PND within yourself or your partner/family member/friend means that you no longer have to struggle in silence. There are a range of effective treatments available for PND, such as self-help, psychological therapy and medication, which health visitors, midwives and GP’s can help to refer you to the right service. Joining local baby groups where you can meet other mothers and fathers who may share similar anxieties and frustrations could help you not feel alone.

Recognising the signs and symptoms of PND can be the first steps to getting the support needed to help make a full recovery, as around 1 in 10 women are affected by PND within a year of giving birth. It is normal to have good days and bad days, however if these symptoms are felt most days then it may be PND. It can occur suddenly or gradually and includes feeling tearful, worthless, unable to cope, irritable, guilty and hostile towards

Be kind to yourself, the expectations of parenting may not always be met and may be different to others’ expectations. Try and accept the help from family and friends when you feel you can, as the love and emotional support that they can provide could aid recovery. PND is an illness and not your fault – it does not reflect how you are as a parent.

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STUDENT Health

Time to talk about

MENTAL HEALTH

The first article in a new series discussing mental health in the workplace and featuring some of Student Life’s business partners WRITTEN BY KATE BLACKFORD

Dr Kate Blackford has a PhD in Quality of Working Life and international experience as a consultant in safety culture improvement. Eighteen months ago Kate joined the Compliance team at ABP to lead on their Beyond Zero programme focussing on improving safety, health and well-being across the business. Kate also sits on the Port Skills and Safety Management Committee.

I began my career in organisational psychology nearly 12 years ago working as a consultant focussing on safety at work. I travelled the country and the world extensively helping organisations put in place processes and skills to enable them to positively develop their safety culture.

Over the past 8 years or so, the role of mental health and wellbeing has become increasingly apparent to me in enabling good safety performance, and good performance more widely. My interest in this area grew and in 2010 I was accepted onto a PhD programme to study quality of working life, a topic closely related to both safety and mental health and wellbeing at work. While workplace safety is a hot topic in every organisation, mental health and wellbeing is still something organisations tend to regard with a sense of dis-ease.

The intangibility of mental health and wellbeing is perhaps the reason for this

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and this discomfort with tackling such issues is reflected in wider society also.

With physical harm and illness we can usually see the problem (or the symptoms of the problem) while with mental health it is much harder to actually pin down the problem. In my view this is because mental ill health is often slow and quiet in its manifestation, it creeps up on us and the gradual emergence of it means that those around us may not notice our gentle decline. Mental ill health is characterised by changes in behaviour and these can creep up on both the sufferer and those around them. In my experience the sufferer may well fail to realise that they need to get help because of this slow decline and are left wondering why they could cope last month, or last year but cannot cope now. They ask themselves “what has changed?” and come up empty.

As a society we have yet to fully appreciate the way that mental ill health develops in a vast majority of cases and as such we leave sufferers and those around them feeling as though they are at fault and unable to ask for help as a result.

In addition there are still taboos in society and business around talking about mental ill health. We deceive ourselves that because we are sending out flyers and holding awareness sessions that we are dealing with it, but it goes so much deeper than this. We have to really start the conversation and this needs to happen at all levels of society and organisations.

We need to understand that mental ill health is a sign that our lives are out of balance and then we need to know what to do and who to talk to to redress the

balance. While this may seem like a huge undertaking, there are also things we can do at a personal level to start to turn this around. Look out for your friends – have you noticed any changes in their behaviour? Typical things (but not exhaustive) to look out for are changes to appearance (the person who took care of themselves looking dishevelled), excessive drinking counter-balanced with high consumption of caffeine the next day.

Increasing moodiness or tearfulness and disinterest in activities a person used to enjoy are also possible signs of someone who is struggling.

And what can we do if we notice these signs? Gently let the person know that you are someone they can talk to. It may seem like a simple thing, but talking is a great start. If you are feeling frazzled yourself there are also some simple things you can do – get good sleep (without the aid of booze), pop a pad and pen by the side of your bed and jot down anything that is worrying you (this gets it out of your head and allows you to let it go until morning when you can look at it with a fresh perspective. Take some gentle exercise (being outside also helps) and set aside 5 minutes each day to jot down the things in your life you are grateful for (even if it is just that delicious chocolate bar you just ate!). Take a few minutes each day to do something you enjoy and immerse yourself in it and most of all, be kind to yourself – we all struggle from time to time and trying to power on through will not work forever.

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WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD

This is a monthly feature that will focus on all aspects of identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning, as well as other ways of defining our gender/sexuality.

We aim to cover a variety of topics; some relating to mental health, positive and negative experiences, the reality of today’s society in accepting the LGBTQ+ community, day-to-day life, and many more. As always, we invite anyone who has a passion for writing, or who wants their voice heard, to contact us about writing an article for Student Life. I believe it is important to talk about the things that society can sometimes find uncomfortable. Hiding away encourages this behaviour, and I personally think that we are all different and there is no right or wrong. I say: “be who you truly are, be yourself, embrace yourself, and don’t let anyone get you down” – how boring would it be if we were all the same, eh? Please see our first LGBTQ+ articles which focus on the relationship between mental health and identifying within the LGBTQ+ community. If anyone has any questions regarding this topic, please feel free to contact me at Leanne@student-life.co

+ Q T LGB THE L WORD

WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD There’s this super awesome lesbian TV series that, for some strange reason, I’ve realised not many people have seen. It’s about a fictional group of lesbian gals living in Los Angeles, following their relationships, struggles, heartbreaks, jobs etc! There’s so many awesome characters which I’m sure most of us can identify with. It’s not exactly a PG watch though, so I would advise to watch when appropriate! Oh, by the way, it’s called The L Word. What is fantastic about this show is that they cover many different aspects of being part of the LGBTQ+ community – I won’t say anything else as I don’t want to spoil it! Check it out, hit me up with what you guys think, or write an article of your thoughts for Student Life!

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BIPHOBIA WRITTEN BY ABBIE

‘Abbie is a 20-year-old student, currently taking a hiatus for the sake of improving her mental health, with the intention of applying to study philosophy at university in 2019. Her contributions towards this magazine stem from an interest in social justice issues, primarily those surrounding mental health and the LGBTQ+ community.’

‘Biphobia is homophobia, it’s as simple as that. The Oxford English Dictionary defines homophobia as ‘an intense aversion to homosexuality and homosexuals.’ Similarly, it defines biphobia as a ‘dislike of or prejudice against bisexual people.’ There is mounting evidence to suggest that bisexuals experience as equally as painful a form of homophobia as gay men and women. With this being the case, why do we not take biphobia as seriously as we do homophobia?

In short, it would appear that biphobia is often regarded as a lesser extreme version of homophobia, if not an entirely separate form of discrimination in itself. My hope is to dispel this myth and to highlight the fact that, in my view, at least, biphobia is as legitimate a form of homophobia as that directed towards lesbians and gay men.

The LGBTQ+ community, in conjunction with society at large, have made great strides in attempting to quash homophobia, but the seemingly apparent rise of biphobia, coupled with bisexual-erasure, is causing this community to regress at a time when unity and inclusivity are desperately needed.

Historically, it has not been bisexuals who have been targeted for their sexual orientation, but, rather their lesbian and gay counterparts. Whilst I cannot account for said historical discrepancy within the realm of sexual discrimination, I can point to the fact that, in recent years, bisexual men and women have been hugely discriminated against for their sexuality, both from within the LGBTQ+ community and from heterosexual individuals. From reports of crowds going silent as the bisexual group paraded by at the 2017 London Pride event, to people delegitimising the sexual orientation of bisexuals by labelling them as ‘closeted lesbians’ who refer to themselves as bisexual only to lessen the blow when coming out as gay, it is clear that biphobia is an issue which needs addressing.

Sexuality is something to celebrate, especially from within the LGBTQ+ community, and, yet, so many bisexuals feel compelled to hide their sexual orientation or redefine their sexuality to avoid being shut out of their own community. It is a sad reality that gay men and women are often victim to homophobia, but it is an even sadder reality that, today, bisexuals are increasingly at the receiving end of homophobia from those who have experienced it themselves. Surely, such individuals who have not only fought for equality, but are all too familiar with homophobia, would know better than to perpetuate such discrimination by way of partaking in such practices as biphobia and bisexual-erasure. The ‘B’ in LGBTQ+ exists for a reason.

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CONTACTS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CONTACT NHS OUT OF HOURS SERVICE: 111 OR CALL FOR AN EMERGENCY AMBULANCE: 999

Otherwise you can contact other services such as: SUFFOLK MIND: 0300 111 6000

or Your Local GP: www.nhs.uk/service-search/GP/LocationSearch/4 4YP – 01473 252607 or www.4yp.org.uk Childline: 0800 1111 Inside out Community: www.insideoutcommunity.com Lighthouse: 01473 228270 or www.lighthousewa.org.uk Papyrus Hope Trust: 0800 068 4141 or www.papyrus-uk.org Samaritans: 116 123 or www.samaritans.org Stem4: www.stem4.org.uk Students against depression: www.studentsagainstdepression.org Suffolk Wellbeing: 0300 123 1503 Turning Point: www.turning-point.co.uk 50 • MARCH 2018 • S T UD EN T L I FE

WATERFRONT Churches

The

CALLING

WRITTEN BY REV. TOM ROUT

Tom Rout is vicar of the Ipswich Waterfront Churches (St Helen’s, Holy Trinity and St Luke’s) and Anglican Chaplain to the University of Suffolk and Suffolk New College. He is married to Nicola and father of 3 young children.

There was a loud rumble of thunder and out of no-where I heard a voice say, “Tom, I want you to be… a vicar!” Maybe that’s how we imagine people are called…the reality in most cases - and certainly mine - was quite different.

Growing up, I never thought of being a minister. Not least, because I was personally ambivalent in matters of faith. I grew up in church because my parents took us every Sunday. But despite familiarity with the language, culture and beliefs of Christianity, Jesus was to me like mis-directed mail; “unknown at this address - return to sender”.

At 19, I went to university in London where a friend said, “Come and try my church… and try the University Christian Union.”

I did - and both had a profound effect on me. It was during this time I met a speaker called Andy. He gave 4 talks from John’s gospel; his words about Jesus struck home with such force, I knew he was real (Jesus, that is, not Andy… though Andy was real too!).

All Christians are called; to serve God in the local church in whatever way they can.

But some are called to have oversight, leadership and teaching responsibility within the church. I seem to be one of them.

I began to explore this possibility of ordained ministry. I wasn’t entirely sure about the idea, but other people who knew me well encouraged me. There was quite a long discernment process involving reading, interviews, visits to other churches and eventually a national selection panel, called a BAP. The final decision is well and truly in the hands of others - experienced people seeking God’s will for your life and the church. I was recommended for training.

I studied at theological college in Oxford for 3 years before a curacy (think vicarapprenticeship) in Leicestershire. In 2014, that ended - it was time to move.

People often ask me “does the church just deploy you and you go where they send you?” as if clergy have no choice in the matter. It’s not like that at all. You trawl through the vacancies and apply for the ones that appeal, much like any other job. We weren’t sent to Ipswich. We chose to come - called by God to a unique opportunity in a unique town. office@ipswichwaterfrontchurches.co.uk

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Our Strategic

PARTNERS

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