STUDENT LIFE IS PROUD TO BE A FINALIST IN THE SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL ‘RAISING THE BAR’ AWARDS
ISSUE 18 • JULY 2018 • SUFFOLK
Lifestyle Magazine by Students, for Students
www.student-life.co
Proud supporter of
Cover photo by GEORGE BENTLEY 1 • JULY 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
STUDENT Life
Editor’s WORD
CONTACT US 01473 35 35 12 rachel@student-life.co www.student-life.co FB: @studentlifeips Instagram: @studentlifeips Twitter: @studentlifeips
Contents... STUDENT STYLE STUDENT BEAUTY STUDENT TRAVEL WHAT THE FOOD ENTERTAINMENT
4-7 8-11 12 17-22 23-27
MY LIFE STUDENT TECH STUDENT CAREERS STUDY TIME MENTAL HEALTH
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The summer months are well underway… let’s hope the weather keeps up! As you count down the days til the summer break, many of you will be starting to prepare for a new chapter of your educational journey! Whether you are starting Further Education or Higher Education, Student Life is designed to be your go-to guide on an array of topics. ‘How?’ you might ask… well we are currently working on a new and exciting section, arriving to a publication near you very soon called My Life. This section will be full of useful content looking at tips, life hacks and advice on a variety of subjects from ‘Moving away for the first time’ to ‘5 kitchen utensil must-haves’. It’s designed to be a one stop shop for the inside scoop on starting your next adventure- written by students who have been there, done it. My Life will include articles and support for ‘non-traditional’ students such as mature students; international students and those who have caring responsibilities. If you have any suggestions on the type of information or advice you’d like to see featured in this section, don’t hesitate to contact us! To end on another high note, Student Life is incredibly proud to announce our most recent award nomination for Suffolk County Council’s Raising the Bar Awards 2018 - in the category ‘Excellence in Collaboration’. This category is designed to recognise ‘innovative partnerships and collaborations between educational settings that have had a real impact on the achievement of children and young people’. We’re really proud to have been shortlisted and would like to thank you for your continued support. The awards night is in July so we hope to bring you more good news in next month’s edition! Until then, enjoy your summer! Best wishes, Rachel Gilbey Co-editor
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MY Life
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Student Life catches up with St Albans’ Alumni
WRITTEN BY ELENA STAIANO I studied at St Albans’ sixth form between 2006-2008. I was excited for sixth form after achieving my GCSE results and couldn’t wait to get stuck in! Sixth form was different to high school in the fact that I felt more of an adult and had more freedom! I still had my lesson structures and my week organised, which I loved, because I am a person who likes to have a routine. I would say one of the most important things I learnt at sixth form was how to prioritise my time and energy to the fullest. There was a lot of coursework for my subjects and at times it
felt overwhelming; almost as if I didn’t have enough time in the week to get everything done and still have a social life. However, I found planning my days out during the week helped me set time aside for things I enjoyed doing out of school. The second year was more challenging as the assignments got harder and the days longer. Most of my friends turned 18 whilst we were still at sixth form, so there was the distraction of partying also. I was really determined to succeed in my subjects as I was hoping to go to University to study English literature and language. After receiving my final exam results I felt utterly deflated as I had missed my projected results. There were tears and a little tantrum, but looking back it’s so important not be so hard on yourself; as long as you’ve tried your best that’s all anyone can ask. I went on to study English at University, but decided after 2 terms that it wasn’t for me. I went home and beat myself up about it and thought I was a failure. Retrospect is such a great thing, as there was no need for me to feel so defeatist! BUT….everyone has a path they eventually go down. I got a job in hospitality and decided to start an NVQ in hospitality training. Seven years later I am now starting my Level 4 NVQ and I am now a General Manager of a Marston’s Pub in Ipswich. All the experiences I had when I was younger, positive and negative, helped shape me into the person I am today.
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STUDENT Fashion SUPPORTED BY
HELLO SUNSHINE Step into this season’s happiest hues HOLD UP, YOU NEED SOME SUNSHINE IN YOUR WARDROBE.
WRITTEN BY OUR FASHION EDITOR PAM DAVIS
Its definitely getting lighter in the mornings, its time to inject some Vitamin C into our wardrobes with some sprightly yellow pieces.
popular colour, but the pieces we’re seeing are less highlighter-bright and more goldenmeets-mustard - and that looks good on every skin tone.
High street shops seem to have a pop of yellow everywhere, and we’re finding ourselves drawn to the bright shade more than ever before. It may not be considered the most
Forget pastels, spring/summer 2018 is all about bold, bright paintbox colours with everything from Kermit green and zesty yellow to my favourite colour Pillarbox Red.
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PAM’S GUIDE TO YELLOW HUES •
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Start by incorporating accessories into your wardrobe Ease into the hue by wearing prints and patterns Wear one statement yellow piece and work neutrals into the rest of your outfits to contrast the brightness Go all out if you dare!!
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SKIN TONES AND YELLOW Cue a new colour obsession and wardrobe revamp for the summer. While there is no hard science to prove that wearing bright clothing can lift your mood. Yellow has a reputation for being unflattering on most skin tones, but it’s just a case of finding the right shade. Olive and dark colourings will suit the bold neons and bordering on tangerine hues, those with fairer skin should look for lighter, lemony variations.
Let’s take a look at 3 of the Summer 2018 trends and how to wear them, and inject some Yellow into styling JUMPSUITS We saw them in key pieces in the ‘70s, however jumpsuits are going to be a staple item in our wardrobe this summer and I for one cannot get enough of this trend. There’s going to be one for every taste and body shape.
Ok... sure each season brings with it a new ‘it’ colour (and there are only so many colours, right?) so yellow was bound to come back around some time. But this time, we’re really hoping it sticks around for more than six months. Why? Because yellow is so underrated. And so wearable, even though it may not immediately seem so. For a stylish approach, match your favourite denims with yellow bright tops, shirts finishing off with trainers, brogues or mules. And if you are more on the subtle side, yellow does not have to be bold at all times; opt for a sweet ruffled dress in feminine lemon, it will go very well with all skin tones.
SPORTSWEAR Sportswear pieces and fabrics made appearances on the catwalk and high street shops in full looks or alongside skirts and silk dresses for a new take on athleisure, of which some said this fashion month marked the end. This summer, rather than going out in your workout clothes, be more creative and mix and match them with the less sporty items in your closet! PRINT ON PRINT To remain in the theme of mixing and matching, another fashion trend we are loving this spring/summer 2018 is the mixing of different prints and patterns in the same outfit. This trend is pretty easy to follow: Use your creativity to put together different prints that are very different but somehow can go together.
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I would like to invite all of our readers to send me suggestions for anything you would like me to feature in future issues. Any budding fashionistas who need fashion advice, please feel free to get in touch. Follow me on social media for all the latest news. GET IN TOUCH Facebook: Fashion Candy Style Twitter: @pammystyles Instagram: @fashion_candy_style PAM DAVIS
Fashion Candy Style E: pamela@fashioncandy.co.uk M: 07713 095355 www.fashioncandy.co.uk
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STUDENT Beauty SUPPORTED BY
BRONZE UP Summer time is finally here and I couldn’t be happier! Longer days, warm weather and yummy BBQ’s are some of the many reasons that I love Summer! From a makeup point of view, I love Summer for the bronzed, tanned looks. As you may already know, I’m already a sucker for fake tan and use it around once a week. However in the Summer, I get naturally tanned so have no need for the fake stuff! I like to coordinate my makeup with the glow and colour of my skin, as I like it to all tie in together. One of my favourite things to do is use a big flat kabuki brush. I have one from ELF and use it paired with a bronzer to give my face a gorgeous colour. I prefer to use a bronzer that doesn’t have tons and tons of pigment, so I can apply an even layer without looking muddy. My favourite is the Make Up Forever Pro Bronze Fusion. This is a lovely bronzer but
WRITTEN BY OUR BEAUTY EDITOR ROSIE MAY it is buildable so great for this use. Of course if I am doing this, I will still use a darker more pigmented bronzer to contour, as I still love a chiselled face! To pair up with my newly bronzed and tanned skin, I have to have some glow! Highlight is my favourite part of makeup and in the Summer, my love for it doubles. In the Summer, I like to start with a base of liquid highlighter under my foundation. This will give me an overall dewy glow which is perfect for the weather. I then like to use a golden-coloured highlight underneath my usual highlight, as this complements the tanned colour of my skin and helps blend everything together nicely. One of my favourite products for this is the Revolution Highlighter Palette. It has such a range of colours and is blinding! I don’t always wear tons of makeup in the Summer if it is really hot, but if I do, I love to be as bronzed and glowy as can be!
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MALE YOUTUBERS WRITTEN BY OUR BEAUTY EDITOR ROSIE MAY Male Beauty has been a topic that used to hold a lot of stigma. Makeup and general beauty was seen as gendered towards females and men were never seen using it. However now society has become more open-minded, men are starting to take the stage and spotlight with their stunning makeup looks, YouTube videos and top skincare tips. I think it is fantastic! One of my favourite male beauty gurus is Manny MUA. He took the social media world by storm and gave us colourful makeup looks, makeup tips and even now his own palette! He is super talented and open about his LGBT life and he is a true role model for young men wanting to show who they truly are. He takes criticism and negativity with a pinch of salt and always uses it as humour, and that’s what I love about him!
Manny MUA
Another one of my favourite male youtubers is Michael Finch. I only recently discovered Michael and I find myself laughing my head off at the majority of his videos! His makeup skills are insane and his Australian accent is really pleasing to my ears. I would say he is more a 17+ YouTuber due to the language he sometimes uses but I find him hilarious. I would love to have his eyeshadow skills! Now not all male influencers have to wear makeup themselves! Mario Dedivanovic (also known as Makeup By Mario) is one of the best makeup artists in the world, but doesn’t wear makeup himself! You may all know him as Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist and he is amazing. His techniques and skills are jaw-dropping and he recently did his first Masterclass in London!
Mmmmitchell
Another male makeup artist that I love is Mmmmitchell. He maybe isn’t as ‘big’ as the other men I’ve listed but his skills are insane. Even just scrolling through his Instagram page and looking at the eyeshadow looks he does, I’m in awe! The pigment he manages to portray from most eyeshadows is crazy to me! He is also not shy of a blinding highlight which makes my heart happy!
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STUDENT Beauty SUPPORTED BY
UFFORD PARK BEAUTY WRITTEN BY & IMAGE CREDIT TO CALLUM PADDY On Monday 11th June I made my way to Ufford Park for a Spa day, and it was definitely an experience I would recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing and stressfree day. On arrival to the spa lounge I was met by the receptionist who made me feel extremely welcome. I was quickly issued with a welcome pack, a menu for lunch and a list of treatments to start looking through, whilst the staff served me a glass of ice cold water. After I was given plenty of time to browse the information, I was able to select my 30-minute treatment and order my lunch. I decided to select the men’s facial treatment and the chicken and bacon Caesar salad.
The selection of food and treatments was incredible with a wide range of choice to accommodate everyone. I was then directed to the desk and issued with my spa bag which included a towel, spa robe, slippers and a selection of salts for the foot baths. After getting changed I was met on the poolside by another friendly member of staff who gave me a tour of the spa and explained the different areas I was able to use. Again, the selection of the spa facilities was amazing and certainly allowed a clean and relaxing environment to sit back and enjoy the experience. The main facilities I used during the day was the soft sauna, steam rooms and the pool; before finishing the day in the relaxation room with a cup of herbal tea supplied free of charge. I was able to enjoy the spa for nearly 2 hours before my booked treatment at 11 o’clock. I was met promptly by a very polite
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my last 2 hours of relaxation! Before leaving the spa, I spent 30 minutes in the relaxation room laying on a lounger, where I was able to enjoy a quiet environment appreciating the peace and tranquillity of the optic solar system ceiling. A selection of herbal teas were also on offer with an ice-cold water machine for ultimate refreshment. When my day was finished, I got myself ready to leave and made my way back to the reception. I certainly left Ufford Park Spa feeling extremely relaxed, refreshed and satisfied with a top class and professional service.
and welcoming therapist who showed me to the treatment room. It was such a relaxing environment with calm ambient music playing softly in the background. The selected treatment was the men’s energy release facial which allowed a deep cleansing leaving my face feeling completely soothed and energised. After the treatment was completed I was then able to return to the thermal lounge to enjoy the spa facilities before lunch was served at 12:30.
So, would I recommend Ufford Park Spa to friends, family and Student Life readers? Absolutely! The experience I had was amazing and the staff were certainly more than happy to ensure my day was the very best. The quality of the food was excellent and the treatment therapists were friendly, welcoming and professional. I would like to thank Ufford Park Spa for a wonderful day; I will definitely be returning for another Spa day in the near future!
Being able to sit in a calm and quiet environment to eat lunch was also very relaxing. I selected the chicken and bacon Caesar salad from the menu, and it was absolutely delicious. The portion size was just right along with the complementary soft drink. Again, the waiting staff were very polite and ensured I was well looked after during my time in the restaurant area. After lunch I returned back to the spa facilities for 11 • JULY S TUDENT 2018 •BEAUT S TUDENT Y LIFE
STUDENT Travel
when in
ROME WRITTEN BY & IMAGE CREDIT TO RACHEL GILBEY I love travelling and last year I had the opportunity to explore Rome, a top tourist destination with plenty to see and do! I stayed in the city for three nights which was a good amount of time to see everything I hoped to see. My first impressions of Rome were that it is an incredibly beautiful and picturesque city. The buildings and architecture are so detailed and each tells a story of time gone by. The roads are expectedly busy and there is constant hustle and bustle, but there is a somewhat peaceful undertone, especially when walking amongst ruins or gazing up to the ceiling of a church. You can see a lot of Rome by walking and the only form of transport I indulged in while there was a tour bus called Red City
Sightseeing which was a hop on/hop off. I visited in January, which definitely was a huge advantage, as there weren’t nearly as many tourists as you’d expect to find during the warmer months and the most I had to queue was about 20 minutes. The Colosseum was incredible and absolutely worth a visit; your ticket also includes entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine. Top tip: If you’re between the ages of 18-25 and come from an EU country, you can get your entry ticket reduced from 12 euros to 7.50 euros. I used my driving license as proof, but you could use your passport also. My favourite part of the trip was visiting Vatican City, in particular St. Peter’s Basilica. Not only can you view inside the church and down into the basement, but for a small charge, you can climb to the very top of the dome and overlook the city. While I was up there, I watched the sun set and oh my, it was so worth it! Other sights of interest I saw while in Rome included the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant’Angelo, Pantheon and Sistine Chapel. There is so much to see and do and the city oozes so much history and culture.
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MY Life
GIMME A BREAK! WRITTEN BY REV. TOM ROUT
Sometimes, even vicars need a break! That may surprise some readers, if we’ve heard the joke that ‘vicars only work one day a week’. In truth, Sunday is usually our 6th day, on top of the 5 we’ve already worked. That catches up with you after a while, and you need to recharge your batteries. Jesus himself recognised that his co-workers sometimes needed a break. Everywhere he went people wanted a piece of him, seeking solutions of a spiritual and supernatural nature, often through the disciples themselves. Jesus saw the strain that placed on them. Always concerned for their welfare, and setting an example for future Christian workers, he told them it was time for some holiday. Mark 6:31 records him saying, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Most clergy take time off over the summer. That suits me well with a young family. Church life is normally a little quieter during the school holidays (at least it will be, after the holiday club we are running from 25th – 27th July; if readers have children or grandchildren who may be interested). And the university chaplaincy is generally quieter in August as the students are off, which makes it an ideal time to go away.
We like to travel, to see new places. We also try and catch up with family, who miss out on visits during the year due to the weekend-working nature of the job. I have family in Denmark, so we’re spending 10 days in Denmark this summer. We might also go camping for a few days. Suffolk has some great camp sites! When I’m off, I’m off. I don’t advertise the fact that I’m a vicar by wearing my dog collar. Of course, I’m still a Christian, so I bring my faith on holiday with me - and I’m always ready to share it if people want to talk. That doesn’t change. But the main aim of holiday is refreshment of body, mind and spirit. Which means that in between bike rides, BBQs and swimming in the Baltic, I’ll probably have my nose in my Bible and a variety of other books, some ‘spiritual’, some historical and some fiction. Come September I’ll be back: refreshed, recharged and ready to go again!
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STUDENT Careers SUPPORTED BY
Grandmentors I mentioned in a previous article, that I would be sharing some detail with you relating to a number of our projects and Grandmentors is one of these; a national, award-winning project. I hope the following enables you to see and understand the huge impact it can have for both the Mentor and the Mentee. Our project manager Dionne has provided a Grandmentors overview for you. Volunteering Matters has been leading UK volunteering in policy and practice for 52 years. We have a vision of a society where everyone can participate to build strong and inclusive communities. We work to achieve this by offering a vast array of opportunities for individuals, businesses and groups to volunteer with projects that invest in people. Grandmentors offers the opportunity for people over 50 to volunteer an hour each week (or equivalent) to mentor a young person. These young people are generally not in education, employment, or training (NEET). They are aged 16-25 and are currently in care. However, due to their age, they will be leaving care to start
WRITTEN BY DARREN OXBROW & DIONNE WALTON
an independent life. The project aims to support these young people to develop the skills necessary to live a successful life, independent of the care system, through a sustained period of mentoring (up to one year). Grandmentor volunteers are supported with a programme of training to meet the changing needs of the relationship. The training comprises of 2 core modules and a selection of enrichment options to complement the skills and life experience each mentor brings with them. At Volunteering Matters we are looking to change the mainstream narrative around young people in care, to one filled with ambition, employability and success. To do this we need volunteers over 50 who are able to give the gift of time; people who are willing to take an active role in engaging with the community to improve a young person’s life chances. Karen has been matched with her mentee
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as a Grandmentor for a short amount of time, but my mentee and I have already started to build a relationship. Just seeing everything from her - turning up on time to our meetings, making eye contact…..to being enthusiastic about what she’s going to do next is hugely rewarding! My mentee gave me two options she wants to explore – one was about working in the catering industry, and one was working with animals. Once we started mind-mapping all the different possibilities of what that might look like, it was huge, but in our upcoming meetings we will take these one at a time and consider the options in manageable steps.
for only a few weeks, but is already seeing positive changes in her young person. “I heard about Grandmentors through the local business community. There is a business breakfast club that meets locally in Ipswich, and Dionne (Project Manager) had made contact with the group. Through that, the group heard her presentation about the programme, and I was really inspired by it” explained Karen. “I recently retired from education where I was a headteacher, which means I have a lot of experience working in schools, the social care sector and children’s centres; looking after a range of age groups. This influenced my decision to become a Grandmentor, because I know the benefit and impact that a little bit of guidance can have; it can go a long way. I’ve only been volunteering
From my point of view, I get a lot out of it and I’ve also gone from working a full 50 hours a week job into retirement, so it’s nice to have something to keep your professional brain alive! For my mentee, I’d like to think that she can look back on this experience in the future and say that….it’s actually given me the confidence to make decisions myself”. You don’t have to be a Grandmentor to get involved with Volunteering Matters. This year we have had work experience students and an intern working on the project; gaining an insight into the charity sector and developing essential skills for later life. We also hold regular small and large events for the project, where we are always looking for support with fundraising and event management. If you would like to know more or to get involved in a project making waves in our community, get in touch. FIND OUT MORE https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/ Dionne.walton@volunteeringmatters.org.uk Darren.oxbrow@volunteeringmatters.org.uk
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STUDENT Careers SUPPORTED BY
5. Make sure you know who to report any problems to and report them promptly if they arise 6. Dress appropriately each day and make sure you use appropriate language too 7. Take time to learn people’s names and develop your network
WRITTEN BY SIAN ROBERTSON
WORK EXPERIENCE
How to succeed during your placement Last month we focused on what to do to prepare for your work experience placement. Many of you will be about to start those placements and there are some great ways to ensure you get the most out of your experience and that you make a good impression. Our top tips to work experience success are:
1. Turn up on time – in the morning and after any breaks. This will demonstrate that you are reliable
2. Make sure you are set to meet regularly with your supervisor and speak to them about any concerns, if you have them. You should also let them know the skills you would like to develop and which parts of the business you would like to experience and review throughout your placement 3. Respect colleagues and workplace rules – particularly those around using your mobile phone during working hours
4. Use workplace computers and phones appropriately – not for your own personal use
8. Take opportunities to learn as much as you can from others – ask if you can be invited to team meetings across the business to gain insight into different areas/ departments What you do after your placement is equally important: 1. Reflect on the skills that you have developed 2. Update your CV referencing the responsibilities you took on and what you learned during your experience 3. Formally thank your supervisor and the business for the opportunity that they have given you 4. Connect with colleagues on LinkedIn and stay in touch If you enjoyed the placement then don’t be afraid to ask if there are opportunities to return, or even if you can apply for an apprenticeship position. Businesses are often keen to retain talented young people and will be pleased that you want to work for them. To find out more about Career Ready and what our students have gained from their placements, visit http://bit.ly/WFLCareerReady
YOU CAN CONTACT US AS FOLLOWS: Career Ready Tel: 020 7986 5494 www.careerready.org.uk www.twitter.com/CareerReadyUK www.facebook.com/CareerReadyUK www.linkedin.com/school/954160/
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WTF W H AT T H E F OO D
Cover photo by LACEY BAKER 17 • JULY 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
WHAT THE Food
WRITTEN BY ROSIE STEWART
IT’S WORLD CHOCOLATE DAY This month we are celebrating World Chocolate Day! This exciting day is being celebrated on 7th July, and I am definitely going to be taking advantage!
The beloved food that we are celebrating is prone to melting quite quickly, even more reason to finish off the selection box before it hits 12pm!
This day can be used to celebrate with some rich, bitter dark chocolate that makes you feel tingly inside. Failing that, you can stock up on some chocolate ice cream, milkshakes or the ultimate chocolate biscuit selection.
It has been stated that the reason we celebrate this fantastic day is because of when chocolate first came into our lives.
Although this is a great time of year for the weather and sun, this isn’t the most thoughtthrough time to be celebrating this day!
On 7th July, it is said that this year marks 468 years since chocolate was first introduced into Europe. I can’t even begin to imagine how exciting this day must have been!
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CHOCOLATE FACTS • Did you know… that the smell of chocolate actually increases theta waves in the
brain, triggering relaxation. No wonder we feel so relaxed and diving into a fresh bar of Galaxy!
• Did you know… that white chocolate technically isn’t even chocolate at all! It has no cocoa solids or liquor in it so isn’t really classed as chocolate at all.
• Did you know… Toblerones are so popular that if we were to take all of the bars sold
in a year and lay them down end to end, they would stretch out for 62,000km – longer than the circumference of the Earth!
• Did you know… a lady called Ruth Wakefield accidentally invented the chocolate chip cookie. She mixed broken bits of Nestlé chocolate into her cookie dough mix, in the hope it would absorb and make chocolate flavoured cookies. Instead, she magically made chocolate chip cookies and sold her idea to Nestlé in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate. Now that’s a deal you could not refuse!
Savoury Chocolate
Now when we hear the word chocolate, most of our minds will instantly think of sickly delicious desserts, chocolate bars and thirst-quenching chocolate milkshakes. However, chocolate doesn’t have to always be sweet. It sounds crazy and maybe slightly unappetising at first, but there are many recipes out there that pair meat, fish or salads with chocolate! Chocolate as an ingredient is filled with bitter flavours, hence why it can also be paired with savoury dishes so well. Chocolate has been a staple in desserts for many centuries, however the Mexicans have always used this popular ingredient in their traditional sauces. The first interesting dish I came across when scrolling through the savoury chocolate recipes was the Steak in Chocolate and Coffee Sauce. I’m a huge fan of steak, but have never heard of it paired with a chocolate sauce! The author of the recipe
WRITTEN BY SUZIE POPE claims that even though we associate the ingredient with sweet dishes, it compliments steak really nicely. Another recipe that I came across that appears to be more popular is Chilli Con Carne with Dark Chocolate. This recipe is a lot more common and the dark chocolate adds a delicious depth of flavour that enriches the dish. Because chocolate is a big Mexican favourite, it goes perfectly with their traditional chilli dish. I think we should all give chocolate a chance during World Chocolate Day, especially in savoury dishes! Finding the right combination and ratio can create the perfect mix of sweet and savoury, all in one mouthful!
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WHAT THE Food
WRITTEN BY CARA FOLLON
MY TOP 3 CHOCOLATE DESSERTS
1. STONEHOUSE RESTAURANT’S FREAKSHAKES: This is probably one of the sickliest desserts I have ever had but it was so worth it! Stonehouse’s Freakshakes are delicious. The four flavours are, Peanut Butter, Bubble Gum Sweet Shop, Brownie & Choc Chip Cookie and Coffee & Crème Brûlée. These desserts are perfect to satisfy a sweet tooth and look amazing on camera. All flavours include vanilla ice cream, with added extras like chocolate flakes, mini doughnuts or pretzels. Although I did feel extremely bloated after this dessert, it is definitely one to remember and deserves a place in my top 3! These desserts are also suitable for vegetarians and are priced at about £4.50, which for the chocolate heaven you get isn’t too bad!
2. SAINSBURY’S BELGIAN CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE, TASTE THE DIFFERENCE: This is a delightful chocolate cake. I recently had it for my father’s birthday, with a few other smaller cakes as alone I don’t think it’s really made to be a birthday cake. However, the small size is a good thing. The richness and gooey inside creates an indulgent taste, but I believe if the cake was any bigger, I wouldn’t have been able to finish the slice. The white chocolate flakes on top of the rich icing is a nice touch and the different chocolate flavours mixed together create a lovely blend. Either served cold or heated up, this is a great chocolate cake that will satisfy your cravings. This cake is also suitable for vegetarians which is a bonus!
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3. TOBY CARVERY’S CHOCOLATE AND CHERRY TORTE: This vegan dessert filled with Belgian chocolate, bramley apple and cherry compote served with chocolate sauce is the ultimate chocolatefest. The rich, gooey and crumbling texture is a wonderful change to the usual vegan desserts found in chain restaurants. The sharpness of the fruit within this dessert adds a real kick to the chocolate flavour. This indulgent treat is definitely one of my favourite desserts and the fact that it’s vegan also makes me feel less guilty about eating it!
HEALTHY CHOCOLATE CHOICES There aren’t many people that don’t love chocolate, and I am the first to admit it’s one of my favourite food items! As with anything, a little bit of something for the most part won’t cause us any major issues. The problem is a lot of chocolate products are loaded high with sugar and even have other sugary ingredients added to them making them even more tempting and addictive. This leads us to wanting more of that same product until we overeat and make ourselves not only feel ill but beat ourselves up over the guilt of our over-indulgence. There are healthy ways to enjoy chocolate without needing to feel guilty - the obvious one being just have a little instead of a lot! However I don’t know many people that have this kind of discipline and willpower so it’s best to try to avoid the addictive stuff altogether if you can. My suggestion
WRITTEN BY NUTRITION EXPERT BEN STEWART
would be to try and find ways to make your experience a healthier one - dark chocolate for example is said to be the better option compared with its milk counterpart. The good thing with dark chocolate is that because of its bitterness you don’t feel the need to eat as much, but you can still achieve that satisfaction of having something chocolate based. It’s also claimed to contain antioxidants which play a great role in your health. Another great option is cocoa powder and is one of my personal favourites. I have some every day in my smoothies and is a great addition to something you can have in so many different ways so it doesn’t get boring. But if you can’t satisfy your craving through a smoothie try some home baking and use ingredients you know will benefit you and make you feel good. Homemade brownies are another one of my favourites and can be made without any refined sugar or other bad food items that shouldn’t be passing your lips. Experiment a little and see what delicious and nutritious treats you can discover that won’t make you feel guilty.
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RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Ultimate Chocolate Brownies CREDIT TO ROSIE MAY 100g Butter 200g Milk Chocolate 4 Eggs 250g Caster Sugar 100g Plain Flour 1tsp Baking Powder 20g Cocoa Powder
METHOD • Preheat the oven to 180c/gas 4 • Line a tin with baking paper • Melt the butter and chocolate in the microwave and then cool to room temperature • Whisk together the eggs and sugar, making sure they end up light and fluffy • Spoon the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture and sift in the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Mix all together • Optionally, you can now add in chocolate chunks, hazelnuts or any other extra ingredients • Bake this mixture for 25-30 minutes and then lift the brownie out once it is cool. Split into pieces and enjoy!
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STUDENT Entertainment
Females
IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WRITTEN BY CHANEL McKENZIE
It has come to my attention that there is a big difference in the ratio of females to males in the music industry. Mainly focusing on performers, it is very much noticed that female artists are not seeming to be getting the recognition that they deserve. A key example of this would be the Wireless Festival in London. When the festival released its line-up, it was big news that only three female artists were shown across the whole weekend. Lily Allen, singer, publicly tweeted “The struggle is real” alongside a picture of the line-up with all male performers removed leaving only three names. A festival so popular, so well established and yet still not fully supporting the female music scene. Despite my argument, it is also thought that festivals will look for specific talent and artists and due to the higher percentage of male artists in the music industry in general, this may be what has caused the issue. It was stated by female artist Ray Blk, that Wireless had reached out and asked her to perform
before these accusations occurred and the singer declined. Not only are these views shown in relation to performers, they are also shown within the business side of music. Throughout record labels, music venues and other music related organisations, females are just not as prominent as males. But ladies, we still have the likes of Maya Jama, Dua Lipa, Anne Marie, Mabel (the list definitely does go on!) waving the female flag on the music scene. Maya Jama has recently landed herself a presenting job on BBC Radio 1, whilst being broadcast across all our TV screens throughout the past year. Another popular name in music would be Dua Lipa; after releasing hit after hit, she is definitely being recognised for her phenomenal talent as seen at the BRITs. So, maybe it’s not as bad as it all seems? Things may be looking up and hopefully next year, female artists will take the music scene by storm - including these festivals!
23 S •TUDENT JULY 2018 ENTERTAINMENT • S TUDENT LIFE
Top Tunes
WRITTEN BY LOUISE DICKMAN
Welcome to our monthly feature! I’m so passionate about music and I’m always listening to it or singing (probably badly!) something. I usually write articles in the Mental Health sub-section so this is a bit different! So, each month I will be sharing my fave songs with you (that have been on repeat constantly) and their meaning, for you to either relate to….or for you to discover new songs and artists. THIS MONTH:
SOLO CLEAN BANDIT (FEAT. DEMI LOVATO) WHAT I NEED HAYLEY KIYOKO (FEAT. KEHLANI) CAN’T REMEMBER TO FORGET YOU SHAKIRA (FEAT. RIHANNA) GIRLS RITA ORA (FEAT. CARDI B, BEBE REXHA AND CHARLI XCX) THIS IS AMERICA CHILDISH GAMBINO *EXPLICIT*
The main reason I love Solo so much is because I’m so inspired by Demi Lovato and everything she’s been through – she is such a brave person and I will always look up to her. This song, mainly made obvious from the lyric ‘since you’ve been gone, I’ve been dancing on my own’, is about a break-up and is said to be the break-up of Clean Bandits member Grace’s relationship. It highlights how when a relationship comes to an end – it is so difficult – but the best part of it is finding yourself as an individual again and learning more about yourself. The first comment under What I Need’s
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song and I don’t think it got the recognition it deserved when it came out in 2014. Every time I listen to it, it just makes me feel good – plus the meaning to it I think people can relate to. Shakira stated it’s largely about ‘that guy that just gets under your skin and you can’t leave him alone’. I think most people have felt that way about a girl or guy. Now on to possibly my favourite this month, Girls by Rita Ora! She has stated she wrote this song to express her views on freedom and being yourself/who you want to be. Basically the whole chorus is ‘sometimes I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls’, again emphasising that it’s okay to be you. However, there have been a number of critiques about this song around it being offensive. Hayley Kiyoko tweeted about it saying it fuels the male gaze and marginalises women loving women. Rita apologised for this, saying it was an honest account as she has been with women and men throughout her romantic life.
Youtube video is ‘20GAYTEEN IN FULL EFFECT’ and that couldn’t describe the video or song better. The queens that are Hayley and Kehlani managed to write this song in as little as 4 hours because they have such a great chemistry. This track features in Hayley’s album ‘Expectations’ which is also so amazing. The focus of this song is around Hayley voicing her frustration with girls she has previously been with that feel uncomfortable with their sexuality and how they had to hide it all the time. I’m throwing it back a bit with Can’t Remember To Forget You, it’s such a catchy
This list would not be complete without This is America. It’s not so much the actual melody that’s why it’s on here but rather the meaning of it and the powerful message it portrays, especially in the video (warning – it is a hard watch and contains graphic violence). The whole song is based on metaphors around gun and racial violence in America. Parts of the song explain how the media and the entertainment sector are this massive distraction to what is actually going on in the world instead of all the fake stuff you see online. Most of the video is Childish Gambino dancing in the centre of the shot, with lots of violence and crime going on in the background which you tend to miss the first time you watch it. Gambino did this to highlight that we don’t take notice of the bad things that happen nor do we seem to care about it.
25 S •TUDENT JULY 2018 ENTERTAINMENT • S TUDENT LIFE
RORY’S WRITTEN BY RORY BATHGATE
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
Rory’s Rating: Director: Ron Howard
Runtime: 135mins 26 • JULY 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
Certificate: 12A
In 2015, the announcement of a Han Solo origins film was met with a mixture of amusement and derision by Star Wars fans. Three years on, and the film has been through what can only be referred to as production hell. Its original directors, The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street creators Phil Lord and Chris Miller exited the project 6 months into principal filming over so-called ‘creative differences’, and after a briefly rudderless period was handed over to the deft hands of academy award-winning director Ron Howard. Against all odds, the finished product feels remarkably fine-tuned; a slick sci-fi romp, it captures a spark of adventure that has been somewhat absent from recent entries in the Star Wars saga. But facing overwhelming apathy from audiences and on course to not even break even on its budget - a first for the Star Wars franchise - it has to be wondered whether the film was really necessary. Right off the bat, one has to consider the performance of Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo. Having been cast in one of the most iconic roles in pop-culture, and standing in the shadow of Harrison Ford, Ehrenreich had everything to prove in his performance. Thankfully he pulls it off - although for the first act his performance is somewhat shaky, by the halfway point he’s got you sold. It’s important to clarify that he isn’t trying to emulate Ford, but rather giving his own take on the character, a youthful vision of a character we know and love rather than a de-aged clone of the Ford portrayal we’ve seen in 4 films. Donald Glover delivers a fine performance as the uber-
charismatic Lando Calrissian, but somewhat surprisingly feels a little lacklustre, opting for a sort of Billy Dee Williams impression that prevents him from making the role his own. Paul Bettany is suitably sinister as ruthless space gangster Dryden Vos - a departure from the typically soft roles Bettany stars as, he steals the scenes he appears in. While a competent backing for the actionpacked film, the John Powell’s score fails to bring much substance to the table, and the filmmakers seem to have known this some of the most action-packed sequences are simply accompanied by some of John Williams’ greatest Star Wars hits. The visual effects on showcase here are stunning, as with every recent entry in the Star Wars franchise. It’s worth noting that for whatever reason this and 2016’s Rogue One, two of the three planned ‘anthology’ films in the franchise, have to my eye had better visual effects than the two ‘numbered’ entries (The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi). Make of that what you will - the practical effects here are also a damn sight better than in The Last Jedi, the intergalactic bars and mining stations seen populated with armies of stunningly realistic aliens. Overall, Solo: A Star Wars Story is a fun if flawed addition to the Star Wars saga, equal parts refreshing adventure film and studio product. It certainly sets a worrying precedent for Disney’s Star Wars plans; with news of a Boba Fett film entering production at the time of writing, it appears that every last Original Trilogy character is to be given their own. Nevertheless, it is a fun, enjoyable dip into the world of Star Wars, a kind of sci-fi comfort food that provides entertainment but no real nutrition.
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STUDENT Safety
ONLINE SEXUAL HARASSMENT WRITTEN BY KATIE TYRRELL Sexual harassment or unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature is something as a society we can no longer ignore, it is all around us, and it is time to do something about it. The recent #MeToo campaign, in which many brave individuals stepped forward to share their story and end the silence, evidences the power of society in creating movements toward supporting and empowering survivors of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment also thrives across digital platforms, with the internet, and online social media platforms more specifically, providing additional spaces for unwanted sexual behaviours. So, what exactly is online sexual harassment? • If someone has shared a nude image of you with someone else without your permission • If you have received unwanted sexual comments on an Instagram post or someone random has sent you that unwanted dic pic over Tinder (F.Y.I. A picture of genitals out of context is really not attractive!) • Someone has pressured you to share images with them online by threatening you • You’re being bullied based on your sexuality These are just a few examples. There are multiple forms of online sexual harassment as you can probably imagine, all of which are forms of abuse and sexual violence with
devastating consequences for the individual. So, think about it next time you see or hear others discussing a ‘dic pic’, a nude image of a girl; or the next time you see mean comments to someone about their sexual preferences… What could you do to make sure that person isn’t re-victimised? Isn’t targeted for a part of their self-identity? Isn’t ‘slut shamed’? Recent findings from the deSHAME project undertaken by Childnet and other organisations in 2017, suggest that young people across different countries are frequently exposed to and experience online sexual harassment. The research highlights the importance of being nonjudgemental, empowering young people and encouraging safe and healthy relationships both online and offline. It also talks about how young people feel about responding to online sexual harassment and the barriers to reporting, as well as their experiences of coercion, threats, sexualised bullying and unwanted sexual comments. Feeling coerced and pressured into sending images is a form of sexual harassment. The deSHAME research highlights that 1 in 10 young people who took part in the study had a boyfriend or girlfriend who had pressured them into sending nude images. What can be really difficult is thinking about how to respond to this type of pressure, as well as unwanted sexts or images (as I said before, if you’ve seen one dic pic, you’ve seen them all!). If you’re struggling for a witty response, you can use apps like Zipit, developed by Childline to think one up for you! The app works by enabling you to respond to unwanted sexual contact with a cheeky GIF, so if someone pulls the ‘come on babe, send us a picture’ and you’re really not down for that you can come back with… ‘Here’s a picture of my junk’ plastered all over a rather large image of a landfill site, or if
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that’s not really your thing, simply Googling responding to unwanted sexts comes out with some absolute corkers, to divert unwanted conversation by injecting a bit of lighthearted humour! If you have experienced online sexual harassment, there are a number of different ways in which you can access support. Reporting may feel scary, but these organisations are here to help you: • If you are over the age of 18 and have had a nude or sexual image shared of you without your consent, contact the Revenge Porn Helpline www.revengepornhelpline.org.uk/ • If you are under the age of 18 and someone online has a nude or sexual image of you shared without your consent, contact the Internet Watch Foundation www.iwf.org.uk/
• If you have received unwanted messages of a sexual nature or comments, which are sexual and abusive, follow the appropriate steps provided by the social media platform or website for reporting content. The Childnet website: www.childnet.com/ has some really good information about how to report unwanted content on apps such as Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp. If you would like to find out more information about young people’s experience of online sexual harassment, read the Childnet report: Young people’s experiences of online sexual harassment: A cross-country report from project deSHAME (2017) The Zipit Childline App can be downloaded for free via the Apple app store, or via Google Play!
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MY Life We are delighted to bring yet another new section to Life! Co-ed Rachel will be heading up all things ‘My Life’ in a supplement that focuses on tips, life hacks and advice on a variety of subjects. A one-stop shop for the inside scoop on starting your next adventure - written by students who have been there, done it. My Life will also include articles and support for ‘nontraditional’ students; such as mature students, international students and those who have caring responsibilities.
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TOP TIPS FOR STARTING UNIVERSITY WRITTEN BY KAY SABERTON Starting university can seem a very daunting prospect as you are starting a new chapter in your life and may be moving away from home for the first time. We can all benefit from some tips from those who have already encountered the experience and survived. Here are some of mine: 1. GET ORGANISED When starting university, I was initially overwhelmed with the work load on my course and struggled to balance my time to get all the reading done. But, I soon found that using an academic diary made it easier to organise my time as I could mark out when I could get reading done around lectures and part-time job. My favourite: the Pearson Academic Diary that provides useful tips on finance and revision planning. 2. ATTEND THE FRESHERS’ FAIR The Freshers’ Fair is a great way to meet people and engage with current students who have already started university who can provide you with advice. Members of the Students’ Union are always there and more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the support on offer. You can also grab some freebies, such as pens and stickynotes, which are always useful. 3. ONLY PACK THE ESSENTIALS As someone who tried to take pretty much everything I own to university, trust me you will regret it when you move out at the
end of the year. If you are moving in with other people you may also find that you end up with five kettles. Only pack what is essential as you can always split the cost with flatmates. 4. MAKE THE MOST OF IT There are a variety of different things you can do to enrich your student life at university, such as joining a society or sports team. Make the most of your time when not studying so that you can develop extra skills which will enhance your degree and CV. 5. YOU ARE NOT ALONE Leaving home for the first time can be really difficult as you are launched into a new environment with new responsibilities. It can feel like a very isolating experience, but most other students will be feeling the same way. Try to keep in touch with friends and family and let them know how you’re feeling. There are also support services at the university that are always available to help.
UNIVERSITY ADVICE WRITTEN BY CARA FOLLON Starting university, whether you are a traditional or mature student, can be very daunting. There’s so many things you need to get sorted and it does seem very overwhelming. One thing that I can say I struggled with, was how to organise my work load. Here are a few tips to help you get started! • MAKE A STUDY SCHEDULE: Having mountains of work can be very overwhelming. You don’t know where to start, there’s so much to do for just one lecture. The best way to deal with this is to make a study schedule - take out a few hours during your day to do certain work. Maybe read that
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MY Life article just before you cook your dinner. Maybe after dinner make notes on that lecture you missed. Remember to write your schedule down to keep on top of it all. • DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP: So many people are worried that they won’t get the proper help they need with their work. But if you don’t ask for any, you won’t get any. Although university consists of mostly independent work, your lecturers will always be ready to guide you in any way they can. They won’t be able to write your essay for you, but will suggest different papers or journals for you to read to help you understand your work. University libraries also organise different meetings to help with referencing or how to use journals etc. • KEEP ON TOP OF YOUR READING: I study English, which means I have a reading list of at least 20+ books and that’s not including my weekly reading of different articles and journals. Sometimes, it is very difficult to keep on top of it all. The best way to do this is to think logically. What reading is vital for your next lecture or seminar? Make sure you get that reading done first. Maybe do a little when you wake up or before you go to bed, that way it’s more likely to stay in your head. I also suggest finding your reading list before term begins, so you can get ahead. • ALLOW YOURSELF A BREAK: Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t do work all day every day! You are allowed a break sometimes. Maybe go for a walk or talk to a friend. Bake! Just remember to not over-work yourself.
HOW TO ENJOY SUMMER WITHOUT BEING BROKE! WRITTEN BY CARA FOLLON Summer is a time when you want to forget about all the hard work you’ve been doing over the past year. You want to go out and enjoy yourself, with friends and family. Unfortunately, this costs money. Here are a few ways of getting around that! • GET A SUMMER JOB! One way to earn some more money, is to get a part-time job during the summer. Although not particularly exciting, this would allow you to enjoy your summer and not be stuck inside because you can’t afford it. With a part-time job, you’ll still have time to go out as well as earn some cash and some valuable skills. • BUDGET! If like me, throughout term time you budget your money, why not do it during the summer? Budgeting is so simple! Divide up your money weekly, spending on only the absolute necessities like food and if you have anything left, you can put it away each week so that when a time comes when you want to go out, you’ll have at least a little bit to spend! • FIND FREE ACTIVITIES & EVENTS! Not every activity or event costs money. You could always visit the beach with your friends! This is a great day out as it’s completely free, you can take your own food and drinks and really enjoy the day without spending any money! Suffolk is also home to many different museums and many are free. These museums are often run by volunteers, so a small donation is often appreciated but these make a great day out.
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• SELL UNWANTED ITEMS! A great way to earn some money is sell any items, like clothes or gadgets, that you don’t use anymore. There are so many ways of doing this. Websites such as depop, vinted, ebay, etsy allow you to sell used items. You can also do this by attending car boot sales. This way, you’ll earn money and make room for new things!
packing for university, think about what you need, not just what you want to bring. Obviously, take some things that remind you of home. For example, I took some photos of family and friends to put on my wall and that really helped me whenever I felt homesick. I also bought a journal to note down whenever I was going to visit home again, so I could count down the days.
MOVING AWAY FROM HOME
• ENJOY YOURSELF: However scary it may seem and however nervous you may be, remember that moving away is a new experience but it’s an experience that is exciting! You’ll get to meet so many new people, who are in the exact same position as you. Not only will you hopefully make new friends, you’ll also get to experience a new town or city with so many great opportunities. Moving to university is a chance for you to reinvent yourself, how ever cheesy that may sound. So, enjoy it!
WRITTEN BY CARA FOLLON Moving away and starting university can be really daunting. It’s a completely new experience that you must do on your own and you have no idea what to expect. Even with visiting the university multiple times, the social side of university is completely unknown until you go. Here are a few tips to help you when you first start university! • RESEARCH THE SURROUNDING AREA: If you’re moving to a new place, it’s a good idea to research where you’re moving or to even look around your new town. Get your bearings, find out where the best shops are, best parks, best pubs. Bus and train stations are also very important. Find the best route from your accommodation to your campus or to town. Really get to know your new home, so when it does come to moving in it won’t be so scary. • DON’T BRING THE ENTIRETY OF YOUR ROOM: As tempting as it is, you can’t bring everything with you when you move to university and you don’t need to. During my first year, I bought way too much, so much so that my family needed to make two trips, so we could get all my stuff back home. When
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STUDENT Tech SUPPORTED BY
PHILIPS HUE S TA R T E R KIT PRODUCT REVIEWED BY RACHEL GILBEY & ROSIE MAY
As part of our partnership with Hughes, each month we will be reviewing an exciting and innovative product for your home. This month marks our first review, where we will be testing the Philips Hue lighting system which retails at £149.99 for a starter kit. The starter kit includes 3 light bulbs and the Hue bridge.
like the lights in your children’s bedroom to dim at a particular time, or if you want the living room and kitchen lights to change colour in time for a film. The app displays a colour wheel which you can adjust to find the perfect shade and create scenes. For example, if you wanted a particular set of colours for the evening, you can create this and save it as an option. If an app isn’t for you, then there are a number of accessories available that still allow you to use this system, but instead control the lights through a switch or even your voice. Overall, this system creates a fun and easy way to bring a splash of vibrancy into your home which you can continue to adjust and tailor to your day to day.
While you might wonder if all this technology is worth the hassle, this system is incredibly easy to set up. Plug your Hue bridge into the mains and then connect your router to the back of the bridge. Once you have placed your bulbs where you want them in the house, you’re ready to go! You’ll need to download the Philips Hue app which is how you control the lights in the home. You can set your app to identify different rooms such as ‘Living Room’, allowing you to control rooms separately or pair them together. This is ideal if you would 34 • JULY 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
HUGHES’ VIEW The Philips GU10-Starter-Kit allows you to change the colour and the mood in any room of your home just simply using your Smartphone or tablet. The starter kit comes with 3 bulbs and the Hue Bridge meaning you are ready to go straight away. Simply connect your Hue Bridge to your broadband network and you can then control your lighting wireless through Wi-Fi. There are around 16 million colour variations from you to choose from meaning you really can find the perfect colour for the mood you are in. Your favourite colour combinations can be saved and instantly revisited whenever you want and you also have the choice of plenty of preset colour built in which include reading mode, concentrate and energise mode. The lighting combinations you choose can also be set to timers, meaning you can set your lights to come on for when you get home from a day out or even make it look like you are home even when you are not. You have the option of connecting up to 50 bulbs to your Hue Bridge meaning you can control every room or lighting appliance
in the room. The Starter kit bulbs fit into any standard GU10 light fitting meaning you won't need to worry about the expense of installation. The GU10-Starter-Kit can be controlled effortlessly by your Smartphone or Tablet and even Amazon Echo. Using Amazon echo means you can control your lighting by voice.
your home connected
hughes.co.uk/smarthome
35 • JULYS TUDENT 2018 • STEC TUDENT H LIFE
Study Time WRITTEN BY ROSIE WEDGE
Our monthly feature offering advice on study techniques & tips. If you have any tips or tricks that you want to share, simply let Rosie know at info@student-life.co Whilst revision is quite obviously the most important part of your study regime, there are factors of exam season that you need to plan out carefully and ensure you give consideration towards. Most importantly, I think it is vital to ensure that you spend your breaks wisely and your time outside of studying well, to ensure you get a good balance of time management. It’s very easy to get caught up in revision, do it for hours straight just to ‘get it out of the way’, but it is far more beneficial to allow yourself small breaks in between. Personally, I like to do revision sessions of an hour, followed by a 15 minute break, however some people may want to do 20-40 minutes, with a 5-10 minute break; it all depends on your endurance. However, just taking a break in itself is not enough, you need to consider how to spend that break. If you do your work, then sit there scrolling through social media for 20 minutes, or just stay sat there watching a few YouTube videos, that is not going to help you (sorry!). The best thing you can do is make your breaks productive too, not just your studying. That way, when you come back after your break, your mind is still working hard, and you haven’t yet fallen
into a downward spiral of procrastination. Firstly, use this as an opportunity to reenergise; get a snack and a drink. This can give you a burst of well-needed energy to progress to your next topic of revision, and will stop you from feeling sleepy and unproductive. I recommend staying away from caffeinated drinks such as coffee and energy drinks, as they aren’t actually going to help you. As well as being unhealthy in general (and it’s important to stay healthy
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information, which is…well…the whole aim and purpose of revising!
PHOTO CREDIT : GEORGE BENTLEY
during exams), the amount of energy they fill you with is going to be too much; you want to be alert, not bouncing off the walls. I recommend tea, especially herbal, as it has lower to no caffeine levels, and will give you a refreshed feeling, whilst also keeping you calm…or simply water. If you aren’t a huge water drinker, try flavoured, noncarbonated waters, as these will also do the job of keeping you hydrated, which is vital for the brain’s attention and its retention of
Next, you may want to consider some light physical exercise and movement. Sitting at a desk for prolonged periods of time can tighten the muscles, which can lead to soreness and tension which will reflect on your attitude towards revision. If our bodies are tense, especially the neck and back - which is common with bending over a desk revising - this can lead to irritability, headaches, and stress; all of which can easily be avoided by gentle exercise and stretches. My personal favourite? Yoga. Not only do I do it every morning and night to give a clear, focused mindset before and after a day of study, but I also like to do it in between to keep my mind and body focused and relaxed, and remove any unwanted stress. The best thing about this is that you don’t even need a yoga mat or previous experience. Simply use your floor and search up a yoga routine tutorial. On YouTube, there are plenty of 5-10 minute tutorials to help guide you and that differ in grades; for people who are less flexible, or for people who want to focus on mindset over body, or vice versa. Finally, do take the time to step away from studying and socialise! After weeks of studying by yourself in your room, school or library, it can be really beneficial to speak and communicate with people, whether it be the people you live with, or someone who lives nearby, or a phone call to a friend! It may even be playing with your pet for a while, just something that involves socialisation and communication with other people is great, because it takes studying off your mind for a while and puts you in a great headspace. A happier you is what makes revision successful!
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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. Summer Holiday Activities Garden Explorers Fridays, 10am – 11.30am Garden Explorers is for children aged 2 to 4-years-old, and their parents, to have fun and play outside. Every week a different theme will bring new fun activities. £2 per child - includes activities & refreshments. To book call 01473 569696. Writing Workshops Come and join our Writers’ Workshops for ages 11 to 16. By the end of the session you will have written your own story! Email events@quayplace.co.uk for more details. Regular free groups – Mondays Poppy Craft – 10am – 12pm Sporting Memories - 10.30am – 12pm Colouring Group 2pm – 4pm
Slime Workshop Tuesday 31st July & Friday 3rd August Get messy and make slime at one of our fantastic workshops! Learn to make slime, dye it, add ‘bits’ and glitter. Over 5’s only, £5 per child. Book a place by calling 01473 569696. Seahorse Crafts Take part in free crafty activities linking seahorses and memory together. You can also visit the seahorse sculpture as part of the All About Ipswich Family Trail. For more information visit quayplace.co.uk. Wellbeing Wander Trail Come to Quay Place on weekdays during the summer holidays to take part in a trail to learn about your emotional needs and resources. One lucky young person will win a summer prize for completing this challenge. This is a free activity, no booking needed.
Quay Place Key Street, Ipswich, IP4 1BZ • quayplace.co.uk • 01473 569696 38 • JULY 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
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. 39 • JULY 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
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Editor’s
How was your last month? Pride was fantastic, it was such a great time to celebrate all things pride and all things that the LGBTQ+ community has achieved over the years. Another month has passed, and another edition of Student Life emerges! This month we’ve decided to approach a somewhat more sensitive topic; selfharm. It is very important when discussing mental health difficulties that we do not exclude any due to worry of approaching subjects which are a little more misunderstood. Please take the time to inform yourselves about self-harm, better understanding allows for higher levels of empathy. We have also decided to look at loneliness and isolation and how this impacts our mental health. Coming up are the summer holidays, and a lot of us experience these feelings as our friends move back home or we part from school. It’s important to recognise this and put in plans to reduce it from affecting our mental health. Take care, guys! Speak soon xo Leanne Arnold, Mental Health Director
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CONTACT US 01473 35 35 12 leanne@student-life.co www.student-life.co FB: @studentlifeips Instagram: @studentlifeips Twitter: @studentlifeips
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Hello!
Contents... LONELINESS SELF CARE Q&A RELATIONSHIPS
41 42 43 46-47
SUFFOLK MIND 48-50 WORKPLACE 52-53 54-55 LGBTQ+ BULLYING 56-58
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MENTAL Health
ISOLATION & LONELINESS AT UNIVERSITY WRITTEN BY AYLA BLOOM
Ayla is 21-years-old and is studying Screenwriting and Film Studies. Her favourite poet is Sylvia Plath. Ayla decided to get involved with Student Life to share her thoughts in a hope that they will inspire others. Isolation and loneliness can manifest quickly in an academic environment. When the rush of exams, assignments, and deadlines is over you can be at a loose end. If you live in university accommodation, or commute, feelings of loneliness can intensify, especially if your flatmates or friends return home or go on holiday. I have always enjoyed my own company, but I feel pangs of loneliness as soon as the semester finishes. As someone who has commuted to and from university for almost three years, there have been times when I have felt cut-off from my peers, particularly during the summer break. There are only so many books you can read, films you can watch, and walks you can go on before you become sick of your own company! The prospect of having no work to do unnerves me because my mind starts wandering. The anxieties come creeping back. You’ll wonder
why your friends haven’t messaged you asking to hang out; you’ll see people you know on grad schemes or summer jobs and you’ll think you should be doing the same; you’ll sit there feeling guilty about your Netflix-binge whilst scrolling through pictures of your friends on holiday. This can accumulate and make you feel unsatisfied, anxious, and even low. However, the most important thing is to get yourself involved with things. You might want to spend time alone, but there is only so much one person can take. Human connections are an important part of our mental health and well-being. They can help us to grow, learn, and understand more about ourselves. It is important to understand that. If you live off campus, just giving a friend or loved-one a phone call or video-chat can really boost your mood. If not that, get out there and find a society you can get involved in. Set yourself goals to complete over the summer. Connect with people who love the same things you do. Use the time you have as an opportunity to learn new skills, reconnect, and refresh. See it as a challenge, rather than a defeat!
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SELF CARE A FRIENDLY CATCH-UP WRITTEN BY RACHEL GILBEY Self-care isn’t always something that needs to be practiced alone. Sometimes, a little bit of socialisation and human contact can help you to feel much better. Whether you choose to meet with a close friend, family member or even immerse yourself in a group gathering, being around other people can do you a world of good. Research cited from Psychology Today publication shows that an active social life could have the following benefits: • You may live longer • You will enjoy better physical health • You will enjoy better mental health • You may even lower your risk of dementia In addition, socialising can also help with: - Building positive and strong relationships - Reducing stress and anxiety - Being open with feelings and emotions by talking - Developing self-confidence
There are a number of ways that you can socialise with others, including: • Contact family or friends via phone call or video call • Go to a café with a friend or have them over for a drink/lunch • Take up a class of interest • Host a games night • Go for a walk around a local park • Attend a public event Personally, I know from my own experience, when I’m having a bad anxiety day the best thing for me to do is to surround myself with positive friends and family. It’s not always easy or the first thing you want to do when you feel so down or anxious but initiating conversation may provide an immediate distraction. Next time you feel lonely or need a boost, why not contact a friend or family member and arrange a catch up?
(Some of this article’s content has been sourced from: https://www.psychologytoday.com)
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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED My name is Leanne and I have both specialist training and personal experience in mental health and will aim to provide user-friendly, non-professional advice to anyone who asks for it!*
Q:
I THINK I MIGHT BE DEPRESSED, BUT I AM UNSURE. HOW DO I GO ABOUT FIGURING THIS OUT? A: Okay, so it’s important to define ‘depression’ because society tends to overuse the word which results in the true meaning of it being lost. Depression is more than just feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days; depression makes someone feel persistently sad for weeks, months, and sometimes a year or two. There are many different symptoms of depression and you may have them all and you may not. People tend to lose interest in the things they enjoy, feel tearful very often, and feel very low. Depression can also cause physical symptoms such as; tiredness, poor sleep or too much sleep, aches, pains, loss of appetite, and loss of sex drive. WHEN TO GET HELP?
If you feel that you fit the above and the emotions and feelings have been persistent then I would suggest booking an appointment with your GP. It’s best to catch
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.
it quick and spot the signs and symptoms as soon as you can, because as soon as you see a doctor, the sooner you can begin to recover. There is an online test on the NHS Choices website which can give you a better idea of whether you are depressed and whether you should seek further advice and support. However, I would never rely on an online test, and quite frankly I completely disagree with them, but this may help you measure your mood and aid you with deciding whether to go to the GP or not. Talking to friends and family for their advice and opinion is usually a wise idea, these guys can notice things that maybe you can’t, and may be able to give you better insight into how you’ve been acting recently. Depression can be a troubling and difficult battle, but once you start the process of recovery and engage with services it does get easier. You are not the only one, 1 in 10 people in the UK has suffered with depression and studies have found that 4% of children and youths have experienced depression.
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MENTAL Health
Talking about
SELF-HARM WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD
Unfortunately, this topic is often avoided like the plague, but in reality avoiding it limits us as a society. We often avoid things when we don’t understand them and often turn a blind eye – this doesn’t allow for us as a society to help those who are selfharming. This needs to change. Self-harm is an act where a person intentionally damages or injures their body. It is often used as a way to cope with or express emotional distress. Not only this, but self-harm can also be a cry for help. Self-harm can and does sometimes lead to suicide, sometimes this is accidental or a journey towards suicide. However, often the intention is to relieve unbearable tension and emotional feelings. These are just some of the reasons why the taboo of self-harm being an attention seeking behaviour needs to stop. Just as someone who overeats or someone who doesn’t eat, there are reasons behind why someone is acting a certain way. Self-harm provides many people with instant relief and numbness – if you were experiencing unbearable emotions you would want to feel numb, right? Not all of us
manage our emotions in the same way, and some of us manage them in ways in which others cannot comprehend or understand. However, this does not mean that we as a society should turn a blindeye or punish those people for their difficulties. In fact, in doing so we are most likely causing that person to feel even worse about things, which can often turn into a vicious cycle. Self-harm is more common than many people realise, and this is especially rife in younger people. Estimates by NHS England say that around 10% of young people will self-harm at one point. So, how can we help? Educate yourselves on self-harm and get a good understanding of why people do selfharm. Talk to those who are affected and show them empathy and do not judge them. Just because self-harm isn’t spoken about and is misunderstood does not mean that the person is suffering any less than those who cope using other forms of intervention.
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harm as an escape from my depression. It was like a release. I self-harmed for a number of years. Self-harm is a cry for help and I think there’s a stigma surrounding it because people don’t really understand until they’ve been through it and understood why people do it. At the time during my depression I felt like there wasn’t a way out and used self-harm as a release to the issue and now years on from my severe depression I’ve realised that it was a short term release to a short term problem.
My Personal Experience Of
SELF-HARM WRITTEN BY HARRY CRAIG
Harry is 19 years old and studied Psychology, business studies and Government and politics. Harry decided to get involved with Student Life because of the stigma surrounding men’s mental health. My personal experience of self-harm started when I had depression and I believe these go hand in hand. For me I felt like I had nowhere to go and that I couldn’t speak out without feeling silly or judged. I used self
My thoughts around self-harm is that I completely understand it and have been through it but I feel a sense of regret as the scars are with me for life and even though at that point in time I felt like it would never get better I’ve now come to be in a completely different and positive position and I still have the scars. That’s the reason why I regret it. Because even though you can look at it as a reminder that you’ve gone through that bad patch and came out stronger or you could think of it as a constant reminder to what has gone on. Self-harming is a short term release and I know that it might feel like the end of the world but you’ve got to stay positive and strong because it won’t last forever. The light is at the end of the tunnel no matter how long. Key thing to remember is to stay strong and surround yourself with positive people like family and friends. It will get easier...
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MENTAL Health WRITTEN BY ROSIE WEDGE
REL ATIONSHIPS Welcome back to our 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.
Usually I sit here and witter on about the importance of our relationships with the people around us; family, friends, partners, and teachers. However, this time, if I may, I want to focus on a different kind of relationship, and that is the relationship that we have with ourselves. I know it sounds corny, but it is often our teenage years in which we truly find out who we are, and it’s important for our confidence, our mental health and our general outlook on life that we like the person we are. Many people find it hard to spend time alone, and feel anxious without the company of others, and sometime this can be a sign that we aren’t comfortable with who we are. Or perhaps we find it difficult to accept compliments because we don’t agree with what other people think about us. None of these reasons necessarily mean that we should change who we are, but rather we should work on accepting who we already are and building a relationship with ourselves. The best way to do this is ‘me time’. Even if
you find it hard at first, try and spend time by yourself, and find something you like to do. Many of us would probably argue that we can already do this; we put the TV on, listen to music, or browse YouTube, but these activities aren’t necessarily alone time. It is a commonly accepted notion that using media, and the voices and images of others is a way of making ourselves feel less alone, so that we aren’t alone with ourselves. Try something such as exercise, artwork, reading or yoga. If you really can’t face doing things without feeling someone else is there, then try taking yourself out somewhere. I know it sounds
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and think about it when you find yourself comparing other people to who you are. Does it really make a difference? Would your life really be that different if you had hair as naturally straight as the girl on your Instagram feed? Not really. Would you live a totally different life if your body was as toned as the guy on Snapchat? Probably not. Whilst it seems important, it really isn’t. Look at all the great things about you and try to encourage yourself to see them as good, unique things to you, that do not require comparison between other people; they are them, but you are you.
IMAGE CREDIT GEORGE BENTLEY
scary, but try going to the cinema by yourself; treat yourself to a drink and snacks, but try and go alone. Spending time by yourself is a great way of building self-esteem and growing to love the person you are. There are of course other things that you can do to improve your relationship with yourself, such as how you see yourself compared to others, and that is; don’t compare yourself to others. I know it’s hard, especially today when we live in a world of social media and celebrities, whereby consumerism and advertising shapes everything around us, but really stop
However, I think the most important thing you can do, is practice and value your self-care. Make sure you eat healthily and consider what foods you are putting into your body and how they are going to make you feel. At the same time, treat yourself! Don’t feel as though you have to live a superstrict diet of nothing but pure goodness, allow yourself treats and goodies, but consider the overall impact they will have on you. Stay hydrated and ensure you get all the necessary vitamins your body needs. Improve your hygiene and bathroom routine by switching to toiletries made from natural resources, not harsh chemicals. Exercise, but find one that you enjoy; don’t force yourself to run if you don’t like to run! And finally, do what you love! Do what makes you happy, regardless of what other people think of it because guess what? It’s your life, and so it’s up to you to make the right choices to live the best one you can, which all starts with loving the person who is embarking on this crazy journey...you!!
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MENTAL Health
NO HEALTH WITHOUT MENTAL HEALTH Self-Harm WRITTEN BY EZRA HEWING, HEAD OF MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION, SUFFOLK MIND Is self-harming, as it is sometimes seen, a dramatic and dangerous way of seeking attention? Or is it, as people who self-harm say, a way of coping with mental ill health? And if you or somebody you know is selfharming how can we seek help to stop or reduce risks? People who self-harm are often dismissed as attention seekers. Some even experience being dismissed as time-wasters by experienced medical professionals, for example in A&E departments where there is still not a proper understanding of what drives self-harming behaviour. So how can we better understand self-harm? Emily Gajewski is a psychotherapist and occupational therapist who has worked extensively with women in supported housing who self-harm. She describes self-harm as a continuum.
At one end of that continuum are behaviours like smoking, drinking too much, being excessively self-critical and spending money we don’t have to lift our mood – all things we might do in response to feelings of stress. At the other end of that continuum, is a point where people become so overwhelmed with distress that they resort to behaviours which involve self-injury, such as cutting or burning. Why would we respond to stress or distress through self-injuring? When we are cut, either by accident or through self-injury, the body releases endorphins, the pleasure chemicals which give us an experience of calm or euphoria. Endorphins mask pain and so the act of cutting gives a person immediate control over how they feel. It’s easy to see how cutting to release endorphins could be very soothing in the face of distress. However, as well as the risk to physical health from injury or infection, there is also the risk that the person becomes dependant on self-injury as a means to manage stress and strong emotions. Whenever a behaviour triggers the release of feel-good chemicals, the brain quickly learns to promote doing more of that behaviour. The brain does this by triggering the release of dopamine, the brain chemical which encourages rewardseeking behaviour and which is involved in addiction. There is therefore a risk that the person gets stuck in a cycle of self-harming behaviour, triggered by stress, which triggers dopamine to seek relief from stress and the reward experienced from the release of endorphins. This can become an addictive behaviour; whether that means smoking, drinking
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too much, gambling or self-injury - which is returned to whenever a person feels overwhelmed by stress. So what can we do to reduce risk and self-harming behaviour? Well stress is the starting point. Those readers involved with the work of Suffolk Mind will understand that stress occurs in response to unmet emotional needs; whether for security, to have a sense of control over our lives, to give and receive attention, to feel an emotional connection to others and the wider community, to have privacy and time out to reflect or to be involved in activities which are stretching and give us a sense of meaning and purpose. Understanding that we have emotional needs which have to be met is the starting point for improving mental health and wellbeing and recovering from addictive behaviours. So if self-harming behaviours provide a short-cut to get control over the way we feel, we need to start by identifying another way to meet that need. Learning to do exercises like 7/11 breathing can help to calm strong emotions, and aerobic exercise can both burn off stress hormones and release endorphins. Indeed, many people who reduce or cut out selfharming behaviours altogether, have done so by taking up exercise.
Another barrier to meeting needs can be intrusive thoughts or memories. If a person is self-harming to gain relief or to distract themselves from unpleasant or reccurring thoughts, then they should seek professional help, initially from their GP, and then from a psychotherapist or counsellor who is trained to treat these symptoms. How should we help or support somebody who is self-harming? Firstly, we need to listen to them and avoid the impulse to judge or criticise them, even if we are doing so because we are concerned or want to try to get them to stop. If they already feel guilt, criticism may make them feel worse and trigger the cycle of stress and self-harming to seek relief again. Encourage them to seek help from a professional, with the aim of harm reduction or, if they are ready to do so, to stop self-harming behaviour altogether. The key thing to remember is that selfharming behaviour, wherever it is on the continuum, is best addressed by a lifestyle which meets emotional needs in a healthy balanced way.
WWW.SUFFOLKMIND.ORG.UK
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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
Children’s Activity Helpers In this role you will help set up and run a children’s activity area at Quay Place. You will also engage children with activities to explore local heritage.
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.
Event Volunteer This is an exciting and varied role which will include talking to groups and individuals to support and signpost people seeking advice and information about Suffolk Mind services. Ecotherapy Allotment Volunteer You will attend weekly sessions to organise an allotment project across Suffolk helping people to improve their mental wellbeing. Quay Place Steward We are looking for a friendly face to welcome visitors to Quay Place and help with enquires and other daily administrative tasks.
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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MENTAL Health
ANXIETY & PERFECTIONISM
How perfectionism can do more harm than good WRITTEN BY AYLA BLOOM
Ayla is 21-years-old and is studying Screenwriting and Film Studies. Her favourite poet is Sylvia Plath. Ayla decided to get involved with Student Life to share her thoughts in the hope that they will inspire others. Every summer, I like to read The Bell Jar. In it there’s a line that goes, “I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn’t make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest”. Here Plath summarises how it feels to have anxiety and perfectionistic tendencies, but highlights the dangers of it too. Anxiety and perfectionism go hand-in-hand. Imagine your mind going at one thousand miles an hour all hours of the day. Couple that with a goal you need to reach. The goal is so important that it needs to be flawless. You know you should stop, but your mind won’t let you. All you do is keep going and going until you’re exhausted. You become frustrated because the goal isn’t how you imagined it would turn out. You tell yourself that you’ll push further next time, but you already tried
your best. It becomes a vicious cycle; you can see why anxiety and perfectionism can be dangerous. Anxiety and perfectionism can cause both mental and physical ailments. Not only can it cause mental burn-outs but symptoms such as; neck strain, back ache, even high-blood pressure and migraines. So, while we should never tell someone with anxiety to just stop worrying, what can we do to protect someone from causing greater harm to themselves? The first point of call is support, ideally from a professional. A professional can help the individual find strategies to manage their anxiety and perfectionism. These strategies can be put into practise. Methods such as CBT can be used to help the individual recognise the dangers of their perfectionist tendencies, but also the positives that can come out of it and how they can build on this. As a friend, you can help someone who wants to manage their anxiety and perfectionism by helping them set goals. These can start off small, and then get bigger. Achieving them together can be a great way to connect and learn about each other.
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MENTAL Health
What we put into work, what we get out of it and how that affects our health and well-being Work is about more than simply paying the bills. Feeling that we are making a difference and adding value is an important factor in finding satisfaction at work. While determining cause is difficult, there is significant evidence to suggest that work does affect our health and well-being (see ‘Is Work Good for your Health and Well-Being?’; DWP, 2006 ). Research by Siegrist (2002) explores the impact of ‘effort-reward imbalance’ where we perceive that what we put in is not equalled by what we get out of work and results in negative emotions and the risk of developing stress, depression and related physical illhealth. The absence of balance in effort and reward can further erode our sense of selfesteem and our sense of belonging.
When starting out in our career it can be difficult to know what we might enjoy doing and not all of us (I know I certainly didn’t) feel a ‘calling’ to a particular vocation. It can be easy to slip into a career that fails to fulfil you simply because you aren’t sure what it is you love to do. However, there are lots of things we can do to create a more satisfying working life and work towards fulfilment both in and out of work. Below are a few of the things that help us to feel valuable, connected and satisfied at work: DOING A GOOD JOB Whether you enjoy it or not, knowing you have done something well brings a sense of satisfaction, so even if it is not a task you feel inspired by, get stuck in and do the very best you can with it. Nurturing your self-esteem in this way can enhance your resilience and help you through the challenging times.
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WRITTEN BY DR KATE BLACKFORD
MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE FIND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Whether this is in work through finding a mentor, learning a new skill or planning your future career goals; or out of work by investing in your personal development through clubs, volunteering or taking on a distance learning course you will derive satisfaction at working towards something meaningful. You never know, that hobby might become the career you love in future. GET SOCIAL Developing networks in the workplace help you feel like part of a team and have a positive impact on your social identity. They also give you another great reason to get to work each morning. GET ACTIVE Many organisations now offer subsidised gym memberships, or have running clubs, football
teams and other activities you can get involved with. Not only does this keep you physically fit, but is a great de-stress and provides the perfect way to develop new networks outside of the people you may interact with day-to-day. FULFILMENT OUTSIDE WORK When we are not enjoying work it can be easy to let out of work activities slide too. Make sure you invest in hobbies you enjoy out of work as these can enhance your self-esteem and resilience when work feels like a slog. TALK TO SOMEONE Talk to your line manager or HR representative about your frustrations. Prepare for the conversation by jotting down the skills you feel you can offer and look for solutions rather than simply a moaning session.
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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, dayto-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 BULLYING WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD Coming out was probably one of the most traumatic and difficult experiences I have had. I was in school at the time and the kids weren’t very nice about it. I guess when I came out it wasn’t as accepted or spoken about so therefore it was a ‘bigger deal’. Kids bullied me, shouted, made faces, awful remarks, and generally made me feel like an outcast and not accepted. Bullying still occurs to those within the LGBTQ+ community. Because we are ‘different’, because we don’t follow societies’ norms, because it’s ‘wrong’ and ‘not how God made us’. I had a really close gay best friend in school, he was so down to earth and got along with most people, he was a
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caring and sweet chap. He helped me with coming out, helped guide me through it and showed me support when I needed it the most. Classes: P.E. – of course, you have to get changed for this class… the girls were horrendous, I’d walk into the changing rooms and would hear “oh quick go into the toilets, Leanne is here and she’s a lesbian”. I think its comical how all the girls suddenly believed that I would fancy them because I’m gay. I think immaturity played a huge part in the ways in which kids acted with me after coming out, but this doesn’t make it ok, nor does it mean it should still be happening today. I would get stared at in the corridors, would walk past people whispering about me, and was soon to be known as THE lesbian. If I hadn’t had all my friends’ support I believe the whole journey and process would have been tortuous. When I left school and was beginning to think about going to college I still got abuse, but on the streets instead. I got my first girlfriend and would hold her hand in public (because why shouldn’t I) and I would have random people in the street literally shouting “lesbians” at me. I don’t understand why people believe that what I am doing is their business… if someone isn’t causing you harm then why involve yourself in what they are doing? It knocked my confidence so much and I started to feel uncomfortable with being myself. One good thing about all of this is that people in the LGBTQ+ community are a lot more accepted, people seem almost ‘kinder’, either that or the adult generation haven’t had the restricted upbringing that the elder population did. Views and norms have
changed, I guess, and this allows for us to be more comfortable with who we are and what decisions we make. Yes, bullying still exists to and within the LGBTQ+ community, but I do take comfort in knowing that it isn’t as bad as it used to be, and times have changed. Even though my experiences were overall negative, I wouldn’t change how I came out, and I wouldn’t change the attitudes and experiences I received during school; because this has made me stronger, more resilient, and has allowed me to appreciate how judging someone because of a factor that has nothing to do with me, isn’t ok.
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STAMP IT STOP IT Hello everyone! Blowing out someone else’s candle doesn’t make yours shine any brighter… I am extremely excited to announce the introduction of the ‘Stamp it, Stop it!’ Anti-bullying section to the Student Life publication. My main focus is going to be around the topic of Cyber and physical bullying, linking this to mental health and the LGBTQ+ community. I will be openly sharing my own personal experiences and encouraging people of all ages to open up about bullying, to ensure they receive the correct help and support. I am currently in my 3rd year of study at University of Suffolk on the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science programme. Being given the opportunity to offer my support and advice to a wider group of people is something I have always had the ambition to achieve. Being bullied was probably one of the most difficult stages in my school life. At the time, I was scared and worried about speaking to anyone about it, but later discovered that telling the correct people would set me onto the road of positivity. I have lots of new and exciting ideas for the near future and I’m certainly looking forward to introducing them to you all! I hope you enjoy this edition and again, welcome to ‘Stamp it, Stop it’. All best wishes, Paddy
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THE
Bullying DAYS
A short summary of my experiences at school which led to me seeking help and advice; the first step in dealing with bullying. The day I stepped into school I knew I wanted to be a Paramedic, but the beginning didn’t start too well. School really wasn’t my favourite place to be, I dreaded getting up in the mornings. Now, this has never been an easy topic for me to talk about, but now I feel it’s important to help others, and assure people they are not alone. I can fondly remember my Sisters alarm being The Kooks – ‘she moves in her own way’, and even hearing that song now reminds me of the not so good days. Being pinned up by the throat in the changing rooms to having things thrown at me on a daily basis wasn’t a surprise. But the day I went in with my new pencil case and pen my sister had brought me back from a holiday in Barcelona, I realised that nothing was going to change my bullying. I can remember it like it was yesterday, the last lesson of the day, Geography. After constantly being taunted and wound up, a certain individual stole my new pencil case and pen and decided to draw all over it. Then to top it all off, snapped my pen and threw it in the bin. I was totally fed up at this point, of wondering around on my own, just
hoping the lunch hour would go as quickly as possible. I really couldn’t wait to leave school. Days turned to months, and months turned to years; things weren’t improving. It got to the point of me avoiding school due to being physically scared to see certain people, and what they were going to do to me. It wasn’t until I got to the point where I needed tell someone, something was actually done about it. I really can’t stress enough how important it is to talk to people when bullying first begins, because its much less of an emotional journey to stamp it out before has an effect on mental health and wellbeing.
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support was now beginning to be put into place. So, who is the best person to tell? This is a question that is asked by lots of people who are going through difficult stages of bullying. There is no right or wrong answer, and it all comes down to who you feel most comfortable telling, whether that be family, a teacher at school or even a close friend. I decided to tell my parents initially, who then helped me to inform teachers at school allowing professional help to be organised.
SPEAK UP AND
SPEAK OUT In this article I would like to tell our readers the importance of speaking to someone during an episode of bullying, and how it benefits you on the quickest journey to happiness. Speaking to someone about a topic such as bullying is a very brave thing to do, and I certainly struggled to gain enough self esteem to do this myself. It wasn’t until I told someone, I realised how easy and comfortable it would be, and still to this day wish I had done it earlier. One of my main worries was the bullies finding out I had told someone, and becoming even more nasty towards me, but this wasn’t the case and
Not telling anyone seems like the easiest option at the time, but catching the bullying at a manageable stage significantly reduces the chances of mental health problems as a result. It’s just overcoming that first hurdle to kickstart getting the right help. Being in these exact same shoes during my school days allowed me to recognise that I left telling someone too late, and the later episodes of physical bullying I experienced could have been avoided. The first thing I want you to take from ‘Stamp it, stop it’ is that obstacles do not block the path during a difficult journey, they are the path, and overcoming the obstacles allows you to succeed and grow into amazing things. Passing on this initial message is very important to ensure people can recognise the first steps into seeking help, and that no one should be suffering in silence. If you would like to write an article for ‘stamp it, stop it’ in the August edition, please contact me at paddy@student-life.co for an article brief. I am looking for individuals to tell their stories and past experiences around bullying to help reduce stigma.
IF THIS ARTICLE HAS BROUGHT UP ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TOJULY OUR2018 CONTACT LIST ATLIFE THE END OF THIS SECTION 58 • • S TUDENT
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 59 • JULY 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
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