ISSUE 20 • SEPTEMBER 2018 • SUFFOLK
Lifestyle Magazine by Students, for Students
www.student-life.co
Proud supporter of
Cover photo by SABRINA WALKER
STUDENT Life
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Summer has flown by, which means for students, a new academic year and possibly a new institution or level of study. Firstly, congratulations to all starting a new school, college, sixth form or University. I hope you enjoy settling into a new routine and embarking on the next stage of your academic journey- exciting times ahead! However, we recognise that sometimes things don’t always go to plan and so if you feel disheartened after results day, just remember that life is what you make of it and sometimes the unplanned and unexpected often work out even better! Secondly, welcome to all who are reading Student Life for the first time! Inside this monthly publication, you’ll find useful and interesting articles on a range of topics from Fashion to Food to Mental Health (and so much more!). We invite students from across Suffolk to contribute content on topics and issues that directly relate to you. So, if you have a passion for writing, why not get in touch using our contact info below? We’d love to hear from you! In addition, if you’ve recently finished sixth form, college or University, then there is also the option to be involved! We’d love to hear what you are up to now, so get in touch! September is an exciting time for us as we branch out and form new partnerships with several institutions within Suffolk and launch our Mental Health workshop. We’ll also be attending Freshers’ Fair at the University of Suffolk, so look out for the team and come and say hi!
Editor’s WORD
CONTACT US 01473 35 35 12 rachel@student-life.co www.student-life.co FB: @studentlifeips Instagram: @studentlifeips Twitter: @studentlifeips
Best wishes, Rachel Gilbey Co-editor
Contents... STUDENT STYLE STUDENT BEAUTY STUDENT TRAVEL WHAT THE FOOD ENTERTAINMENT
4-7 8-11 12 17-22 23-27
MY LIFE STUDENT TECH SEXUAL HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT
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Wow, how did we get to September?
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MY Life
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Student Life catches up with the University’s Alumni WRITTEN BY NAOMI DAY
Naomi is 24 years old and has just graduated from the University of Suffolk, having studied Event and Tourism management. She decided to get involved with Student Life as she wanted to share how she interpreted her university experience. Before I went to university I was struggling to find a job in my chosen career sector, so I decided to find a course and university which would give me the opportunity to work alongside my degree to gain experience. I feel that working alongside your degree is important, in order to get the most out of
what you are learning. My degree gave me the ability to arrange events whilst getting feedback from my employment and from my lecturers. I worked as a student ambassador whilst I was studying which gave me the opportunity to share my experiences throughout my university career and also has meant that I have been able to use my communication skills to get a job straight after finishing my degree. I will be graduating in October with a 2:1 which has shown me that hard work really does pay off. Since finishing university, I have secured a permanent job working for a supply teaching agency and I have recently been promoted into an account manager role. This will utilise the knowledge and skills I have gained in marketing and communication. In the future, I want to use what I have learnt from university and the additional skills from my current role to work in marketing within the tourism sector. Having lived in student accommodation for the first two years of my studies, I have made lots of new friends and enjoyed sharing my whole experience with them. University has allowed me to learn so much and become my own independent person. I am now looking forward to what the rest of my career will entail, taking everything I have learnt with me on my journey.
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STUDENT Fashion SUPPORTED BY
IT’S ALL ABOUT COLOUR
BLOCK PARTY The summer of 2018 has blessed us with some glorious weather allowing us to wear and explore our summer wardrobes. Unfortunately, summer does not last for ever, but we can still prepare our wardrobes to stay stylish going into the Autumnal season. COLOUR BLOCKING Colour blocking is the laziest and therefore, possibly most efficient way to add colour into your wardrobe. This season, there are plenty of brights from which to choose.
WRITTEN BY OUR FASHION EDITOR PAM DAVIS Top-to-toe colour-blocking can be tough, but with a little know-how this trend can be way more accessible than you think. The trick is all in the tones. Darker colours are easier to style up, and are a lot more subtle, while brights, a real fashion statement, when done well look awesome. If one colour in particular really suits you, then this is the look you need to work on. My colour is RED its always been my fav!
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WHAT IS COLOUR BLOCK? Colour blocking is a method of wearing multiple solid colours in an outfit. It is sometimes written as colour blocking, with two separate words. The outfit revolves around a palette of two or more colours, usually in bold and bright shades. The result is a simple yet very chic look. Prints and patterns are typically not used in colour blocking as such designs would take away from the “blocked” visual.
HOW TO COLOUR BLOCK? The process of colour blocking is as straightforward as it sounds; adding blocks of solid colours to one ensemble. One piece of clothing in an outfit can have a bold, geometric print resembling a colour blocked pattern, or an entire look can be colour blocked with pieces in the outfit being in different colours, all solid.
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BENEFITS OF COLOUR BLOCKING Colour blocking roughly refers to the clashing of two or more contrasting colours together—say pairing yellow with blue or pink with green. However, not everyone can pull it off as too much of colour can clash and pairing bright colours can potentially create a jarring ensemble. In addition to being on trend, colour blocking can have many body slimming benefits, especially when the colours are paired with black and the darker blocks are positioned in places that can optically make the body look slimmer. So now you know all about the concept of Colour Blocking – follow these rules and you can’t go wrong!
Avoid Prints WHAT TO WEAR? While wearing colour-blocked outfits, it’s important to feel the limits. Bright and colour-blocked outfits should be complemented only with neutral and minimalist accessories.
Patterns call enough attention to themselves.
SAFE COLOUR SCHEMES Mixing yellow with dark blue is a safe bet if your ensemble has more of blue in it. The yellow—in the form of stripes on the shirt/ sweater—can beautifully pop the entire blue look.
Sometimes the best approach is to pick 1 neutral and 1 bright colour, browns, greys, navy blues are easy to block against.
Grey and pink is a universal combo and one you can never go wrong with. Red with black works great for a night-out. Colour blocking with a strikingly toned accessory can be a smart option. For instance, if you’re heading for the beach, colour block your electric blue shorts or track pants with a neon green beach duffle bag.
Don’t overdo it
You don’t want to look like a painter’s palette, pick 2 or 3 colours.
Wear your neutrals
Be brave with accessories
Accessories, particularly a big belt, chunky jewellery and eye-catching shoes are an ideal way to take colour blocking to another level. Bright, patterned prints, like scarves and belts, can also spruce up a colour-block ensemble, provided you let the colours in the print dictate which colours you put together. The key is to not be afraid of using a combination or colours, but finding a way to create interesting ensembles.
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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 7 • SE P T E MSBE TUDENT R 2018 S •T YLE S TUDENT LIFE
STUDENT Beauty SUPPORTED BY
TOP 5 EYESHADOW PALETTES
WRITTEN BY OUR BEAUTY EDITOR ROSIE MAY
Eyeshadow is one of my favourite parts of makeup. You can become so artistic and creative with it, and it’s so fun just to have a play around. I have to admit, I am a huge hoarder when it comes to eyeshadow as I love collecting them. I’ve managed to narrow my collection down to my top 5 favourite palettes; ranging from drugstore to high end. JACLYN HILL X MORPHE PALETTE Hands down this has to be my favourite palette of all time. Big statement I know! When Jaclyn first revealed this Morphe collaboration I was so excited, and when she showed us the palette I knew I had to buy it! The variation of colours in the palette makes it a one-stop go-to item. You can create a range of whole
looks just by using this palette. The colours range from gorgeous highlight whites, to your classic taupe crease shades, to some popping blues and purples. I’d also mention that the pigmentation is unreal! The colours blend beautifully and it’s just a great palette to have in your collection. This product retails at £37. VIOLET VOSS HOLY GRAIL PALETTE I’ve had this palette for quite a while now and it still appears to be a staple in my makeup drawers. The range of colours in this palette are just my cup of tea. The shimmer shades are super pigmented and buttery and the burgundy/wine tones really caught my eye! I love that you get a huge mirror with it and the holographic packaging is stunning! Even though I’ve had this palette a while and it’s had a lot of use, I still haven’t hit pan on any shades so it’s super long lasting! This product retails for £43.
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ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS MODERN RENAISSANCE PALETTE I’m sure you’ve probably all heard of this palette or seen pictures floating round social media. This palette has a similar vibe to the Holy Grail palette and it is beautiful! There has been a lot of uproar in ABH’s newest palettes with how chalky the colours are, however I think they nailed the Modern Renaissance palette. The colours are incredibly pigmented, one tap into the pan and you still need to tap off the excess! You also get a brush with this palette too which is a bonus, it’s a great little fluffy blending dual-ended brush! I also love the packaging on this palette, the velvet exterior just makes it feel so luxurious and worth the price tag! This product retails for £43. MORPHE 35B PALETTE Now I hate to mention this palette because it is being discontinued by Morphe, but it is a staple in my makeup collection so how could I not! This palette is the only palette you will need for all your colour looks. The range of vibrant colours is beautiful and the pigment matches up! I’d consider this a drugstore product as it only retails for £23. You can create so many extravagant looks with it and you should definitely attempt to get your hands on it before it disappears forever!
REVOLUTION LIFE ON THE DANCEFLOOR ‘GUEST’ PALETTE Now I definitely couldn’t finish this article without including a proper drugstore palette! I’ve tried a few Revolution palettes in the past and never thought a lot of them. The pigment wasn’t there and they were just not up to standard. However, Revolution as a brand has sky rocketed in the past year and their products have gone from 0-100 real quick! I picked up this palette as the red and brown tones caught my eye and I was not disappointed! The colours complement each other beautifully and the pigment has definitely improved since my last experience with their eyeshadows. These colours complement brown eyes well and it’s the packaging is everything a girl needs! This palette retails at £10! I love looking at eyeshadow palettes as collectibles. As a makeup enthusiast, I get super excited when brands release new palettes and I love buying them to collect them as well as put them to good use! It’s great to test out drugstore versions of high end palettes too, as a lot of the time the pigmentation is very good and you’re paying the hefty price tag just for the brand.
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STUDENT Beauty SUPPORTED BY
TOP 5 2018 SUMMER TRENDS WRITTEN BY CARA FOLLON
Fashion styles come and go, throughout the year we get to try out so many different trends. The summer of 2018 brought back many old fashion trends, as well as introducing some great new ones. Here’s my top 5 picks for the summer of 2018.
popular, due to its flattering nature – more fitted around the waist and loose from the thighs. Wide leg trousers can be found in any high street store – which makes this item even more appealing as you won’t have to spend loads to look fabulous! I picked up my favourite pair of wide leg culottes from Primark last year and recently bought a lovely pair of wide leg jeans from Primark for £15. 2. FLORAL PRINTS: Summer and Spring is the best time for floral prints, my personal favourite way to style this is by skater or mini dresses. Floral dresses are so cute, and I absolutely love them! They are usually always very comfortable to wear, and you are sure to get loads of compliments. This kind of print is also open for all different ages and sizes to wear, not restricting you to one piece of clothing. Although I favour dresses, floral prints look great on jeans, culottes, maxi skirts, or blouses. Flowers are extremely flattering and often remind people of the beautiful summer weather.
1. WIDE LEG: Whether it’s in the form of jeans or culottes, the wide leg style has become increasingly popular this summer, you just can’t escape from it. These types of trousers are perfect for the summer, especially for anyone who finds shorts too revealing or would prefer to be in clothing that is comfy. Airy, flowing and light – these trousers are a great staple to an outfit, whether you’re taking a trip to the beach or going for drinks in the evening. I, myself have numerous pairs of wide leg culottes, purely because they are so comfy and complement my figure. Wide Leg has also become extremely popular within the plus-size community, as it allows everyone to feel comfortable in a fashionable piece of clothing. High-waisted wide leg is the most 10 • SE P T E M BE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
3.LAYERED NECKLACES: This trend was rediscovered at the beginning of this year and it is one of my favourites! Layering a few gold necklaces together, really brings out the style of an outfit. I own a few layered necklaces and I find them to be a so nice addition to an outfit. Not too in your face, these types of necklaces don’t distract anyone from the rest of your outfit, but make sure they still stand out and catch people’s eye. This style is a great mash-up that will go with any outfit, whether that be that black slip dress you bought for a night out or your favourite band tee. 4.WOVEN BAGS: Although not a trend that I’ve gone along with, you cannot escape the woven bags. I have seen them everywhere! And I have to say, they do work! These straw bags are great to take out on a beach day, and really work for that kind of aesthetic. This beautiful accessory adds a great eye-catching element to any outfit. They are different and fun, and
work with day and evening wear. They can be found in all different shapes as well, to suit your day! There’s a range of different styles you can go for including pom-poms, rainbow-coloured, backpack or even the classic sleek straw. 5.CAT EYE SUNGLASSES: Having a beautiful pair of sunglasses is a must in the summer, especially with the heat we all experienced during those hot months. Cat eye first became popular during the 1950s and it’s stayed around the fashion world since. These glasses marked a new era for women and became hugely popular due to Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The original sunglasses were extremely exaggerated and had small lenses, which contrasts with today’s style which is far subtler. My personal favourite type of frame is the thin, chic look. Of course, it’s all down to your face shape and what suits you best. However, wherever you go, I’m sure they’ll be someone sporting the cat-eye look.
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STUDENT Travel
all about AMSTERDAM WRITTEN BY & IMAGE CREDIT TO RACHEL GILBEY
Amsterdam is a favourite city break. I visited two years ago just after I finished my University degree. I fell in love with the city and the people. There’s a chilled atmosphere and I didn’t once feel like a tourist. On arrival, I recommend investing in a GVB travel card. You pay a one off fee and then you can use it on multiple modes of transport: metro, bus, tram and ferry. You can buy these from the tourist information at Schiphol Airport or in the centre of Amsterdam. The 96 hour travel card cost 21.50 euros. I always do a hop-on, hop-off tour and they had a bus tour and a boat tour. It cost 28 euros which included access for 24 hours.
Both tours stop at Gassan Diamonds where you can get up close and personal with some expensive diamonds. As I was in Amsterdam for such a short amount of time, I didn’t get a chance to go to many attractions. Two places I definitely want to go to when I go back is the Heineken Experience and the Anne Frank House. The queue for Anne Frank was very long, so instead I went to Madame Tussauds. It’s such a fun place to go to and there’s lots of interactive things to do. It’s smaller than the London one but I don’t think that takes away anything from it. I also visited the Red Light District during the evening time. I had read reviews before going and it was something that we had to see. In short, it was a fascinating experience and interesting to view another way of life. The streets are lined with bars, pubs and food outlets. Lastly, you need to visit Vondelpark. You could easily dedicate a whole day to the park and hire bikes as it was just beautiful. All in all, I squeezed quite a bit into 4 days as well as walking around exploring the city via foot and also spending time at the hotel. There’s loads to see and do and I look forward to returning.
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MY Life
FEELING HOT HOT HOT WRITTEN BY REV. TOM ROUT
Tom Rout is vicar of the Ipswich Waterfront Churches (St Helen’s, Holy Trinity and St Luke’s) and Anglican Chaplain to the University of Suffolk and Suffolk New College. It was Friday 27th July and our holiday club had just finished. We’d waved the children goodbye, packed everything up and were getting in the car to drive home. It was a sweltering hot day and sweat poured down my face. I turned the key in the ignition and looked at the electronic display - it said 41°C. Although I had parked in direct sunlight, it’s a reminder of just how hot this summer has been. Generally speaking, really hot weather doesn’t affect numbers at church (we’re always a bit quieter in holiday season, whether it’s hot or not). Being so big, church buildings tend to stay cooler than others, making them an ideal place to come to escape the heat. If people are in Ipswich and the weather is hot and sunny, rather than skipping church, we encourage them to come to church first before heading to the seaside for the afternoon. That provides the best of both, sunshine of a natural and supernatural kind. According to the Bible, the sun’s heat and light reflects the Son (of God)’s heat and light. The warmth
coming off Jesus is greater by far than the warmth coming from the sun on the hottest summer’s day! When it’s really hot, churches sometimes start murmuring about the need to install air conditioning or fans in the ceiling. To be honest, that’s not normally necessary in our temperate maritime UK climate. We should remember that most of the world’s ca.2 billion Christians live in hotter climes than ours, and very few of their churches have electric cooling systems. In fact, many hold their services outside, perhaps in the shade of a tree - a hot day can’t stifle their desire to praise God for his goodness towards them! As we head towards the autumn, and the temperatures begin to fall, readers may be interested in a course the Waterfront churches are running on 4 Sunday evenings from 23rd September at the La Tour Cycle Cafe at the bottom of the Winerack. It’s called ‘321 - The Story of God, the World and You’. It’s video and discussion based, with refreshments... it’s free and open to all, no matter your faith, beliefs or background. Just come along for 6.00 -7:30pm on 23rd September.
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STUDENT Careers
WRITTEN BY DARREN OXBROW
SUPPORTED BY
Youth Mental Health Issues: Modern Phenomenon or Same Old Story? “School days are the best days of your life”, or so the old saying goes. Funnily enough, you don’t hear too many people say that these days. Of course, if you’ve been following the news for the last couple of years, or perhaps been a young person in the last couple of decades, then you will be under no illusions about the many stresses involved in growing up in modern British society. Working as part of the Heads 1st Team at Volunteering Matters, I get to hear a lot of views on young people’s mental health. During the last academic year, our team delivered twenty awarenessraising sessions for parents on child and adolescent mental health and thirteen short courses on personal wellbeing for students in Suffolk High Schools. Most
parents are quick to identify things that their children worry about; social media, exams and deciding what to do in the future are amongst the issues most commonly mentioned. When we ask young people what stresses they’re carrying, they mention these things but also refer more generally to bullying and peer pressure, as well as wider world issues such as the threat of terrorism. None of this should come as any surprise. These worries reflect the world we live in and the reality of growing up in today’s society. Yet a couple of challenging questions do crop up quite regularly in discussions with young people, parents and teachers about young people’s mental health. The first of these questions is ‘have mental health issues really become more common amongst young people in the last twenty years or is it just that we have become more aware of them?’ The second is ‘how can we distinguish mental health from the normal experience of being a teenager? Is there, perhaps, a danger that we are becoming too quick to medicalise normal emotions?’
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These are two very big questions and ones to which there are no definitive answers. With respect to the first, there is certainly no shortage of statistics which suggest mental health issues are becoming increasingly common amongst young people. But the question is really an attempt to get behind these statistics. I asked some of the adults who attend The Loop, an adult mental wellbeing service we run at our Ipswich centre, for their thoughts.
for an initial assessment so are unlikely to be given a diagnosis before their symptoms have persisted for some time. Also, while public awareness of mental health has increased during the last few years, diagnostic criteria have not suddenly been rewritten. There is perhaps a risk that, with young people and parents becoming more aware of mental health issues, self-diagnosis might increase. However, if this does happen, is it really such a bad thing?
From a personal perspective, many of these adults said that their first experience of mental health problems occurred during their childhood or adolescence and, like young people today, many identified bullying and peer pressure as triggers. Most felt that, while bullying has changed in some ways over the years, it has always had the same detrimental impact on mental health.
When our team deliver mental health sessions in high schools we often draw parallels between mental and physical health. Mental health, we tell students, is something which we all have and, just like physical health problems, mental health problems can range from very minor (like having a cold) to major (like having a long-term physical disability). So, we’re introducing the idea that mental health problems exist along a spectrum and, if we understand mental health in this way, perhaps drawing a line at an abstract point on this spectrum to divide the ‘medical’ from the ‘non-medical’ doesn’t really make sense. The important thing, we tell students is to address the thoughts and feelings you’re experiencing, whether this means using your own strategies, getting informal or professional help or a combination of these things.
Older members of the group commented that, whilst they didn’t have to worry about year nine options and social media when they were teenagers, they had to contend with a different range of issues including the Eleven Plus exam, being branded ‘stupid’ due to unrecognised dyslexia and corporal punishments from teachers. In the end, the jury was out on whether mental health issues have become commoner amongst young people, but all felt that such issues are much more likely to be recognised today than when they were younger. So, should we be worried that this increased awareness of mental issues will lead to young people being too readily diagnosed with mental health conditions? From a medical perspective probably not; young people referred to CAMHS usually wait at least a month
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WORK OF HEADS 1ST IN SUFFOLK, visit volunteeringmatters.org.uk and search for ANCHOR and The Loop. Jen Kiernan Heads 1st Project Manager
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STUDENT Careers SUPPORTED BY
WRITTEN BY SIAN ROBERTSON
LOCAL LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION Using it to make informed career choices
As discussed in last month’s issue, an awareness of the local labour market is always going to benefit you, and it will always help in terms of predicting sector growth and decline. However, it is important to note that the world is changing rapidly and it is extremely hard to predict all of the jobs that will exist in the future. Technology and globalisation are altering not just what we do but the way in which we work every single day. 15 years ago smartphones were just an idea and social media wasn’t a term that anyone really used. Fast forward to today where hundreds of thousands of people worldwide work in roles related to the creation of smartphones, and social media teams are present in almost every large company. Fast forward to a world where technology enables employees to work flexible working hours, from home
and in many cases across continents. It’s extremely hard to predict what technology will bring us next, so employers therefore want to be prepared. They want young people to be entering into the world of work as qualified as they can be, and for over 70% of them, that means recruiting future employees who hold a qualification above a Level 4. The reason they are so keen on recruiting people with higher qualifications is because through the further study of any subject, transferable skills will also be developed at an enhanced level. Having a strong transferable skill set will make you invaluable to any employer in a changing economy. Whilst higher level qualifications are set to be key to gaining a good job in the future, this doesn’t mean you have to go to university. Higher level qualifications can be gained in a number of ways, including apprenticeships and through work based programmes. A large number of employers are now working alongside universities, colleges and other awarding bodies to develop apprenticeship programmes that are bespoke to their sector. In addition many companies are looking at ways to support new and existing employees to upskill and prepare for future changes in the work place. IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU LOCALLY PLEASE GET IN TOUCH 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
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WHAT THE Food
BRITISH FOOD FORTNIGHT Since 2002, September has seen the celebration of British Food Fortnight. In wake of the foot and mouth crisis of the same year, businesses and organisations from across the UK came together – headed by food organisation Love British Food – to promote the benefits of buying (and eating!) home-grown products. The two week-long event (22nd September – 7th October) is supported by some big household names - its main sponsor is Co-Op Food, and ambassadors include Raymond Blanc OBE, Liz Earle MBE and Candice Brown (Great British Bake Off winner 2016), as well as important figures in the farming, agricultural and hospitality worlds. Love British Food encourages consumers, retailers and food service outlets alike to get involved with British Food Fortnight by even the smallest of changes; actively sourcing British-grown veg for your Sunday lunch, picking up British farmed meat during your weekly shop, or eating dishes which utilise in-season produce (see opposite) when dining out. For more information or ideas on how to get involved, visit www.lovebritishfood. co.uk/british-food-fortnight
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Shepherd’s Pie
IMAGE CREDIT: EVERYDAY DISHES
There are fewer dishes that inspire a more Autumnal feeling than a warming Shepherd’s pie! This recipe sources seasonal heather-fed lamb (check packaging for British logos to ensure it is locally produced, or even better head to your local butcher) and Maris Piper potatoes for the ultimate home-grown dish.
INGREDIENTS · 500g lean British lamb mince · 1 onion, finely chopped · 50g peas · 50g carrots, diced to pea size & cooked · 2 large Maris Piper potatoes · ½ litre lamb or vegetable stock · 1 tbsp tomato puree · Worcestershire sauce · Double cream · 2 egg yolks
METHOD 1. Sweat the chopped onion in a little vegetable oil until soft, then add the lamb mince and fry until browned. 2. Stir in the tomato puree and simmer for a further 5 minutes, then turn out into a colander to drain off the excess fat. 3. Put the mince into a fresh pan, add the stock and simmer for approximately 50 minutes, or until the mince is tender. Finish with salt, pepper and a splash of Worcestershire sauce to taste. 4. Cook the potatoes, drain and puree with a hand blender, finish with a little double cream and 2 egg yolks, salt and pepper. 5. Add the cooked diced carrot and peas to the lamb mince, put into an ovenproof dish, cover with mashed potato and bake in a medium oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the potato has glazed. For a little extra indulgence, add a handful of grated Cheddar cheese on top!
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WHAT’S IN SEASON & WHEN SPRING
SUMMER
AUTUMN
WINTER
MEAT Beef Steaks Chicken Sausages Spring Lamb - Grills
MEAT Beef Steaks Burgers Chicken – Kebabs & Grills Ham Lamb – Grills Pork Pies Pork Spare Ribs Saltmarsh Lamb Sausages Venison
MEAT Chicken Grouse Ham Heather-fed Lamb Pies Pork Roasts Sausages Venison
MEAT Casseroles Chicken Gammon Goose Partridge Pheasant Pies Roasts Sausages Turkey Venison Wild Duck
VEGETABLES Asparagus Carrots Cauliflowers Celeriac Cucumbers Curly Kale Purple Sprouting Broccoli Savoy Cabbage Sorrel Spinach Spring Greens Spring Onion Watercress
FRUIT Gooseberries Rhubarb FISH Crab Haddock John Dory Lobster Mackerel Monkfish Prawns Sea Bass Sea Salmon Trout Turbot
VEGETABLES Beetroot Broad Beans Carrots Cauliflowers Courgettes Cucumber Fennel Fresh Peas Garlic Green Beans Lettuce & Salad Leaves New potatoes Radishes Runner Beans Sage Salad Onions Squash Tomatoes Watercress FRUIT Blueberries Currants – black, white and red Elderflower berries Greengages Loganberries Plums Raspberries Strawberries Tayberries
VEGETABLES Field Mushrooms Lettuce Marrow Potatoes Pumpkin Rocket Squashes Sweetcorn Watercress FRUIT Apples Blackberries Damsons Elderberries Pears Plums Sloes FISH Brill Dabs Dover Sole Flounders Oysters Skate
FISH Crab Pilchards Wild Salmon
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VEGETABLES Bay Leaves Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celeriac Curly Kale Fennel Leeks Parsnips Potatoes Red Cabbage Swede Turnips FRUIT Apples Pears Quince FISH Grey Mullet Mussels Scallops
WHAT THE Food
WHY BUY BRITISH? · Buying home-grown produce supports the local economy; from the farmer to the greengrocer, the money you spend goes directly back into our area. · Reducing the carbon footprint. Purchasing British food that has travelled less distance from farm to shop means valuable emissions have been saved. · Eating British food is good for your health! It’s called ‘in season’ for a reason! Fruits and vegetables grown at certain times of years contain essential nutrients that our bodies need for the season. · British meat is world-leading in quality. We have some of the highest welfare standards in the world; no growth hormones, unnecessary antibiotics or other harmful chemicals are administered to agriculture in the UK.
· Lowest salmonella risk in European chicken. Only 2% of British chickens have salmonella, compared to 30% of other Europeans countries’ poultry. · Our native livestock genetics are coveted by the rest of the world. Beef and sheep bred and originating in Britain are much sought after by farmers worldwide.
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WHY BUY BRITISH FISH & SEAFOOD? Fish & seafood is low in calories, high in protein and rich in vitamins, minerals and natural oils. Oil-rich fish such as herring and mackerel are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, which have been shown to have a lowering effect on cholesterol. They are also a great source of vitamins A and D. British seafood is produced to some of the highest welfare standards and environmental care in the world. Scotland’s rivers, lochs and coastal waters are home to some of the freshest shellfish, wild salmon and herring in the world. ‘Scottish Farmed Salmon’ is protected by the EU’s special PGI designation. It is rich in Omega-3 and has been produced to the highest standards of welfare and environmental care. PCB and dioxin levels in Scottish farmed salmon are significantly lower than thresholds set by international watchdogs, including the Food Standards Agency in the UK.
CHOOSING FISH Whenever you buy fish or seafood you should always look for the freshest kind available. Here are a number of tips to help you scout out the best: • • • • • • • •
The fish should never smell ‘fishy’. Whole fresh fish will have eyes that are bright and skin should have a moist firm appearance. Flesh should be firm to touch. Fish should have no brown spots. Smoked fish should look glossy with a fresh smoky aroma. Shellfish, like lobster and crab, should be purchased either alive or frozen. Select shellfish with shells tightly closed and without any gaps or cracks. Lobsters and crabs should be heavy for their size.
21 • SE P T EWHAT M BE R 2018 THE F• OOD S TUDENT LIFE
P SO TORO U HE RE LO URC BE D VE CA IN R LLY G PO SS IB LE W
CALENDAR from £35 per person
SEPTEMBER Thursday 6th Seafood demo/dinner evening Thursday 20th Wine and tapas tasting from Spain
01473 210454 www.thegrazingsheep.com info@thegrazingsheep.com
POP UP AUTHENTIC TAPAS WEEKEND Exclusive selection of authentic dishes from around Spain with a carefully selected selection of wines, sherry and vermouth Every Friday and Saturday night from 6.30 pm till 9.00 pm. Booking only
OCTOBER Thursday 4th Wild and field mushrooms cooking and sampling Thursday 18th Wine tasting and bowl dinner from the new World NOVEMBER Thursday 8th Game and hunters demo and dinner evening Thursday 15th Fizz and canapés DECEMBER Christmas exclusive corporate evenings
GRAZING CHRISTMAS Spoil your team this festive season with an unforgettable Christmas celebration at our great venue. Situated at the Ipswich Waterfront and with the mezzanine overlooking the marina, the Grazing Sheep will provide everything you need to experience a laid-back party atmosphere this winter. You’ll enjoy total exclusivity for the duration of the evening. Whatever option you choose, you’ll enjoy a stylish Prosecco reception on arrival, before tucking into a fabulous festive buffet. The finger or bowl buffet features a mouth-watering array of choice prepared by Julian that will be sure to tantalise your taste buds! With options that include meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, you can be sure that there’s something on this menu that everyone will love. 22 22 • • SE SEPPTTEEM MBE BERR 2018 2018 • • SSTUDENT TUDENT LIFE LIFE
STUDENT Entertainment
The Midlands v London in
Urban Music WRITTEN BY CHANEL McKENZIE
Being a fan of Urban music, I have always been interested in the music scenes all around the country, whether this be locally or in the bigger cities such as London. For this particular article, I want to focus on two specific areas in the UK that play a huge part in Grime and Rap music. The two areas I will be discussing are the Midlands (specifically, Birmingham and Manchester) and London. So I’m going to start with London and who I believe is representing the city right now. You have the big names such as Stormzy, Skepta, Giggs (the list goes on!) who are continuing to set the bar high. But in the last year, there are many London artists that have taken the music scene by storm. AJ Tracey, Mostack, Lady Leshurr etc, have all been creating music for multiple years now. However, I personally believe that within the last six months is their moment where they are truly shining. Artists such as Skepta collaborating
with American rappers like ASAP Rocky, is making London the place to be for music. US artists are falling in love with London and that is clearly shown by worldwide sensation, Drake. Despite London poppin’ right now, the Midlands are not going unnoticed and this is especially in reference to Birmingham and Manchester. Bugzy Malone has represented Manchester for many years now, one of his most famous moments being when he was creating diss tracks to London artist, Chip. Recently, I feel that Jaykae, Lotto Boyzz and Mist, have really drawn attention to their home cities, which I believe sets a huge reminder that you don’t always have to be in London to be successful in music in the UK. All the above artists all present themselves to be extremely proud of where they come from and I love to see that. Although the Midlands may not have a success rate like London, I think it will be following closely behind soon. What do you think?
23 • SE S TUDENT P T E M BE RENTERTAINMENT 2018 • S TUD ENT 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:
SOBER DEMI LOVATO EASTSIDE BENNY BLANCO
FEAT. HALSEY & KHALID
SIX FEET UNDER BILLIE EILISH LEVITATE TWENTY ONE PILOTS TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME THE 1975
I felt I couldn’t write this article without talking about Demi Lovato’s Sober. A few months ago, she told us all about her six years of sobriety, however, after the release of this song and recent events of her being admitted to rehab, it would indicate she may have relapsed. It is almost a confession to the struggles she’s obviously been battling recently. She explains her story in her most recent documentary on Youtube called Simply Complicated which is very eyeopening and proves celebrities can still struggle. The song itself is a very beautiful song and you can really hear the sadness and battle behind it.
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heard of, finding Six Feet Under. Yes, it’s as sad and deep as it sounds! So perhaps don’t play this at your next party; it’s definitely more suitable for when you’re not feeling your best and need a song to let your emotions out to. The title pulled me in at first and after listening to the first few seconds I was already obsessed with it. It has a slight Lana Del Rey vibe, so if you are a fan of hers, I would recommend you listen to this one! The lyrics ‘our love is six feet under’ suggests she may have been through a break up at the time – it hits you right in the feels! So, we have another taste of Twenty One Pilots soon to be released new album! Levitate is very different compared to the other releases I spoke about in last month’s article. There are many rumours that the 3 songs are a trilogy and are in fact all linked. The two boys have definitely got everyone speculating! Some people believe they are based on mental health, others noticed how Jumpsuit talks about feeling so high in their Jumpsuit, therefore, levitating! Levitate is all a rap style song, but in Jumpsuit and Nico and the Niners, they are more melodic and are more sung than rapped. I love any song with Khalid and Halsey in, so Eastside has been a perfect song for me this month. Although being quite a typical pop song based on relationships and good memories, which I don’t always like, there’s something about it which makes me want to listen to it all the time. It’s quite mellow at points, but Khalid does have a very soft voice. I hadn’t heard of Benny Blanco until this song; turns out it is his producing debut, which is very impressive. I look forward to hearing more from him! Since the rise of Billie Eilish, I decided to research more of her songs that I haven’t
We have a new song from The 1975! It’s a very upbeat and feel good song, despite the song seeming to be about disloyal relationships. There have now been 3 early releases of their album - A Brief Enquiry Into Online Relationships. But TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME is personally my fave from the 3. I think almost all songs by The 1975 have been based around girls – I’m not sure I’ve actually heard one that isn’t about relationships and girls! But there’s something I like about it – you know what to expect from them and it’s consistent(ly good).
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TORY’S WRITTEN BY VICTORIA REYTON
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE — FALLOUT
Tory’s Rating:
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Run Time: 2 hours 28
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Certificate: 12a
As soon as Cruise’s face is on that big screen and he turns and flashes that $20 million toothy smile, he’s hooked you. His charm and screen presence is undeniable and when it comes to the Mission: Impossible franchise, he is peak Tom Cruise. Which is why after 22 years playing Ethan Hunt, this franchise is still so successful at thrilling audiences with its mad daredevil stunts, heart-thumping action sequences and its promise of a thoroughly entertaining time. A promise it fulfils and then some because Mission: Impossible — Fallout is the best action movie of 2018 so far. How do you argue with a movie that pummels you with insane helicopter chases, intense hand-to-hand combat, a riveting motorcycle chase across Paris and more Tom Cruise running than you’ve ever seen before? You can’t. You just can’t. It leaves Bond in its wake, and after the iffy second and third movies, this is a franchise that keeps getting better. Set two years after the last instalment, Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation, the dastardly Syndicate group has morphed into the Apostles after the capture of its leader Solomon Lane (Sean Harris). When Ethan (Cruise), Benji (Simon Pegg) and Luther (Ving Rhames) receive intel that fundamentalist members of the Apostles plan to detonate three nuclear bombs in crowded religious centres, the team tries to disrupt the sale of the plutonium cores. The mission fails when Ethan chooses to save Luther’s life and the bombs are in the wind. After the latest cock-up, CIA director Erica Sloan (Angela Bassett) sends her agent August Walker (a moustachioed Henry Cavill) on the next mission with Ethan. Walker is a brute force kind of guy, preferring to punch, shoot and kill first, which makes him Ethan’s opposite and foil. The mission puts them in the path of a duplicitous arms dealer named White Widow (Vanessa Kirby), who is to serve as an intermediary for the plutonium cores, which Ethan can only get his hands on if he agrees to free Lane.
He also faces off with Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), the MI5 agent who’s determined to kill Lane. Ferguson’s return is a first for the franchise, which usually leaves its female cast members behind, only carrying over the men from one film to the next. Ditto with director Christopher McQuarrie, who previously directed Rogue Nation, becoming the first MI repeat director. Mission Impossible has never been super concerned about legacy until now and it’s refreshing to see it devote so much story time and character development to the consequences of Ethan’s decades gallivanting around the world playing hero, which tends to leave a lot of collateral damage. The story progression, as you’d expect from a spy thriller, has many twists and turns, doubletriple-quadruple crosses, some of which you see coming from way off and some you don’t, and some of which is really stretching the realm of reality. It’s not the strongest element of the movie but it’ll do — it’s best you don’t think about it too hard. It’s not just that Ethan Hunt HALO jumps out of a plane 25,000 feet above the Earth’s surface in a vertigo-inducing sequence, it’s that Tom Cruise HALO jumps out of a plane 25,000 feet above the Earth’s surface and it’s Tom Cruise who broke his leg leaping across rooftops next to the Thames in London. It creates a real sense of jeopardy for the audience. You’re constantly catching your breath. That’s the kind of exciting, adrenalinepumping and visceral movie-going xperience Mission: Impossible is known for and delivers. The only thing that lets the movie down (some story issues and one weirdly edited scene aside) is that it starts to drag in the last act. Coming in at almost two-and-a-half hours, Mission: Impossible — Fallout is definitely one action sequence too long, though I’d be pressed to nominate one to omit — a small quibble but one that prevents it from being a perfect action movie. So close.
27 • SE S TUDENT P T E M BE RENTERTAINMENT 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
Study Time WRITTEN BY ROSIE WEDGE
It’s important to be prepared to go back into studying, especially if this is the year of your GCSEs or A Levels, and so I have a few tips on how to prepare for the study-filled times ahead. First off, make sure you have all the equipment you need. That means a pencil case, pens and pencils at a minimum. I always recommend a ruler and rubber too, as even in subjects such as English Literature, you may need to draw up tables and charts to organise your work in. Highlighters are also something I highly recommend for AS and A2 students, as well as a diary or lined notepad.
Next, read a book. Seriously, read a book. ‘Why?’ I hear you ask; because at GCSE and A Level, at least half of your learning materials will be written in our beloved English language. Textbooks, online forums, past papers, they all have words! Chances are that unless you are a bookworm such as myself, you probably haven’t read much stuff over the summer other than tweets on Facebook, and let’s be honest, the grammar and spelling on Twitter is poor. Even just reading one short book, 200-300 pages, will be enough to boost your reading skills back up. As for writing, try writing out a page or two of something just to get your muscles working again, even if you just write out some song lyrics or favourite movie and TV quotes. Thirdly, know your courses. Try and get an overview of what you are going to be learning this school year by reading the examiner’s reports and spec sheets. This is especially important at AS and A2 when you have fewer subjects that go much more in depth. If you are going in to your second year of A Levels and your courses are linear courses, then try and see how the new material you will be learning will link to what you have already learnt. Finally, don’t panic. GCSEs and A Levels are going to be stressful, I’m not going to lie. However, if you go into them with a positive mindset, then the outcome of results will probably be much better than if you go into September and start the term freaking out and worrying before the teacher has even introduced themselves. So keep calm, be prepared and give it your best shot!
IMAGE CREDIT : ROSIE WEDGE
28 • SE P T E M BE R 2018 • S TUD ENT LIFE
MY Life My Life is your go-to guide, offering tips, life hacks and advice on a variety of subjects to make your transition and journey through education as smooth as possible. Written by students who have been there, done it, this one-stop shop not only aims to bring you the inside scoop on student life but also will include articles and support for ‘nontraditional’ students; such as mature students, international students and those who have caring responsibilities.
LIFE• S TUD ENT LIFE 29 • SE P T E M BE RMY 2018
MY Life
STATIONERY GURU
WRITTEN BY CARA FOLLON
I am a big fan of stationery, I absolutely love buying it during the summer, trying to get ready for the new year. It always makes me feel really prepared when term-time starts. Buying new sets of pens, new bright highlighters and new notepad is just really satisfying! There are certain stationery essentials that you can’t go to school or do a degree without. There’s also a few stationery shops that are great for some reasonably priced items. So, if like me, you’re low-key obsessed with stationery – here are a few tips!
Postit notes or tabs are also extremely useful when it comes to studying and exam revision, especially if your course requires you to do extra reading. These can be used to mark certain pages or quotes in a book, without scribbling over the page. Ohh Deer is a relatively new store which stocks different gifts and stationery. Very similar to Paperchase, this store currently has a range of stationery essentials perfect for a student. I really like their desk pads right now. The Cool Cacti A4 Desk pad has a really nice design and is a real essential for someone who wants to be organized. This is on sale for £7.95 and includes space for notes, doodles, a to-do list and a weekly schedule. This desk pad is A4 which means it’ll fit perfectly on your desk without taking up too much space. It is also just 60 sheets of paper meaning each week you can start again.
Paperchase is a personal favourite shop for some different and quirky stationery. I have a real love for their diaries and journals, the designs are beautifully done and although a little pricier, worth it! Now, mid-year diaries are on sale which is perfect as it coincides with the academic year. One diary I’ve had my eye on is the Kimono mid-year diary set which retails for £11.25, includes a writing pen and different information like unit conversions and world times alongside the week view. If you want to have a more standard kind of stationery, most supermarkets stock notepads, pens, highlighters, pencil cases etc. for a really good price! I’d recommend buying your highlighters, pens and pencils from supermarkets purely because the worst thing is when you’re using these kinds of items and they run out. Usually supermarkets retail big packs so you won’t need to restock. 30 • SE P T E M BE R 2018 • S TUD ENT LIFE
GETTING INVOLVED IN UNI LIFE WRITTEN BY HARRIET RACKHAM
Harriet is twenty-one years old and has just completed her degree in BA (Hons) Digital Film Production. She will be graduating with a 2:1 Harriet got involved with Student Life because she enjoys writing and wants to continue this skill. As a soon to be graduate of University of Suffolk, I was a sociable student and often met up with friends and other students. One of the main aspects for getting involved in University life is the Students’ Union. They offer a wide range of weekly sports sessions under the Most Active Students’ scheme, for only one pound for students. The MAS activities are beneficial for students to meet other students and for keeping fit and healthy at a much lower cost compared to gyms. The SU also featured societies which are an integral part of the University’s Students’ Union. Luckily enough our SU had over twenty activity societies so there was something for every student!
However, I studied a BA (Hons) in Digital Film Production and noticed that there was not a film society. In December 2016, I decided to take on the challenge myself and founded the University of Suffolk Students’ Union Film Society. Callum (the society’s secretary) and I worked effortlessly to make the society special and memorable for each of our eighty plus members. We organised weekly screenings, monthly quizzes and cinema trips and were lucky enough to be Society of the Year 2017 and 2018 consecutively. In October 2017, I discovered a funding opportunity for our society and applied for funding from the University of Suffolk’s Foundation Board. We were fortunate enough to receive four hundred pounds from the foundation board to improve our monthly quizzes. This funding for the quizzes was used to purchase decorations, refreshments and prizes which were up for grabs for our members to win. I can definitely say that being part of this community made the University experience beneficial and most of the friends I made during University were through the Film Society. Finally, I would advise all students at University of Suffolk to get involved in societies in order to meet new people but most importantly to enhance their whole University experience.
LIFE 31 • SE P T E M BE RMY 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
MY Life
ATTENDING UNI AS A MATURE STUDENT
focused on my A-levels yet still managed to pass, at 18 there was no way I wanted to do a degree, I didn’t have one passion or a certain career path I wanted to follow so didn’t see the benefit for me.
Pete is 25 years old and decided to get involved with Student Life as he is keen to share his own stories and thoughts to help and inform others, sharing experiences is a great learning tool in life.
Between 18 and 23 I gained great life experience, both through work and my personal life, as deep as it sounds I grew as a person, found out what I liked and didn’t like and what I was good at and see where I could succeed. I was anxious of course, about moving to a new town where I knew no one and going back into education after a 5 year break but I knew it was the right thing to do. I was moving into Athena Hall and was concerned I would be ‘too old’ for student accommodation, I was very wrong. I have lived with and met some great friends in Athena and at UOS and surprisingly more people seem to be in their 20s like me rather than fresh out of college or Sixth Form.
Going to University is a big lifestyle change no matter what your age, I started my studies when I was 23, which may not seem very old, but after working full time for five years before that and being on the verge of settling down with a mortgage, lectures and student accommodation was a big shock. I had a role in Human Resources which I loved but I wanted to do more and as I am not naturally academic I knew Open University or parttime studying wouldn’t suit me. I was not very
I study full time so couldn’t carry out my HR role but was lucky enough to gain a part time position in the Contracts team of the same organisation which allows me to develop my professional and academic knowledge at the same time. I am about to start my last year of my Degree and I am so glad I chose this path and at the age I did too, never let your age stop you doing something, especially undertaking study, it’s just a number after all!
WRITTEN BY PETE BROUGHTON
32 • SE P T E M BE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
APPLYING FOR STUDENT FINANCE WRITTEN BY ROSIE WEDGE So, picking up from last time, the next step in my university endeavours was to apply for student finance. Even if you are staying at home for university, and won’t need to take out a loan for maintenance (accommodation and living costs), you will still need a tuition loan. This is really important to remember, as you hear the debt-crippling stories of people who didn’t realise that they still need to pay £9,250 a year if they want to be taught at a university. Applying is super simple; just like UCAS, it is all run through one website, Student Finance England, and has step-by-step guides to applying. You can choose to apply for just tuition fees, just maintenance, or both. You can apply for up to £8,900 a year for maintenance, however dependant on your household income, you may not get the full amount. I found the website very easy to use, and despite being told it would take
at least three weeks to find out what finance I’m eligible for, it only took around 10 days to received my entitlements. The earlier you apply, the quicker you will hear back from them. After this, you are all set to apply to accommodation, if you need to. I deeply recommend waiting to find out what your loan will amount to before applying for accommodation in case your loans come back lower than anticipated and you are stuck with accommodation you can’t afford. Believe me, student accommodation is NOT CHEAP, by any means. Therefore, I recommend applying to services such as UNIDays and NUS cards to get exclusive student discounts, making all your other expenditures less painful. Joining a Facebook group for your university and posting a message asking for second hand textbooks is also a great way to save huge amounts; I got seven responses within a day, and everyone was selling their books at fantastic prices! Accommodation was very easy to apply for, however this may vary depending on your university. Thankfully, University of Surrey was very straightforward, but as long as you stick to the application deadline, you should be fine. Now, by the time results day comes around and your place is hopefully confirmed, everything should be set in place alongside your offer!
LIFE 33 • SE P T E M BE RMY 2018 • S TUD ENT LIFE
STUDENT Tech SUPPORTED BY
THE GOOGLE HOME PRODUCT REVIEWED BY TOMMY CURRY
As part of our partnership with Hughes, each month we will be reviewing an exciting and innovative product for your home. This month, we test the Google Home – Smart Speaker Unit. As a Dancer and active person, the Google Home is a highly recommended product. Having reviewed the Google Home device it was clear to see what all the hype is about; having the ability to connect to so many of your devices in your home from TVs to lights, it creates its own ecosystem. Many people wonder if the device is as good as it sounds, and in my opinion yes. It offers a handsfree alternative to anything you could need your phone for, say you are cooking and you would like to play some music; just say “Hey Google” and then ask away. The price for the full unit currently sits on the market at around £100+ with the mini option sitting around £40, but why put a price on something that can make life as a student a lot easier?
As I previously mentioned I’m a dancer, having a smart unit in my house makes my life so much easier. Playing music is a breeze, all I have to do is ask and it can play, rewind, repeat, skip. You ask. It can do. So how can it benefit us as young busy people? Do you easily forget things? Set a reminder. In a conversation with a friend about if a fact is right or wrong? The Google Home can check for you. Or if you just want to plan a day out so you need to know the weather. It will tell you the current weather. In any location you wish. All you have to do again…..ask. Voice controlled devices are getting more and more common. If it wasn’t worth the investment people wouldn’t be so interested in it all. All the celebs have voice controlling software. Why Bill Gates’ entire home is voice controlled. Why not feel like the world’s richest person? Now let’s talk a bit about security. When reviewing this device, I found one particular fact very interesting……the voice recognition
34 • SE P T E M BE R 2018 • S TUD ENT LIFE
HUGHES’ VIEW The Sony LF-S50G Wireless Smart Sound Speaker works with Google Assistant to give you a range of voice activated features. Play music, ask for a recipe, or control other smart home products including lighting and heating. All you have to do is say “OK Google” and your assistant will be ready to handle your request.
software. This device has the ability to distinguish different voices. If you have a playlist that you love in particular and don’t want anyone messing with, it will remember your voice and match your playlist to it. You can set-up so only your voice can use the online shopping element, keeping your bank balance free from anyone trying to order a sneaky pizza. Guess that means you can spend it more on instant noodles and happy hour meals. Everyone is going for smart units. Don’t be the only one not using them. If you are unsure, go to your local store and ask for a demo. You won’t be disappointed.
Stream playlists, podcasts, radio and more from your Bluetooth-enabled devices in high quality audio. The Sony LF-S50G’s 360 speaker system ensures the sound fills the room - so whatever you’re listening to will sound great no matter where you’re sitting. The two-way facing speaker, two-stage diffuser, and bass reflex duct ensure you get a rich, immersive audio experience. You can even connect via NFC - just tap your compatible device against the speaker and start streaming. If you have more than one Chromecast speaker in your home, you can sync them together to play the same music in multiple rooms - great for parties and gatherings.
your home connected
hughes.co.uk/smarthome 35 • SE P T E MSBE TUDENT R 2018 TEC • SHTUDENT LIFE
SEXUAL Health
CHANGES WRITTEN BY ANDY TURNER
It’s all change at Terrence Higgins Trust Suffolk! At the end of July we bid a sad farewell to our office in Arcade Street, where we’d been for the past 5 years (although it feels like much longer!) and moved in to our new home at 10-12 Orwell place. While it’s a fair bit smaller, we have grand plans! As the September issue of Student Life Magazine goes to press, the outside looks as it does in the photo, but hopefully by the time you read this we’ll have our window dressings in place and our sign by the door! We are open Monday to Friday, between 9.30am and 5pm, and welcome anyone who wants a chlamydia test or to pick up a c-card or condoms, to knock on the door. We’ll soon be advertising regular drop-ins too. The iCaSH young person’s clinic will continue to run on Thursday evenings between 2pm and 6pm, offering a pill
service, treatment for those with symptoms, as well as contraceptive advice. This is an appointment only clinic, and walk-ins will not be seen. For appointments please call 0300 1233650. Terrence Higgins Trust will not be able to book appointments on your behalf. For further information go to www.icash.nhs.uk/where-to-go/icash-suffolk/ ipswich-youngpeople Please bear in mind, opening times are subject to change. For those with no symptoms please go to www. icash.nhs.uk/expresstest and order a self test kit. For those under 25 who would like a chlamydia or gonorrhoea test, please go to www.youngandfree.org.uk Our weekly Rapid HIV testing clinic will also continue – call 01473 393102 for more details. Alternatively you can order a free test online at https://test.tht.org.uk SEXUAL HEALTH WEEK Also this month, it’s Sexual Health Week (Monday 24th – Sunday 30th September). Previous years have seen us talking about Porn, and running around the county dressed as Pokemon! Just another day in the life of THT Suffolk!! Check out our social media for details! This year’s theme is consent. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 says that a person Consents to something if that person ‘agrees by choice and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice’.
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TERRY HIGGINS
KEY POINTS AROUND CONSENT • The age of consent for any form of sexual
activity is 16, regardless of gender or sexual orientation • While it is an offence for anyone to have any sexual activity with someone under 16, there would be no intention to prosecute teenagers of a similar age where sex is by mutual consent • Consent is given by saying yes. For example, if a person is unconscious, they are unable to say yes. Therefore consent has not been given • Just because consent has been given before, it doesn’t automatically mean consent is given for the future. People can change their minds, and that’s ok • Children aged 12 and under cannot legally give consent, and any sexual activity would be deemed statutory rape, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment • In the UK, if a man penetrates the vagina, mouth or anus of another person, regardless of their gender, and without their consent, he is committing rape • A woman cannot be charged with rape, as the offence is defined as penile penetration. However a woman can be charged with other offences such as, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, sexual coercion or assault, or assault by penetration • Touching someone in a sexual manner if that person has not given consent, is also an offence
GET IN TOUCH EMAIL: sexualhealthsuffolk @tht.org.uk WEBSITE: www.tht.org.uk FACEBOOK: Terrence Higgins Trust Suffolk TWIT TER: THTSuffolk NEW ADDRESS: 10-12 Orwell Place, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1BB
37 • SE P T E M SEXUAL BE R 2018 HEALTH • S TUDENT LIFE
Planning your wedding reception? Quay Place is a truly stunning venue for your special day. We offer some wonderful wedding packages, including the hire of the Nave from just £1,000. Wedding Receptions at Quay Place Quay Place is a brand new venue for wedding receptions and is just a stones throw from Ipswich Registry Office. The nationally important medieval building is a beautiful piece of architecture that has been renovated to a very high standard. It has all the character and charm you would expect from a former church, but with a modern twist. The building provides a relaxed and enjoyable environment for your special day. Our wedding team have put together some wonderful wedding packages including the hire of our Nave from just £1000. We also offer a range of all inclusive packages. For more information or to view the venue call 01473 917795 or email weddings@quayplace.co.uk Wedding Fayre at Quay Place Sunday 23rd September, 11am - 3pm Quay Place is hosting a Wedding Fayre to showcase everything from bridal shops, candy carts and much more. £1 entry.
Quay Place Key Street, Ipswich, IP4 1BZ • quayplace.co.uk • 01473 569696 38 • SE P T E M BE R 2018 • S TUD ENT 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 • SE P T E M BE R 2018 • S TUD ENT LIFE
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Editor’s
This month is suicide awareness month and therefore we have featured articles surrounding this topic. Please respect others’ experiences and opinions when discussing this topic – if you are feeling that you need some support on suicidal thoughts and feelings please look at the contacts page at the end of the mental health section – you aren’t alone.
WORD
Following on from our introductory article last month on depression we have decided to include other people’s experiences on this. Depression is debilitating and a genuine mental health condition. As above, if you feel you need support consult the contacts page at the end of this section, or alternatively please feel free to send me an email. It is so refreshing being able to publish articles on such sensitive but important topics. Without discussing topics such as these the taboo and stigma that surrounds them sticks – we all have mental health just as we do physical health, so therefore let’s discuss it and not be afraid of it. No health without mental health. Have a fantastic September and remember to look after yourselves xo
CONTACT US 01473 35 35 12 leanne@student-life.co www.student-life.co
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Leanne Arnold, Mental Health Director
Contents... SELF CARE 41 42 DEPRESSION 43-45 SUICIDE Q&A 46
RELATIONSHIPS 48-49 SUFFOLK MIND 50-51 53 LGBTQ+ BULLYING 56-58
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SELF CARE DE-CLUTTERING WRITTEN BY RACHEL GILBEY De-cluttering is a great way to unwind when everything appears hectic and messy. It can be hard to stop our brains from working overtime, especially when there is nothing tangible to clasp, so having a tidy up and clear out can be the next best thing. Maybe there’s a room in your house or a box that’s been sitting at the back of the wardrobe since forever that can be sorted through. The Blurt Foundation (blurtitout.org) notes how our environment can affect our mood and reducing clutter can help us to destress. Decluttering can involve ‘removing, reducing or rationalising our immediate environment’.
BENEFITS OF DECLUTTERING: •De-stressing – it can improve our day to day if tasks are simplified such as searching through our sock draw! •Boost our self-esteem – removing any unwanted items or tat can help us to feel good about what we own. •Letting go – You might be holding on to a memory that provokes negative emotions. By removing these objects, you are also enabling yourself to let go. •Gives us a sense of achievement – clearing out and tidying up can seem daunting but once you’ve finished, the results will be worth it! If you are getting rid of items that are in good condition, why not see if a local charity shop could benefit from them? Not only will you be helping a charity, but also you will be passing on your pre-loved items to a new home.
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MENTAL Health
Depression is long enduring sadness, feeling worthless, feeling unconfident, tired, unmotivated, and just all round numb. Well, that’s how I felt when I was depressed. Nothing interested me, I didn’t want to eat, or do anything other than sleep. In fact, sleep became my escape, the only time where I didn’t feel crap. It probably sounds confusing because I wasn’t really feeling anything when I was awake, but I did have this constant pull, this feeling of just absolute nothingness and almost despair. But when I was asleep I really did not feel anything. Sleeping became a problem though, because too much sleep is bad for your wellbeing. It makes you feel rubbish and lethargic; because I was sleeping so much I wasn’t engaging in social activities which ruled out the opportunity to talk to my friends and family about how I was feeling. This became a vicious cycle, but the worst thing was I couldn’t be bothered to try and get out of it. I just basically gave up of living and started existing instead.
DEPRESSION WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD Honestly, it bugs me slightly when people off-handedly talk about how they’re so “depressed” about this, that, and the other. The reality and likelihood of it is that they probably aren’t depressed but are actually feeling sad, and the length of sadness won’t be a long one.
Being in that dark place is extremely difficult to get out of, especially when you’re alone, and that’s why I would always encourage you to talk to people about your feelings and thoughts as having someone else there offers support and a ‘helping hand’ to ‘pull you out’. I eventually found something which gave me enough motivation to reach out and talk, and that’s how I began my journey of recovery. Slowly I started sleeping less and started recognising which things were toxic in my life, I started actively making the effort to do things that were good for my wellbeing, and slowly but surely my mood started to lift. Depression may seem like it will never go away, haunt you forever, but recovery is achievable.
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death by suicide every two hours.
SUICIDE
Myths & Facts WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD The definition of suicide by the Mental Health Foundation is ‘the instance of taking one’s own life intentionally’. Suicide is a topic that is rarely spoken about for several reasons. It seems that most of society believe that, by talking about suicide we are encouraging it or encouraging the thoughts of it. This is a myth; by talking about suicide we open an avenue for people to feel comfortable in speaking about their thoughts and feelings surrounding this. Suicide is more common than many of us realise, thousands of people in the UK end their lives by suicide each year, over 6,000 of these occur in the UK and Ireland. To make this more relatable, the figure works out to one
If suicide is so prevalent then why do we avoid the discussion around it? People often get worried about talking about it due to lack of understanding and fear of making the situation worse. As we all know bottling up emotions can be more unhelpful than helpful. So why should we not speak about suicide? Unfortunately, suicide has many negative connotations attached to it; it is often thought that if someone is serious about acting on their suicidal thoughts there is nothing we can do to help. This is not true, I believe that the only point of not being able to help a person is when they have already left this earth. There are many things we can do to help someone who feels suicidal; MIND give some advice: •Encourage them to talk about their feelings •Encourage them to seek treatment and support •Offer emotional support •Offer practical support •Help them discover ways of self-help •Help them to make a support plan The main aspect of supporting someone is providing a compassionate, understanding, non-judgemental ear. Overreacting and projecting your thoughts and feelings about it can make the situation worse. Remaining calm and talking through the situation is extremely important. If this article has affected you in any way and you feel that you need extra support please see our contacts list at the end of this subsection.
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Suicide
SELFISH & COWARDLY WRITTEN BY ANONYMOUS When my uncle took his own life, whilst most of the family felt pure grief, I felt let down. He had become a recluse following divorce from my auntie, drinking heavily and living in a small flat in a town some miles away. Not many of the family saw him – mostly down to his all-round unpredictability, unreliability and morose state. I suppose it was a phone call waiting to happen, but when the police did phone and the family was told, I was annoyed. I had experienced loss before, but not to this way. My first thoughts were to his children – my cousins. They were happily living life with auntie’s new husband and although happier than I can remember them ever being, they were still being denied any future relationship with their father. I remember feeling that this was selfish beyond belief. Who was my uncle to decide that his family didn’t need him anymore? I wasn’t privy to my uncle’s state of mind; his mental health diagnosis, but – to me – he was a coward. Why couldn’t he open up to someone….anyone and try to make sense of what his life had become. More importantly, try to make positive changes to what his life had become and remain involved with his
immediate family – his children – if not the whole family. Some people reading this will think that you shouldn’t judge, or comment, or try to understand somebody else’s emotions, but I don’t agree. Life is hard sometimes, but I believe that you don’t get to choose to get out of a hard life by the ultimate method. You get on with what life throws at you. You may not be able to do that easily or on your own, but you seek help and you don’t take the cowardly route. There is an inspirational poem that one of my cousins told me about finding during this period of her life. It starts:
When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don’t you quit. It’s titled ‘Don’t Quit’. Google it….
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men commit suicide each week, with a 2% increase over the past two years. However, men were three times less likely than women to seek professional help for suicidal tendencies. Because of these alarming statistics, I wanted to open up a dialogue about male suicide and signpost where support and guidance can be found. It’s important to consider these statistics and address why suicide rates are higher in men than women. Socially, men have been stereotyped. They are expected to be unemotional, macho, and the bread-winners. Although gender stereotypes have effectively been abolished, many men believe that there is a stigma attached to them if they discuss their mental health or seek professional help. So, what can we do to make sure we look after both men and women?
Opening Up About
MALE SUICIDE WRITTEN BY ANONYMOUS People commit suicide for many different reasons; mental health issues, workrelated stresses, debt, unemployment, and homelessness just to list a few. Sometimes the reason isn’t straightforward, often going unnoticed until the individual’s untimely death. Suicide can affect anyone (just look at the recent deaths of DJ Avicii, and celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain), and it is still the biggest killer in men between the ages of 20-49. In 2018, it was reported that the United Kingdom was going through a ‘male suicide crisis’. Statistics estimated that 84
Communication is key. Studies note that one of the first signs of suicide is when an individual withdraws themselves. The charity, ‘Time for Change’, recently did a campaign that dealt with combatting male suicide. This took the form of a beer mat which stated, ‘Is There a Mate Missing Around This Table? Reach Out to Him’. This is a positive form of creating a dialogue. Many people shy away from the subject of suicide, especially when it comes to groups of men, but I think it’s important to get it out in the open. Have open discussions about how one another is feeling. Make sure to check up on each other. If you’re worried about a friend, make sure to reach out to them. All it takes is a message or a call; an act that could change their life.
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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 FEEL SUICIDAL A LOT AND MY CURRENT COPING MECHANISMS AREN’T WORKING VERY WELL, WHAT ELSE CAN I TRY? A: I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling rubbish. I am unsure what coping mechanisms you have tried previously but here is a list of things that may help you with your suicidal thoughts: Take yourself somewhere where you are with someone else. Being around someone else can help with grounding yourself and reassure you that someone is there if you did decide to talk about how you are feeling. Another idea is to call a helpline, Samaritans are extremely helpful and are specially trained to talk through these types of problems with people. They provide a nonjudgemental service and an anonymous and confidential service. People fear that an ambulance may be called if you confide that you have hurt yourself, but they will not do this unless you ask them to. The call line is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, and is a free number. Samaritans: 116 123.
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.
Other ways of coping with suicidal thoughts are to write down your feelings, some people write poetry and some people keep diaries. Focusing on the present day and trying to get through that one day can be helpful, it minimises work-load and allows us to focus on the present. Try and do activities that you enjoy doing, this helps to distract you from your thoughts. Be aware of your triggers. It sounds obvious but try and avoid the situations or things that can amplify your suicidal thoughts. Try and refrain from taking drugs and drinking alcohol, both can heighten suicidal thoughts. There are websites which can aid with these thoughts and feelings; rethink.org, papyrus-uk. org and MIND.org.uk. If you are feeling like you are unable to manage these thoughts, then call 999 and talk to the operators on the phone. Alternatively, if you can call your GP, they can put you in touch with the mental health teams who can work with you to manage this. There is hope, and people out there do want to help you, try and stay strong, and I wish you all the best. Remember, you may feel extremely alone in this but there are many thousands of people who are experiencing similar things to you. You got this.
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even the thought of it. Phobias can make individuals feel depressed or even more anxious because they feel like they can’t overcome them. So, if you’re looking to tackle a phobia, here’s just a few ways you can take that first step!
FIGHTING YOUR PHOBIA (and how to stop it from holding you back) WRITTEN BY AYLA BLOOM
Ayla is 21-years-old and is in her final year, studying Screenwriting and Film Studies. Ayla decided to get involved with Student Life to share her experiences in the hope that it will help and inspire others. Everyone has a fear or phobia of some sort. This phobia might be of something physical; spiders, the dark, exams, or even heights. For others this phobia might be so intense that it stops them from living their everyday life; a fear of open spaces (agoraphobia), or a fear of social situations, for instance. Although the terms ‘fear’ and ‘phobia’ can interplay, it is thought that a fear is a short reaction to perceived danger, usually relating to an object or animal. A phobia, on the other hand, causes a prolonged sense of anxiety in the individual, usually resulting in a panic attack, and is triggered by a situation or
OPENING UP When it comes to phobias people have a hard time opening up about them because they feel ashamed or embarrassed. However, telling someone can make it seem a lot less scary than you think it is! I would recommend talking to a counsellor or therapist about your phobia, especially if it is affecting your life. You will probably realise that your phobia is very common and a lot of people have been through the same thing! SMALL STEPS I recently heard of something called ‘Graded Exposure Therapy’ (I promise it’s not as scary as it sounds!) Exposure Therapy is a form of CBT in which the individual is gradually exposed to the phobia. This usually involves steps that are repeated until the individual starts to feel confident about each step. You could even write your own small goals and targets that you could do to help you overcome your phobia. But remember, the steps must not be skipped! GETTING SUPPORT Overcoming a phobia is a big thing and you can’t do it alone. When conquering your fear, perhaps take a friend or family member to support you. Someone who makes you feel safe and at ease. Realistically, what’s the worst that can happen?
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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 former 6th former at Kesgrave High School and a founder member of the Student Life steering group. When it comes to new beginnings, one of the most prominent aspects of a new start is friendships. Whether you are finishing GCSE’s and going to college, or sixth-form, or are a sixth-form student going on to university, the friends we keep are often very unpredictable. It sounds harsh to say it, but the majority of high school friendships don’t last long outside of school. We all move on to bigger and better things, and sure, some people will stay by our side forever, however many of our friendships will dissolve. My attitude towards this has often been very simple; if I want to keep a friend in my life, make the effort, and if they put the effort back in then great! But if they don’t, then its not a friendship worth hanging on to. Anyone who has experienced the GCSE to A Level transformation will know exactly what I’m talking about. We all have our friendship group, maybe a small group, or maybe a big one, but a group that we’re pretty sure will last forever. News flash for you, it won’t.
IMAGE CREDIT ROSIE WEDGE
Within the first week of sixth form, my livetogether, die-together group were already scattered across three separate areas of the school at lunchtimes as opposed to the years we all spent in a form room together every single school day. Every year we still have a big get together and go camping, but other than that, very few of us keep in close contact. However, this in ways has been a positive thing. I know that the old squad will always be there for me, and I’m confident that we will continue our yearly meets for at least another few years, but I spent every break and lunchtime with these guys for five years
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friendships……I promise, and it’s one of the best experiences ever. Sure, A Levels were a seemingly neverending pit of despair, but the new friendships I made helped me through and made me love the experience. And, I have a feeling these friendships will last even longer than those that are already 5 years old, because you help each other through more. GCSE’s bond you through a shared experience of colouring-in for homework, gimmicky science lessons and a shared love of making up nicknames for teachers. But further education bonds you through stress, life-changing exams, heartbreak, family problems, drama, real-life problems, and that’s why these bonds are so much stronger. Your friends will still be there, I can almost guarantee it. I’m not saying they are gone forever, but what I am saying is that when this September rolls around, be prepared to lose a few friends in exchange for some new ones. Even going from your first to second year of sixth-form or college will throw your friendship group off, and bring in new people, or lose a few. straight. Every weekend I was meeting up with the group, every house party was with this group, and I never stepped outside the group. In that five years, I made very few new friends, and those new friendships I did make were often a result of other people introducing a new member to the group. Socially, whilst I had a group of very close friends, I was highly unsocial; I made no new contacts, I didn’t attempt to communicate with others, because I had ‘found my friends’, as if they were the only ones in existence.
I’ve already been in contact with people who will be going to university with me in September, and have already learnt about loads of them, but even when I start, it’s highly unlikely that I will end up friends will all of them. More likely, I will end up friends with people I currently don’t even know exist! Be willing to let your friendship group change, because it will, whether you like it or not, but trust me; it’s for the better.
But when you move on from that group and a dynamic change occurs, such as the GCSE transition into A Levels, with that comes new
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MENTAL Health Suicide Awareness Month
EARLY WARNING SIGNS & RISK FACTORS WRITTEN BY EZRA HEWING, HEAD OF MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION, SUFFOLK MIND
In this month’s article, we will be considering two questions: what are the early warning signs that somebody may be at risk of acting on suicidal thoughts? And how can we help people to find the right support? Research into risk factors for suicide shows that previous suicide attempts, bereavement by suicide, where a person has lost a loved one to suicide, and self- harming – specifically self-injury – statistically increase the risk of suicide. However, we may not know if these factors feature in a person’s life. So, what else can we look out for? If you know somebody well, then looking out for indications of unmet emotional needs can identify risk of thoughts of suicide arising in response. For example, money worries, domestic abuse, bullying - including experience of discrimination, are all significant barriers to feeling safe and secure. An unmet emotional need to feel in control of our lives can increase risk: perhaps, if we are affected by
long-term physical pain or chronic illness; if we are experiencing pressure to conform or meet other people’s expectations; or struggling with an addiction. Loss of meaning and purpose, perhaps following retirement or redundancy, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. If we hear somebody saying things like, “what’s the point in trying/doing anything?” “why should I go on?” or “the world would be better off without me?” - these are expressions of an unmet need for meaning and purpose, which increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. The loss of emotional connection is statistically the biggest risk factor for suicide; losing a relationship to bereavement, suicide, relationship break-up, separation and divorce. If a person seems withdrawn socially, it may be an early indicator that they are experiencing depression, a symptom of which can be suicidal thoughts. Social isolation and loneliness, unmet needs for community and sharing attention are also risk factors for depression. Particular groups may be more vulnerable than others. Studies show that people who identify as LGBTQ are at increased risk of experiencing and acting upon suicidal thoughts. It is not fully understood why, but bullying, discrimination, homophobia, biphobia or transphobia are all factors which would prevent the need to feel safe and secure from being met; negative responses from family members or the wider community would likely contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Men between the ages of twenty-nine and fifty-nine are the group most at risk of
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suicide, with rates of suicide amongst men three times higher than those for women in the UK. Societal expectations which affect the need for status and to feel valued – to provide financially for their families, to succeed in the workplace and to be seen as a source of strength and independence – are thought to be a significant factor in preventing men from meeting emotional needs. Encouraging men to ‘open up’ or express themselves emotionally may help some men to seek help, but may also trigger ‘fight-orflight’; nature’s threat avoidance response, in others, increasing the likelihood that they will avoid asking for help. The instinct to problem-solve may drive men to act upon suicidal thoughts, and is reflected in the methods they use which lower the chances of survival. Again, the loss of an emotional connection is the biggest risk factor for men experiencing and acting on suicidal thoughts. SEEKING HELP How can we use this information to reduce the risk of people acting on suicide? While existing mental ill health can increase the risk, not everybody experiencing mental ill health is receiving support from the NHS, and so they may not be known to be at risk. If we learn to look out for unmet needs in ourselves and others, we are more likely to recognise when somebody may be at risk. Does somebody you know appear to be withdrawn? Have they recently lost a relationship or are they going through relationship difficulties? Have they spoken about suicide, or expressed a loss of hope or meaning in their lives? Listening out for when a person sees no point in trying or going on, might be an expression of suicidal thoughts.
We can then ask them how they are feeling and if they need help. Avoid saying things like, “you’re not thinking of doing something silly, are you?” which can be stigmatising, but we should be clear about our concerns and use the term suicidal thoughts when we talk about our concerns. If a person shares that they have had suicidal thoughts, ask them when they are going to speak to their GP about it – getting a date in the diary creates a concrete action and something to look towards. Make sure that they have the number for the Samaritans 116 123 - and ask who they can speak to if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
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
Ecotherapy Allotment Volunteer You will attend weekly sessions to organise an allotment project across Suffolk helping people to improve their mental wellbeing.
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 fundraising@suffolkmind.org.uk or call us on 0300 111 6000.
Garden Explorers Volunteer You will be responsible for setting up and running our Garden Explorer Sessions at Quay Place in Ipswich. You will provide a creative session that promotes wellbeing.
Become a Friend of Suffolk Mind
Night Owls Telephone Support In this volunteer role based in Felixstowe you will listen, emotionally support, advise and assist service users who ring the helpline in crisis for support.
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 email, friends@suffolkmind. org.uk. It’s a small step that could make a huge difference.
Quay Place Steward We are looking for a friendly face to welcome visitors to Quay Place in Ipswich and help with enquires and other daily administrative tasks.
To apply for a volunteering role, or for more information, contact Corrina Hanley on 0300 111 6000 or email Corrina.hanley@suffolkmind.org.uk
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THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY & SUICIDE PREVALENCE WRITTEN BY AYL A BLOOM It may not be a well-known fact, but suicide is more prevalent amongst sexual minorities than heterosexual people; these rates amongst youth reach up to two to seven times greater. Why? Why is it that the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to end their own lives? Well in 2015 a study found that quality of life ratings are lower for the LGBTQ+ community than for heterosexual people. This study focused on life satisfaction, happiness, perception that things they do are worthwhile. Why? Why is it that people in the LGBTQ+ community have lower life satisfaction levels? Evidence has suggested that people within this community are more likely to experience a range of mental health problems. This has been found to be attributed to a range of factors such as; discrimination, isolation, and homophobia. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are at a greater risk of experiencing hate crime. It has also been found that members often experience chronic feelings of loneliness and feelings of not belonging have a negative impact on people’s mental health.
+ Q T B LG Why? Why do we as a society partake in contributing to causing people to feel this way? Just imagine being made to feel so inadequate, unaccepted and therefore unhappy with who you are to the point that you feel taking your own life is the only route out. Just because someone has a sexuality or classification that someone else cannot understand or relate to doesn’t mean that it is wrong. It is so frustrating to be part of this community and to recognise that as a society we could improve lives dramatically with more understanding and less judgement. If society stopped sticking noses in other people’s lives in a negative manner people could be left to live life with who we want and identifying as who we wanted. Maybe after reading this article have a think before you judge someone, think about the impact that may have on their life. Because at the end of the day, who are we to dictate and enforce how we believe people should be. Pride.
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MENTAL Health
BALANCING WORK & HEALTHY HABITS WRITTEN BY DR KATE BLACKFORD
Starting full-time work can be tiring as your body gets used to new routines. It can also be difficult to fit in healthy habits around a longer and more structured day than perhaps you have been used to with study. It is important to schedule in healthy habits from the start to ensure they become embedded in your new lifestyle and do not get neglected due to lack of time or planning. We all know that regular exercise and healthy eating is good for maintaining a healthy weight, but there are numerous other benefits. Regular exercise makes you happier, it also improves bone density and helps improve muscle strength and ability to repair. Exercise helps you feel more energised, improves brain function and promotes restful, replenishing sleep. Putting healthy, unprocessed food in only adds to the benefits and keeps your system working effectively, to improve skin, digestion, energy and to avoid chronic health conditions like type 2 diabetes.
So, how do we make sure we fit in healthy eating and exercise on top of a busy work schedule? Here are some tips to help you along: EXERCISE •Find exercise you enjoy – it is much easier to get motivated when you enjoy being active. Investigate local gyms, classes, running clubs and sports teams and try a few things out. Your organisation may also have clubs and teams already set up so see what is on offer. •Figure out what motivates you - some people find exercising in a team, or with a group helps get them up and out, while others have to work towards a goal, like a particular time for running, or lifting a particular weight. You might set yourself a body mass goal, or the number of times you exercise per week. Play about with different motivations and see what gets you moving. Motivation is more powerful when we are working towards
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a positive goal, rather than avoiding a negative outcome so bear this in mind when you think about what might get you moving. •Find a cause – training for an event and raising money for a charity you feel passionate about can be a fantastic motivation and has the added benefit of the feel good factor of giving back. •Vary what you do – whether it is varying what kind of exercise you do (mixing up team sport with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and running, for example) or the routes that you take, variety can help to keep exercise fresh. •Get it done early – if you struggle with motivation, getting up and out to exercise early can be the best way to ensure it gets done. It also gives you a great sense of satisfaction at having done something good for your body and mind before you even start your day! People who exercise first thing also tend to make healthier food choices throughout the day, so you get a doublewhammy! •Volunteer with your local rescue centre to walk the dogs.
EATING •Get organised – plan your meals ahead and shop for the week. Shopping when you are tired and hungry is a recipe for fast food binging! •Be prepared (literally!) – prepare as much as you can ahead of time. Cooking a batch of meals at the weekend and freezing them in portions to reheat each evening is a great way to ensure you get good food, fast when you are tired at the end of the working day. •Have healthy snacks to hand – pack your cupboards with nuts and healthy bars (try to pick bars with low sugar content) or make them yourself, there are some great recipes out there. Keep your fridge stocked with carrots, peppers, cucumber, celery sticks chopped and ready to munch. These make a great snack with a dollop of hummus. See what other healthy snacks you can come up with and, as with exercise, get as much variety as you can to prevent boredom creeping in and sabotaging your efforts. Good luck and enjoy!
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SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT Hello everyone! Welcome back to our anti-bullying pages. Our ‘Speak Up, Speak Out’ campaign is attracting countywide interest and we have several meetings planned in the coming weeks to discuss funding and of course, our film. If you would like to get involved with any aspect of our anti-bullying message, please email info@student-life.co
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When Push Comes to Shove WRITTEN BY ANONYMOUS I remember the breaktime monitoring teacher Mr Harrison* glance over in my direction and then look away again. I was in year 10 at the time and was raising my voice at a ‘friend’ who had decided to turn enemy on that particular cold morning. It had all started with a conversation about the school football team and who should play in midfield – me or my frienemy. We debated each others particular skills and worth to the team and had yet to reach an agreement as to who was the better player. The subject of the conversation doesn’t matter to this recollection, as it was the volume of my voice that sparked Mr Harrison’s attention. He had now clocked on to an impending problem and was walking over. As he did so, my frienemy – oblivious to the incoming arbitration - decided to ramp up his efforts to make his point and the slight jostling between us escalated to a full-blown shove in my chest. He had a growing reputation as a bully. Mr H was merely feet away at this point and reacted impeccably. Keeping his voice calm and collected, he said that there would be plenty of time to hear both sides of the story and ‘invited’ us to follow him to the year 10 entrance. We stood there in silence until
the bell went for end of break and we then followed our judge & jury into an empty form room. Then the best thing that happened to me in school that year, happened. Instead of dissecting the matter, Mr H told us a story of how he had scrapped his way through his last year of lower school, before leaving said London school’s ranks to enrol on a course at a college in Essex. How he wished that he had been mentored by the equivalent of his own adult self and how if that had happened, how his last year would have been so much more enjoyable. After 10 minutes, we were told to act like young men and shake hands. We did and we never ever fell out again. Like magic, my friend stopped his harassment of others overnight and over a year later recounted the story to me and explained the effect that it had had. Mr H is now ‘friends’ with me on Facebook and still as cool as f. * Name changed
MENTAL Health
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CONTACTS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CONTACT NHS OUT OF HOURS SERVICE: 111 OR CALL FOR AN EMERGENCY AMBULANCE: 999
Otherwise you can contact other services such as: SUFFOLK MIND: 0300 111 6000
or Your Local GP: www.nhs.uk/service-search/GP/LocationSearch/4 4YP – 01473 252607 or www.4yp.org.uk Childline: 0800 1111 Inside out Community: www.insideoutcommunity.com Lighthouse: 01473 228270 or www.lighthousewa.org.uk Papyrus Hope Trust: 0800 068 4141 or www.papyrus-uk.org Samaritans: 116 123 or www.samaritans.org Stem4: www.stem4.org.uk Students against depression: www.studentsagainstdepression.org Suffolk Wellbeing: 0300 123 1503 Turning Point: www.turning-point.co.uk 59 • SE P T E M BE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE
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