Student Life - October 2018

ISSUE 21 • OCTOBER 2018 • SUFFOLK

Lifestyle Magazine by Students, for Students

www.student-life.co

Proud supporter of

Cover photo by DANIELLE ROBERTS

STUDENT Life

1 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

Editor’s

Personally, autumn is my favourite season. From big woolly jumpers, to pumpkin spiced lattés, it’s time to embrace the crunchy leaves on the ground as the nights are cooler and longer.

Hopefully by now, you are all settled back into a routine, attending Uni, College or School and working your way through heaps of coursework and deadlines (yes, they do always come at once and no, I don’t know why!). At Student Life HQ, we are delighted to be welcoming new students on board as a result of our workshops in schools and Freshers’ Fair. We have enjoyed meeting many of you and presenting what Student Life is and the opportunities you can be involved in. If you missed us, there’s still time to get in touch. Send us an email - details are on this page.

In other news, we are buzzing to announce that last month we received yet another award! This time, Student Life has been awarded the Anne Dunford OBE award at the Community Action Suffolk Awards 2018. This recognises a group of young people who are actively engaged in the set up and running of a project. We are proud to make this our third award of 2018! Thank you to all the students who work with us to make Student Life what it is - without you, these awards would not be possible!

As ever, we hope you enjoy this month’s edition of Student Life.

Best wishes, Rachel Gilbey Co-editor

Contents

STUDENT STYLE STUDENT BEAUTY STUDENT TRAVEL STUDENT CAREERS WHAT THE FOOD ENTERTAINMENT MY LIFE

4-7 8-11 12 14-16 17-22 23-27 28-33

WORD

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

“

“

Well October is here and autumnal vibes are everywhere!

STUDENT TECH 34-35 STUDENT SAFETY 38-39 MENTAL HEALTH 40-55 LGBTQ+ 56-57 SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT 60-61 CONTACTS 63 OUR PARTNERS 64

2 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

fe

EN T

Li

O THI N S TH @ M

ST UD AWARDS

Last month saw th e ro our schools’ worksh ll-out of Phase II of op introduced to sixth . Student Life was formers at St Alba ns High School, Felixstowe Ac School and was re ademy & Northgate High -introduced to the new 12’s at our pilot sc hool, Kesgrave High Year . Over 50 new students sig ned up to collabora us at these worksh te ops and this month with we will be holding followup to move forward wi meetings at each venue th these students.

have picked We are delighted to e year at th of up our 3rd award ffolk’s awards Su n tio Community Ac th. Student Life ceremony last mon d OBE Award or won the Anne Dunf n. This follows io at cip rti Pa h ut Yo r fo ses at the Suffolk es cc su on from our Community Coastal Business & d at Suffolk an Awards in January sing the Bar’ ai ‘R ’s cil un Co ty un Co ly.

Awards in Ju

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED We’re looking for:

Writers Photographers Designers Business Development Team Mystery Shoppers & Reviewers Distributors

NEW SCHOOLS

Winner

s

“Since working with Student Life I have gained both confidence and knowledge within the business and journalism sectors.”

Get in touch info@student-life.co 3 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

“My roles at Student Life have shaped my leadership and decision making skills.”

SUPPORTED BY

STUDENT

FASHION FASHION CO-EDITOR PAM DAVIS

It’s All In The Print From leopard to tiger and everything in between – wild prints are everywhere this season. Wardrobes are having a WILD moment, embrace it!

As Autumn/Winter 2018 style hits the shelves, there is no escaping the multitude of print inspired patterns. Knowing how to wear leopard print comes down to this one simple, unwritten rule: treat it like any black item in your wardrobe.

From leopard to zebra to snake print, it’s a trend that rears its head every couple of seasons. From bold colours to understated print, there are plenty of ways to nail this trend and make it work for you. Pick pieces

that are suitable for layering and rejuvenate with fresh styling when the temperature drops.

4 • 4 OCTOBE • FASH IRON 2018 • S •TUDENT S TUDENT LIFE LIFE

STYLISH TIPS FOR PRINT DRESSING WOMEN Bold red leopard print to bright yellow cheetah Zebra print in monochrome Leopard print blouses/trench coats Black & White with simple accessories Sequins with animal print for a stylish twist in the evening Push the boundaries and indulge in a winter “boot” purchase with subtle animal print footwear that will go with everything!

Be it a nod to the trend with a handbag or headband, a felinethemed shirt dress or all-in commitment with bold, clashing prints, there's a way for everyone to weave this stylish trend into their wardrobe for this season.

5 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

MEN Something as simple as a tee with an all-over print is all you need to really make your casual ensembles pop this season – and that is exactly what we build our outfit around in this first look.

Allow the print to stand out by combining with pieces that don’t distract too much. A pair of grey minimal chinos and dark burgundy desert boots anchors the tee, whilst the layering of an on trend biker jacket over the top is ideal for dealing with the transitioning weather: Leopard accessories offer a versatile way of incorporating the print.

Especially when paired with a classic overcoat for a bold but successful contrast.

6 • 6 OCTOBE • FASH IRON 2018 • S •TUDENT S TUDENT LIFE LIFE

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

ON TREND PRINTS Leopard Tiger Snake Zebra

PAM DAVIS

Have fun playing with prints and enjoy the walk on the wild side!

Fashion Candy Style E: pamela@fashioncandy.co.uk M: 07713 095355 www.fashioncandy.co.uk

7 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

SUPPORTED BY

STUDENT

BEAUTY BEAUTY CO-EDITOR ROSIE MAY

Autumnal Shadows

They blend out really easily into each other and reflect the autumnal leaves perfectly.

A change of seasons, for me, also means a change in my makeup routine. The bronzy, glowy and more natural Summer looks are being traded in for chiselled, dark and full coverage Autumn/Winter picks.

Orange/red shadows are my favourite look.

I feel like they really complement my brown eyes and they match perfectly for the darker/ colder weather. Some of my favourites are in the Jaclyn Hill x Morphe collaboration palette. It has THE perfect colours to get the perfect red/brown/orange look. You can create many autumnal looks from these colours; including a warm cut crease, smokey brown looks or a fiery burnt out eye.

Contouring is essential for me when we start to venture into the later months. I spend all summer with a relaxed, bronzy face so by the time it gets to Autumn, I’m ready to be contoured and chiselled! The dark atmosphere and cold weather really help to accent the chiselled cheekbones and precise nose. One of my favourite products for contouring is the NYX Powder Contour Palette. This palette comes with eight colours – four banana type powders and four contour shades. One of the banana shades is also a highlight. I haven’t really used any of the lighter shades, however I love the dark shades to really shape my face. Some of the shades are WAY more pigmented than the others so you definitely need to

8 •8OCTOBE • BE A UT R Y2018 • S• TUDENT S TUDENT LIFELIFE

swatch them all first so you know which ones! Two of the shades are more subtle and the other two are extremely pigmented, so be warned! Nevertheless, the colours blend out beautifully and warm up the face whilst shaping it- which is exactly what I need! Especially with wearing full coverage foundations in the winter, I need to bring the contours back into my face.

Speaking of full coverage foundations, these are also essential for me in the Autumn months when I want to look clean and fresh.

My skin tends to get worse in the winter due to the weather change, so full coverage is definitely needed. The Fenty foundation is a great full conversation foundation. It is very matte so I wouldn’t recommend it if you have dry skin, however it is a life saver for oily skin as it doesn’t break through! The Fenty foundations are yellow undertoned, so I tend to mix it as my skin is more olive undertoned. The coverage is good and it’s buildable which I like. A cheaper alternative for this is the Maybelline Superstay Foundation. I LOVE this foundation!

It retails at £10 and is super full coverage but doesn’t feel cakey or fake on the skin.

It comes in a gorgeous rang of shades and you only need a tiny amount to cover your face so it lasts you a while. Definitely worth purchasing for the new season!

Finally, lips! This time of year is when my reds, dark purples, browns and dark pinks come out to play! I Iike to do a dark lip if I’m not doing eyeshadow. On my face, it gets a bit much if I have a dark eye and a dark lip. Some of my favourites are Mac New York Apple, Fenty Stunna Lip Paint, Mac Ruby Woo and Mac Velvet Teddy (as this is quite dark on me). A dark lip really helps to complement a contoured face, and that’s why I love it for the Autumn season!

So there are my top favourites for the new season. I love switching up my makeup depending on the weather and season, and Autumn has to be one of my favourites!

Matching my eyes to the beautiful leaves and adapting my base layer to complement the weather and darkness outside. Let’s enjoy it before the snow hits and we are too cold to wear makeup!

9 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

My Relationship with Make-Up WRITTEN BY CARA FOLLON

Make-up is a massive part of society.

You can’t open a magazine or browse Instagram without seeing an advert for make-up or someone showcasing their new products.

There isn’t anything particularly wrong with make-up, it can make people happy and, in a way, it’s a form of art – allowing people to show their passion and skills. We see make-up in a different way and have a

different relationship with make-up.

When I was younger, I wasn’t a massive fan of make-up. I didn’t really see the point, I found it a waste of money and time. Instead of getting up an hour early before school to just to do my hair and make-up, I’d much rather have a lie in. This was the case for most of my childhood and teenage life.

Of course, I may have worn a little bit of lip-gloss that I got free with my favourite magazine or maybe I wore blue mascara for a week in Year 7 but then realised that it wasn’t very fashionable, but mostly I didn’t bother with it. Not because I felt I was above that and didn’t need to wear it, but just because I was happy without it.

10 • 10OCTOBE • BE A UT R Y2018 • S• TUDENT S TUDENT LIFELIFE

This quickly changed when I was about 15.

Like most young people, I was influenced heavily by social media. It seemed to me, that if you wanted to be popular, if you wanted people to like you – you should care about your appearance and make an effort. Makeup suddenly became a big thing in my life.

At first, I didn’t want to wear it just because others did, but I did nonetheless. And of course, at 15 I wasn’t particularly good. My foundation was too dark, my mascara too thick and I looked like a mess. I didn’t enjoy wearing make-up, it was more of a chore for me. It is right to say that like so many young people, I felt pressured to be in with the norm and do what everyone else was doing.

Luckily, I soon realised that wearing make-

up and having my hair a certain way didn’t matter. Of course, if I wanted to wear makeup I should, but not just because I felt that I was required to and not to excess if I did.

For a few years, I stopped caring about what I looked like to others and just worried about the things that I felt were important. Like my friends, my family and exams.

Since coming to university, I have got back into make-up and now I am enjoying wearing it and creating different styles. At one point in my life, I wore make-up because I thought it would change the way I looked and make me a better person. Now, I know that isn’t what make-up should be for. It’s something to enjoy, not something that you feel required to wear.

11 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

IMAGE CREDIT : RACHEL GILBEY

STUDENT

TRAVEL

How to: Travel on a Student Budget Most of us dream about jumping on a plane, train or boat and seeing the world… after all it is our oyster. However, can you really afford to travel on a student budget? Holidays abroad can be expensive but there are a number of things you can consider which will help keep your costs low without tarnishing your experience.

OFF PEAK We all long for the pool side summer holiday when the weather is hot and the drinks are flowing. However, travelling peak season can be very expensive! Why not look at an off-peak time of year? Some countries are still warm earlier or later on in the year, or you could choose to do a city break. If you opt to sight-see and don’t mind donning a duffle coat, look at February – April time. For tourist attractions, the queues are minimal or even non-existent and you can pack a lot more into your itinerary.

WEEKEND VAY-CAY With studying taking priority, it can be challenging to put aside a week or two for

WRITTEN BY RACHEL GILBEY a holiday. Instead, opt for a short break over a weekend so that you miss minimal lesson time and your ‘what did you do this weekend?’ response can be so much better than your peers! You could begin your travels Friday evening and be back home by Sunday night if you’re tight on free time.

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! Prices are forever fluctuating and will massively depend on where you book and how close to your travel window you are. My favourite websites for an affordable hotel and travel packages are lastminute.com and Expedia. I have used both sites in the past to book city breaks and highly recommend.

Have a play around with dates to find the best deals.

KNOW YOUR LIMIT It’s tempting to take your entire life savings on holiday with you, but chances are, you’ll blow it all on touristy novelty gifts and have nothing left to try that once in a lifetime experience. Set yourself a rough budget for each day and exchange your money for cash.

You can always pack a debit card in case you wish to withdraw more but be careful of unsavoury transaction fees and exchange rates at foreign cash machines.

12 •12OCTOBE • T R AVE R L2018 • S• TUDENT S TUDENT LIFE LIFE

The Multicultural Church WRITTEN BY REV. TOM ROUT

German, Nigerian, South Indian, Greek, Canadian, Jamaican, British - those are the nationalities we have represented in the Waterfront Churches (at the last count!). It’s a decent mix of nationalities and cultural backgrounds, but we’re still predominantly British. Is that the way it’s supposed to be?

This part of Ipswich around the Waterfront is becoming increasingly multicultural. The community is made up of people from all over the world, including, but by no means limited to, Eastern Europe and the Indian subcontinent. But do our neighbours from overseas know they’re welcome in their local church?

We want to be a church for the whole community, and we’re ready to welcome people in, no matter where they come from or their ethnic or cultural background.

Sometimes churches define themselves by the nationality of their members. But belonging to a church was never supposed to be around ethnicity or passport. It’s about something else - whether you’re on a

quest to know the living God. That quest is something that involves and unites people of all races and nationalities!

For many years I was part of a church at the top of Regent Street, by the BBC’s Broadcasting House, in London. (Could there be a more multicultural city on earth?)

The church drew in people from almost everywhere. It was somewhere anyone could get involved and people from every nationality, background and culture felt equally welcome. There was no national superiority or cultural hierarchy. That’s something I’d love people to feel, and be able to say, about the Waterfront Churches.

So everyone’s welcome! Whether you’re British born and bred, or you’ve moved here from overseas, you’re all welcome to our Sunday services, or to any of the midweek activities or groups we run. If you’re from abroad, you may feel far from home and family. But we’d love to make you feel part of our church family. It does help if you speak some English. Language is key to communication, to understanding each other and relationship building. Perhaps we can help? We may have people in the congregation who speak a few words of your mother-tongue language, and others have experience teaching English ESOL classes to those who want to learn English. We will certainly do all we can to make you feel welcome, no matter your background.

13 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

SUPPORTED BY

STUDENT

CAREERS WRITTEN BY GEORGE @ VOLUNTEERING MAT TERS

Being An Intern On The Grandmentors Project I’m George and I’ve been interning at Volunteering Matters on the Grandmentors project in Ipswich. I’m a third year Social Policy and Sociology student and did this placement for four months over the summer in-between academic years. I wanted to do this placement because Grandmentors builds on what I’ve studied at uni such as the charity sector and social care. I was lucky enough to start this placement because the department my course comes under offered a bursary for doing an internship and was then kept on after my placement would have finished.

Volunteering Matters is a national charity that operates on a local level. They aim to create projects that are tailored to the community they are in. The charity operate by working with all pillars of the community to help vulnerable people across the board.

This is done by running different projects that encompass different groups to have the biggest impact possible.

The project Grandmentors, which I’ve been interning on, offers the opportunity for people over 50 to volunteer an hour each week (or equivalent) to mentor a young person. These young people are generally not in education, employment or training (NEET), they are aged 16-25 and are currently in care. However, due to their age, they will be leaving care to start

14 • 14 OCTOBE • CA R E ER R2018 S • S•TUDENT S TUDENT LIFELIFE

an independent life. The project aims to support these young people to develop the skills necessary to live a successful life independent of the care system through a sustained period of mentoring (up to one year).

The experience in general has been fantastic as it’s been completely different to working in hospitality, which is what I’ve done part time for the last four years. Thus, it’s been great to work in such a new environment that requires a different skill set. It’s also been great meeting the variety of people I have through Volunteering Matters from the other employees to the volunteers and beneficiaries.

I got to be involved in every aspect of the Grandmentors project at all levels. This included the match events, the recruitment process and a Grandmentors’ away day I attended with all the project officers and managers involved in Grandmentors.

Furthermore, the tasks I carried out also varied greatly as we had so much going on with the project.

Following this, Volunteering Matters as an organisation has had a massive impact on me in terms of my professional and personal development. This is because of a plethora of different reasons as I’ve done a multitude of things while interning. This is the first time I’ve worked in an office but the time spent interning has given me the experience necessary to navigate a professional environment in the future. I also did a lot

of administration which included creating spreadsheets, filing documents and assessing risks. Aside from the general office work I also got to be involved in the exciting aspects of the job such as the match events which included a tour of ITFC and Bake Off. In terms of my personal development I would say working for Volunteering Matters definitely boosted my confidence as I had to do things outside of my comfort zone at times such as calling important people from local organisations and asking them to help the charity by donating prizes or attending the Golf Day fundraiser.

While interning I’ve also seen how the work Volunteering Matters is doing has had a positive impact on people. An example of this was on a recruitment day where we had four of the young people on the project do a workshop with one of the interviewees at a time to see how the interviewee interacted with the young people. During the interactions some of the young people spoke about how much the project has helped them build confidence and self-esteem and move from NEET to EET. Furthermore, speaking to the Grandmentors it’s clear it has given them a sense of fulfilment and purpose as they are giving back to the community, which is what Volunteering Matters is all about.

Overall I can say I got to do a bit of everything while at Volunteering Matters and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity.

To get involved you don’t need to intern or be a Grandmentor, as there are so many opportunities on offer at Volunteering Matters.

If you are interested have a look on the website and there is guaranteed to be a project that you can get involved with! For more info see the link or email Dionne who manages Grandmentors Ipswich. https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/ Dionne.walton@volunteeringmatters.org.uk

15 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

The Importance Of Professional Networking To Develop Your Career.

WRITTEN BY SIAN ROBERTSON Networking is when you meet and connect with other people across the world of work that could, at any given point, support you with the development of your career or help you to generate business. It is also about giving back and providing these opportunities to others. Professional networking is all about sharing contacts and sharing best practice.

In the 21st Century networking can take place both online and through face to face meetings – but however it takes place, it can be vital to progressing your career.

Networking is a skill that takes time to develop, and the best way to do this is to keep practising. I’m going to give a very brief insight to some key networking steps for beginners.

You will already have an existing network of people in your life, from family and friends, to teachers, mentors and sports coaches etc.

Step 1 is to start writing these people down, a mind map format works well for many.

Next you need to think about; the experiences you are looking to gain, the career you might want, and the skills you are looking to develop etc. Once you’ve done this you can start to think about the types of people who could help you to achieve your goal. Step 2 is to write these people down and think if any have a connection to those in your existing network. If they do then Step 3 is to ask your existing contacts to introduce you to the person/people you really want to meet/talk to.

This is how networking begins. Once you’ve started to meet with new people you may also find that you can start giving back to your wider network by helping to connect other people. As you enter into the world of work you will start to add colleagues to your network too.

Having conversations with new people can be hard to begin with and many lack confidence when they first start out. Next month we will focus on how to start networking conversations and also how to use LinkedIn to develop your presence online.

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/

16 • 16 OCTOBE • CA R E ER R2018 S • S•TUDENT S TUDENT LIFELIFE

WHAT THE FOOD

WTF

Top Tips: How To Save Money On Your Weekly Shop 1. Branded isn’t always best While it’s tempting to always buy the well-known branded product, it doesn’t always mean it’s best. You can save a lot of money by replacing a branded product with a supermarket own and quite often the taste is so similar, you wouldn’t notice the difference.

2. Shop around When shopping on a budget, your expenditure can drastically vary depending

WRITTEN BY RACHEL GILBEY on where you choose to shop. Supermarkets often vary in price and you might be able to shave pounds off your weekly shopping bill by choosing to visit a smaller supermarket chain.

3. Find discounts and vouchers We all love a good bargain and supermarkets are notorious for having offers such as ‘buy one, get one free’ and ‘half price’ on our favourite products. Usually these offers are short lived and sporadic, so you want to make the most of them when you can. Some supermarkets may give you money off with a student card too, so this is worth looking into.

17 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

5. Take your own carrier bags 4. Don’t shop when hungry It can be very tempting to do a shop when you’re hungry, but it can be a bad idea and you may find you leave with more than you went in for. You’re more likely to fancy everything in sight which might boast well for your kitchen cupboards but not so much for your bank account!

The 5p carrier bag charge might not seem a lot, but if you’re a regular in your local supermarket or convenience store, the pennies will soon add up. We all have that one bag in our cupboard that is stuffed full of plastic bags, so why not reuse them? Better still, invest in a re-useable canvas bag which is also better for the environment.

Have tips of your own?

Tweet us at @studentlifeips

18 18• •WOCTOBE H AT T H ER FOOD 2018 ••SSTUDENT TUD ENTLIFE LIFE

COOKING ON THE DIME WRITTEN BY CHEV MITCHELL

CHICKEN CURRY

Serves 4 / Estimated time 35 minutes INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • •

2 Large Chicken Breasts 300g Rice (75g per person) Curry Powder 2 Potatoes Cooking Oil 2 Cloves of Garlic 1 Chicken stock cube Chickpeas (optional)

METHOD Add 2 teaspoons of curry powder to a mug and fill halfway with hot water. Stir the curry powder into the hot water.

Bring a saucepan to the hob on medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot, add the curry powder mix to the pan. Leave on medium heat until the water evaporates (this should take 2-3 minutes).

Whilst waiting, grate 2 cloves of garlic. When the water is almost completely evaporated add the garlic to the pan and mix in. Be careful not to let the curry burn. The water will need to evaporate to maximise the curry flavour.

After the garlic is mixed in add a cup of water to the pan.

Introducing Cooking on the Dime, our new recipe segment geared towards students. Each month, our resident chef Chev will be taking you through quick and easy recipes which you can use to impress your peers! Cooking for yourself can be stressful but necessary when preparing for University or just life! Don’t worry though, we’re here to help.

Kicking off by celebrating National Curry month with a Chicken Curry (you can also create a delicious vegetable curry- just switch out the chicken for your favourite veg.)

Dice your chicken into cubes and add seasoning (Add salt and pepper to your taste. I recommend all-purpose seasoning from your local store).

After the chicken is seasoned add to pan and allow it to simmer within the curry sauce (Optional: you may wish to add chickpeas or veg). Then add your chicken stock.

In a separate pan, put the rice to boil.

Cut two potatoes into small cubes and add a handful to the pan. The potatoes will totally dissolve which will thicken the curry sauce. Stir the pan regularly to prevent any sticking.

After 10 minutes add the rest of your potatoes.

If the sauce gets too thick add more water to your preference.

Once your rice is ready, strain the water.

Finally, when the potatoes have been cooked your dish is ready to be served. Plate up on a bed of rice and enjoy!

19 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

SECRETS OF CURRY SUCCESS WRITTEN BY RAHUL NEGI

It gives me immense pleasure to share one of the main secrets of Indian cuisine, and since this edition of Student Life is a celebration of curry, I thought - what a great time to share it with our readers!

“To make a good curry you need quality ingredients, but to make a great curry you need marination.”

Marination is a process in which food is coated with a mixture of spices, tenderisers, salt, oil and nuts (paste). Each of the ingredients used has its own role to perform.

The process of marination depends on the type of meat, body parts of the animal, type of cut, and the kind of tenderisers used. Flat cuts of meat are always advisable for marination.

Aluminium containers should not be used to marinate or to keep marinated foods.

Aluminium imparts an unpleasant metallic taste to the food. Ideally, non-metallic and lead-free ceramic dishes should be used.

During the process of marination, connective tissues that come into contact with the marination get broken down, thereby softening the meat tissues. After the meat is tenderised it requires only to be singed at high temperature to get cooked.

Common ingredients used for marinating are Spices - Add flavour and aroma to the food Salt - Enhances the flavour and taste of the ingredients used, also acts as a preservative.

Oil - Seals the pores of the meat.

Nuts - Adds texture and gives binding to the mixture.

Tenderisers: meat can be tenderised in two ways Mechanically, meat is beaten with a hammer and the tissues are broken, or passing through a mincer. This also robs the meat of its juices and leaves it hard and stringy.

Chemically, through the action of enzymes and acid content of the tenderisers used.

Tenderisers readily dissolve sinews and muscle fibres of the meat, thus reducing the cooking time and also makes them easily digestible.

Most common ingredients used for tenderising are Yoghurt: Lactic acid in yoghurt helps to break down meat fibres and makes meat soft and succulent.

Lemon: Citric acid contained in lemon causes the tenderising action on meat fibres.

Papaya: Contains a protein-digesting enzyme called papain that has tenderising properties.

Vinegar: Acetic acid gives the tenderising quality.

Green chilli paste: Mostly used for fish; adds flavour and taste.

If the use of the tenderisers is excessive, or for a long time, it reduces the capability of the meat to hold its juices, resulting in greater fluid loss and thus makes the meat dry after it gets cooked.

20 20• •WOCTOBE H AT T H ER FOOD 2018 ••SSTUDENT TUDENTLIFE LIFE

21 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Lamb Boti Kebab

Cooking food has always been an ambitious affair for me. Fresh ingredients, highquality spices, consistency in every action and an open attitude to cooking is what we at ChutneyZ aspire to. It is our deepest passion to satiate taste buds of our guests with the highest quality cuisines, cooked with freshly procured ingredients and presented like an art on your table.

We at ChutneyZ believe that great food shouldn’t cost a fortune. We have a great team of chefs/servers waiting to serve you. Come on down and experience the best Indian food in Ipswich!

On this occasion I would love to share our very loved Chutneyz special Lamb Boti Kebab recipe. It is succulent chunks of lamb, marinated and cooked in our Tandoor clay oven. And of course, it’s very easy to cook at home too.

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • •

500g boneless lamb leg dices (can use lamb chops/ cutlets too) 100g Greek-style yoghurt Juice of 1 lemon 1tsp dry fenugreek powder from leaves (do not use seeds) 2tsp garam masala 1tsp coriander powder 2tsp ginger and garlic paste 1tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder (if you can’t find it then any red chilli powder & red food colour) 2tsp of mustard oil Salt to taste

METHOD

1. Mix all the above ingredients with the lamb dices and mix it well. The secret of any good marinade is mixing, making sure that all the ingredients have blended and infused together to make a good coating on your meat.

2. Set aside in refrigerator for minimum 4 hours for the meat to tenderise.

3. Now cook in preheated oven to your max temperature setting for 12-15 mins.You can even do it on a griller or barbecue - tastes even better!

4. Serve with tangy, minty onion salad topped with chaat masala and lime wedge.

22 22• •WOCTOBE H AT T H ER FOOD 2018 ••SSTUDENT TUDENTLIFE LIFE

STUDENT

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT CO-EDITOR LOUISE DICKMAN

Let’s Workout My Top 5 WRITTEN BY CHANEL MCKENZIE For me, there is nothing worse than going to the gym and working out in silence! How unmotivational, boring and near enough impossible! Dramatic? I don’t think so! Not only do you need music to perform your best workout but you need the RIGHT music for it to be effective. We definitely don’t want to be working out to slow ballads that’s for sure. So here goes, my top five tracks that are a MUST for your gym playlist.

LOOK RIGHT THROUGH - STORM QUEEN (MK VOCAL EDIT) I love a mixed genre gym playlist, this is one of my favourites representing the House scene.

Although slightly making me want to dance, this definitely is a ‘feel good’ gym track.

GRAVITY - DJ FRESH FT. ELLA EYRE A song that’s perfect for cardio! With its fast pace your body is automatically trying to keep up with what you’re listening to. A great track which also pushes your body to its limits.

TASTE - TYGA FT. OFFSET A new add for me, but one that I will not be removing. Tyga has set the bar high for this one and once it’s stuck in your head, you cannot get it out great for an endurance workout!

DO LIKE THAT - KOREDE BELLO Do Like That, representing the African culture, is one my favourites on my gym playlist.

With its memorable melody line and clever production, it’s one that always has me feeling good. Great on leg day - especially squatting!

NUMB / ENCORE - JAY Z A classic by the man himself, Mr JAY Z and what gives it that extra special touch was the unique collaboration with Linkin Park. One of my favourites by the artists and definitely a track that gets your blood pumping.

It was hard for me to whittle down my playlist to just five tracks, but there you have it! There were some close competitors, but one from each genre sums it all up. There’s nothing that motivates me more in the gym than music, so my playlist just has to be on point.

23 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

Top Tunes WRITTEN BY RACHEL GILBEY

Welcome to our monthly feature! Each month we will be sharing our 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.

1. CONGRATULATIONS POST MALONE, QUAVO 2. SPIRIT – J HUS 3. LOCATION - KHALID 4. ALL I AM – JESS GLYNNE 5. RISE – JONAS BLUE, JACK & JACK

There are a number of songs that I associate with my fiancé and that hold special meanings to us both. ‘Congratulations’ started off as just a banging tune that was always sure to get the party started. It has such a good vibe to it and I can’t not sing along. When we found out that we were expecting a baby, this was the song that my fiancé started singing in celebration. Ever since then, this song reminds me of a special time in my life and memories that I will treasure.

I can always rely on ‘Spirit’ by J Hus to ground me and uplift me. The song talks about always having a good spirit, regardless of what life throws at you or what adversities you’ve overcome to get to where you are. J Hus describes spirit being something that you are in control of yourself so although

others may try to stand in the way, your spirit is untouchable.

In Khalid’s words, “Location is a story of young love. The kind of love that you would travel all over the country to find. It’s just a story of searching for something that we all want in life no matter who we are and that’s a real genuine lover, but it doesn’t come easy.” The track is catchy and I find myself often humming the tune. I hadn’t heard much of Khalid prior to hearing this song but it’s definitely left me wanting more.

I love a strong female singer who releases deep and relatable tracks. ‘All I am’ is one of those songs. It’s a bit of a romantic song and the lyrics talk about when you get close to someone, you take on parts of them and almost become one. Unlike some songs with romantic undertones which are slow and a bit more subdued, this one is lively and cheerful.

‘Rise’ is just such a feel good tune at the moment. I find myself dancing around the house to it singing the chorus again and again. The song is about a teenager who is refusing to grow up and the upbeat music contributes to this being a popular hit. Like ‘Spirit’, it’s another song which talks about taking control of your own life and aiming high, regardless of what others think about you.

24 24• •EOCTOBE N T E R TA I RN M 2018 E N T• •SSTUDENT TUDENTLIFE LIFE

25 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

MOVIE WRITTEN BY HARRIET RACKHAM

Director – Richard Eyre

Run Time – 1 hour and 45 minutes

26 26• •EOCTOBE N T E R TA I RN M 2018 E N T• •SSTUDENT TUDENTLIFE LIFE

Certificate – 12a

THE CHILDREN ACT The Children Act is a recent film based on Ian McEwan’s bestselling book. McEwan adapted the film’s screenplay from his original book.

It stars Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci in the leading roles as husband and wife. Newcomer star Fionn Whitehead who plays Adam Henry, a new breakthrough actor from Nolan’s Dunkirk in 2017.

The film covers important topics regarding: marriage, religion, identity, morals and popular culture including music and poetry. Fiona and Jack (Thompson and Tucci) are a married couple but due to Fiona’s heavy work load, it is evident there are issues with their relationship.

The Children Act centers around a career driven high-court judge Fiona Maye (Thompson) who must make a decision on Adam’s case, a seventeen-year-old suffering from leukemia, but his parents are Jehovah witnesses and therefore, do not believe in blood transfusions.

Adam (Whitehead) struggles with his identity throughout the film, and his belief in religion starts lacking. The audience understand that Adam appears lost and desperately needs something to believe in to assist his character development.

During his case, Fiona meets Adam in hospital and gets to know Adam. They soon bond over music and poetry, since Adam plays the guitar. The importance of music and poetry aided Adam, giving him something to believe in.

The only aspect of the film which was a downside is that I personally thought it was a little too long. I think it could’ve been ten or fifteen minutes shorter and still gotten out the same information to the audience.

Overall, I would highly recommend this film to anyone who loves a gripping drama, it contained everything which a drama film should do. I cannot fault any of the acting in the film Thompson, Tucci and Whitehead all give exceptional performances and it is wonderful to see British actors flourish.

If you are looking for a remarkable film to watch, go and see The Children Act in a cinema near you.

Rating:

27 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

MY LIFE MY LIFE CO-EDITOR RACHEL GILBEY

Self-Care & Moving Away from Home.

WRITTEN BY KAYLEIGH NORRIS

Moving away from home can seem lonely and with Freshers’ week parties taking place and University deadlines approaching, how can we remember to look after ourselves?

DIET AND EXERCISE

Diet and exercise is the best place to start, making sure you are eating 3 healthy and nutritious meals a day (not just super noodles and fish finger sandwiches) and moving for at least 30 minutes a day.

However, Self-care isn’t just about exercise and healthy diet, although this is a big part

of it, it is also important to remember to look after our mental wellbeing.

UNIVERSITY CLUBS

There are some great social activities and clubs that you can join that do not involve alcohol. University life is all about balance, doing too much work or not doing enough can make you feel stressed. How we spend our time and who we spend our time with has a huge impact on how we see the world, make sure you have some healthy creative activities and socialise with those who support you- remember proximity is power!

HAPPINESS HOUR

Unfortunately this does not mean heading to

28 • 28OCTOBE • M Y LIRFE2018 • S• TUDENT S TUDENT LIFELIFE

the pub for those special cocktail prices but indulging in a whole hour dedicated to you.

Spending one hour a week doing something that you love and makes you smile will benefit your wellbeing and happiness hugely. Set yourself a day each week that you dedicate as your happiness hour. Such a small amount of time can create a big impact.

Self-Care at University

TAKE TIME OUT

WRITTEN BY CARA FOLLON

TALK TO SOMEONE

thing to do is to talk to someone you feel comfortable with and someone you’d think would understand. I’m sure that if you’re feeling this way, some of your flatmates or friends are probably feeling the same. Let them know what you’re feeling and together you can either try to find a solution or sometimes it’s just nice to have someone to talk to. Talking will most definitely make you feel better.

Moving to University, although an exciting prospect, can be hard and lonely sometimes.

This is quite common and it’s ok to feel this way. But it’s no good for you to bottle this all up and deal with it on your own. The best

University can be very intense at times.

Balancing your course, a social life and even sometimes a job isn’t easy which is why sometimes it’s good to just take some time to look after yourself. Taking a break from everyone can do wonders. Even if it’s just an hour a day or a day out of your week, I’m sure you’ll feel much better. Whenever I’m feeling like I need a break, I usually go for a walk, take a nice hot shower and watch some films to make me feel better.

29 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

Study Time The Key To A Good Study Session WRITTEN BY ROSIE WEDGE

Having a snack and drink? Possibly.

Having a good focus? Perhaps. Liking the subjects? It can help. But no, the answer is location.

As someone who has currently endured thirteen years of education and is about to put themselves through at least four more at university, I’ve learnt a thing or two about studying, and the key thing I’ve learnt is that if you study in an unsuitable environment then you might as well not bother studying.

Of course, this is going to differ from person to person. What some people may call a perfect place to study may be the most distracting, uncomfortable place for other people, and I’m sure you’ll be glad to hear me say this but just because the teacher tells you it’s a good place to sit and study, doesn’t mean it will be for you personally. Chances are it is a good place for many people, but many people is not everybody.

The best way to find your ideal studying location is to try out a variety of places.

Wow, bet you didn’t see that one coming, did you? The earlier you try this out the better because you don’t want to waste valuable studying time when your exams draw closer.

I recommend testing them out before the end of October so you have s rough idea of good locations before your GCSE or A Level mocks.

I know a lot of people prefer to study in their bedroom, but this is a widely controversial location to revise. A lot of psychology research into revision techniques and locations in correlation to the outcome of results is conflicting. Some suggest that revising in a comfortable, familiar

30 • 30OCTOBE • M Y LIRFE2018 • S• TUDENT S TUDENT LIFELIFE

IMAGE CREDIT : ROSIE WEDGE

room, as we are so often used to being able to do whatever we want whenever we want in the comfort of our own bedroom. So this one really depends on your self-discipline when it comes to being focused and resisting distractions. Personally, this is my favourite place to study, but I know many other people struggle here. Another very popular place is at school, in the library or open study areas. The facilities you have will vary from one school to another, but my school had a library for all years, plus two open learning resource areas for sixth form, so I was very fortunate.

These places all have computer access, which some people prefer as opposed to paperbased or written revision materials. However again, the distractions of CoolMathsGames and Buzzfeed quizzes can be much harder to avoid if you have WIFI access, especially as you are likely to be surrounded by others.

If your friends are also there, you may be more tempted to mess around or chat, which is a huge distraction, and happens far too often. Plus, I find the background noise of the younger years far too distracting, however I know many people find it easier to concentrate if there is background noise, which there is unlikely to be in your bedroom. Personally, I dislike these areas, but if you find you do your best work in school as opposed to outside of school (classwork versus homework standard) then keeping your studying inside that academic environment may be highly beneficial to you!

My solution to the ideal location? Public libraries; this place has the perfect balance of at-home revision and at-school revision.

environment where we feel most free to be our true selves is a great place as it takes away some of the tension and stress of revising. Others however suggest that this can go too far and be too relaxing, often ending up with us lacking 100% focus and getting distracted easily by devices in our

It’s away from the distractions of home and the noise of school, whilst having an academic feel to it, as well as a warm homely vibe with the comfy chairs and cute beanbags. I 100% recommend trying out a public library, they’re full of resources and have the perfect atmosphere!

31 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

Exploring Ipswich

IMAGE CREDIT : HARRIET RACKHAM

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.

To people who are unfamiliar with Ipswich, it can seem anxious to find things to do in and around the town. However, do not fret, there are a wide range of activities and idyllic places which Ipswich offers.

Firstly, there are several beautiful parks in Ipswich including Holywells Park, just a stone’s throw away from the iconic waterfront. Holywells Park offers events including an annual Holi Festival and outdoor cinemas. The Holi Festival occurs every April; there is live music, dance acts and food stalls. The Holi Festival is a true celebration of humanity coming together.

I was lucky enough to photograph two of the Holi Festivals (commissioned by Ipswich Borough Council) so if you enjoy photography I’d recommend doing this as it is professional work to show on your CV and portfolio.

IMAGE CREDIT : HARRIET RACKHAM

The events at Holywells Park are a great way to socialise and make new friends or to attend with current friends. If you are a student with young children, Holywells has a children’s play area where children can explore the spiderweb climbing frame and a giant wooden boat!

Furthermore, Ipswich has a recently revamped shopping centre, the Buttermarket, in the heart of the town centre. It now features a cinema, bowling alley, ninja TAG active assault course as well as high-street fashion brands, so there is something to suit everyone.

These activities are all reasonably priced to suit students. You can visit Empire cinema during weekdays for just five pounds per ticket, bowling and ninja TAG active costs just over five pounds (per person per game).

At no cost you can sign up for a My Empire account and receive monthly freebies; including free popcorn or a free drink. In my opinion, these are very low-priced and allow students of any age and their children to have a great time, without the worry of spending a fortune.

Finally, I believe that Ipswich is an up and coming town in Suffolk with a wide range of activities and places to go to suit everyone – families, students and children!

32 • 32OCTOBE • M Y LIRFE2018 • S• TUDENT S TUDENT LIFE LIFE

the list was less frantic and easier to read, because trust me you are going to be taking a lot of stuff, and the easier it is to order that stuff the better.

Counting Down The Days To Start My University Life WRITTEN BY ROSIE WEDGE So, uni is super close now! I’m definitely a mixture of 50% excitement and 50% nerves, but that’s how it should be! I’ve got this crazy new adventure ahead of me that should be a little bit daunting, but at the same time, I know it will be worth it. One thing that has kept my jitters somewhat at bay, now that all my finance and accommodation and paperwork is sorted, is preparing all the things I am packing to take with me.

I started off with making a big old list. One that I split into categories; kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, studying, and misc. That way,

It has been probably the most fun part of the experience so far, other than visiting the University of Surrey, going around the shops and browsing online for things to kit out my accommodation. I’m not much of a shopper, but I love decorating and coming up with a colour palate to reform a boring old university room. For anyone wondering, I’m going for the grey, black, pink and purple aesthetic.

I haven’t started packing yet, as I don’t move for another two weeks at the time I’m sat writing this, but I know that by ordering my list, it will be much easier to pack, as boxes can be packed in relevance to what they contain. I’m trying not to take too much from my current bedroom, as it’s a fresh start, and I don’t want to be lugging things back and forth each holiday. However, I do plan on taking a few homely trinkets to decorate my room and remind me of home a little.

It may just be the few universities I visited, but your wardrobe space is small, so I’m going to take clothes seasonally, and have bought a wardrobe cubby organiser to keep things tidy and orderly! The packing makes it all seem so real, and I think that’s why the nerves have finally hit, but at the same time, this incredible adventure is so close now, I can hardly wait!

33 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

SUPPORTED BY

STUDENT

TECH

PRODUCT REVIEW BY RACHEL GILBEY

Tech Review: Sonos 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 Sonos wireless music system.

The size of your room dictates how many speakers you are likely to need. Then there’s the option of 1 of 2 sound bars for your TV… the Beam or the Playbar

As someone who has previous experience of Sonos, I can highly recommend this product.

Sonos is the brand, not the tech, but much like ‘iPad’, the word Sonos is now regularly used to describe wireless music tech. Think Hoover not vacuum! Selotape not sticky tape! You get the picture.

Your Sonos hardware is controlled by a very user-friendly App. Each of your pieces of kit is shown on the App. Your music services are shown in ‘browse’ and you simply choose for your mood…..Radio from anywhere in the world, Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify etc etc. Your own music library sits proudly alongside. Bluetooth or Wifi, the App seamlessly connects you to your sound.

From the basic Play:1 – with or without Amazon Alexa – to the Play:3 to the Play:5, the speaker range is simply named after the number of speakers contained in each unit.

Your App allows you independently to control all units in your home. Great for different house-party atmospheres and equally as important for adults to be able to listen to

34 •34 34 OCTOBE • • TTEECH CH R 2018 • • SSTUDENT TUDENT • S TUDENT LIFE LIFE LIFE

HUGHES’ VIEW Music, TV and movies. Sound that brings you together. The all new Sonos Beam.

Experience an incredible sound all whilst you stream your favourite music and watch all of your favourite TV shows.

Playbar. The home theatre soundbar and streaming music speaker in one.

Playbase. Full-theatre sound for TVs on stands and furniture. Streams music, too.

Beam. The smart, compact soundbar for your TV. Upgrade your TV with our most advanced soundbar. music in one room, while their kids can play a games console through the telly. However, you can also group units together: 1, 2, 3 or more. When it comes to sound, the quality is excellent. Gone are the days of big is beautiful when it comes to speakers.

Wireless access to an entire music library on the internet! What’s not to like!?

Stream with audio gear you already own.

Connect….add music streaming and app control to any amplified stereo or home theatre system.

WiFi, not Bluetooth.

Sonos streams music from your WiFi network instead of your phone, without interruptions from calls, texts or push notifications.

The longer you own it, the better it gets.

Your Sonos system keeps getting smarter with every software update. New services get added, new features introduced. Simply put, the Sonos speaker you buy today will be even more incredible tomorrow.

your home connected

hughes.co.uk/smarthome 35 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

IMAGE CREDIT : ROSIE WEDGE

REL ATIONSHIPS Activism & Connection

driven me up the wall, and therefore I’m saying goodbye to this section.

WRITTEN BY ROSIE WEDGE Wow, so this feels weird to write; my final relationships article. As of September, I started university, and so three monthly articles on top of university work would have

As this is my final article in this section, I wanted to opt for something more personal to me, something that can help you build relationships both with others, and with yourself, and that something is activism.

Activism refers to when you actively engage with something towards which you have strong

36 • 36OCTOBE • M Y LIRFE2018 • S• TUDENT S TUDENT LIFE LIFE

opinions or beliefs, often to gain equality and equity for your beliefs. This includes the likes of attending the LGBTQ+ march, volunteering to raise money for a children’s charity, or in my case, adopting a vegan lifestyle.

No, I don’t miss bacon. No, I don’t eat grass or tree bark. Yes, my protein intake is fine, thank you, and no, plants do not have feelings.

Animal ethics is something I am wholly devoted to, so much so that my lifestyle choices depend upon it. The clothes I wear, the toiletries I use, the places I visit and industries I support are all vegan; its not just about eating a plant based diet.

So, you’re probably wondering what this has to do with ‘relationships’. Well, activism is firstly great for your connections with others.

Since going vegan, I’ve never felt so included in all my life within the online community.

Millions of fellow vegans on YouTube and Instagram have connected with me, as well as organisations such as PETA and The Vegan Society. Just recently we hosted the Official Animal Rights March 2018 in London with an attendance of over 20,000, not including the thousands of others who participated in the sister marches occurring in other European capital cities.

In school, your beliefs may often feel very isolated, and you may feel as though no one shares your views and opinions for which you are passionate, however when you make a stand and turn those beliefs into activism, and get involved, you will realise there is a community of like-minded people out there who don’t think you’re some tree-bark eating, B12 deficient crazy lady.

When you find people who share the same ideas and values as you, it makes you feel a lot more positive about what you do, which

is so important because having relationships with other people who help build you up is a great asset to improving self-confidence.

Activism is not only important in helping your relationships with others, but also with building a self-relationship. It’s so important for mental wellbeing to have a good relationship with yourself; having self-confidence, knowing the person you are and liking that person. By staying devoted to your ideology and beliefs, you’re discovering exactly who you are, and becoming the person you want to be.

There’s a big difference between believing in something and actively standing up for it. A year ago, I delivered an assembly, on behalf of PETA after getting in contact with them, to my sixth form because instead of believing it’s important to educate people on the importance of animal rights, I got up and did it! We all have the power to make a valuable difference in the lives of others, but we can’t achieve it by just laying back and dreaming of the change. If I hadn’t actively shared my views, those several individuals would’ve never come up to me and told me they want to make a change, too.

Many people believe in opposing the injustice and inequality of certain groups in our society, and so not only does activism act as a huge display of selflessness that benefits others, but it can also be highly cathartic for the anger we feel toward the injustice served.

I’ve met countless people who say they’re against animal cruelty, yet pay for the suffering of these sentient beings by eating non-vegan food, and using products that are not cruelty-free. This is just a belief. It’s not until you stop endorsing the suffering that you promote and make a real change.

Do what you do not just for you, but for others too.

37 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

STUDENT

SAFETY WRITTEN BY KATIE TYRELL

Creating A Community Of Digital Civility On The Uni Campus Over the past year the University of Suffolk has been funded by HEFCE (now the Office for Students) to increase student awareness of online safety, encouraging the University to become a civil place to be online as well as offline.

As part of this, we have been firing out various online safety messages to our students, putting on events by national and international experts in the field, as well as engaging in discussion with students and staff.

In the upcoming months, particularly during October, we will be running an online campaign with various online safety messages in relation to some of the topics we have covered in the previous editions of student life magazine, such as image-based sexual abuse, online fraud, indecent images and consent (so keep your eyes peeled!).

As well as this, we will be launching the second round of the Microsoft Digital Civility survey to capture student experiences of various types of online risk, both whilst at University and the years beforehand, such as trolling, unwanted messages, and mean comments online. I will also be holding digital discussion sessions, where university students can come along and talk about their experiences and/or your friends and families’ experiences online. If you are

38 • 38OCTOBE • SA FE RT Y2018 • S TUDENT • S TUDENT LIFE LIFE

interested, this will be an opportunity for you to feedback as to what matters to you online, what risk you may have come across, how you have responded to this, but also what you think we, as an institution can do to ensure that your online safety is taken seriously (you could also get free pizza, I am now best mates with Papa Johns and willing to pass on their doughy goodness to you all).

Now, I will stop rambling about the project (but please keep an eye out for upcoming events, you won’t regret it, promise!). I thought it would be an idea to sum up some really quick advice as to how to keep yourself safe online based on some of the topics covered previously, particularly for you new and returning, enthusiastic, fantastic students preparing for a new term at our beautiful waterfront campus (only slightly jealous the student years are behind me, can you tell!?). So here we go:

1. MONEY LAUNDERING

A quick bit of easy cash straight into your bank account seems appealing right…

However, if you get approached by someone online from a ‘scheme’ asking you to hold money within your account whilst keeping some for yourself for the trouble… don’t!

If caught, the consequences are brutal, facing a potential prison sentence as well as struggling to get a future loans and contracts.

If you want to find out more, visit www. moneymules.co.uk and the ‘Don’t be fooled’ campaign supported by Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA) and CIFAS.

2. IMAGE-BASED ABUSE

Being coerced and pressured into sending images or videos both online and offline is a form of sexual harassment. Private or intimate images shared without your consent is not ok, it is your body, your rights and

there are organisations out there to help you should this happen to you at any point: If you are over the age of 18 and have had a nude or sexual image shared of you without your consent, contact the Revenge Porn Helpline https://revengepornhelpline.org.uk/ If you are under the age of 18 and someone online has a nude or sexual image of you shared without your consent, contact the Internet Watch Foundation https://www.iwf. org.uk/

3. PROTECTING DEVICES

Starting University means an excuse for a new… Laptop? Phone? iPad? (obvs, come on we all do it). But have you thought about how you might protect your device and data?

Think about installing anti-virus, using a password manager to create complex passwords, two-factor authentication and backing up those all-important university assignments!

For further information and advice around protecting both yourself and your devices, visit www.getsafeonline.org Here at the University of Suffolk, alongside our Students’ Union, we have student safety and wellbeing at the heart of what we do, and we want to ensure students have the best time possible whilst studying with us and beyond! Encouraging resilience to online risk and civility online is a big part of this, after all, we’re all in it together right, particularly throughout this ever-changing digital world of ours.

For project updates, including an abundance of online resources and opportunities to be involved, please follow us on Twitter and Facebook and search for the hashtag: #DigitalCivilityUni UOS_SISER @UniofSuffolk @UOSUnion @UOSSISER @UniofSuffolk @UOSSU

39 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

SUPPORTED BY

MENTAL

HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH CO-EDITOR LEANNE ARNOLD

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.

4 0 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

September was a fantastic month!

Editor’s

All of us at Student Life were super excited to commence delivering our mental health film and workshop to schools around Suffolk. With such an important piece of work, and one that is very close to my heart, it’s humbling to see just how far one person’s story (let alone 6) can influence and inspire others to discuss their own experiences of mental health. Like we strive for here at Student Life, stamping out stigma is so important, and I feel that slowly we are achieving this and having an ever-growing impact on students regarding this matter.

This month we have a great range of feature articles and introductions to a couple of new collaborators! I hope you enjoy this month’s content as much as I did! As always, if you are ever interested in seeing or writing an article for Student Life please don’t hesitate to email me.

Autumn is here! Enjoy playing in the leaves (or is it just me that still does this?)

Leanne Arnold, Mental Health Director

Contents

WORD

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

“

“

Hello!

SELF CARE 42 ANXIETY 43-44 MENTAL & PHYSICAL HEALTH 46-47 BODYSHAMING 48 Q&A 51 SUFFOLK MIND 52-55 LGBTQ+ 56-57 SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT 60-62 41 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

Self Care: The Importance of Sleep WRITTEN BY RACHEL GILBEY Sometimes self-care means doing absolutely nothing at all and devoting some time to your bed. Whether you choose this time to relax and catch up on your favourite Netflix show, or read a book, you should also put some time aside to catch up on sleep. While this isn’t always practical, you could pick a weekend to lie in or instead have an early night. There are several benefits of sleeping and it shouldn’t be something we feel guilty about. Here are some quick-fire points to remember when you feel like having a duvet day:

SLEEP CAN HELP TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY

Research suggests that sleep can help to keep your heart healthy, as a lack of sleep can be associated with high blood pressure and cholesterol. The British Heart Foundation recommends six to eight hours sleep is ideal to reduce any risks.

SLEEP CAN HELP TO HEAL YOUR BODY

When we are run down, one of the best ways to get back on track is by allowing our body to rest and recuperate. As we sleep, our muscles relax, our tissue grows and repairs and energy is restored to the body.

SLEEP CAN HELP TO IMPROVE YOUR MOOD

A good night’s sleep can have a positive effect on your mood and decrease negative feelings of stress, anxiety, anger and exhaustion. Being well rested may encourage socialisation and interaction with friends and family.

SLEEP CAN HELP TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY

The National Sleep Foundation explains that sleep helps us to be alert and focused, enhancing our learning skills. In addition, rest enables us to process and retain information as well as solidify memories.

So next time you’re feeling a bit burnt out and need some self-care, consider setting aside some time to relax and let your body restore itself.

IF THIS ARTICLE 42 HAS•BROUGHT ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OCTOBEUP R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

ANXIETY Tips To Help With Anxiety WRITTEN BY ALICE PRIOR

Alice is 21 years old and decided to get involved with Student Life to share her own experiences.

Research reports that 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem each year and in 2013 there were 8.2 million cases of anxiety recorded in the UK. Anxiety is a feeling that most of us experience at some point in our lives, and can be a useful bodily reaction to certain events and incidents; allowing you to react faster and blood to flow quicker to areas that need it most. But for some, anxiety can start affecting their daily lives when there is no profound need for an anxiety response to a situation.

Writing this article took me a lot of time, to put in to words how I feel and admitting that I have mental health disorder, but it doesn’t define me, or change me as a person. I’ve suffered with general anxiety disorder for a number of years, suffering with it on and off at different time periods. I find it quite hard to voice what exactly I’m worried or anxious about but my body will be reacting like I’m in danger.

Anxiety varies person to person, and people find different things to help them. Below are some tips that I have found to help when I feel anxious and you may find useful when experiencing moments of anxiety or methods to just help yourself relax:

DISTRACT YOURSELF

Concentrate on five things you can hear, feel and see, this allows you to distract yourself away from how you might be feeling and concentrate on what’s going on around you.

A PROBLEM SHARED IS A PROBLEM HALVED

If there is something that is making you feel particularly anxious, talk to someone and let them know how you are feeling and talk it over, once speaking about your worries they might not seem as big or you may find solutions to help reduce your anxiety.

FOCUS ON YOUR BREATHING

A really good technique I have found when I begin to feel anxious or experience a panic attack is to focus on my breathing. The 7/11 technique makes you focus on taking slow deep breaths. Breathe in for the count of 7 and breathe out for 11, allowing you to gain composure and begin to feel relaxed and grounded.

DON’T AVOID SITUATIONS

There may be certain situations that make you feel particularly anxious, but try not to avoid them as this will only make things

4 3 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

worse. Going to a certain place or being in a certain situation may feel uncomfortable at the time, but once completed reward yourself, doesn’t matter how big or small the reward is it might even be a nice relaxing bath or a Costa Coffee!

BE ACTIVE!

When my anxiety is really bad I often feel as though I have little or no energy, but exercise often takes your mind off things, allows you to view things more rationally and releases endorphins that will make you feel better!

My Experience of Anxiety & Panic Attacks WRITTEN BY PETE BROUGHTON

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.

Anxiety began affecting me out of the blue in my early twenties, of course before I had been anxious and worried but nothing to this level. After suddenly becoming unwell I ended up being rushed to A & E, not knowing what was wrong with me I was subsequently diagnosed with anxiety and panic attacks.

I had been subconsciously bottling things up for a couple of years at this point and this resulted in my anxiety, looking back on this I now know its ok to say ‘I am not ok’ and it’s ok to ask for help. The panic attacks are the worst part of my anxiety as well as having a fear of doing basic things I used to not be worried about or have second thoughts on. I have been to really horrible places in my own head even a while after my diagnosis but in general it is much better, it’s important to gain the right tools for yourself to better your mental wellbeing. Talking to others and sharing experiences is a massive comfort, you realise you are not alone and many people have their own tales to tell about anxiety.

There are also many tools you can use to build yourself back up and learn about anxiety and how best to deal with it, I’ve had counselling and hypnotherapy, the latter only for a handful of sessions which were really calming and relaxing. I had weekly counselling for a couple of months and at times I discussed things I didn’t even think were relevant but it is all part of the puzzle to learn and try to conquer anxiety.

Daily tools such as mindfulness sessions and using apps like ‘Calm’ can also help maintain good mental heath as well as take the edge off if you are having a bad day. Just remember you are not alone and talking is very brave and will help.

IF THIS ARTICLE 4HAS ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE 4 •BROUGHT OCTOBEUP R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

Jenny’s Story WRITTEN BY JENNY WOLEDGE

My name is Jenny Woledge and I am a mother to two children, Rebecca and William, I lost my Wills to suicide on 2nd January 2015.

Summer of 2014 I was happy with life, good job, large circle of friends, carefree, two amazing kids, although Wills father and I had separated we were on good terms. Life could not be better. William was in love with his first serious girlfriend and was making plans to go travelling, he had finished college and was a bit of a lost soul not knowing what he wanted to do, his girlfriend was going off to university and so were his friends. Wills and his girlfriend split up and it was this that seemed to really affect him, along with his loss of his grandad and his relationship with his dad.

I thought it was just a phase, he became very withdrawn and low in himself, I went to Mauritius in the November and on my return I walked into the house which normally was always as I left it, when he had parties Wills and his mates took photos of where all the ornaments and fairies were, then put them in my bedroom and when the party was over they knew where to put them back. This time every room was a mess, dirty pots, empty ready meals, etc, I tried not to get cross and just cleaned up the mess, I did not realise this was a cry for help. The following morning, I was getting ready to leave for work and Wills came downstairs very distressed and crying, I hugged him and asked what was wrong, I did the whole... have you got someone pregnant, money problems, gay, trouble with police etc.

He said, “No Mum I just don’t want to live anymore”.

I remember feeling shocked and said those words “don’t be so silly you have all these reasons to live.”

As an HR manager I was good at recognising signs and still feel the guilt of not recognising them in my son. I alerted his manager at work so he had good support around him, I do remember feeling helpless and not knowing what to do. About a week later Wills ended up at Whitstable Train station and was going to jump in front of a train, he called a very close friend who brought him home and contacted me. I did tell him off saying how could you do that to the train driver?! He did say his feet were like in cement, so he could not jump. I got him to the doctors who gave the normal pills and a form to get counselling. We were all watching him and loving him, he could not see how loved he was. December came, and Wills seemed to bounce back, smiling, making plans and not having such bad thoughts. That is when I took my eye off him and felt I had got him through this, unbeknown to me his change in mood was because he had planned the date, time, how he was no longer going to be on earth.

So 2nd January I went to work as normal, and it was the only day I did not wake him up and give him his list of jobs, again I regret because I may have been able to save him, I was alerted at 4.00 that Wills had not turned up for work, I went home calling him and telling him off for not going to work. Bless that Wills, I found him in the hall.

As a Mum it was the most horrendous feeling in the world. Our William was such a wonderful person, never had any money as he gave it away to people less fortunate than himself, bless his heart. He self-harmed from the age of 11 and suffered from anxiety which I never knew about. I would urge everyone to look out for each other, if someone is upset or looks distressed just check they are ok.

45 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

IMAGE CREDIT : ALICE PRIOR

Physical & Mental Health WRITTEN BY ALICE PRIOR

The Latin saying “mens sana in corpore sano,” which translates to “a healthy mind in a healthy body,” speaks much truth in regards to how physical and mental health go hand in hand with each other, when one is poor it can have a destructive effect on the other.

I speak from my own experience, I’m much more of a couch potato than a gym fanatic but I have learnt the hard way that actually, once I’ve done some exercise I often feel much better about things mentally and feel more energised than before exercising.

While studying for my degree I became so caught up in studying and working that my physical health took a back seat. There are only so many hours in a day that can be spent on writing an assignment and often it is much better to take a break, do something

completely different and return with a clear mind and fresh set of eyes.

The key is to find an exercise that you enjoy and don’t dread doing. I found a class at the gym that I really enjoyed and encouraged my friend to come with me, it helped me to stay motivated and also allowed us to spend time together while gaining the benefits of exercising.

In the midst of dissertation stress when it felt like there is hardly time to eat, sleep and look human I found solace in attending the gym, I also tried yoga classes as something new and also a more relaxing form of exercise. I’d have days where I’d think I don’t have time to go the gym but I made myself go, not only did it play a key role in acting as a much needed break away from books and my laptop, but I’d often return to my work much more focused as I’d had time to process information subconsciously.

Just doing ten minutes of physical activity has been found to have a positive effect on one’s mental health and wellbeing, and each of us has a spare ten minutes in a day.

IF THIS ARTICLE 4HAS ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE 6 •BROUGHT OCTOBEUP R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

According to the Mental Health Foundation, there are many factors which can hugely impact the way we think and feel. The first is diet and exercise. Others include lifestyle choices, such as smoking or alcohol intake, but also our general health.

Physical and Mental Health: The Relationship WRITTEN BY AYLA BLOOM

Ayla is 22-years-old and is in her final year, studying Screenwriting & Film Studies. Ayla got involved with Student Life to create a dialogue for mental health issues.

The philosopher, Renée Descartes, believed that the mind and body were separate. Of course, this is still what most people think.

Whilst the mind controls thought, the body controls movement. However, as research into mental health issues has advanced it is clear that the body and mind can influence one another. As such, our physical state can affect out mental state, and vice versa.

And, if so, what can we do to make sure we are looking after ourselves, especially at university?

Indeed, it is generally the somewhat abhorrent presumption that university students go out partying every night, drink alcohol almost every day, and eat takeaway food most of the time. What’s more, we have all heard of (or even suffered from) the dreaded freshers’ flu! Coming to university itself can be a massive shock to your mental health, and immune system. With workloads, deadlines, and outside commitments, it can feel like your life is going at one thousand miles per hour! So, here are just a few tips to keep your mind and body in balance.

EAT HEALTHILY Sometimes it can be too tempting to eat pizza every night. However, lots of carbohydrates and starchy foods can make you feel sluggish and tired. Try to incorporate healthier options into your diet, such as fish, fruit, and vegetables.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP It can be hard to sleep in halls with so many things going on around you. Try to make a regular sleep schedule and do something relaxing before bed, such as reading. Going on your phone will only wake you up!

DE-STRESS Carrying the weight of stress can be a horrible feeling. Stress can do many things to your physical health, such as raising your blood pressure and heart rate. It is important to talk about the things you’re stressed about (whether this be university work or your personal life). Talk to someone you trust, such as a lecturer, counsellor, or loved one.

47 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

Body Shaming: The Backlash WRITTEN BY AYLA BLOOM This week, body shaming culture has come to the attention of celebrity influencers.

Actress, Jameela Jamil, posted a video of herself eating a burger on Twitter, directly addressing a man who body-shamed her in the gym. Socialite Stacey Solomon, also took to social media to attack a magazine who called her 'fat' and 'boring'.

Body shaming can affect anyone of any shape, size, gender, and ethnicity. Umbrella terms of body shaming include 'fat shaming' and 'thin shaming'. As both of these definitions suggest, body shaming is the act of voicing negative comments about another person’s physique. Someone might make comments about how much, or how little, an individual eats or they might call them 'fat' or 'too skinny', for instance. These comments can be damaging to an individual, often leading to a negative relationship and can even accentuate other mental health disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, depression, and anxiety.

I think everyone has experienced body shaming to an extent, whether this be the giver or on the receiving end. I, myself, have

been body-shamed. I've always been a petite and genetically skinny person, so when people make mocking comments that I don’t 'have enough meat on me' or that I need to 'eat more' (which is ironic because eating is one of my favourite activities), it always hurts.

Sometimes, body shaming can be subconscious and I don't think people realise they're doing it, especially in friendship circles. What is perceived as 'friendly banter' can actually be really hurtful to someone, although they might not show it at the time. Even on social media people are subconsciously body shaming others, whether this be through sharing images or even commenting on pictures of celebrities, and some platforms even endorse this behaviour.

This aside, I think it’s important to address that body shaming can also conflict with addressing a genuine concern for someone's health. This is a tricky one, but compassion can be sought in other ways. Rather than ridiculing someone for their physique and appearance, sit down with them on a one-toone basis and express your concerns if you feel it is necessary.

IF THIS ARTICLE 48 HAS•BROUGHT ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OCTOBEUP R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

Changing The World With Mental Health WRITTEN BY TOMMY CURRY

Tommy is a 19 year old that got involved with Student Life after they approached him at one of his positive thinking speeches at the Raising The Bar Awards.

With my job, I do get a lot people coming to me for advice because they are unable to talk to anyone they know personally, for the fear of being shamed or outcasted from their group of friends. I might not be a trained professional, but I have been on that edge, and luckily I chose to step back. I taught myself how to love life again; how to look around and see how beautiful the world really is, if we stop and look. How little things we take for granted makes the world a better place if we just notice it.

I have lost friends to mental health maybe because of their fear, I didn’t know they were getting that bad. One of the reasons I do what I do, I want to change the world. Sounds like

a massive task. But I hope by speaking about my issues, my problems, what I have been through and survived, I can inspire others to stand up and talk; gain strength from what has passed. Make hope by inspiring others.

If you want to help someone you don’t need to be trained, or have a degree. To someone in that place, offering to go out for a drink, or meeting up and just hanging out can mean the world. Something simple can change someone’s life. How the little things we take for granted, make the world a better place.

Male mental heath is something I am really passionate about as it’s something I can relate to. There is the unspoken rule that if you are Male you can’t talk about how bad you feel, for you may be seen as weak or lesser than your peers, let’s change that. The strongest people are the ones that have been through stuff.

You have a super power, you can give hope to someone who is starting to go through what you went through. But this idea that we can’t speak about it, is stopping that. Step forward with me. Let’s not suffer alone, let’s succeed together. Work positive, think positive, live positive. Change your negatives into positives.

49 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

Mental Health Nursing WRITTEN BY HEATHER RUGG

I have worked at UoS for 10 years, I am a senior lecturer and course leader for the BSc degree in Mental Health Nursing. I am also a former student of the Suffolk College and I want to support students going through the same journey I did.

I first became a Mental Health Nurse when I was in my late 20s, and I have never looked back. As a nurse, I worked in areas of mental health services that supported people during very difficult times and worked alongside other professionals and service users who inspired me. I wanted to help shape the nurses of the future by giving them learning opportunities that challenge their perceptions and help them grow not just as professionals but also as humans.

In my time as a lecturer, I have seen some changes to the programme itself notably the move from a diploma to a degree. Although there has been some debate about this, it is a positive progression. Nurses are critical thinkers so the qualification awarded at registration should reflect this. Nurses work

in a complex care system supporting people with equally complex needs and should be prepared for this. The change to a degree has increased the demands on students however. They are expected to manage the challenges of the health system, academia and to support people through very difficult times, as well as manage their own lives.

Nurses need to be empathic but this requires emotional investment and with this comes dealing with your own personal and emotional distress. In recent times, there has been an increase in openness around mental health and distress amongst students. This is encouraging as it suggests there is a breaking down of stigma and that students are feeling more empowered to talk about their own mental health.

However it also means that students appear to be experiencing more distress and need support to develop more resilience.

In my role as a lecturer, I have been fortunate to meet many students from many different backgrounds, all of whom bring a unique contribution to the programme and to nursing. I feel admiration for all the students who graduate from the programme and seeing them in practice reminds me of the honour of being at the onset of their journey, and they in turn will be role models for the next cohort of students.

IF THIS ARTICLE 50 HAS•BROUGHT ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OCTOBEUP R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

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:

GROWING UP I HAVE SUFFERED FROM ANXIETY, SINCE MOVING INTO HALLS THIS MONTH I HAVE STARTED EXPERIENCING THIS AGAIN. WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE? A: I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing this again. I would always encourage talking to someone about how you are feeling. Ever heard of the phrase “a problem shared, is a problem halved”? Of course, this doesn’t happen literally, however it can make you feel reassured and less alone about the situation. Anxiety is a lot more common than people initially realise and I am 100% sure someone else will be feeling similar ways to you. You aren’t alone!

It may be a good idea to try and practice the coping mechanisms you used to find helped you. If you aren’t sure about coping mechanisms maybe try some of these: DE-CLUTTERING – this is a great way to destress, boost self-esteem, and feel a sense of achievement.

COLOURING – this can help you explore feelings, foster self-awareness, and reduce anxiety.

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.

LISTENING TO MUSIC – music can be one of the easiest ways to relax, destress, and battle those anxious feelings.

A FRIENDLY CATCH UP – socialising can help to offload worries and anxieties which in turn can make you feel better about the situation.

AROMATHERAPY – this is a complementary therapy which can help with many different issues! It can help with reducing stress and anxiety by centering yourself into a relaxed state.

ASMR – this is autonomous sensory meridian response (please look at our previous SelfCare article for more information.

For more information on the above please have a look at our self-care articles available on our website!

If you feel that the above suggestions aren’t helpful then maybe it is worth contacting a service which can offer more one-to-one advice and therapy. Suffolk wellbeing and Suffolk MIND are two great services which can offer help for anxiety. If you believe that you need more help then visiting your GP for advice may not be a bad shout!

All I can say is, you beat it once, you can beat it again!!

51 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

Where Does Anxiety Come From?

WRITTEN BY EZRA HEWING, HEAD OF MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION, SUFFOLK MIND A clue comes from understanding that anxiety is about the need to predict the future – and you only need to worry about the future when you begin to move; brains only evolved in lifeforms which move. Once lifeforms began to move they needed a brain to guide them as to where to go in order to meet basic needs – for food and safety and then later, as life evolved, needs for control and autonomy, respect and status, community, attention, emotional connection, privacy, achievement and meaning & purpose.

Thinking about the future might include: settling into new accommodation; finding your way around a new campus and town if you’re new to the area; building new relationships or reconnecting with people from the previous year; the uncertainty of finances and paying for food and the rent; planning how you’re going to fit in study and meet submission deadlines; and the future beyond study – travel, work and repaying student loans.

breathing – as well as giving us the urge to empty our bowels! – are very ancient and evolved in earlier species before our capacity to think clearly did.

How you will meet these challenges may be uncertain – and therefore meeting emotional needs may become difficult. Whenever we are unsure about how an emotional need will be met in future – especially needs to feel safe and in control of our lives – anxiety arises, as the mind and body prepare us to take flight from danger.

The amygdala, located in the brain’s ancient limbic system, triggers the physiological responses which we experience as emotion before we have time to think about it. At Suffolk Mind we refer to the amygdala as the security officer – its primary function is to keep us safe, but it can overact and ignore the positives in our lives if it sees a threat.

The circuits in our brains which trigger feelings of anxiety, speeding our heart rate up and changing the rhythm of our

We might think that the part of our brain which evolved to plan ahead, identify goals and make decisions - the prefrontal cortex

IF THIS ARTICLE 52 HAS•BROUGHT ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OCTOBEUP R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

being rational and starts to plan ahead for potential threats, which can make feelings of anxiety even more likely…so the rational brain ceases to be so helpful at constructive planning.

So what can we do to restore the balance and reduce feelings of anxiety? Let’s look at three points where we can intervene.

If anxiety arises in response to unmet emotional needs we can begin by identifying unmet needs and plan how to get them met.

Perhaps we are missing key information; can we seek help from student support or buddy with somebody who may know their way around campus or a new town? Are there places we can go to meet new people if we are feeling isolated?

behind our forehead – would be able to put the brakes on to stop feelings of panic and stop us from overreacting when the security officer triggers strong emotional responses.

And sometimes this does happen – the rational part of the brain ‘reshapes’ emotional responses, reducing their intensity, impact or changing the meaning of an emotion, so that we take things less personally, allow for the possibility of change and so on.

Recent research, however, shows that intense experience of anxiety can result in the rational part of the brain being recruited to serve the security officer’s agenda – it stops

What if the prospect of speaking to people triggers the security officer’s anxiety response? One way to calm down this part of the brain is to change the pattern of our breathing; slow down the out-breath, counting to seven in your head while you breathe in and eleven when you count out and continue for as long as it takes.

Alternatively, get moving – getting the heart and lungs working with a brisk walk or run burns off stress hormones and physical symptoms of anxiety.

How about reclaiming the rational brain from the security officer? Learning to spot black-and-white or either-or-thinking can be the first step. Record these thoughts in a journal and when you’re feeling calmer, analyse them by asking what the evidence is for these kinds of thoughts until it becomes second nature.

You can also seek advice from your GP, the Suffolk Wellbeing Service or by calling Suffolk Mind on 0300 111 6000 or visiting their website suffolkmind.org.uk.

53 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

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

Upcoming Events

Other Events

Quay Place is hosting events to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. 2,018 hand-made poppies will also be on display.

Emotional Needs and Resources: Privacy Thursday 25th October, 6pm – 7.30pm A FREE talk with the Head of Mental Health Education at Suffolk Mind, Ezra Hewing to learn more about meeting the need for Privacy. Booking is essential.

Book: marketing@suffolkmind.org.uk.

A Service of Dedication for the War Memorial Monday 5th November, 7pm Come along to a Service of Dedication for the 22 local soldiers named on the War Memorial at Quay Place, with the Bishop of Dunwich. There will also be a workshop run

by Suffolk Mind during the day.

Poetry and Music Recital with Remembrance in Mind.

Thursday 8th November, 7pm A poetry and music recital with Remembrance in Mind including musicians from The Royal Hospital School in Holbrook.

Reserve: marketing@suffolkmind.org.uk

Quay Place

Heritage Talks at Quay Place 10th & 24th October, 7pm – 8.30pm Discover the rich history of Ipswich through the ages. £7 per ticket. Booking is essential.

Book: info@quayplace.co.uk.

Garden Explorers Friday’s, 10am – 11.30am Garden Explorers is for children aged 2 to 4-years-old, and their parents, to have fun and play outside. £2 per child - includes activities & refreshments.

To book call 01473 569696.

Key Street, Ipswich, IP4 1BZ • quayplace.co.uk • 01473 569696 54 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

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

Get Fundraising

Children’s Activity Helpers In this role you will help run and set up a children’s activity area at Quay Place. You will also engage children with activities to explore local heritage.

Are you organising an event or taking part in a sponsored challenge and would like to raise money for Suffolk Mind?

If so, we would love to hear from you - email fundraising@suffolkmind.org.uk or call us on 01394 330823.

Ecotherapy Allotment Volunteer You will attend weekly sessions to organise an allotment project across Suffolk helping people to improve their mental wellbeing.

Quay Place Steward We are looking for a friendly face to welcome visitors to Quay Place and help with enquires and other daily administrative tasks.

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.

Suffolk Mind

Become a Friend of Suffolk Mind Join our free network and receive information, help and support to make your own mental health a priority, and create a life that meets your needs. For more information email friends@suffolkmind.org.uk. It’s a small step that could make a huge difference.

To apply for a volunteering role, or for more information, email Corrina.Hanley@suffolkmind.org.uk

0300 111 6000 • suffolkmind.org.uk

55 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

Fake Social Activism WRITTEN BY ABBY GELLATLY

2018 witnessed a surge of corporations come out in support of the LGBTQ+ community, namely through a consumerist approach to social justice activism. UK high streets, my hometown included, were ablaze with rainbow flags and Pride merchandise, all of which were advertised as celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in an attempt to promote a queer-friendly culture.

The cynical amongst us will likely have seen through these transparent attempts to cash-in on a social cause surrounding the increased visibility, and celebration, of LGBTQ+ individuals. For many, however, the overt commercialisation of Pride was disregarded or, rather, forgiven due to the fact that the abundance of rainbow flags and/ or slogans relating to the LGBTQ+ community were conducive to an atmosphere in which gay people felt accepted and recognised by society.

Herein lies the issue surrounding fake social activism, a pattern of behaviour that has become increasingly prevalent due to the rise in contemporary activism, a form of advocacy largely centred upon social media and a need to self-promote whilst fighting injustice.

+ Q T B LG Within the realm of LGBTQ+ activism, the ‘fake’ strand stems primarily from the commercialisation of Pride by retailers and corporations who have calculated that accepting gay individuals will, both, help to improve their image and increase their revenue. Given that the LGBTQ+ community has been entangled in an ongoing fight to eradicate homophobic hate crime, it is only natural that certain members might welcome branding that incorporates the rainbow logo, even if said rainbow-washing is merely a shallow attempt to prove a company’s allyship. This example of recuperation, that has, regretfully, become commonplace, is symptomatic of a larger issue concerning cultural appropriation, a form of colonialism that enables the co-opting of historically radical ideas.

The increased appropriation of gay culture owes largely to the fact that social activism has become the latest on-trend accessory, with individuals, both, online and offline, desperate to flaunt their altruistic tendencies for all the world to see.

IF THIS ARTICLE 56 HAS•BROUGHT ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OCTOBEUP R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

Social media, for the most part, has engendered this shift in social activism, as can be seen in the large numbers of online influencers who are continually profiting off the back of their ‘woke’ Instagram posts.

Online bloggers, of which there is a neverending stream, are problematic for an array of reasons, namely, due to their perpetual promotion of excessive consumerism.

Additionally, they cast light on the growing trend surrounding the newfound cool of social activism and the troubling reality concerning activist appropriation.

The phenomenon that is ‘trendy’ activism has paved the way for an influx of individuals who feign activism; that is, those who partake in contemporary activist behaviours - for example, purchasing a t-shirt depicting ‘I am a Feminist’ from retailers such as Urban Outfitters - despite being wholly uninformed on issues surrounding Feminism. This pattern of behaviour, which spans across all forms of social justice, raises questions surrounding authenticity in the outward display of social consciousness.

What is so galling about individuals aspiring to join the cool liberal club through activism

is the fact that many such individuals fail to hold a pure agenda in relation to their activism. For obvious reasons, it is difficult to differentiate between those who are genuinely interested in effecting change and those who merely engage with social activism because of a desire to accumulate social clout. Online influencers, for example, Zoella, who has a history of, both, homophobic and transphobic dialect, are often guilty of the latter and, yet, still capitalise off the experience of marginalised groups.

Despite the aforementioned qualms surrounding rainbow-capitalism and attempts to enhance one’s own image through online activism, there is no denying that the act of pandering to gay people through Pride enables universal recognition of gay rights as a high-profile issue.

Furthermore, consumer power can often translate into political action; and, so, whilst the co-opting of gay-culture, coupled with virtue signalling, may, rightly so, be deemed inappropriate by many, a consequentialist approach to social activism may enable one to overlook the exploitation of marginalised groups within society and, similarly, the hijacking of politically radical ideas such as queer liberation.

57 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

New Job Worries And How To Keep Them In Their Place.

WRITTEN BY KATE BLACKFORD Starting any new job can be daunting, but starting your first ‘proper’ job can be terrifying! Since it has been a while since I started my first job, in preparation for writing this article I went to speak to some new starters at ABP who were good enough to share some of their first day anxieties.

Thankfully, all of the people I spoke to said that their day one anxiety had been completely unfounded and they had had a very positive experience. Despite this, it helps to be prepared. Here are a few tips, based on alleviating the top anxieties raised by my colleagues, to help you keep those day one nerves at bay:

ANXIETY 1 - NOT KNOWING ANYONE EXCEPT THE PERSON WHO INTERVIEWED YOU. Some organisations buddy you up for the first few weeks which helps you to meet new colleagues and can help you feel less alone in those early days. If this is the case with your organisation, see if you can meet or at least speak on the phone to the person who will be your buddy before you start.

That way you have a connection before you arrive on day one. If you are unsure if your organisation has a buddy system, ask if you can shadow someone for the first couple of weeks and get an introduction beforehand so you have a point-person to go to.

The other thing to do in advance is to prepare and memorise a short introduction about yourself – you will be meeting lots of new people so thinking through (and jotting down) a few notes on what you might want to say about yourself in those first meetings can help you feel more confident and avoid

IF THIS ARTICLE 58 HAS•BROUGHT ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OCTOBEUP R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

the horrible feeling of stuttering over your words as you meet new people.

ANXIETY 2 - HAVING TO WALK IN ON DAY ONE TO A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE MORE EXPERIENCED THAN YOU AND GETTING SOMETHING WRONG.

The key thing to remember here is that you are the newbie – you are not expected to know everything. It is absolutely OK to ask questions, to clarify and to ask people to talk you through what they are doing and what is expected of you. Most people will love being asked about their job and it is a great way for you to make a positive impression and learn lots of new information. It is better to ask and clarify than to come across as a ‘know it all’ and put people’s backs up on day 1. There is a fine line between confident and cocky!

ANXIETY 3 - FEAR THAT IT WILL BE REALLY UNFRIENDLY.

Most people like to talk about themselves and what they do, so asking questions and showing genuine interest will get most people talking and give you an opportunity to build positive working relationships.

Remember though, keep it light to begin with and not everyone is going to respond positively. If someone in inexplicably stand offish or offhand, just appreciate that they might be having a bad day and give them space. It is most probably about them and not you.

ANXIETY 4 - NOT KNOWING HOW TO GET AROUND, OR WHERE ANYTHING IS AND NOT KNOWING WHO TO ASK.

This issue will largely be resolved if your organisation has a buddy system in place.

But if you do find yourself lost in a rabbit

warren of corridors that all look alike, just stop the next person you see, explain that you are new and politely ask if they can direct you to where you need to go. They were new once too and most people will be more than happy to help you out.

There are also a few other things you can do to ensure you are prepared and on time for that exciting new job: • Go over the job description the night before to remind yourself what you will be doing and focus your mind for your first day • Put your clothes out the night before – make sure they are neatly ironed and looking sharp and place them so you can hop into them quickly in the morning • Prepare your bag / what you need to take the night before. Make sure you have any essential HR documents required for your first day ready to go to avoid any early morning scrambles • Pack a notebook and pen and jot down all the new information coming at you • Plan your journey to work, with plenty of spare time and alternatives in case of any travel disruption • Get an early night so you arrive knowing you are prepared and feeling rested • Set your alarm early to ensure you are not rushing on your first day – there is nothing worse than dashing in red, sweaty and out of breath because you got delayed on your journey in So choose your organisation well, and make sure you turn up prepared and ready for the new experience and you will have a fantastic first day experience. Remember, everyone has been here and you won’t be the newbie forever.

Good luck!

59 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

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

I Have Always Been Different WRITTEN BY TOMMY CURRY I have always been different. I come from an American family with a very strict and strong set of morals and ideals on life. People latched onto this, maybe it was because I was proud of being that individual; that I believe individuality should be celebrated. But I’ve always been different.

I didn’t play rugby or smoke, I wasn’t the smartest or the coolest. I had a need to please people so even when I was bullied in the back of my mind it calmed me, because surely any attention is good, right?

IF THIS ARTICLE 6HAS ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE 0 •BROUGHT OCTOBEUP R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

I was both physically and verbally bullied, even some teachers would make stereotypical remarks about where I come from but it was fine because it’s what I was used to, I’ve always been different.

Any attention is good, right?

I would be smacked around and go home with bruises over my head, arms and legs and tell my parents that it was because I was clumsy that I had them. I assured them that I was loving school - they had enough to worry about and didn’t need another thing.

This is the mindset that a lot of people get into when bullied, that their life means nothing, how could it when you go though something like this and everyone sees, but does nothing to stop it? Any attention is good, wrong!

I look back at everything I went through and how I kept quiet about it all. I wish I could tell a younger me to find his voice and tell people, because by speaking up you can help more than just yourself. You can never tell when someone might be hiding their own pain but by stepping forward you can restore a little hope. You can turn something bad into something good by showing how you survived, and will carry on surviving.

61 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

62 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

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 63 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE

Our Strategic

PARTNERS

6 4 • OCTOBE R 2018 • S TUDENT LIFE