Student Life – January 2019

ISSUE 24 • JANUARY 2019 • SUFFOLK

Lifestyle Magazine by Students, for Students

www.student-life.co

Proud supporter of

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STUDENT Life

Editor’s WORD

Last year flew by and while it was a very successful year for us, I’m looking forward to what this year will hold.

Our first bit of big news is that we have received funding from the NHS in Suffolk via the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to design and co-present a new workshop and film on Self-Harm which we will be presenting in schools and colleges. This is an amazing opportunity to work on an issue that affects a lot of students and young people across Suffolk. We hope with this workshop, we will be able to bring awareness to the topic, enable young people to support their peers and also signpost those needing further advice to the appropriate services.

This year, we will also be increasing our schools’ partnerships and we will be delivering our workshop into new schools and colleges. With already over 130 new students on board in just the last four months, we expect to be engaging with many more in the coming year. Our students are already leading the way, forming sub-groups within Student Life and driving and shaping the publication into something that is their own.

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

There’s so much going on behind the scenes too and we can’t wait to share more with you as the weeks go by. We now have a new office space at Masterlord Office Village, a base that will enable us to hold meetings and work on our exciting projects.

If you’re ever in the neighbourhood, be sure to pop in and see us!

Bring on the year ahead!

Best Wishes Rachel Gilbey, Co-editor

Contents

ENTERTAINMENT STUDENT FASHION STUDENT BEAUTY STUDENT TRAVEL STUDENT CAREERS

5-10 11-14 15-18 19-22 23-26

MENTAL HEALTH WHAT THE FOOD MY LIFE

STUDENT TECH WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

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“

“

Happy New Year one and all! I can’t believe we are here in 2019 already!

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HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED WITH

We’re looking for: Writers Photographers Designers Business Development Team Mystery Shoppers & Reviewers Distributors Get in touch info@student-life.co

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

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

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THIS MONTH @ STUDENT LIFE WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE FORMALLY OUR 2019 PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NHS IN SUFFOLK THROUGH CO-DELIVERY OF A SELF-HARM AWARENESS PROJECT WITH THE IPSWICH & EAST SUFFOLK CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP (CCG) AND THE WEST SUFFOLK CCG. Suffolk has a higher than average rate of self-harm, with The Children’s Society/ Healthwatch Suffolk reporting a 1 in 6 statistic in August 2018. Our work alongside the CCGs, supports the need for early identification and intervention in Suffolk’s Children and Young People.

Having been awarded significant funding by the CCGs (our largest ever single donation), Student Life’s existing print and digital platforms will support the delivery of an interactive workshop to Suffolk schools and colleges, discussing self-harm and mental health. The workshop will be delivered by students, ensuring that the unique peer-to-peer aspect of our entire project is maintained. The workshop will feature young people’s real-life stories surrounding self-harm.

These personal experiences will positively affect the attitude displayed during delivery to peers. Extracts from Unity Films’ existing films will be shown on screen, along with us premiering a new self-harm awareness film, which will begin filming next month.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS FILMING, PLEASE EMAIL: INFO@STUDENT-LIFE.CO 4 • JA NUA RY 2019 • S TUDENT LIFE

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT CO-EDITOR LOUISE DICKMAN

2019 My Ones To Watch WRITTEN BY CHANEL MCKENZIE

New year, new me? Nope, new blog. What a crazy year in music 2018 had. From festivals to awards shows, to album launches to Ferdi, I really can’t quite sum it up. But now for a new year of new music and new surprises. So I want to let you know who I think you should keep your eyes on.

NAO A female with, what can only be described as a sensational voice. Her sound is so mesmerising and can capture your attention within the first second. I feel that 2019 is the year for her to gain the recognition that she and her talent deserves. The likes of artists such as Stormzy are continuing to promote her musical journey. My suggestion is that you all jump on the bandwagon with the soul singer, you don’t want to miss out.

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ONE ACEN

FREDO

2018 was a great year for the rapper. Many collaborations were made and singles were dropped. One Acen completed 2018 in the right way, only to set himself up for a storm in 2019, which I can’t wait for. With his memorable tracks and catchy lyrics, alongside his fellow friends in the industry, Hardy Caprio and Tion Wayne, One Acen leaves me excited for what’s to happen this year. His fanbase continues to increase, so be sure to see him selling out venues!

With all the talk about his clothes and accessories, Fredo not only has the look but he also drops the tracks to go with it! From club bangers to collaborations with wellknown artists in the industry such as Dave, Fredo continues to impress the public. One of his latest tracks ‘Ay Caramba’ shocked the listeners with his versatility and the talent which shone through in this number.

I’m sure he’ll be buying more chains and more designer garments, but he’s almost promising more bangers.

Those are my top three from the Urban scene, who are yours? Can’t wait for a great year of music. Here’s to 2019.

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Stardew Valley: A Game For Everyone WRITTEN BY CAMELIA ATOMEI When entertainment is defined it can include different activities that make a person feel relaxed. As a second-year student, I need some time off from university work and music, movies and reading were among my usual activities. It was not until recently that I started playing games. I did not have a good opinion about them and in this way, I could not understand people who were in love with them.

At first I was a bit nervous, I did not know what to expect, I thought that I would lose my time but as I decided it was worth trying, I asked some advice from people who have more “experience” and after some attempts, I discovered Stardew Valley. In this way it became the game which made me understand the fact that getting involved in a computer game can help to relax.

Stardew Valley became a game in which I invested more hours that I thought I would.

At first it seems that there are not many things that can be done, but after a while I could not stop because I wanted to try, invest and make money or increase friendships by knowing the other characters. The game has farming as the main area to focus on, but the character can go fishing or can spend time discovering the mines where there are different precious stones that can be offered as gifts or can be sold. The character moves in to his grandfather’s cabin and has to organize everything. The time spent, and the activities done, along with the friendships created are recorded and at the beginning of the third year the grandfather’s ghost will

come, will analyse and will offer something in exchange. This game offers lots, from making crops, to improve the house, to make good friendships and even to marry one of the characters, quite a variety of activities.

As a person who was not into games, I can say that this one made me like them and enjoy my time without thinking it is a waste of time. For me, playing games was a true adventure, one that I won’t regret as it makes me relax. I strongly advise you all to try this game as it is suitable for beginners too.

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In Review Escape Ipswich – The Divine Da Vinci Room CO-WRITTEN BY TONI KERR, ROAN KIRKBY, MAT THEW BUDGEN AND JADE SWAN

The recent opening of Escape Ipswich is guaranteed to provide an hour full of laughter, irritation, eventual triumph (hopefully), and an experience like no other – especially for students. The idea of having an allocated time frame to solve clues and puzzles is surprisingly entertaining for all involved.

Our team were immediately greeted by friendly staff who clearly explained the objectives and safety precautions. We were assigned one of Escape Ipswich’s many rooms, ‘The Da Vinci Room’, where our aim was to recover the ‘Holy Grail’ and therefore find the key to escape the room – in the space of an hour. From the get-go, we were faced with not only clues that needed full concentration to solve, but the escape room also tested our sheer group communication – our ability to listen and trust one another’s instincts. Each puzzle, picture, padlock and clue in the room seemed impossible to figure out and it felt like they would keep on coming forever. We were given help and tips by the screen (which

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was in the room) in times of crisis, which undoubtedly helped us a lot in the long run; the staff watched what we were doing and gave a helping hand when we were stuck on a task. We got annoyed at each other, laughed at our somewhat stupid attempts to solve clues, and screamed at many unexpected events; after all of that, we escaped the room with an incredible seven seconds left to spare! (yeah, we laughed too.)

Overall, we left Escape Ipswich with genuine smiles on our faces and are looking into going back again for upcoming birthdays.

Escape Ipswich also offers a 20% student discount - full details of which can be found on their website: www.escape-ipswich.co.uk We would thoroughly recommend this amazing experience to any friendship group or family.

Escape Ipswich WRITTEN BY ETHAN MASTERSON

Escapes Ipswich offers 6 different rooms to choose from, of which my team and I were put into the “Contagion” scenario.

The premise is simple enough: the world is being ravaged by a deadly virus and your team have an hour to retrieve the vaccine in order to save humanity. In other words, a standard Monday evening.

After a small brief about safety procedures and the way the rooms work - such as not pulling anything off of the wall no matter how tempting - we entered the room for the first time. The design of the rooms struck a good balance between items useful to the escape and items just for decoration; clearly dictating the theme without making the space overcrowded. Also, the theme of a chemist’s lab was well incorporated into the puzzles.

The first moments after the 60-minute countdown begins are a frantic scramble of finding an object and deciding whether or not it’s useful to open something. Our room had multiple locks and keypads for us to decipher the codes to, with some being quick to work out and others taking much longer.

Many of the puzzles left us doubting our ability to complete the room at times, but after enough confused looks (and a few clues popping up on the tv) we were able to escape with 8 minutes to spare. The challenges were all unique and interesting, with a mix of new and old escape room tropes.

To conclude, Escape Ipswich offers a thoroughly enjoyable and fun hour of puzzle solving and clue finding, with a good level of difficulty for new and experienced players alike.

So instead of a film next time you’re out, maybe try escaping from a locked room with your friends.

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the daughter of former Bluebonnet pageant queen Rosie Dickson. Willowdean, being a plus-sized teenager, struggles to see eye to eye with her Mother who coaches and admires the (slim) Bluebonnet pageant girls.

NETFLIX Dumplin’ WRITTEN BY EMILIA COBBOLD

Emilia is 17 years old and decided to get involved with Student Life because it gives a chance for opinions to be heard and for worthy, pressing and interesting topics to be recognised.

Dumplin’ is a Netflix movie newly released and one that became an unexpected treasure to me on the night of receiving this brief – I knew that I had to write about it. This movie shatters the idea of female beauty being held only in girls with size 6 waists, celebrating the body positivity that 2018 has embraced and addressing the severe insecurity that plus-size teenagers face. This is a topic that, with or without being plus-size, most teens can relate to (me included).

The film takes its name from the sweet but unintentionally degrading nickname assigned to our star – Willowdean Dickson,

Because of her Mother’s travelling job, Willowdean was raised by her Auntie Lucy, who was also a plus-size woman. In the small snippets of Lucy we’re shown, she’s represented as a beautifully lively character who Willowdean adores. Lucy plays an important role as she is the one to introduce Willowdean to her favourite singer, Dolly Parton. It becomes very clear that Dolly Parton’s music creates a bond between the two that even (SPOILER!) Lucy’s passing can’t break.

So along with her insecurities with weight, Willowdean must find out how to live without the woman she is closest to. She copes with her best friend Ellen at her side and by pursuing a dream that Lucy never had the courage to – entering the Bluebonnet pageant. Partially in honour to Lucy and partially in protest to Southern pageantry traditions, Willowdean takes it on with Ellen and accidently encourages other outcasts to enter. The reactions of the pageant panel and the other contestants successfully represent the judgement these girls had always seen, yet the six weeks that lead up to the pageant only sees the ‘outcasts’ go from strength to strength, building friendships and confidence (with the help of Dolly Parton drag queens, of course!).

Willowdean’s story is a revolutionary one that teaches that self-love must come before loving others and bestows the ever-welcome happiness we get from mother-daughter reconciliations.

Rating:

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SUPPORTED BY

FASHION FASHION CO-EDITOR PAM DAVIS

What’s On The Radar For 2019 Christmas and New Year has been and gone, and normal life has been resumed!

Amongst other things, we are now at that point where we will be thinking about holidays and brighter weather.

We maybe at that point of the winter season where we’re just tired of winter and ready for spring. This is also the time of year that the weather tends to be a little all over the place, warmer spring-like temps one day, a blizzard the next, true story. Since we can’t control

the elements unfortunately, we can however, control our styling!

With Christmas sales in full flow, now is the time to hit the shops and seek out bargains ready for the seasons ahead.

There are many trends that are going to stay from the previous seasons (and years!), despite moving into new directions.

We are holding onto some key trends from 2018, however we will be injecting some new 2019 Spring/Summer trends into our wardrobes within the next few months.

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During the late winter days, you certainly begin to prepare clothing items to welcome the spring. However, as the coldness is still around, you have to make sure that the outfits you wear are warm enough. Late winter style is influenced by spring to some extent. Perhaps, you are considering leaving padded jackets at home, and shift to simpler coats to ensure warmth.

The Ideas of Late Winter Style You should always create your own style and take this forward each year, just tweak according to our ever changing lifestyles.

Winter is usually characterised with dark colours, but you may not need them during later winter days.

The most favourite options of later winter style is layered tops. This street style fashion is simple and warm.

TRENCH COAT The wardrobe staple trench coat gets a refresh in 2019, complete with new cuts, accessories and embellishment.

Lets think about 2019 and get fashionably prepared BIGGEST TREND TIE DYE Tie-dye was once the stuff of elementary school arts and crafts, the type of gifts we gave to parents and grandparents on special occasions. Now, it’s become a full-blown 2019 fashion trend. Tie-dye has officially been elevated to high-fashion status — and it’s already making its way into the high street retailers.

The reimagination of tie-dye tells a story that elevates, that works, time and time again.

Where tie-dye clothes from years past evoke images of the ’60s and ’70s — or at least memories of dumping colorful dye onto cheap T-shirts — contemporary tie-dye clothes feel crisp and edgy. Once-distinct shades haven’t blended together to form striking new tones; they’re starkly separate, acting more as a print than a fusion of colour.

The result is a trend that feels clean but organic, bohemian but tailored, nostalgic but contemporary.

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Other Key Trends To Look Out For In 2019 NEON

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.

Think tailoring, two pieces, capes, separates – as long as it looks like a shade of highlighter, you’re good to go.

Facebook: Fashion Candy Style Twitter: @pammystyles Instagram: @fashion_candy_style

SILK, SATIN & SEQUINS GET A REMIX

GET IN TOUCH

LAVENDER

PAM DAVIS

This soft purple hue is the next it-colour, making a turn in knits, suiting, and whimsical formal wear.

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

BIKER SHORTS Yep, the trend that no one ever asked for is back, and bolder than ever.

Simple, shiny shorts

TORTOISE JEWELLERY

Men’s Fashion Menu for 2019

STATEMENT SNEAKERS

LIGHT-WASH DENIM

PUFFY SLEEVES

SLING BAGS

FRINGING

VINTAGE WATCHES

WRAP DRESSES

MISMATCHED PRINTS

PRINT ON PRINT

CORDUROY

To remain in the theme of mixing and matching, another trend we are loving this spring/summer 2019 is the mixing of different prints and patterns in the same outfit

CROPPED TROUSERS

BAMBOO BAGS

NECK SCARVES PLAID PANTS QUARTER SOCKS

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NEW YEAR

New You

WRITTEN FASHION

BY TSHEQUA WILLIAMS CO-EDITOR TSHEQUA WILLIAMS

Happy New Year! As 2019 begins, many people will have set resolutions that are almost never kept. In terms of fashion, there are changes you can make that won’t be as hard to stick to and will help to evolve your style during the coming year. Here are 4 ways to make a change to your style in preparation for the start of the fashion calendar in spring!

1. BE BOLDER Make 2019 the year where you challenge yourself to go out of your comfort zone by incorporating more bold colours or patterns into your wardrobe. As we are still in the winter season, you can start off small with a coloured scarf or jumper and gradually build up your collection into spring! Be adventurous and move away from the all black outfits, even if the idea of brighter colours scares you, adding more subtle colours such as navy or bottle green could be a great place to start.

3. CREATE A CAPSULE WARDROBE If you want to reduce the amount of clothes you buy in 2019, January is the perfect time to begin planning a capsule wardrobe ready for the spring season. The main concept is to invest in more good quality and well fitting basic pieces which will carry you across all of the seasons, while only buying a few trend pieces to make it a more sustainable option. They also reduce waste and limit the amount of fast fashion you buy as you have to make considered choices about what you want to buy.

2. TRY NEW THINGS Bored of all the clothes in your wardrobe?

Perhaps try a new brand that you have never bought from before to help you find new styles. Websites like ASOS.com are good for this sort of thing as it is easy to filter out all of your usual brands while viewing loads of new brands you may have not considered before.

4. TREAT YO’ SELF! While it is important to save some of your Christmas money, there is nothing wrong with treating yourself to a more indulgent piece for your wardrobe. Items such as bags or accessories are perfect to spend more on as they are usually the most versatile with different outfits making them better value for money.

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SUPPORTED BY

BEAUTY BEAUTY CO-EDITOR ROSIE MAY

Face Masks Face masks are one of my favourite skincare products. They make my skin feel great and look great. If I’m ever feeling like I need a good pamper then a face mask is always the answer.

My first favourite is the Lush Mask Of Magnaminty. You can buy small and large pots so if you’re wanting to just try it out then you can get the small! It’s a fresh green mixture and makes your skin feel AMAZING! It’s purpose is to help with blemishes and spots and I do notice a difference in my skin! This is definitely a must-buy in the January sales.

The second recommendation is the Liz Earle Nourishing Face Mask. I got a sampler kit of lots of different Liz Earle products and this was one of my favourites. My skin absorbs

most of the product unlike other masks, so it really has an impact on the overall appearance of my face.

If you’re on a budget then I would highly recommend the Garnier Micellar Sheet Masks. These are a different aspect to the normal mask but they feel great. It leaves your skin feeling fresh and smooth and you look extremely glowy! However you only get one sheet per purchase so I tend to use these on special occasions!

If your skin is suffering from the harsh winter, a face mask is just the answer you need. Get home, shove some pyjamas and fluffy socks on and put on a face mask and your favourite film! It’s the best pamper you could have.

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The Ideal Product For Your Problematic Skin!

WRITTEN BY CARA FOLLON

Product: Whitening Mask Brand: Mario Badescu Function: A hydrating mask that brightens uneven skin tones and reduces the look of old acne scars/ discolourations.

Price: £21.00 I first heard about this product when researching for ways to improve my skin.

Being acne prone myself, I've suffered with bad skin since I was 14 so have always looked into products to help me improve it. After delving into some research and reviews, I decided to try it out myself, and see if it was as good as its 3.9 star rating on BeautyBay. I began by exfoliating my skin after which I finally applied a thin layer of the mask onto my skin and left it on for 15 mins, as stated on the instructions. After washing it off, I didn't see much of a result therefore I went onto doing the same routine the next evening only this time leaving the mask on overnight.

To my surprise, when I’d washed it all off, my skin was not only a lot more radiant but the dark spots had turned much lighter! I was particularly astounded at how quickly it had helped, as I’d used other products before for months and none had lived up to these results. However I found it a struggle to wash off as in some places it had stuck more strongly to my skin than others, so if your mornings are a hectic rush this isn't the most ideal product!

I’ve been using this product for around 5 weeks now and have seen improvement but only if I use it every other day. What I’ve also noticed is that I sometimes tend to occasionally break out in the areas where the mask was, which was mentioned in some of the reviews.

In conclusion I would definitely recommend trying out this product but adapting it to your own needs as I feel that this way you’ll be able to get the most out of it. The price might seem like a bit of a stretch considering the cons but the shipping is free on BeautyBay so you won't have to pay any extra pennies!

Good Luck :)

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Why Is Our Appearance So Important?

WRITTEN BY CARA FOLLON

Your appearance is vital to who you are.

It’s the way you present yourself, the first thing someone sees and how people judge you. As a young person, there is a huge pressure on my appearance and how I’m presenting myself to the world and how I present myself in certain situations.

Like most people of my age, I care about the way I look and I want to look the best I can.

This doesn’t always happen, of course, I have bad days like everyone sometimes. There is pressure to look a certain way and so many young people give in to that. You can’t help it.

People’s perception of you is something that so many young people care about. I know I do. There are certain expectations with your

appearance. This takes into account your gender, your age, the place you’re going to etc. I’ve noticed, especially recently, that the judgment you receive from friends, family or even strangers if you go against social norms has become increasingly strong. It’s expected that if you’re going on a night out, you must look a certain way and put more effort into your appearance than you usually would. It’s quite ironic that you usually end up looking quite a mess and all that effort was wasted.

Body image also comes into this, so many young people are constantly worried about their body and the way other people view it. This can create so many problems with self-esteem and can lead to something far more dangerous. But one thing so many people don’t understand, and me included, is why is our appearance so important to other people? Why do we spend 4 hours getting ready? Why do we try to change ourselves?

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This issue is deep-rooted in society, it’s unlikely that you’ll find many young people who love the way they look naturally.

We are constantly trying to change our image, whether that be via makeup, surgery or photoshop. We only present the ideal version of ourselves; the fake version let’s say. It’s actually very sad when you think about – it is as if young people are programmed to want to change their appearance and they obviously can’t be happy with their true image.

Although just because someone wears a bit of a makeup or cares about their appearance, doesn’t instantly mean that they’re trying to hide their true selves. It is possible that people just enjoy looking after themselves. Using makeup or styling your hair or wearing your best clothes can really lift your mood and make you feel better about yourself. But it’s interesting that it’s becoming very rare to see someone who hasn’t put in a lot of effort in how they appear to others.

On a night out, it’s very unlikely that someone would go out without changing

his or her outfit, styling his or her hair or putting on some makeup. It’s become a kind of ritual, especially within student culture.

I and my friends really enjoy getting ready, choosing our best clothes, curling our hair and helping each other with makeup whilst listening to the charts and pre-drinking. It’s a nice feeling to dress yourself up, especially if you’re taking photos before you go out.

But it’s interesting that it seems essential to a good night out and if you don’t make an effort, people will judge you for it. Surely, if you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing and the way you look, that’s all that matters.

However, for some people that just isn’t enough, and you will be constantly judged if you don’t conform to societal expectations.

The issue of appearance and expectations is something that is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. However, surely the only thing that matters is people’s happiness in themselves. It would nice that if you wish to wear that little bit of makeup, use that special mousse for your hair and wear your favourite outfit, or if you decide that you just want to wear something comfortable and something that you can be yourself in, people will accept that and we can enjoy each other’s beauty as we want to present it.

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TRAVEL WRITTEN BY RACHEL GILBEY

Travel Discounts If travelling and exploring the world is a passion of yours, then you’ll know that it can get quite expensive. However, there are a wide variety of discounts available for students for travel; namely modes of transport but also for booking websites and tours. For the next few months, I’ll introduce you to a number of discounts available on planes, coaches and other travel sites.

This month, we’re looking at train discounts.

Here are my top 3 finds:

THE 16 – 25 RAILCARD An absolute must if you find yourself commuting for education, work or even if you’re a frequent visitor to the big smoke.

The card is available to anyone between 16 – 25 years old and you can have a one year, two year or three year card. This also means that you could technically purchase a card just before your 26th birthday for another 3 years of discounts (result!). Currently the card can give up to a third off the price of a ticket, but make sure you read the fine print and check which journeys (if any) it won’t be valid for as some short journeys

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are unable to be discounted. You’re able to have a physical card or a digital one saved to your phone which is pretty handy if you’re forgetful like me! If you have an NUS card or Student Beans account, you’ll be able to get 12% off the price of this card too! What’s not to love?

CROSS COUNTRY TRAINS Another train company offering student discount is Cross Country trains. So not only can you use your 16-25 railcard to get a third off, you’re then able to save a further 10% on your tickets with your NUS card or NUS

Apprentice extra card! Such a good offer!

Visit the Cross Country trains website for more information.

GRAND CENTRAL If you’re looking to travel by train and know well in advance, then why not look to book with Grand Central? When you book with them online or via your mobile, you will receive 25% off all Grand Central advance tickets! All you’ll need to do is supply your NUS card number. For more information, visit the NUS extra website or the Grand Central website.

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Travel Wishlist WRITTEN BY SAMMY SANTOS

Canada should be on top of everyone’s 2019 travel wish list. The country is so culturally and historically diverse from the French, British and American colonials.

Its landscape is simply breath-taking from lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies to the nightscapes of Vancouver’s skyline. A place where people live within the nature.

Next up is Morocco. This country is an artisanal blend of middle eastern cultures.

A place where the weather is always warm; get lost within Marrakech’s old town square’s streets. Or take an exclusion tour into the Zaragoza desert where you can take a camel ride bathing in the sunset’s glow. And the food will not fail to satisfy your hunger for something new to taste.

Heading into Europe, Slovenia will become a growing destination for travellers.

Surrounded by Italy, Austria and Croatia it’s a hidden Gem. Lake Bledd encompasses the mystical wonder of the European Alps and the essence of European castles. Slow down and unwind taking a long drive in the picturesque mountains. This is a must visit for Europe.

This next one is most likely to be well known for its blue domes, exquisite Greek food and basically a paradise. Santorini, Greece is an enchanted island formed from volcanic activity. But don’t worry, the island itself won’t be blowing up anytime soon. It’s a place where you can slow down and unwind.

Get lost and explore the endemic culture and get to know its people. Hire a boat and go exploring the ocean caves and mini islands.

Finally, heading over to Asia, Bali, Indonesia. 2018 has already been a year in

which many promotional campaigns have showcased this location’s beauty. But make your 2019 to go see it in person. From the island’s waterfalls, beaches and natural swimming pools it’s a place which immerses you into an Indiana Jones’ movie. From the temples to the shore, you will feel a deep gratification for everything around you.

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My 2019 Travel Wish List WRITTEN BY SAMMY SANTOS

Travel wish lists are interesting, because I would consider my travel wish list to be everywhere I haven’t been yet, which means that my list should be 178 countries long! However, there are some places that I’m more drawn to than others, for many different reasons, so here are 4 places I would love to visit in 2019 AUSTRIA My favourite type of holiday has to be one that combines seeing a new city, whilst also being able to do something adventurous and in the outdoors. I love to kayak wherever I go, but I would also love to try something a bit different, such as abseiling. I think Austria in the summer would be great as I would be able to see cities such as Vienna, but also be able to spend time in the mountains and lakes, which would normally be covered in snow.

JAPAN I often hear from people who travel from the west that they’ve never felt as alien to a place as they did when they visited Japan.

I’ve never been to Asia, but I’ve always wanted to, and often wondered where to start. I think it’s the blend of the extremely modern of Tokyo, combined with the traditional architecture of the temples and castles, (whilst also having a DisneyLand!) that draws me to Japan.

THE AMERICAN ROCKY MOUNTAINS The American/Canadian national parks remain probably the most beautiful places I’ve ever been (so far), and therefore, I’d love to see more of them. Having recently been to the Canadian part of the Rockies, I would love to travel slightly further south in to America; states such as Colorado, and perhaps even see a band in the Red Rocks theatre!

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS By far the biggest stretch on this list has to be the Galapagos. On and around these small islands live some of the most amazing land and sea creatures on earth, some of which aren’t found anywhere else, as well as having some impressive volcanoes, and being lined with white sand beaches. Who wouldn’t want to visit the Galapagos?

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SUPPORTED BY

CAREERS CAREERS CO-EDITOR RACHEL GILBEY

Diversity and Inclusion at EDF Continuing our Careers relationship with EDF Energy at Sizewell, Student Life is delighted to bring more news about working with a people-first employer.

WE’RE ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH US We celebrate their diversities and embrace the value that their differences bring. We believe that a culture of inclusion forms the basis of a truly sustainable business and is

vital to shaping a strong and fresh-thinking organisation.

OUR FOUR KEY BEHAVIOURS Recruiting from the widest possible pool of talent, we assess every potential employee against our four key behaviours – Integrity, Inclusion, Inspiration and Impact. We make sure that our workforce is a true reflection of our communities and customers. Their unique perspectives not only give us a better understanding of customers from all walks of life, but bring fresh ideas on nuclear safety too.

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EMPLOYEE NETWORKS Our attitude towards diversity is reinforced by our various employee networks – Women’s Network, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Supporters Network, Disability and Carers Network, BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) Network, Working Parents’ Network, the Forces’ Support Network and, our most recent addition, the Young Professionals’ Network.

These networks provide a platform for employees to share views, tell us what we’re doing well and recommend improvements. This creates a real sense of community and a workforce who feel that their opinions are valued. It also helps us address business challenges and get closer to our goal of becoming a truly inclusive employer. One that encourages inspiration, innovation and employee commitment to a better energy future.

APPRENTICESHIPS AND DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS Joining EDF Energy on one of our exciting apprenticeship programmes: ENGINEERING MAINTENANCE APPRENTICESHIP QUANTITY SURVEYOR DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP NUCLEAR ENGINEER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP NDT ENGINEER APPRENTICESHIP PROJECT CONTROLS APPRENTICESHIP CIVIL ENGINEERING APPRENTICESHIP You’ll not only earn the skills you need to build a great career, you’ll become part of a better energy future too.

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Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR F ive GCSEs at Grade C or above (or Grade 4 and above in the new GCSE grading structure), National 5 or equivalent, including maths, English and two science or technical subjects You’ll also need a talent for practical subjects Desire to learn and develop your skills Willingness to relocate as required WHERE WE COULD TAKE YOU At the end of your apprenticeship the doors will open to the larger organisation. If you want to progress up the career ladder, you can take on people management responsibilities and develop into a maintenance team leader. Or you can choose the technical route and take your first steps towards becoming an engineer. With hard work, there really are no limits to how far you can go – not just within EDF Energy, but within the worldwide EDF Group.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? £11,200 a year with annual pay increases Accommodation and meal costs covered in your first two years A number of paid return journeys home Pension scheme 25 days’ paid holiday Wellbeing and support services Flexible benefits package

The Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship Scheme is a four-year programme that focuses on skills required to maintain our power stations. As well as the technical side, we’ll help you develop the attitudes and behaviours essential to the safe operation of our power stations. Upon completion, you’ll be awarded a Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Certificate, you’ll also have attained a BTEC Level 3, with the potential for further education such as a HNC. The programme runs for four years, the first two of which are based at the National College for Nuclear, delivered through Bridgwater and Taunton College, Somerset.

During this time you’ll undergo training in academic and workshop environments to ensure you gain an excellent introduction to engineering and develop a strong skills foundation. Part of this programme also covers the development of life skills, like confidence and communication.

For further information email info@student-life.co and we will put you in contact with the correct person.

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Careers Platform Do you want to help shape a unique digital platform for students to source experience of different workplaces?

We are putting together a student-led steering group which will revolutionise the way that students and alumni can gain valuable experience.

Email: info@student-life.co for more information.

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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.

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Editor’s

Was it because of the festivities and celebrations? or the fact that 2019 is going to bring some amazing opportunities for the mental health work here at Student Life?….hmm I’ll let you figure that out…. (ppssst! the answer is below!)

Happy new year! I can’t begin to tell you guys how excited I am about what 2019 is going to bring for Student Life and the amazing (if I say so myself) mental health work we do. We have secured a partnership with the CCGs and will be working with them throughout the year on a project that I hold very closely to my heart. Alongside this we are planning on spreading our wings and will be delivering our mental health workshop to educational settings outside of the Ipswich scope – eeeeek! (county-wide I hear you say?).

This month other members of the mental health editing team got involved and designed briefs that you guys got to write and now get the pleasure to read. I hope you enjoy the content.

I look forward to updating you in February, Warm wishes xo 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

“

“

December didn’t half fly by fast!

SELF CARE 29-33 Q&A 34-35 SUFFOLK MIND 36-40 LGBTQ+ 41-44 SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT 45-47 CONTACTS 48 28 • JA NUA RY 2019 • S TUDENT LIFE

Self Care WRITTEN BY RACHEL GILBEY

Happy New Year! I’m sure many of us would have contemplated the idea of making New Year’s resolutions- hands up if you’ve failed already! However, if you’re yet to make any, then read on.

Usually my resolution includes a big oath to myself to try something new. So this year I’m challenging you… do something new.

At first it sounds quite scary but honestly, it’s far from it and actually can be quite liberating. You might decide to try a new hobby, whether that’s a particular sport or activity or even find an evening class to join.

Or you might wish to take it to the extreme and push yourself to complete a challenge and raise money for charity. Ideas include: • THE NATIONAL 3 PEAKS CHALLENGE: For this challenge, you will need to climb three mountains... one after the other!

They are Ben Nevis (Scotland), Scafell Pike

(England) and Snowdon (Wales). There are a number of organisations that you can book your challenge through and who will give you plenty of information, guidance and support.

• SKYDIVE: This is a challenge that I completed a couple of years ago for Crohn’s and Colitis UK. I organised my parachute jump through Skyline Parachuting (.co.uk) who made the whole process a breeze! I set up a Just Giving page and needed to raise a set amount before I could do the jump then continued to fundraise up until and a little bit after the day. I absolutely loved it and would do it again if I could!

• SLEEP OUT: Homelessness is a real and growing issue in a number of places and the organisation Centrepoint has been raising awareness of the challenges faced by those rough sleeping for over ten years.

They encourage their supporters to swap their beds for sleeping bags and raise money for homeless young people. For more information or support, visit: www. centrepoint.org.uk/sleepout Whatever your new experience is, try to embrace it and why not challenge a friend to do it with you?

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Comorbidities – Physical And Mental Health.

WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD

Definition: In healthcare a comorbidity is the presence of one or more health conditions that exists alongside a primary health condition.

Unfortunately, comorbidities are not as recognized as I believe they should be. Do we appreciate that someone who has anxiety may also have depression because of the difficulties their anxiety presents them with?

Do we think about the implications that heart disease can have on a person’s wellbeing and mental health state? In 2018 and in an ideal world these health inequalities wouldn’t still be occurring, but unfortunately, they are. Physical health and mental health are still widely seen as two completely separate issues, when reality shows that they’re overwhelmingly interlinked.

‘No health without mental health’ – this could not be more true.

Although I am partly slating the healthcare systems for not recognizing the relationship between physical and mental health, we have

got better. Services that care for patients with cancer have sub-services which can offer counselling and support for the impact this diagnosis can have upon the patient and their family. Employers have been driven to recognize that mental health can have as much of an impact on working life as a broken leg can.

But, what we are unfortunately still failing to do is recognize the comorbidities that exist primarily with a physical health problem and a mental health problem. It is much easier to separate the two. However, sometimes in doing so we are unable to treat the problem as the other is interlinked, and therefore, the problem needs to be treated as one.

When we think about contributing factors to mental health problems we think about the mind, about life events and life stressors.

A physical health condition can be as triggering for a mental health condition as losing a loved one, having a stressful work environment, or a relationship breakdown.

This article is aimed to make you think outside the box, what else is occurring with this person and how best am I able to support them? Are they depressed because their health condition is causing them too much discomfort? The constant treatment and trips to the hospital might be contributing to the anxiety someone feels.

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Think about health conditions separately, but as a whole. Just like a comedy can make you laugh, and a horror can make you frightened, a physical health condition can affect your mental health.

Comorbidities – Secondary Factors Caused By Mental Health Issues WRITTEN BY PETE BROUGHTON

Tiredness to loss of appetite, stomach pains to breathlessness; these are just a small number of secondary factors caused by mental health issues.

Most times when someone first has a panic attack, they usually think it’s a heart attack or some sort of lung condition which can result in ending up in A&E. This is understandably scary for the individual and often leads to further anxiety of having a panic attack or health anxiety. Understanding how your body reacts to mental health issues can be a big relief and reduce further bad thoughts and feelings, this is why reading about the affects a mental health issue can have and trying

to think logically about the physical health condition affecting you can reduce worry and save un-needed trips to the GP. Of course, it’s important to go see a health professional for serious and persistent physical ailments and I also encourage anyone who is suffering with poor mental health to visit the GP to discuss their situation and get help.

Depression and anxiety also encourage irrational thinking, so that ache you would not normally think twice about may seem like the first sign of cancer to your irrational mindset, furthermore, having additional thoughts and worries cause headaches, fuzzy heads and even dizziness all as a secondary physical condition to the main mental health problem. Talking about your worries always helps and this includes talking about a physical condition you have, rather than keeping it bottled up in your head where it will fester, chat to a friend or family member.

This discussion can make you instantly feel better and will also help you to decide if the issue may/may not be related to mental health and a trip to the doctors is needed.

It’s always better to get checked out but at the same time no-one wants to be in an out of the doctors or hospital every day, especially when they have no real physical problems but need mental health support.

Stay strong as always remember you are not alone.

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Social Media WRITTEN BY JADE HALLAM

Social media is a blessing. It can be used to keep in contact with people around the world, share funny things about life, discuss and debate, or just keep up to date with the family drama. Sometimes, however, it isn’t so great.

When I was 13, I joined a website called Tumblr. At first, it seemed great, I could interact with other people who had a passion for the things I did, everyone was funny and really nice. Then I came across a post about self-harm. Before then, I’d had no idea that it existed, but this world opened new doors for me, and not good ones. I found out a lot about self-harm, why people did it, how they did it, and how it made them feel, and I realised that I felt bad like them, so why shouldn’t I try it too? Had I not seen this

original post, I doubt I would’ve learned about it for a few more years, and I wouldn’t have self-harmed.

Along with learning about self-harm, I also spoke to people who identified as nonbinary, trans, genderfluid etc. Whilst this in itself isn’t an issue, when I told them I was sometimes a ‘tomboy’ and sometimes a ‘girly girl’ they all decided, unanimously, that I must be genderfluid, and this was a label that was forced onto me, without me truly knowing what it meant. It caused a lot of emotional distress for me, not knowing who I was, and it took me the best part of three years to realise that I am a cisgender girl, who is sometimes a tomboy and sometimes a girly girl.

On the flip side of all of this, I met my best friend in the world through Facebook, and have since met up with her a handful of times. Social media isn’t all bad, but nor is it a utopia. It needs to be treated with caution and people need to remember that there is a life outside of electronic screens, and if you don’t look up once in a while, you’ll miss it.

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Jenny’s Story WRITTEN BY JENNY WOLEDGE Hello to everyone, I have been very busy since my last article delivering suicide awareness training in our local schools and at the Christchurch University in Canterbury.

I have also been on the local community’s radio with KMFM discussing self-harming and mental health issues are going to be tackled. This really encouraged me that there are so many people wanting to help others who are struggling with life, so everyone needs to know they do not have to struggle alone.

I have been invited to meet with some of the Student Life team to deliver some of this invaluable training which I am looking forward to doing. The three Levels that I can deliver are as follows and it would be great if we can get as many people trained up to make Ipswich a safer community.

First Level is called suicideTALK this is a 90-minute workshop and is a real gentle approach of being able to use the word Suicide in a comfortable, respectful and caring manner.

The second workshop is the second level safeTALK, this is a three and a half hour workshop which gives you the skills to recognize that a person might be having thoughts of suicide, engaging them in direct and open talk about suicide and then able to connect them with someone who is able to do a suicide intervention.

Leading on from that workshop some people may want to be able to have the skills to complete a suicide first aid intervention and this is where ASIST can be offered, “Applied suicide intervention skills training”. This is a two-day course. Over the two days you gain all the skills to complete a suicide intervention.

With all of the training each candidate receives a certificate in the level they are trained in.

A fourth piece of training is suicide to hope this is a session on how to make a safe plan for the person who has had thoughts of suicide, but wants to live.

I am really looking forward to being able to deliver some of this training to you and hope to see you in the New Year.

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Tips & Advice

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED Got a burning question about mental health difficulties? Want nonprofessional, peer-topeer advice? Look no further, this feature will appear every month and invites readers to send in questions regarding Q: HOW MUCH OF AN EFFECT DOES mental health for tips MINDFULNESS HAVE ON PEOPLE’S and advice*. My name is MENTAL HEALTH? Leanne and I have both A: That’s a very difficult question to answer as I believe different techniques work at different specialist training and levels for individual people. However, scientists have proven that mindfulness is personal experience in effective in relieving stress and improving mental health and will sleep, as well as improving some physical health difficulties such as lowering blood aim to provide userpressure. These improvements will all friendly, non-professional contribute to improving one’s mental health.

However, having said that, not everyone will advice to anyone who find the mindfulness techniques therapeutic. asks for it!

But realistically mindfulness is taking time to 34 • JA NUA RY 2019 • S TUDENT LIFE

appropriate. It is important to try and educate yourself on self-harm if you haven’t done so already, many people have preconceived negative attitudes towards self-harm and it’s very important that these do not impose on the support you are giving your friend.

Q:

WHAT IS THE WORST THING TO ASK SOMEONE WHO IS SUFFERING FROM POOR MENTAL HEALTH? A: I don’t think there is a bad thing to ask someone, apart from the obvious. Mental health can be a difficult and sensitive topic to discuss, so as long as you approach the person in a friendly and non-judgmental or prying manner then you should be ok. There are many myths about asking people the wrong questions and whether this will make their mental health difficulty worse, but this is the classic stigma situation – we should be encouraging people to discuss their mental health, not hiding away from it!

bring yourself into the here and now, and that can be achieved by anything that one finds therapeutic. So, in a nutshell, it seems that mindfulness is as effective as we make it?

Q:

HOW DO I HELP A FRIEND WHO IS SELF-HARMING? A: Firstly, if you are aware of the severity of the self-harm and are concerned for this person’s safety, I believe it is important that you inform a responsible person e.g. a tutor, student services body, or a family member.

However, when it comes to supporting someone who is self-harming, I think a nonjudgmental, caring, and patient approach is

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.

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Comorbidity: Missing The Wood For The Trees?

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

Comorbidity, sometimes called dualdiagnosis, is the term used when a person presents with the symptoms of more than one condition. For example: depression and obesity, anxiety and high-blood pressure, depression and anxiety, or trauma and addiction. A concern for people both experiencing the symptoms and seeking to help or treat mental illness, is that the symptoms of one condition might make the symptoms of another condition worse.

So if a person experiences high-anxiety and IBS, the stress hormone cortisol can trigger IBS symptoms. Likewise, a person may develop an addiction to a depressant substance, like alcohol, cannabis or opioids, as a result of self-medicating against the symptoms of post-traumatic stress

disorder (PTSD), like distressing thoughts or memories.

People who suffer with obesity may have low self-esteem about body image, which may cause low mood and worry, raise levels of stress hormones, which affects how they metabolise food and result in further weight gain. As we can see, comorbidity can be a case of which came first, chicken or egg.

Many clinicians find it helpful to think about mental health conditions as separate illnesses because it aids diagnosis. Looked at this way, depression is seen as distinct from anxiety, which is distinct from phobias, and so on. If they are working from a medical model in this way, they may want to identify which medications should be prescribed, and will refer to listed criteria, perhaps in the Diagnostic Statisticians Manual IV, or DSMIV, currently in its 5th edition.

This approach views mental illness as specific and distinct constructs. The first edition of the DSM, published in 1952, listed 128 different conditions, while in the current 5th edition this list has grown to 297!

Of course, these labels may not reflect a person’s experience of mental ill health.

In practice, it is very common for a person

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interacting, then our beliefs may be a barrier to learning how to address mental ill health.

So is there a way of looking at mental health which goes beyond labels? At Suffolk Mind we think that there is. At the heart of Suffolk Mind’s work are some powerful organizing ideas which help to think more clearly about mental health. The first of these is the mental health continuum.

to experience the symptoms of depression and the symptoms of anxiety alongside each other. And for this reason a person may be given diagnoses of both anxiety and depression and medication for both.

There is a very old story which describes how an injured eagle landed on somebody’s windowsill. The person, who had never seen an eagle before, took the eagle in and looked after it until it was better. Before releasing the eagle into the wild, they clipped its wings and talons and exclaimed, “There! Now you look like a proper woodpigeon!”

One of the many meanings of this story is that people – or birds – don’t always fit into neat and tidy boxes. So focusing on the symptoms and ignoring the problems in a person’s life might prevent us from solving problems which cause the symptoms.

Insisting that people match diagnostic criteria and labels can cause us to miss the person and the valuable skills and experience which can be drawn upon to support their recovery. If we encourage people to dwell on their problems it can make their symptoms worse. If we believe that all mental ill health is caused by either genes or society, when the evidence is clear that environment and genes are always

Instead of looking at mental health conditions as separate diagnoses, the mental health continuum sees mental health as running from a state of mental well-being at one end, to severe mental ill health conditions like psychotic illnesses, schizophrenia, bipolar and so on, at the other. We are all on the mental health continuum and move up and down it throughout the course of our lives.

Stress is the threshold or crossover point between mental well-being and mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression, and stress triggers the symptoms of existing conditions which people might be managing or recovering from. And stress is not random. Stress is nature’s way of telling us that an important emotional need is not met and needs addressing.

This could be a need for security; to have control over the direction of our lives; to give and receive attention; to have status and feel valued; to feel connected to the wider community; to share a close emotional connection with someone – or a pet! – that we can rely upon; to feel stretched and challenged; and to feel that our lives have a sense of meaning.

When we focus on working with a person to get needs met we are focusing on the real person, and diagnostic labels, comorbid or otherwise, become less significant than the person behind them.

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Introducing...

Professional Footballer And Ipswich Town Full-Back, Jordan Spence

IMAGE CREDIT GEORGE BENTLEY (GB IMAGERY)

WRITTEN BY RICHARD STEWART

Jordan Spence signed for Ipswich Town Football Club in January 2017. The East Londoner is 28 years old and has gained a reputation for speaking openly about media stereotypes in the world of professional sport and especially regarding emotional wellbeing and mental health among young males.

University student Maria Lazar, SL photographer George Bentley and I met Jordan after training at the Club’s Playford Road facilities. I had approached the Club’s player liaison team a couple of weeks beforehand to enquire about Jordan’s availability for an interview, having read about his community work in the area and after seeing how he was attempting to help reduce the stigma of opening up about mental health. After initially chatting to Jordan about the Club’s reinvigoration under new manager Paul Lambert, we got stuck into talking about life as a modern-day footballer and the pressures that accompany the job.

“Having been part of this dressing room for 2 years now, there’s definitely a good, strong spirit in there. Football dressing rooms can be interesting places, with players coming from different backgrounds and varying in age. You can create quite superficial

relationships because of player changes and it’s difficult to put down roots and get to know people in any real depth”.

Jordan describes dressing rooms as real melting pots, with lots of male energy.

I asked how easy it was to spot when a colleague was having a ‘bad day’.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to ascertain whether a problem may be related to the team or away from the job. We are trained from a young age to be part of a team, but of course being a sportsman has a singular nature to it as well. Being a ‘man’ can be difficult when it comes to the stigma around talking openly about issues or showing weakness and therefore problems can be difficult to detect”.

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Jordan goes on to explain that – for him – communication is key.

“Having an environment where people feel comfortable to speak is key. You would be surprised by the number of players who may have an extrovert approach on the field, but may be particularly quiet off it. Checking in on someone’s mental health is becoming more commonplace in the game and whilst it may not be every player’s style to talk openly, creating a forum for this is the way forward. The Club asks for players to carry out well-being checks in the morning – both physical and mental and these are then recoded on an App. The results are then monitored confidentially by the Club’s staff.

This has made players think….how do I feel today? and creates conversations”.

Jordan openly talked about his fascination with the holistic care of human beings and his desire to research the subject.

Time for the inevitable and difficult question…….what’s Jordan’s advice to young people?

“Men are perhaps pre-disposed to keeping their problems to themselves.

Communication is key though and we need more education about how we handle situations and create safe spaces. Don’t hold it in. When I have experienced sharing a problem, the weight of that problem is reduced. Friends, family, Suffolk Mind, Samaritans….there is a whole list of people who are there to help”.

His time permitting, we hope to invite Jordan into an ambassadorial role with our mental health work, so watch this space.

IMAGE CREDIT GEORGE BENTLEY (GB IMAGERY)

“As an institution, perhaps football hasn’t reacted as quickly as it could have to emotional well-being. However, the speed at which it is now is exciting”.

Jordan gives a shout out to his wife and family, along with a strong group of friends – eloquently described as a real brotherhood of men who unashamedly talk about any issues that they may have.

“I think that this has come about due to my faith. Recognising my own weaknesses and understanding that I will not always have the answer has allowed me to form a group of friends who are comfortable with the same thought processes. Although very different in many aspects, our working environment will often mirror schools, colleges, universities where it will be difficult sometimes to notice someone who may be struggling and know how best to approach that person”.

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Stress WRITTEN BY THOMAS HEATHWAITE

Thomas Heathwaite is 17 years of age.

I am a strong believer in all things environmental and inspiring people. I also like to write thoughts and feelings down onto paper, when I feel stress, as I am a strong believer that this relieves stress and anxiety.

We all feel sad, unhappy, stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, depressed etc. But how can you stop it from taking over your life – if you are feeling constantly one of the above, or a combination of the above, well one way is to try to use self-help strategies to help yourself figure out your thoughts, feelings and emotions.

Speaking from personal experience, I find that writing down thoughts onto paper is one of the best things to do. Your paper is your best friend – it can’t see what you’re writing; it won’t judge you about what you’re writing – it’s there as a medium for you to try to think.

Try to think really deeply about why are you feeling what you’re feeling; try to think about the event leading up to it. It may not be easy.

It may not happen naturally. It didn’t for me. Try to just sit quietly, relaxing, trying to think, then write – almost like meditating.

The biggest problem is you’ll probably feel like you’re being watched, or feel anxious about what the paper thinks – you are probably not being watched, and, as we have said above, the paper can’t know – it’s only you overthinking that makes it seem like this.

Why should you use this tactic? As you write you should find, your thoughts slowly dissolve and you can start to think clearer about what is happening, and what you’re feeling. You should find that you are able to put everything back into perspective and that the whole situation suddenly makes more sense and you’re able to see why you’re feeling emotion. If you are able to see the cause of the emotions, then you are able to take actions to manage this emotion.

Equally, if you see that the cause of your emotions is the same over a period of time, then you should be able in time to do things that prevent this from happening, if it is avoidable.

I hope that this technique helps some of you to feel less emotional.

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+ Q T B LG LGBTQ+ Stereotyping WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD Ok let’s get one thing straight… I’m not. All jokes aside, stereotyping is quite frankly rubbish. Yes, in a way it helps us identify with people of the same ‘type’ but unfortunately that’s not the only thing that comes from being stereotyped. Of course, we are never going to get away from this, that’s like asking a fish to survive out of water – unrealistic.

But surely if we actually think about the repercussions of stereotyping, we may be less inclined to do so.

Of course, not everyone stereotypes with a negative agenda, however, whether we intend to or not it can have negative consequences.

I identify as a lesbian; however, this

shouldn’t mean that I am ‘butch’ and that I don’t identify as a femme woman. It also shouldn’t mean that identifying as a nonfemme woman means I’m falling in line with how a lesbian ‘should be’.

As labels go in general, I’m sure we can all recount a time we were labelled and how it made us feel. Even ‘positive’ labels such as smart, intelligent, pretty, skinny can have negative implications.

It is interesting to think about whether labels are useful or whether we’d be much better without them. I personally believe that they are useful, but we aren’t ever going to escape the negative impact they can have on people.

I love being part of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s lovely to have a community that understands and accepts me for me. A community who most likely have experiences similar to mine, a family as such. But just because I am part of this community and walk around with the label ‘lesbian’ shouldn’t

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mean that I should be treated any differently, both negatively and positively. My sexual orientation does not define me, and although I am proud of who I am, it should not have any influence or impact on my treatment as an individual.

Just like you, I am my own person. I am Leanne and I identify as a lesbian, but please, don’t put me in a box.

What Does This Tell You About Me? WRITTEN BY DANA VIVAS

People of the LGBTQ+ community are found in every social, economic, racial and religious group. We are your parents, teachers and children, we look and act like everyone else and yet we still have to deal with being stereotyped.

I’m Dana and I identify as lesbian.

Does this short sentence tell you anything about me?

Well, of course. To an extent, one word ‘labels’ like this are helpful for me to use so other people learn about me quickly. But when people go further than learning who I like to predicting how I’ll act and dress as a lesbian, or expecting me to exhibit certain traits, labels aren’t so helpful.

This is all because of stereotyping. There’s obviously bad rumours that spread around large groups that eventually become a very incorrect but well known idea, as well as popular media portraying LGBTQ+ characters in a certain way that most people would agree to: gay men as feminine, lesbians as ‘tomboys’ and so on.

Stereotypes like this might be small but can still affect us negatively. In reality, they only apply to a small percentage of us. Most stereotypes confuse the concept of sexual orientation for gender identity, making it even more frustrating and confusing for the genderqueer side of our community.

You may feel the need to conform to a certain stereotype to feel accepted or stray as far away from it as possible, but in the end, how you express your identity is all up to you. Labels can force people into little boxes, but it should never stop you from doing what feels comfortable, and your identity is completely valid even if you do fit a stereotype or don’t ‘pass’ as it at all.

I’m Dana and I have short hair but I love wearing makeup and skirts. I still identify as lesbian.

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360 Degree Feedback – Opportunity For Growth?

WRITTEN BY KATE BLACKFORD I was chatting with a friend a few weeks back and he was telling me that he had been asked by his manager to approach some colleagues and get some 360 degree feedback. I happened to catch him during this process and he was not in a good place. His first two conversations had been less than constructive and he was feeling disillusioned. When I enquired what had happened, two things became apparent to me; firstly he had never been taught how to ask for feedback and secondly he had never been taught how to receive feedback.

IF THIS ARTICLE 4 HAS UP2019 ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE 3 •BROUGHT JA NUA RY • S TUDENT LIFE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

The conversation got me thinking about feedback - we rely on it to ensure our work is of the highest quality and that we continue to grow both personally and professionally.

But there is something of an art to asking for and receiving feedback. Failing to adequately equip people for the process of feedback (be it formal or informal) risks leaving them feeling defeated, disillusioned and confused and can create conflict and discomfort in the workplace.

So, what can we do to make the process constructive rather than destructive?

When having a conversation about your performance go armed with questions to keep the conversation on track and productive.

Have your questions set out on a form ready to note comments under each – this way you ensure the feedback is balanced, rather than focusing only on the ‘what we need to do better’ which is where we tend to focus if not managed.

SOME GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK ARE: • What am I doing well?

• What could I do more of and why?

• What could I do less of and why?

• W hat could I do better and how could I improve?

These are simple questions, but they do ensure that not only do you get the feedback but that it is balanced and that you understand what you can do differently in future.

In terms of how you receive the feedback bear in mind that not everyone is good at giving feedback – some people find it difficult and can come across as direct and tactless as a result of their discomfort. It is important to receive the feedback graciously – the intention of the process is to help you to grow.

It is OK to disagree with the feedback someone gives you, but your role in the process is to take the feedback and consider it before dismissing anything that is said to you. Consider why the person might have this view and what you can do in future to correct their perspective if you feel that it is misinformed. Remember 360 degree feedback is a conversation and you have the right to fully understand what is being suggested to you and why.

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HELLO EVERYONE! Welcome back to our anti-bullying pages.

Our ‘Speak Up, Speak Out’ campaign is attracting countywide interest and we have several meetings planned in the coming weeks to discuss funding and of course, our film.

If you would like to get involved with any aspect of our anti-bullying message, please email info@student-life.co

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LAURENCE SCOTT Laurence is the owner of Offset Films, created in 2015 as an As a Film maker indi film production working on the “Speak Up, Speak Out” company and based campaign, it has been a fantastic experience. in Suffolk. Offset From a storytelling perspective the experiences that Films has worked our interviewees have been through are rich in drama and on a number of emotion; but inevitably when creating a film such as this, one is projects from forced to ask some serious questions. Why?! How can we let it happen? feature films to What is it about these people that make others tear them down? From commercials listening to the survivors, I can clearly see a common theme: Difference. and music But if everyone was all the same the world would be a boring place to live. videos.

When we think about bullying there are common images that play in my mind. But what I found much more insidious was some of the other reasons people have been bullied; their faith, sexual orientation or being adopted. These can be fundamental building blocks of one’s character and when they are assaulted it’s no wonder that the scars run deep.

Working on the “Speak up, Speak out” campaign has given me a chance to reflect and review the way I interact with friends and family. For those brave enough to come forward, I say thanks.

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During the filming for our anti-bullying campaign I have met some great people. I remember filming day and us all stood around in the studio slightly nervous about what was to come, but it didn’t take long for us all to start laughing and joking around. Although, things did become serious and the atmosphere did alter when filming commenced.

It was so humbling to be able to hear the others’ experiences and how they differed from mine. I think it was really interesting to see that, although all the bullying experiences are very different, they all had a common factor; the way the bullying made us feel.

Anti-bullying is about spreading the word of the impact someone else’s actions and behaviour can have upon us. I have though, come to recognise more, that there must be a reason as to why people bully. I think that it’s just as important to recognise our stories as the receivers as much as the bullies’ story – there must be a reason as to why bullies do what they do.

LEANNE ARNOLD

IF THIS ARTICLE 47 HAS•BROUGHT UP2019 ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE JA NUA RY • S TUDENT LIFE TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

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

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WTF

WHAT THE FOOD

Top Tips: Leftovers

WRITTEN BY RACHEL GILBEY

Food – Top tips - Leftovers One of the best bits about Christmas is the sheer amount of tasty finger foods and perfectly cooked Christmas dinners.

I don’t know about you, but in my household, we often seem to still be eating leftovers a week down the line! Waste is a big no no, so below I’ve outlined some handy tips so you can give your leftovers a new lease of life!

1.Sandwiches One of the quickest and easiest ways of eating up your leftovers is by compiling one of the biggest sandwiches known to man. There are no rules, no limits, for

your sandwich could contain a multitude of ingredients, personalised to your own taste buds. I’m talking leftover meats, cheeses, stuffing and chutneys. Even vegetables would work. Go on, dare to be brave and get stuck in!

2. Turkey dish It’s very possible that you may end up with leftover turkey trimmings and if you find yourself in this very situation, then why not use the meat and create a new dish? The BBC good food website suggests a variety of recipes suitable for this. Including options such as turkey and ham pie; turkey noodles; turkey bubble and squeak and turkey samosas.

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3. Breakfast If you’re anything like me, then I rarely wake in time for breakfast during the Christmas holidays as it’s an opportunity for a lay-in.

However, if you are an early riser, or need a brunch dish, then having leftovers for breakfast is a must. For example, if you’ve got leftover ham or gammon, why not add a fried egg and toast for a hearty meal?

4. Soup Possibly one of the simplest ideas is turning leftover bones or carcasses into a yummy

broth. Add any leftover vegetables and hey presto, a lovely soup. Pair with some thick crusted bread and there we go. Simple yet effective.

5. Fruit smoothies One for the sweet tooths amongst us or those wanting to start their new year’s health kick straight away… get together your leftover fruit (if any even made it to your Christmas table) and combine them and blend together for a yummy smoothie. Try adding ice or ice cream for a thicker consistency. A big hit with all the family!

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COOKING ON THE DIME

BEEF BURGERS

WRITTEN BY CHEV MITCHELL

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.

This recipe, is simple yet effective and sure to impress your friends. It’s certainly a favourite in my household, served with chips and garnish of your choice.

RECIPE

Serves 5 (1 small pack of mince makes approx 5 patties) / Time: 20 Minutes INGREDIENTS 1 egg 1 straw Seasoning to your liking: black pepper, paprika and basil 1 Small pack of mince Optional: cheese METHOD • Preheat your oven to 200° fan • Add your mince to a bowl and knead it together using your hands or a wooden spoon • After mixing it in, add your seasoning to taste (pepper, paprika and basil) • Then, add one egg to the mixture and mix all in until firm • Optional: grate cheese of your choice into the mixture and mix in • After it is all mixed together, it’s time to make your burger patty • Take chunks of the mince and form into a burger shape • Once your patty is made and you have it in that flat shape, poke a straw in the centre to make a circle. This is optional, but it prevents the patty from balling up when in the oven • Pop your patties into the oven and cook for nine minutes, checking regularly to make sure that they are cooking evenly and not burning. To ensure they are cooking evenly, turn over halfway • Once cooked, remove from the oven and serve with burger buns and garnish

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MYSTERY SHOP REPORT

Perfect

PANCAKES? VENUE: PEAKY PANCAKES, UPPER ORWELL STREET TIME: WEEKEND LUNCHTIME

Anything to do with pancakes and all the sugar physically possible is an automatic win for this month’s shopper – so she was delighted to be asked to mystery shop one of the newest venues in town! Combining the era of the 1920s with its ‘Peaky Blinders’ feel to the café, Peaky Pancakes is quickly proving a hit in the town, and here’s why…

LOCATION:

Peaky Pancakes is in a great location; right on the corner of Upper Orwell Street heading straight into town. There is plenty of parking around as it is the main route into the town centre, you certainly cannot miss this place with its unique outside views. 4/5 SERVICE:

IMAGE CREDIT : THOMAS HEATHWAITE

When we first arrived we were greeted and told to take a seat. There was quite a few of us, so we picked the bigger table, and seeing that we had brought our kids to the café, the lovely gentleman (complete with authentic flat cap!) put cartoons on for the kids to watch, which kept them entertained for a short while! This was such a lovely touch as not many venues have the resources for this. We got up to order and he was very efficient; it wasn’t very busy at the time, but he had a few takeaway orders to deal with first, regardless, he was still very quick in getting our sugar fix to us. 4/5

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FOOD:

You will be surprised to know that Peaky Pancakes serve dishes other than your ‘typical’ pancakes; they offer savoury dishes as well - including burgers, savoury pancakes and hotdogs! There is a variety of what you can have on your pancakes: original lemon and sugar, chocolate, banana etc - calorie heaven! You get quite a decent size portion for what you pay. The beauty about this place is that you can see it all being cooked with the open-plan kitchen – reassuring that it’s all freshly made and all cooked to order. 5/5 VALUE FOR MONEY:

The prices are very reasonable: you can get a pancake and a drink for under £6, which is a real bargain! Similar places often charge twice the price. If you didn’t fancy something sweet, you can have a savoury dish for a similar price; a burger and drink is around £8. Overall, great value for money. 5/5

Overall it was a successful visit, I would recommend Peaky Pancakes to everyone. The décor fitting its Peaky Blinders theme, with the dark décor and rustic chairs it certainly makes a stand, along with its decent size portions and affordable prices. I would like to hope this continues and will keep making delicious food bringing many people through their doors.

OVERALL SCORE

4.5/5

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sweet potato fries, and my partner ordered a burger. The food arrived in good time and the presentation was so much more than we were expecting! The meals were lovely, great portion sizes (mine was too much!) and the best part about it? On Thursdays you get a free dessert with every main meal! I’d like to brag about how good the desserts were, but we were so full we didn’t end up getting any!

Review: Wiff Waff WRITTEN BY LEANNE ARNOLD

I decided to give Wiff Waff a go as the venue is huge and I was curious as to what they had done with it. The name also attracted me, it’s quirky and makes you wonder what sort of place it is.

After eating we enjoyed a lovely pint and watched the karaoke shenanigans unfold from the second-floor balcony. The atmosphere was fantastic! Christmassy and energetic, I was immersed in the experience.

I would 100% recommend it and will 100% be going back in the very near future!!

Whether you want to go there for a social meet, a date, or a quiet drink by yourself, the place is big enough to find an area to accommodate all three!

Rating:

I went to Wiff Waff on a Thursday, this is the day they do karaoke, so I was a little bit apprehensive. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good karaoke sesh, but sometimes they can be proper naff! I went with my partner and we were welcomed by staff members with bright faces and great banter. From the off I felt comfortable and at ease, the process to order food was explained and we went off to find a seat. There are two levels (from what we explored), both with many table tennis and pool tables. The seating areas were arranged well and the balcony looking onto the first floor was a good place to choose to sit. The décor was funky and ‘down to earth’. We ordered our food off a reasonably well priced menu, one of which had good choices and was what we were expecting. I ordered chicken fajitas with an extra side of 54 • JA NUA RY 2019 • S TUDENT LIFE

IMAGE CREDIT : PENNY FENTON

MY LIFE WRITTEN BY PENNY FENTON

Dear Future Me...

Penny is 30, from Woodbridge and is in her third year of a foundation degree in Bioscience.Writing for Student life allows her to take a break, get creative and write something a bit different.

Have they happened yet? The diabolical what-ifs we are carrying around like a nauseating weight residing in our chest with the same entitlement as our heart. Have they happened yet?

I’m willing to wager that most of the hurdles along the way weren’t even on our radar.

I hope we have discovered the elusive formula for preventing the waste of so much life and so many unique moments when they

are touched by panic and worry over what is to come next. Please try.

Our body has only ever done its best for us.

If we are still trying to be everything at once; the scholar, the gym goer, the friend, then be kinder to it. Don’t put it down so much, it is the only one we will ever have. Please try.

We work hard, and it seems it’s this that makes us happy (who could have known?) so keep it up, it has served us well so far just don’t be too alone.

I hope we are proud. I hope they are proud.

We’ve got this.

Ps. How many cats do we have?

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Where Are They Now? WRITTEN BY REBECCA BAKER

Becky is 25 years old, currently working as an Associate Lecturer in Midwifery within the University of Suffolk and decided to get involved in Student Life because she wanted to share how she was inspired to return to the University after studying there.

Following the completion of my A-Levels at school, I decided to apply to go straight to University to start a midwifery degree and I started the training in 2012. Midwifery is a challenging degree programme with the commitments of the course, requiring you to balance assessments, with lectures, as well as placement.

However, becoming a midwife was amazing.

I enjoyed every part of the journey; learning more about the process of pregnancy and childbirth was fascinating. I loved being on placement and feeling able to put the things I was learning into practice and develop my skills and confidence over time. Entering the final year of my midwifery training, felt like

a scary rollercoaster ride. It was on the one hand exciting to be at the point of qualifying and getting to do the job that I had trained to do, but the thought of being responsible for the care provided felt scary.

I qualified in 2015 and started a preceptorship at the local trust where I did my training. The learning journey continued as there is always more to learn within midwifery, with new evidence and guidelines. I practised for three years, during which time I rotated across all wards and also undertook further education such as mentoring and hypnobirthing. I felt it was a huge privilege to be a part of one of the most special moments in a couple’s life. I loved knowing that I had the potential to help them to achieve a positive birth experience.

After three years working as a midwife, an opportunity arose to become an associate lecturer at the University of Suffolk. I was inspired to move into education by the lecturing that I received myself and thought that I would like to be able to teach and support the students myself. I started eight months ago and have really enjoyed every minute of it. I love working with the students and hearing their experiences practice.

I am still learning and trying to offer the best learning opportunities for them. It is exciting teaching and supporting the midwives of the future!

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I Just Give My Best To My Friends WRITTEN BY EMMA FAWKES Lately my life has been furnished with many commitments, which, though only gradually building, are still pretty overwhelming for a seventeen year old! And it’s not just me who’s been snowed under; my friends, family, teachers, most people, I think, feel the weight of new dedications at this point in the year.

Christmas preparations once ‘danced in our heads’ like ‘visions of sugarplums’; personal statements and university applications consume us for what seem like hours; new year's resolutions embody our hopes for the future. The strength of friendship between us and others bearing these changes has to withstand a lot. Though specific conditions facilitate a good work ethic, peace and quiet or music amongst the foremost for me, the presence of my friends, all individually immersed in their own tasks, really does

enhance my mindset. It reassures me that we’re all in the same boat, that I’m not alone, and neither are they. I feel like our mentality, something we need to be mindful of as busy students, is something that can be more fragile when we’re overcome by school stress, and lost amongst romance, pastimes, jobs and our other commitments. It can become neglected amongst the other things that demand our attention, but because I can rely on my friends as a source of patience and comfort, mentality can be more easily addressed and kept at an optimum.

When the obstacle of our exams has been conquered, it will make the achievement more fulfilling, like something we’ve collectively achieved! I feel immeasurable amounts of pride for my friends and what they’ve overcome so far: without school, which we can easily blame as the root of our stress, we would be devoid of the foundation on which most friendships are built, and which continues to support them.

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IMAGE CREDIT : ROSIE WEDGE

Studying WRITTEN BY ROSIE WEDGE

One thing that I know many people feel on the fence about when it comes to revision at GCSE and A Level is whether or not to purchase textbooks. Some schools may make it compulsory for you to buy textbooks, however for the schools that give you the option, like my school did, I have several bits of advice to consider.

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Firstly, and this may sound bad, but for GCSE; don’t bother. They are very expensive, and unless you are told otherwise, textbooks are not worth investing in. These resources should be available at your school, with multiple copies, that can be used in class, or borrowed during break and lunch hours. The reason I say this is because the main point of having textbooks is to do wider reading, and expand on what you learn in class. However, at GCSE, everything you need to know should be taught to you within classes; exam board do not expect you to have wider knowledge outside of the in-class syllabus. Anything you are required to know for your exams should have been taught to you in class, or given to you by the teacher in the form of photocopied handouts. Especially with how many subjects you will be required to study at GCSE, don’t fret about having textbooks unless you are directly told to own a copy.

A Level is a bit more subjective than at GCSE; I wouldn’t straight-up say don’t bother with them. However, I don’t recommend buying them for all of your subjects, or owning more than one per subject. In a similar sense to GCSE, everything that you need to know should be taught to you; everything that you will depend upon to pass should be provided in your lessons, or on a VLE. However, if you are aiming for top-marks, A and A* grades, then a textbook may be a good idea, because examiners will award the grades to people who use their own knowledge alongside taught material in their exam answers. For some subjects, such as maths or core sciences, this is a little trickier to do, as they are not as subjective as subjects such as English or social sciences, and answers are grades based on whether they are correct or not, as opposed to showing a good understanding of debate and

interpretation. However, for subjects that do rely on argument and debate, a textbook may be a good idea, as they consolidate each side of the argument clearly, as well as bringing in particular individuals or studies that you can use to strengthen your arguments that have not been mentioned in class. I myself only ever had one A Level textbook, which was a recommended one, and personally do not feel as though my grades suffered as a result of not having a textbook for my other 4 subjects. There are plenty of online resources that I used to help with my other subjects, but the textbook was very beneficial for my top subject, and the one I was most keen to succeed in.

At university it’s different; textbooks are essential. Everything is the other way round at university; the in-depth information you are required to know is all in the textbooks as part of your essential reading, and lectures play the role of consolidating the information you were set to read a week in advance. Therefore, they are much more important. However, they are also very expensive, and so I also have some advice on how to buy them cheaper, which can be applied at A Level, too. Firstly, post on your institutions social media pages asking if anyone is selling second-hand textbooks; I got 7 responses within an hour! Websites such as eBay are also a great place to look; at A Level it’s not worth buying the books brand new for their high costs. When buying them second-hand, anything more than £10 is probably not worth it, and same applies at university. Many people will be willing to sell them cheap simply to get rid of them, and so don’t settle for high-prices; they aren’t worth it. Finally, always check online availability; many have free online PDFs!

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my brother to Italy. We went to the small city of Padova, where we stayed for a week.

Despite it being late October, the weather was surprisingly warm, summer-like. This meant we had the opportunity to walk around Padova on foot and admire the architecture of the Roman city.

I remember one of our night trips when I looked at the sky. It was clear and full of stars. Being there and looking into the universe made my problems feel far away from me, as if there was an enormous distance between me and the tragedy I had suffered.

It was an opportunity to discover Italian ice cream. It was so much better than what we had back home. Entering a Dolce&Gabanna store was a once in a lifetime experience. I couldn’t afford anything, but the opulence and luxury of the shop made me feel privileged.

A Breath Of Fresh Air WRITTEN BY MARIA LAZAR

I am 19 years old and I have decided to get involved with Student Life because it provides the youth of today with much needed support regarding mental health.

Back in 2015, I was going through a difficult time after my father passed away. I am originally from Transylvania, so to deal with the situation, my mother took me and

The highlight of the trip was, however, seeing Venice. I can’t even decide if it was more beautiful at night or in daytime. I didn’t have to visit something specific. Just passing through the city on a floating “bus” was enough to convince me about the beauty of Venice. However, we got the chance to admire Madonna dell’Orto, a historic Catholic Church. Pictures were not allowed, and I am not capable to conceive its beauty in words.

What I can say is the ten minutes spent in there made me feel relieved like never before, as if all my concerns were washed away by the beauty and mystery of it.

As we were heading back to the railway station to catch a train back to Padova, I got to admire Venice during night time. I thought the sky was the most beautiful thing at night, but I was wrong. The city lights of Venice were warmer and more mysterious than the light of the stars.

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My University Experience : The First Semester WRITTEN BY ROSIE WEDGE It’s crazy to think that my first semester at university is over and looking back at whether it lived up to my expectations or not is really crazy to think about. In many ways this experience has fulfilled and surpassed my expectations, but in other ways, not necessarily bad, it has not been what I anticipated.

Thankfully, I wouldn’t say anything about the university journey has disappointed me. The odd one or two lecturers haven’t been entirely what I would have hoped for university-level teaching, however I suppose this may just be due to them contrasting against the incredible lecturers I have had in other units. It’s strange how even though you don’t get much interaction with your lecturers the same way you would at high school and sixth form, as there are around 200 people on my course, you still feel like you really get to know them, and you trust them.

IMAGE CREDIT : ROSIE WEDGE

The people have been the absolute highlight for me, though. Despite not being the type to go out, get smashed and party until 4am, I have still managed to make some incredible friends, and already have an abundance of amazing memories. I was very nervous about not meeting many people due to my reluctance to enjoy student night-life, however you’d be surprised how many people there are just like me who are on the same page, and how easily we managed to find one another.

The one thing I think most people are most nervous about when coming to university is flat mates. Being put into halls with a bunch of randomers, it can be quite nervewracking wondering who you’ll end up with.

Despite not being very close with 5 of my 7 flat mates, the other two have been an utter blessing, and the 8 of us still get on well enough; plus none of us are food thieves, which is a relief.

Whilst I am so excited to be home for Christmas and see all my friends and family again, and enjoy some time off, I am definitely already missing uni!

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My New Year’s Resolution WRITTEN BY ELAYNE LACORTE

Elayne is 18 years old and is in her final year of sixth form. She decided to get involved with Student Life as she likes the idea of students sharing their stories, and hopes to be part of it.

Does anyone really follow their New Year’s Resolution? Because I feel like people stick to it for a month or two, and then give up, and say “There’s always next year!” as an excuse.

So, I’m writing it on paper (kinda), for all of you to see. My New Year’s Resolution is one over-arching resolution that includes small ones. It is to live 2019 like it is my last year.

That means, I have to make every day count.

I know, I’m tired at the thought of it already.

Too often we forget how quickly time actually passes, and what we don’t really have is just that, time. I’m guilty of constantly putting things off because I’ll have time tomorrow, or the day after that… or a week after that.

And, what if I didn’t end up having that week?

2018 was life-changing and a lot happened last year. I can’t even begin to imagine what 2019 is going to hold, and the best way to make sure it is going to be better than the last, is to live like it is.

I will say yes to things I normally wouldn’t.

I’ll put myself out there, because that’s what you do when you realise time is precious. I’ll try to always be kind, because being anything but that, is emotionally draining. I will tell people how I feel when I feel it, because life is too short to beat around the bush. Own up to who you are. Say how you feel. Do what you can.

I know, it sounds like a lot of work for one New Year’s Resolution. Well, that’s expected, right? As a person, I have changed a lot in the past couple of months. I’m proud of who I’ve become because of the values I’ve taken on and I get another year to grow as an individual.

New Year’s Resolution (and every other resolution from now on): Live 2019 like it is my last. And if it is, at least I’ll be able to say that I made the most of it.

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Type One Diabetes Toolkit WRITTEN BY TOMMY CURRY Even with highs and lows Type 1 Diabetics can live a fairly normal life. I have been diabetic for 6 years now, and although Type 1 diabetes can be explained quite easily those that live with it have quite complex lives. I remember being a student and sitting worrying about having low blood sugar during an exam. Thankfully there are people out there that want to help, there are a number of charities out there working hard to find a cure, but our friends at JDRF

(Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) have created a collection of tips and tricks for diabetics. A Diabetic guide to university.

These are our top few.

• You can apply to your exam board for extra time if you need to test and eat during the exam. Remember you need time after a hypo to fully recover.

• Apply for help from student services, they can help you with things like gaining access to mini-fridge facilities and how to apply for disabled student allowances.

• Tips on how to help with the mental health side of diabetes, how to get into a good routine and who to turn to when you are struggling.

For any more tips, or if you would like to learn more about JDRF and the work they do go to http://uni.jdrf.org.uk/

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WATERFRONT CHURCHES WRITTEN BY REV. TOM ROUT

We are thrilled to have recently been joined by our new Chaplaincy Co-ordinator, Susanna Offor. I sat down with Susanna to get an insight into her first few months in her role...

WHAT BROUGHT YOU INTO THIS ROLE?

After 12 years in ministry with The Salvation Army, my husband and I moved back to Essex (my home) this summer. I have always been passionate about working with and investing in young adults and so when this role appeared, I applied.

YOU’VE ALMOST DONE 3 MONTHS...

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

It’s been quite a learning curve. I always knew how hard everyone in education works, but these are busy, fast paced institutions where the majority of staff and students would say they are of no faith. Working out where a chaplain fits within this context has been interesting and challenging. Most of my time has been spent intentionally building relationships with the people around me and whoever my path crosses with.

YOU ALSO WORK AS A CHAPLAIN AT SUFFOLK ONE. HOW IS YOUR ROLE THERE DIFFERENT?

I work 2 days a week for Christian Youth Ministries, who employ me as a chaplain to Suffolk One. Much of my time there is spent in one-to-one conversations supporting students and staff who are experiencing challenging circumstances. My role is not as counsellor or mental health professional but

as a listener, someone who can make time for others and allow them to make sense of how they are feeling.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF A CHAPLAIN’S ROLE?

Great question! I think I am still working that one out, but I would say the first thing is to be actively present wherever you are based.

I think Chaplaincy is about showing up, even if you are not sure what your role will be in a particular situation. It’s about intentionally asking people how they are and taking time to hear the answer. It is about sharing faith in a way that respects the thoughts, views and beliefs of others.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT BEING A CHAPLAIN?

I love people! I love learning how others tick and helping others make sense of life and faith. It’s a privilege when people trust you with the details of their lives, sharing both their joys and sorrows.

HOW WOULD YOU SEE YOUR ROLE DEVELOPING?

I think there are lots of people at the college and university who might value the support chaplaincy can offer. Rather than being mainly reactive, perhaps we could be more proactive in letting people know we’re here for them.

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TECH

GAMING LOUNGE REVIEW BY TOMMY CURRY

Press Start Gaming Lounge With a very enticing website, showcasing a huge amount on offer, we sent an undercover reporter along to Press Start Gaming Lounge in Ipswich.

I was extremely lucky to have the opportunity to experience the Press Start Gaming Lounge in Ipswich; going on a secret undercover mission to review this business was something new, but I enjoyed it so much.

Located on Princes Street, you head downstairs into the gaming cave of your dreams - any gaming you can imagine, they probably have it; Xbox, PlayStation and even boasting two state of the art VR rooms.

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If you want the best experience possible they have a VIP room, featuring a 4K 65inch TV with... wait for it... room service! Who doesn’t want to have drinks and food brought to them as they game in a cinema style gaming room?

I paid to go into the VR rooms and it was super realistic – fighting off hordes of zombies. I might be having nightmares now but I can’t wait to go back! Great service, great environment, great time.

Most days they are open from 11am to 10pm – on Friday and Saturday they are open to midnight. So on a night out, why not head there before and enjoy a really fun environment? Almost seems silly to me not to... you will probably see me there Fridays and Saturdays now!

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Our Grateful Thanks To Hughes For All Of Their Support Throughout 2018 Following excellent feedback, we will be focusing 2019 reviews on more studentfriendly products, starting with an everyday appliance in February!

If you would like to review a particular product, email us at info@student-life.co; let us know which product and why and we will do the rest!

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WHAT ARE

YOU SAYING? WRITTEN BY THOMAS HEATHWAITE

Inspiring People It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the world we live in and its problems.

For some, like me, problems like Brexit, climate change and poverty can make the world feel overwhelming not least with smaller, everyday problems like homework, stress, revision and other personal problems; making it very easy to feel powerless to change the world or have an impact. We hear terrible stories everyday – we live in a world of atrocities – but does it have to be that way? You have the power to change those atrocities in some way, shape or form.

Because, you, yes, you have a voice!!

There’s a voice inside everyone of us….

It just has to be let out.

It may feel small to start with, but it’s there, ready for you to make an impact! You, you and you all have the ability to do something brilliant in your life. Do something small to start – be free less! Ask yourself what you can do right now, in the present moment, that will make a small impact. Turn the dislikes of that moment into something more likable. The more tiny actions you complete, the bigger the effect of those actions become and more and more they transpire until, before you know, you’ve changed the world!

The more nice actions, the nicer the world becomes, and if you encourage others to do the same as you, well good on you!

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SOME THINGS YOU COULD DO: 1. Hold the door for people.

2. Say hello to people, ask how they feel.

3. Either do an individual or group litter pick.

4. Write to your local MP about something that you would like changed. And if they don’t do what you want them to do, write to them again, then write to the council, then to the government. Speak up, take action!

HOLD THE DOOR

5. Help the homeless or those who look lost with their lives – chat to them, give them food, clothes, whatever they need.

6. Chat to people who feel lonely.

7. Create a garden.

8. Share positivity.

9. Clean up.

10. Find out more about what you buy, wear and use. What don’t you like about these things? What can you do to change what you don’t like?

LITTER PICK

11. Volunteer.

12. Look out for the elderly. Particularly, those who live on their own, they can pass away without anyone noticing! Pay them a visit once a week, or even once a day if you want to! They’ll feel happier and you’ll feel better for it.

13. Be a positive role model.

Try these things, see what works. See what you can do. If you want to create a bigger impact, involve your friends, too. And I’m sure, if we all do this, in no time at all our world will be a better, brighter, happier place to live in!

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VISIT THE ELDERLY

On Actors: Heather Mae-Cutts WRITTEN BY TARA BORZONI

Tara Borzoni is a 3rd year Screenwriting student based in Ipswich. She has joined Student Life as a co-editor and is thrilled to be on board with such a talented and dedicated journalistic team.

Creative fields often seem like a minefield of grinding hard work without much reward outside of grandiose notions of becoming a celebrity. Whilst that may be many people’s incentives to break into such mediums as Film and TV for Heather Mae-Cutts, her passion for acting was her calling card.

Based in Ipswich, Heather has been working for the last 8 years and has garnered supporting artist roles on such films as

Solo: A Star Wars Story, Top Boy and the acclaimed BBC drama Bodyguard. Heather has also engaged in much theatre work in the local area as well as attending a course at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles.

When I asked her to explain to me the struggles and triumphs of being an aspiring young actor she had many interesting and poignant things to say.

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Many young people are looking to become performers of many varieties but are put off by the seemingly insurmountable task of breaking through to be recognised for their talent. Heather was open about this struggle and the things she has had to face.

“There are ups and downs and don’t get me wrong there are a lot of downs. It’s all unpredictable but I think that’s what I like about it. You never know which audition is coming next. You’re constantly learning new things as well, not only about acting but about yourself. I don’t think you ever reach a limit when it comes to being an actor and that’s what I really love.”

2019 promises many more opportunities for Heather as well as any other aspiring local actors. Theatre seems to me as a clear path into developing young talent as actors and performers. In Suffolk there are no shortages of places which you can go and commit yourself to; racking up experience for both your creative CV and also to enhance your passions in this field. Often you may come across rejection, but hard work and determination are vital to any success story.

“Being an aspiring actor isn’t the easiest career path to go for. Life would be much easier if I dreamed of being an accountant but that is just something I do not want. I love every aspect of acting; the preparation behind the scenes, the adrenaline rush you get whilst performing.”

Since the dawn of the motion picture, actors have always been idolised in the cultural sphere, especially here in the Western world.

Currently working on several projects.

Heather’s newest gig is that of OVERTIME a local feature production directed and written by 3rd year screenwriting student Mario Covone. Filming starts in January and it looks to be a dynamic and engaging Horror flick that is one to look out for.

“I am so excited to begin working on Overtime, the cast and crew seem absolutely amazing. It’s going to be wild.”

You can find more information about the film on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the handle Overtime Movie.

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Our STRATEGIC PARTNERS

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many more coming soon...

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