Student Life | Issue 41

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ISSUE 41

Lifestyle Magazine by Young People, for Young People

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SOPHIE DEBENHAM

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1 • MARCH 2019 • STUDENT LIFE

7 ENTERTAINMENT

Music, movies & more

15 GAMING

All things gaming

17 ART

Poems & book reviews

27 FASHION

Y2K Fashion

29 BEAUTY

Perfumes

31 TRAVEL

Studying Abroad

33 MY PLANET

Plastic Oceans

38 SEXUAL HEALTH

Advice and awareness

40 MENTAL HEALTH

Self Care

48 PHYSICAL HEALTH

& SPORT

Online Exercise

52 FOOD

Halloumi Cheese

54 MY LIFE

Your thoughts

58 LGBT

LGBTPlus History Month

60 TECH

Has it helped Lockdown

62 MY MONEY

Investing as a student

Editor’s

WORD

Hello! Welcome to Issue 41 of

your Student Life publication.

I hope you’re doing okay and

your start to 2021 has been

smooth sailing.

The last few days have been

exciting in Suffolk as we’ve

experienced heavy snowfall

and I think it’s been a

welcomed change to the rain

and dull days. I know it has

instantly lifted my mood and it has encouraged me to

get outside for some fresh air which I’ve honestly been

neglecting.

The snow might not be your cup of tea, but I hope you’ve

been taking care of yourselves and checking in on those

around you.

Hopefully the next few weeks will see some positive

news about lockdown beginning to ease and a level of

expectation about what the months ahead may look like.

Regardless of what the

journey ahead looks

like, be kind to yourself

and others.

Best wishes,

Rachel

Director of Editorial

Contact us

01473 353512

07943 605468*

rachel@student-life.co

www.studentlife.org.uk

Search us on social

@studentlifeorg

*NOT CHECKED 24/7


Meet our Co-Editors

Our magazine wouldn’t be possible without our Co-ed’s but we are always

on the look-out for more!

ENTERTAINMENT

CO-EDITOR

FRAN MULVEY

Hey, I’m Fran your

Entertainment co-editor!

I decided to get involved

as it allows me to expand

my creativity. Studying

English at the University of Suffolk, and an

aspiring author, I’d love a career in publishing.

ART CO-EDITOR

KAY SABERTON

Hello – I’m Kay, your Art

Co-Editor! I am returning

to study at the University

of Suffolk as an MA

student. My interests

include: the arts, graphic novels, literature,

and film. I am a firm believer that reading

and creativity are vital to us as, ‘To practice

any art, no matter how well or badly, is a

way to make your soul grow. So do it’ – Kurt

Vonnegut.

MY LIFE

CO-EDITOR

GLORIA DARGATZ

Hi I’m Gloria! I am a

student from Germany

and I have been visiting

a British school for

a year. In my freetime I do competitive

swimming, dance ballet and work with aid

organisations. I am endlessly grateful for

the opportunities Student Life gives me and

I’m looking forward to talking to you and

reading your articles.

BEAUTY & MY

PLANET CO-EDITOR

LIBBY DAWSON

I’m Libby, an English

Literature and Media

Communications

graduate, working with

Student Life to gain experience in Marketing,

Business Development, Social Media

Management and now, work in Editorial! It is a

great platform to be involved in.

3 • 3 MARCH • ISSUE 2019 41 • STUDENT LIFE

CO-EDITOR

RACHEL MITCHELL

Hi I’m Rachel and

I am the current

co-editor for Sexual

Health, My Life, Tech

and Careers! However,

I would love to find some students who are

interested in being a co-editor and taking on

some of these areas! Let me know if that’s you!

BEAUTY & TRAVEL

CO-EDITOR

ELISE DIXON

My name is Elise Dixon

and I’m one of the coeditors

for the Beauty

and Travel Sections. With

a passion for makeup, I love learning about

new products as well as exploring the world

around me, and look forward to bringing you

new and exciting products and places to visit.

GAMING

CO-EDITOR

LOUISA SADLER

Hi, my name is Louisa. I’m

the gaming and physical

health co-editor and

also currently an English

Student at the University of Suffolk. I love

reading and writing and looking forward to

pursuing a career in publishing whether as an

author or as someone who helps publish new

books!

FOOD CO-EDITOR

AARON BEAVIS

Hi, I’m Aaron, your

co-editor for food. I’m

a budding writer who

aspires to be a media

and film journalist. I take

English Literature, Language and Film Studies

and additionally have been posting on my

blog since February 2019.

LGBT CO-EDITOR

RAINE HATCH

Hello! I’m Raine: LGBTQ+

co-editor, lucky cat

enthusiast and pasta

connoisseur, working

towards becoming a

chartered psychologist! Our LGBTQ+ world is

vast and vibrant – I look forward to hearing

your stories, questions and sharing my own

wacky experiences!

MENTAL HEALTH

CO-EDITOR

MIA PATIENCE

Hello! My name is Mia.

I’m currently studying

Musical Theatre at college

and hope to become a

full-time actor eventually!

I enjoy writing and one day would love to

release a book of my own. I feel strongly

about mental health as people close to me

have suffered and I believe it isn’t spoken and

taught about enough and I’d like to change

that!

4 • 4 • MARCH ISSUE 2019 41 •• STUDENT LIFE LIFE

MY MONEY

CO-EDITOR

ADRIANNA

GNIFKA

Hi! I’m Adrianna, I

currently study English

Literature, History and

Politics. I am looking forward to studying

English at University next year and then

further pursuing a career in academia or

politics. I enjoy dance, learning about different

languages and cultures, writing poetry

and being a spectator of the arts.

FILM CO-EDITOR

CAMERON LUSTY

I have recently

graduated from the

University of Suffolk

where I achieved a 2:1

in Screenwriting. My

passion for film and

writing about film is what led me to Student

Life magazine.

Co-Editor Vacancies

Roles available across:

SUFFOLK

NORFOLK

KENT

Get in touch with Rachel at rachel@student-life.co to find out how

to get involved!


Calling all

Photographers

and Writers

See your photos

or articles in print

If you have an interest in writing or

photography then we need you!

No experience required

Have your say and share your stories

Looks great on CVs and applications

Receive a writing and photo credit

Take the first step, email us to find

out more: Rachel@student-life.co

6 • ISSUE 41 • STUDENT LIFE

ENTERTAINMENT

CO-EDITOR FRAN MULVEY

Coherence (2012)

BY CAMERON LUSTY

RATED

Coherence (2012) is a surreal,

science-fiction thriller film, directed

by James Ward Byrkit, and made

with only £50,000, with no script and

no crew. The story goes that he set

himself a challenge to make a film

with none of the regular conventions

(script, crew, etc.). He used his own

house, choosing science fiction to

make a small setting feel bigger. The

cast were most adept to no script.

The most notable actor is Nicholas

Brendon (Xander in Buffy the

Vampire Slayer).

The film is unique, even for an

independent film, in its construction.

But what makes it spectacular, what

will really hook you - like it hooked

me - is the story. It focuses on a

group of adult friends at a regular,

normal dinner party, filled with

all the classic ingredients: passive

aggressiveness and secrets from the

past being exposed.

The party gets eerie when a

comet passes overhead and then,

mysteriously, there’s a huge power

cut. Every house, for as far as their

eyes can see, is pitch black.

Except for one.

One of the characters is determined

to use the phone to talk to his

meteorologist brother, who asked

him to contact him if anything

strange happened (also eerie!). Two

characters go to the house while

the rest wait. The camera work in

this scene combines shaky, titled

close-ups with jagged movement to

switch between whoever is talking, to

create an eerie, disorientating effect

that you can only assume is what

the character’s feeling. The sound is

heightened, and you can hear their

nervous, bated breath - then a jolt of

fear! - Someone knocks on the door.

They all hesitate, panicking slightly

7 7 •• ENTERTAINMENT MARCH 2019 •• STUDENT LIFE LIFE

but intensely - eventually, they open

the door. There’s no one there. When

the two characters who went to the

other house return, they are visibly

shaken (and one is slightly injured).

They’ve seen something. Something

that they don’t understand.

As the film continues, more people

in the house venture out to check

out the house with the lights on.

And when they realise what’s in

that house, they begin to question

everything, and their worlds are

never the same again.

Regarding the cinematography: it’s

amateur. But, in a way that elevates

the film. The constant, hand-held

shaky camera movement adds to

the film’s cultivation of an unnerving

and eerie atmosphere. Reinforced

by the mysterious, abrupt cut-toblack,

which lasts a second or two.

It happens a few times throughout

the film and doesn’t explicitly mean

anything - but they must. To make

matters more tantalising: the director

has explicitly stated that he won’t

reveal what they mean.

Granted, that could be a copout for

an idea that has actually no meaning

or intention. But, having watched

the film, it’s hard to believe that the

cuts to black don’t mean something.

Whether it relates to the multiple

world’s theory that the story is

inspired from, or some filmmaking

symbolism, or an eccentric signature

from the director, only adds to the

film’s unique air of appeal.

This was intended to be a spoiler

free article because I want everyone

to watch it. Almost no one’s heard

of it, but the story, cinematography,

and acting all deserve a much bigger

audience than it’s got. I can’t say

much more, but this film will have

you on the edge of your seat from

the beginning; and by the end you’ll

be questioning everything you’ve just

seen and everything you think you

know about...well, everything.

It’s a hidden gem amongst hidden

gems. And, if you do watch it, then let

me know what colour glow stick you

were given.


Citizen Kane (1941)

BY JOHN HENSON

WRITER BIO:

John Henson is a Sixth-Form

student currently studying History,

Film and Psychology. He has a

passion for films, comics and

music, all of which inspire him

to write. He hopes to become a

published author one day.

“There’s only one person in

the world to decide what I’ll

do. And that’s me.” — Charles

Foster Kane

Citizen Kane was released in 1941

and directed by Orson Welles, who

also plays the titular character of the

film, is regarded by many critics, such

as Roger Ebert and Nell Minow, as

one of the greatest films of all time,

if not the greatest film of all time. It

is, in my opinion, a tragically relevant

tale of a man who had everything

and nothing all at once, which still

seems to be a problem for modern

celebrities. Where better to start my

series of classic film reviews?

The film centres on the death

of media-mogul, Charles Foster

Kane, one of the richest and most

notorious men alive. A journalist

seeks to learn more about the man

known as Kane, and begins tracking

down and interviewing the bizarre,

and often eccentric individuals, who

were closest to Kane. As this review

is spoiler free for your convenience,

I will not reveal anything else, and

advise you strongly to watch the

film in order to see the answer for

yourself.

I often look to writing first to

determine quality, and Citizen Kane

has a fantastic script and screenplay.

The life of Kane is nothing short of

a Shakespeare tragedy, intelligently

examining the lives of those in

positions of privilege and fame, as

well as exploring themes of mental

illness, loneliness, the price of fame,

and American ideals. The dialogue

is a perfect balance of poetic and

believable, which adds to the more

grounded, sombre tone of the film.

One of the most striking things about

this film is the visuals. This film has

animation elements, montages,

documentary filmmaking elements,

mirrored shots, and so on and so

forth. Every technique perfectly

complements its respective scene

and helps to reinforce the tone and

9 9 •• 9 ENTERTAINMENT • MARCH ISSUE 2019 40 •• STUDENT • STUDENT LIFE LIFE LIFE

themes in the film, as well as the

overall aesthetic of the film. For

example, the ominous reflection

shot of the snow globe that opens

the film, the three-frame shot that

appears in the newspaper room

(showing the distance that Kane

has put between himself and his

former friends), the gorgeous use

of shadows and matte paintings in

Xanandu, Kane’s private estate, to

build a sense of foreboding. It helps

build the intrigue and thriller-aspect

of the film, allowing the viewer to

immerse themselves in the mystery

of Kane’s life.

It is also very important that we take

a closer look at the themes of the

film. Kane himself laments that “If

I hadn’t been very rich, I would’ve

been a really great man”. This line

perfectly alludes to the conflict

of Kane. Kane never wanted his

wealth - he was pulled away from

his childhood due to circumstances,

and was forced into a world he

wanted no part of. Kane spent a

lifetime unable to connect with

the world around him as a direct

consequence of this shift. This is

reflected in the cinematography,

as Kane is frequently framed as

separate in many scenes, such as

the ‘review’ scene or the ‘married

life’ scene. This recurring theme

of loneliness is placed in direct

contrast with the romanticism of

American iconography surrounding

the character of Kane. Despite

achieving what many would consider

greatness, Kane is miserable

because Kane is alone. What Welles

demonstrates through Citizen Kane

is the ultimate consequence of

wealth and fame - Everybody adored

and marvelled at Kane’s antics, but

nobody loved him because nobody

was able to.

Overall, Citizen Kane is a beautiful

commentary on those in positions of

power and the superficial nature of

being an icon. Kane tried to become

the people’s hero all of heroes all of

his life because he was deprived of

love, and failed to realise that there

were people who wanted to be his

friend. As several characters remark,

Kane wanted love, but he couldn’t

give any in return. If Orson told us

anything, it was that no amount of

wealth, or fame, or objects can buy

the love or adoration of a human

being, or recapture the sincerity

of childhood, a sombre message

that still resonates throughout our

collective unconscious.

10 10 • 10 • ENTERTAINMENT • MARCH ISSUE 2019 41 •• STUDENT • STUDENT LIFE LIFE LIFE

The Music That

Represents Me

BY FRAN MULVEY

There is a lot of music that I feel

represents me. My personality,

who I am, things I’ve felt. But

there are but few songs that

really hit the mark, and I’ll tell

you about the most important

ones here.

LOST GIRLS

BY LINDSEY STIRLING

Is a song that embodies how I

felt before my Developmental

Co-ordination Disorder (DCD, or

Dyspraxia) and Autistic Spectrum

Disorder (ASD). I knew I was different,

but I didn’t know why. I didn’t fit in at

school, and had difficultly with social

interaction which I’m now a little

better at. I felt like an outsider.

THE PHOENIX, FIRST LIGHT,

AND SOMETHING WILD [FEAT.

ANDREW MCMAHON IN THE

WILDERNESS]

BY LINDSEY STERLING

Kind of all centre around the one

thing. My ASD has always been the

thing that most impacts my life; for

me The Phoenix is almost a musical

rendition of what happened within

me when I finally got my diagnosis,

at 19. There was such a cacophony

of emotions I couldn’t pick them

apart to find just one, and so many

conflicting thoughts. First Light is all

the emotions and thoughts that came

after all that. I’d finally found out why

I’d always felt so different; I knew

what made me the way I am – the

way I thought was beginning to make

sense, and I now had the other half

of the reason for my fascination with

wolves and butterflies - I love those.

Something Wild…well, that’s how I

imagine my High Functioning Autism

(where I sit on the spectrum) would

sound if it had a voice of its own and

could “talk”.

11 11 • 11 • ENTERTAINMENT • MARCH ISSUE 2019 40 •• STUDENT • STUDENT LIFE LIFE LIFE

RIVER OF TEARS (NO VOCALS)

BY BRUNUHVILLE AND

FOREVERGLOW

BY LINDSEY STIRLING

Like a number of the songs you’ll see,

come hand in hand. River of Tears,

a beautiful yet sad work of art by the

artist, encapsulates everything I felt

after my paternal aunt died five years

ago. The reality of her passing didn’t

fully hit me until a week later when I

was in college. The full force of it had

me in tears – and this song is the best

way I can describe how I felt in that

moment. Foreverglow is….in a sense,

what I felt after being able to process

all my thoughts and the fact she was

gone.

FRANCESCA

BY BRUNUHVILLE

It’s difficult to describe this one. I

could easily say it’s got my name as

the title and that’s why it’s in this list

and be done – but that isn’t it. It’s on

here, because I feel like it’s me as a

person, my personality, in song form.

It may sound funny to someone who

doesn’t know me or the song, but

does feel that way when I listen to it.

The final four are:

CELESTIAL TEMPLE, NEBULA,

THE WOLF AND THE MOON

(CELTIC VERSION), AND THE

VOICE OF THE FOREST

BY BRUNUVILLE

These are probably the hardest

to explain. Mostly because they

represent the parts of myself that I

‘let out’ to different people, or certain

emotions I can’t describe. The one

thing I can say with certainty, is that

The Voice of the Forest is what my

emotions might sound like when I’m

reading a book or doing something

else that I love.

12 12 •• MARCH ISSUE 2019 41 •• STUDENT LIFE LIFE

My Own Documentary

BY CAMERON LUSTY

I spent weeks mulling over this brief.

I tried to come up with the perfect

documentary idea. Something

captivating; something interesting;

something educational. I binge

watched all of the Louis Theroux’s

documentaries that I could find. But,

after much deliberation, I realised

that I didn’t have a single idea. I

had loads, yet none were perfect.

So, I present to you three ideas for

documentaries...

DOCUMENTARY IDEA 1

The first documentary is an

exploration into a profession that

I find particularly fascinating: party

clowns. Why do they still do it? Do

they make a living? These questions

- and a few others - are what I hope

to answer in this documentary.

I didn’t think it was a popular

choice because, well, clowns are

either scary, creepy, weird, or a

combination of all three. Anyone who

likes clowns will, inevitably, become

one themselves.

It’s a world that I have stayed away

from my whole life, but the idea to

explore, in depth, to find out the

true, inner feelings of the people

who choose this profession, and the

opinions of what their family and

friends make of their life choice. If

it’s successful enough, then it will

lead nicely into a successor of sorts:

Mimes.

13 13 •• ENTERTAINMENT MARCH 2019 •• STUDENT LIFE LIFE

DOCUMENTARY IDEA 2

The second documentary is an

investigative piece that will look

to root out of one of life’s most

mysterious and elusive figures...

Santa Claus.

He’s been around forever, and

yet no one has ever seen him.

This documentary will focus on

searching for the large, time-wizard

and exposing his horrible working

conditions, bringing the true

Christmas heroes into the spotlight.

How often do the Elves get

overlooked? Everyone always thanks

Santa, not the elves. All he does is

deliver the presents. It all starts with

Santa.

DOCUMENTARY IDEA 3

A documentary focusing on the

intimate, complex process of the

drying of paint. Walls; fences; murals;

street art. Everywhere, paint is

drying, and someone needs to be

there to capture it. If paint dries, but

no one’s there to record it, what’s

the point in anything? For too long

people have been feeling listless and

devoid of excitement.

Well, what better way to give you that

rush of serotonin like watching the

dehydration of semi-uniform colour

particles? Before now, this privilege

of fun has been limited to painters,

other handymen, and those who

have the gall and motivation to do

DIY instead of just saying that you’re

going to do it. (For those that do, can

I ask...How do you do that? Seriously.

Get in touch and let me know).

I know what you’re thinking: How

did I come up with such an amazing,

revolutionary idea? To be honest,

where does inspired genius even

come from? But, to be honest, I had

the idea when I had to paint my

walls.

If I’m honest, this whole idea, this

whole article, was just to get out

of doing DIY. I said that DIY was

difficult!... I still think it’s a stellar

idea, so none of you better not steal

it.


GAMING

CO-EDITOR LOUISA SADLER

Gaming 2020:

An overview

BY LOUISA SADLER

With 2020 being a year none of

us were expecting, it allowed

us to escape reality for a while

by playing our favourite games.

2020 was a unique year for

gaming, with new best-selling

releases, new generation

consoles and old, forgotten

games becoming big hitters.

Let’s look back over 2020 from a

gaming perspective.

BEST SELLERS

2020 was the year for new, bestselling

games that kept us entertained

whilst we were in lockdown back in

March. We had Animal Crossing: New

Horizons release at the perfect time

where we could escape to our islands

when we couldn’t leave our house.

We spent hours constantly digging,

fishing, catching bugs and buying,

selling turnips in order to conquer

the stonk market and achieve a

3-star island to have K.K. Slider come

sing on our island. It was the perfect

pasttime when we needed a break

from reality and a nice way for us to

socialise with our friends by visiting

one another’s island.

It wasn’t long after the release of

Animal Crossing: New Horizons that

we obtained the releases of Final

Fantasy 7 Remake and The Last of Us

Part 2. The remake of Final Fantasy

7 was a perfect tribute to the original

but breathed new life into this classic

through its stunning visuals/graphics

highlighting how beautiful games are

becoming thanks to latest technology

being used in gaming. There were

many mixed reviews regarding the

much-anticipated sequel The Last of

Us Part 2, with many gamers furious

with the game being leaked before

release and the overall storyline

that was centred on revenge.

Nevertheless, it was another beautiful

game visually and one of the most

inclusive games for those who are

visually impaired and/or have mobility

and hearing issues. It had multiple

options that allowed everyone to

15 15 •• MARCH GAMING 2019 •• STUDENT LIFE LIFE

be When able it to comes play The to games, Last of Us most Part 2

and people paving think the about way as the to gameplay, how games

in the the graphics, future could the characters/

use the same

accessibility narrative but options what to about make the gaming music?

more When inclusive it comes for to everyone. games, their

soundtrack is often overlooked and

Another under-appreciated game that became amongst a big gamers

hit, when some the would soundtracks say unusually, should was be

Fall celebrated Guys. Fall more Guys for is the what gaming they add

equivalent to the game. of Takeshi’s Castle that

allowed us to play individually or

with our friends as we battle it

out As a to gamer become myself, victorious I find and that win the

the soundtrack Fall Guys is crown. just as It important was also a as all

popular the other game components among streamers that makes and

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extra layer to the game. The music

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OLD of a tense GAMES cutscene BECAME or during POPULAR

Hot action-packed the tails moment of Fall Guys, where was you

the are return fighting of to the survive. much-forgotten The music

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socially during a time where we

couldn’t really do that. It is because

of KINGDOM this aspect HEARTS that Among SERIES: Us was one

of the most popular games alongside

the biggest releases of 2020.

Those who are regular readers of

Student Life know I regularly write

NEXT about GEN Kingdom Hearts and the

series of games within the franchise

Another and this big time aspect is no of different. 2020 was the

releases When it of comes the next-gen to games consoles. and their

2020 welcomed the release of

both the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

However, there have been many

issues surrounding the new consoles

with them being both very expensive

and few and far between. We all knew

that the latest generation of gaming

consoles would come with a high

price tag and these consoles certainly

did, yet they weren’t as expensive as

some predicted they would be. Yet,

we can’t get a hold of them due to the

lack of stock available. We were aware

that this may be the case as a result

of the pandemic but not to the extent

that there is still no stock of either

console available to buy; some titling

this as the worst release for next

gen consoles. This begs the question

that maybe these consoles should’ve

waited before releasing? Who knows,

all we know is that next gen has

officially arrived.

2020

2020 was certainly a crazy year for

all of us, especially for the gaming

industry and us gamers. We got to

experience some of the best games

2020 had to offer as well as allowing

forgotten games to make a comeback

that no one thought would ever make

a return. We also welcomed the next

generation of console gaming even

if we haven’t welcomed it personally

into our lives. 2020 was a great year

for gaming and has paved the way for

2021 to be even better.


ART

CO-EDITOR KAY SABERTON

Most

Anticipated

Releases for

2021

BY ROSIE WEDGE

I’m sure I speak for most of us when I say I was so ready for 2020 to end! Like me, I’m

sure you too are welcoming 2021 with open arms. One of my main reasons is because

of all the incredible books set to be released this year. In 2020, I made more of an

effort to keep on track of new and upcoming releases (whilst also working through a

huge back log of “must reads”). I thought I’d share with you my top 4 most anticipated

releases for 2021, so you can keep an eye out for them, as they all sound incredible!

1. LORE BY

ALEXANDRA BRACKEN

(5th January 2021)

This is possibly my most anticipated

of all these books, and I’m relieved

it’s out so early in the year. Based on

Greek mythology, Lore follows our

main character, Lore Perseous after

she flees the brutal world in which

the Agon has again begun, and nine

Greek gods have been forced to walk

the earth as mortals as punishment

for their rebellion. In this world,

descendants of ancient bloodlines

are out to kill these gods in the hopes

of seizing their immortality and

power. However, when this conflict

begins to spread over New York City,

and the man that killed her family

has managed to become a god, she

teams up with a childhood friend and

original goddess Athena to try and

take down their mutual enemy, and

turn their backs on the Agon for good.

Now, if that doesn’t sound amazing to

you, then I really don’t know what will!


2. CONCRETE ROSE BY

ANGIE THOMAS

(12th January 2021)

2021 is the year we are finally blessed

with another Angie Thomas book! A

prequel set 17 years before THUG,

Concrete Rose follows seventeenyear-old

Maverick who begins dealing

for the King Lords just like his Dad,

who is now in prison. However, his

world gets turned upside down

when he finds out he’s a father to

be, and he’s offered a chance to go

straight. I truly cannot wait for this

book, as Angie Thomas writes some

of the most poignant, compelling YA

contemporaries on store shelves.

3. CHAIN OF IRON (THE

LAST HOURS #2) BY

CASSANDRA CLARE

(Expected: 2nd March 2021)

I can’t say a lot about this book, as

it’s not the first in its series, but if

you’re a fan of YA fantasy, then I’m

sure you’re no stranger to Cassandra

Clare’s latest Shadowhunter trilogy.

Set in London in the early 1900s, The

Last Hours sees the descendants of

characters from The Infernal Devices

trilogy battle against a new breed of

demon that is able to come out in

daylight, something they have never

encountered before. Plus, coming

from someone that often isn’t fussed

by romances, the slowburn romances

of all types in this book are *chef’s

kiss*.

4. GODS AND MONSTERS

(SERPENT & DOVE #3) BY

SHELBY MAHURIN

(Expected: 3rd August 2021)

I can’t say much about this book

either as it’s the final instalment of

Shelby Mahurin’s debut trilogy, but

I am beyond hyped to know how it

all ends. I fell in love with this series

when it first came out in 2019 and

I am hooked. Set in 17th century

France, a witch and a witch hunter

are forced to marry. However, our

witch hunter Reid is oblivious to the

fact that his new wife Lou is a witch

that recently fled her coven, who is

now doing everything she can to hide

her true identity from a man whose

profession is to kill her kin. The plot

has taken so many twists and turns

since then as the series has gone on,

and I cannot wait to find out how it all

comes together.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Written in Starlight (Woven in

Moonlight #2) by Isabel Ibanez

Act Your Age, Eve Brown (The Brown

Sisters #3) by Talia Hibbert

Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon

Smart (Expected 20th April 2021)

18 • 18 MARCH • ART 2019 • STUDENT • STUDENT LIFE LIFE

Co-Ed Book

Recommendations

It’ll come as no great surprise to those who know me that my favourite book is

‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley. I studied the novel in sixth form, and it has resonated

with me ever since, becoming my dissertation topic during my undergraduate degree.

The novel is famous for having sparked science fiction as we know it: the mad scientist

and abandoned creature have become longstanding icons in science fiction and

popular culture. If you’re a lover of science fiction or classics, it is definitely worth a read.

KAY SABERTON

My favourite book is ‘The Novice’ by Taran Matharu, though really it is the whole

series because I love his writing style so much. The world is so immersive, the world

building is amazing, the characters and creatures he’s created are vibrant and alive.

FRAN MULVEY

I recommend ‘Fangirl’ by Rainbow Rowell and ‘How to Stop Time’ by Matt Haig. I had

a deep emotional connection with both books when I first read them and whenever I

want to read something that I’ve already read I always go back to these two novels. They

are both beautifully written and are books that once you start reading you can’t stop!

LOUISA SADLER


One of my all time favourite books is Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

which forms the first of a five book series. The novel is set in a world where

native African people had colonised European people - as opposed to the

other way round. It’s set in an alternative 21st century Britian and the story

follows two main characters, each experiencing a different ‘world’ but yet

entwined with one another. It’s a thought-provoking and emmersive book; one

that had me gripped and one that eagerly led me to continue on in the series.

RACHEL MITCHELL

Jodi Picoult - Small Great Things is 100% the one novel (if I had to only choose one) that

I’d recommend to everybody. Not only is it incredibly well written, but by highlighting

prejudice, race and justice, it’s so powerful and eye opening. It really makes you

think about your own attitudes to race and injustice in our country; definitely a

page turner that I believe everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.

LIBBY DAWSON


REVIEW

Call Me By Your Name

Book Review

BY ISABEL GLENTON

Call Me by Your Name is a novel that

I find painstakingly difficult to sum

up within the confines of an article.

However, my friend Jasmine managed

to reduce it to five words: “two gay

blokes in France.” Despite this being

amusing and agonisingly wrong, I

wouldn’t be surprised to find that this

is what most people believe is behind

the title. So, as a courtesy to the book,

and André Aciman himself, I will try

my best to give the manuscript a

review befitting of its brilliance.

Within these pages, Elio Perlman

reminisces about the summer of

1983 at his parent’s holiday home

in Bordighera, Italy. The novel

centralises on the adolescent’s

overwhelming infatuation for one of

his father’s yearly-staying doctoral

students, Oliver. Elio’s feverdreamish

recount tows the line of his

resentment and longing for Oliver

while he tries to come to terms with

his sexuality. Aciman eloquently

depicts this story, enticing the

reader to feel Elio’s pain in his own

overdramatised and romanticised

way.

A quotation that I believe perfectly

captures the essence of the novel is,

‘Is it better to speak or to die?’ “Speak”

meaning confess his love for Oliver,

but by confessing his love for Oliver

he runs the risk of being rejected

by Oliver and possibly his family.

This rejection, to Elio’s overthinking

and introverted mind, regards a

fate worse than death. Rest assured

that his hesitation isn’t simply just a

literary ploy, it is also a contextual

barrier; you see, society in the early

eighties was not as liberal as it is

today, and homophobia was far more

prevalent.

However, as much as you see the

book categorised under LGBTQ+

fiction, the fact remains that the word


“gay” isn’t mentioned once throughout the novel. Aciman credits this to his original

plans of having a straight affair portrayed but, despite his initial plans, I think

following a relationship between two men in the eighties gave the story a richer and

less stereotypical “boy meets girl” presentiment. Furthermore, I believe the writer

wanted to create a relationship that doesn’t exude the clichés that often follow

characters written in entertainment but create two real people that have their own

thoughts, feelings, and demons.

Call Me by Your Name is a deeply beautiful book, emotionally and intellectually. I

would strongly encourage anyone to pick it up and give it a read. This novel will

give you something to think about for years to come and you will depart with its

abundant wisdoms. “Later!”


PART TWO

The Floating World

BY HANNAH KING

SHORTLISTED ENTRY IN STUDENT LIFE’S SHORT STORY COMPETITION.

PART ONE FEATURED

IN ISSUE 40

He then goes on to explain to us how

he will fix the country, laying out his

manifesto. He knows exactly how

he will save the NHS, how to fix the

housing crisis, how to make better

trade relations with the rest of the

world. But I am not going to tell you

anymore about it because what he

actually said isn’t important, and one

day you might be able to read his

manifesto for yourself before you hit

the ballot box. What is important is

this; he fixed the city from the living

room floor. And as he talked about

how he would fix it, that is exactly

what it felt like was happening. For

all we knew, as he spoke the entire

law system was being rewritten, the

Houses of Parliament changed brick

by brick, the Thames begun flowing in

a different direction.

And then Paul tells us how he’s

decided he believes in Jesus. He tells

us how the feeling that this can’t

be it led him to start really taking it

seriously: ‘Because if everyone in the

world is asking themselves if this is

all there is to life, then there must be

something we are universally missing.

And I’ve found that missing bit in him.’

And he goes on to tell

us about the future that he has

discovered, about how God is working

towards a utopia and he’s going with

or without us, and I make a mental

note that maybe I will go to Church

with him on Sunday, because his eyes

are lighting up and I can see how

this really has given him something

valuable and I’m a little jealous.

In the daylight, David will

tell me behind Paul’s back how he

thinks this religion stuff is illogical, but

here in the floating world anything is

possible and so he considers it for a

while.

Now it’s my turn.

Normally I would say something

kind of radically left wing, provoke

some kind of politically charged

discussion. But tonight, I have

something different to say. The thing

about the floating world, is that when

the sun comes up and it disappears, a

lot of what has been said disappears


with it. It doesn’t go completely, it

leaves whispers behind, but it takes

enough that you can say anything and

still expect the world to go back to

normal in the morning.

So, with that in mind I say, ‘I

am going to leave soon. I don’t know

when, and I don’t know where. But

I’m looking into options and ways

out. Ways to go and do something

meaningful with everything I’ve learnt

in another place.’

Neither of them say anything,

but I feel David nod in understanding

next to me. If I had said this in the

day there might have been more

emotion vocalised, a stronger

reaction. Probably talking me out

of it. But because we are here they

understand, they feel the longing that

I feel- the pull to something greater.

I take the chance to look at them

both, really look at them, and I’m

overcome with an intense feeling that

this is the start of something. It is as

if, in that moment, I can see past their

skin, into their hopes, dreams and

fears. I know that they are going to do

amazing things. I really believe in us.

I believe we can change the world. I

believe we will fall in love, and get our

hearts broken. I believe we will laugh

and cry, we will climb mountains

and get lost in valleys. And I know

that’s cliché, I know, but it’s how I feel

and nothing else needs to be said,

because we are all thinking the same

thing.

In the morning I wake up in

my own bed, with the same yellow

sheets, and open my eyes to the same

once white walls with my battered

cello propped upright, begging to be

played. I remember that last night

was important. I remember we had

some breakthroughs somewhere;

but I don’t remember what they were

exactly. I get up and shower, make

myself a cup of tea and sit down to go

through my to-do list before I head

off to finish my paper at the library.

But something makes me stop for a

moment, and I write at the bottom of

my list:

8: Look for an internship in China.

The floating world phenomenon was

first recorded in the 1600’s Japan.

That means for at least 400 years

people have consciously slipped in

and out of this night-time world. How

many of those people have found a

place in it, whether that be in the bed

of a prostitute, or in a living room, or

playing cards in a bar? And how many

of those people have chosen to take

something out of the floating world,

and examined it in the daylight? I

don’t know the answer. But I do know,

I want to steal something from that

place and make my life around it. I

want to be the architect of my own

floating world, and through it, make

my life worth more than this.


This Book is Gay

by Juno Dawson

BY CELESTE SPAIN

REVIEW

After putting down my latest read,

I was scouring the Waterstones’

website for a book that would

stand out with colour and beauty.

A change from the bland, white,

straight authored books sitting on my

Young Adult fiction shelf, I wanted a

book that would explore the gender

identities within our society. I’d heard

of all these words: ‘Queer’, ‘Asexual’,

‘Nonbinary’ and many more, but I’d

never truly understood them until

I began to read This Book is Gay by

Juno Dawson.

The title was attention grabbing so

I clicked on the book and read the

blurb, ‘Juno Dawson smashes the

myths and prejudice surrounding

sexual orientation and gender

identity’, well that sounded really

interesting! However, I still felt a bit

nervous as though I oughtn’t to be

reading a book which I assumed from

the title would be aimed at LGBTQ+

teens, as a straight cis female.

Then I saw ‘...this book is not Gay,

Straight or Bi. It is a book about the

extraordinary, unique and totally

normal person that is you…’. Just what

I was looking for!

The book covers sexual orientation

and gender identities in Chapter 2,

and draws on peoples’ experiences

of coming out, transitioning, and

dating throughout. This Book is Gay

is a truly enjoyable and inspiring

read for anyone and everyone.

Dawson’s use of language within the

text is also an aspect that I enjoyed,

as it made the book relatable, and, as

stated on the blurb, made me ‘laughout-loud’

at the ‘wit and wisdom’ while

also conveying the serious parts too.

There is even a chapter at the end

covering ‘gay saints/icons’, and of

course, with many activities for you

to complete throughout the book. It

was refreshing reading a book which

felt so open and honest. Juno Dawson

filled this book full of passion,

opinions, and completely smashed

a lot of stereotypes! Therefore, it

definitely deserves a space on my YA

bookshelf at home, and upon yours.

My final thoughts would be that this

is a book that inspires you to go

out into the world and be yourself.

Your identity is part of who you are,

whether you choose to adopt one of

the many labels out there or shake

off the stereotypes that society tries

to pin on you. I am certain that you’ll

love this book, and if you haven’t

already, you’ll find yourself within its

pages.

25 • 25 MARCH • ISSUE 2019 41 • STUDENT LIFE

a tribute to

Sir Captain Thomas Moore

At the start of February, we lost a true hero in Captain Tom, whose incredible

fundraising achievement for the NHS in the lead up to his 100th birthday, during

the pandemic will be remembered for years to come. Thank you Captain Tom.

“Tomorrow is a good day” - Sir Captain Tom Moore.


FASHION

CO-EDITOR ELISE DIXON

Y2K FASHION

BY ANONYMOUS

IMAGE BY SOPHIE DEBENHAM

The rise of the Y2K fashion style

started in the last few years of the

1990s. Around this time people

joyfully but fearfully watched the up

and coming rise of technology. This

era was shaped by consumerism

and chasing trends through clothing.

With Y2K fashion coming back

into style during the pandemic,

we’re in a similar situation (minus

the pandemic), that we are now

consuming more now we’re staying

inside and need to entertain

ourselves and relying on technology.

Its peak years were said to be

around 1993-2003.With the rise of

technology, music was also influenced

with more computer-generated

sounds of electronic music.

Y2K fashion inspiration can come

from some of our early childhood

icons, such as the iconic Bratz Dolls.

Movies around this time also was a

place of inspiration for many people,

like Mean girls, Legally Blonde, and

Clueless! From these examples,

staples for the Y2K style became

bright coloured skirts, cami tops and

mini bags!

I think the Y2K style is coming back in

fashion due to our independence on

technology as well as new problems

within our use of technology such as

cancel culture. Whilst cancel culture

can be used for good, it’s usually used

for the worse. Our political climate

and the use of technology for political

gain or expression. Again, shows

how our technology is driving many

different areas within our lives. With

movements like Black Lives Matter,

also being driven through the use of

social media. Our political climate and

use of technology are driving what we

wear too.

27 27 •• MARCH FASHION 2019 •• STUDENT LIFE LIFE

Since we are staying inside and

have a desire to wear clothing that

is more comfortable, we’ve resorted

back to wearing matching tracksuits

and sportswear as our daily fashion.

Such as velour tracksuits in the early

2000s from brands like Juicy Couture.

However now we have brands like

Jaded London doing the same style of

velour tracksuits. With consumerism

only developing further we have

brands like ASOS and Amazon to

quickly complete our wants and

needs at the click of a button. There

are so many different reasons as

to why our environmental factors

affect how and why fashion trends

come back around in our fashion and

society. How we live and our lifestyles,

like living inside and not being able

to go out, determines what trends

could come back and what we wear

and why. There is no surprise that

Y2K is the next in line to become

what everyone’s clothing choices are

inspired by.

I personally love the history of the

Y2K fashion era as it’s very telling of

how we as a society has developed

over the years. As well as seeing

the impact of technology on the

world. Our fashion is thoroughly

inspired by what’s occurring in the

world. From politics, movements,

and developments. In conclusion, it

will be very interesting to see what

fashion trends will come back after

the pandemic has passed considering

people have been stuck inside their

homes for months on end. Flights will

most likely boom in sales as people

take the chance to travel abroad

and the night life of pubs and clubs

will most likely boom as well. Which

would in theory change our fashion

trends from comfortable to more

outgoing and stylish clothing which

can be worn on nights out. Though

that’s just my theory!


BEAUTY

CO-EDITOR LIBBY DAWSON

SUPPORTED BY

Fresh Start, Fresh Scent

BY LIBBY DAWSON

The New Year is all about making

new resolutions and starting on new

beginnings; and maybe this year we

need a fresh start now more than

ever! A New Year is also a great time

of year to mix up your wardrobe,

organise your bedroom and change

up all of your beauty products.

Especially because gift giving at

Christmas means that this is the time

of year when we have lots of nice new

things that we cannot wait to use.

Amongst the usual brand new

make up products, palettes, hair

tools, nail polishes, as well as the

copious amounts of bath and shower

products, something I like to receive

at Christmas time is a new perfume;

it’s also a great gift to give too! New

fragrances are definitely subjective

because it’s different for everyone,

not everybody is going to like the

same perfume. However, I want to

share some of my favourites and

when I’m going to wear them in the

New Year!

I’m definitely known for having a

favourite scent and sticking to it;

some of my favourites include,

YSL, BLACK OPIUM, ZARA

TUBEROSE, MARC JACOBS DAISY

LOVE, YSL LIBRE, TIFFANY & CO

TIFFANY INTENSE and CHANEL

CHANCE (keep reading for more

details). Whilst that may seem like a

lot of favourites (that doesn’t even

scratch the surface… I have over 20

different perfumes on my shelf right

now!), I always end up using the

same one over and over again. That’s

why this year I really want to try to

make good use out of my perfumes

and begin the year with something

different. I’ve also told myself that

I need to swap my perfumes out

more often, and maybe try a new one

depending on the seasons, or even

my mood. I have specific perfumes

that I love in summer time, some

that I love for special occasions, and

even some for during the day. As the

New Year begins, I really want to try

to switch up my scent and reach for

something different.

29 29 • • MARCH BEAUTY 2019 • • STUDENT LIFE LIFE

The fragrance I’m going to start

off the New Year with, is CHLOE

NOMADE. I have wanted this

perfume for a long time as I think

it has the perfect freshness that I

need to see me through January.

It is described as “a perfume with

an intense character of oak moss,

shrouded in the sweetness of cherry

plum and the freshness of freesia.”

It’s a really feminine fragrance and

let’s not forget to mention that the

packaging and bottle are super cute

too!

MY FAVOURITE SCENTS…

CONTINUED… - LIBBY DAWSON

MARC JACOBS DAISY LOVE

£45.00 – £79.00

“The scent reveals its first notes in a

vibrant burst of sweet cloudberries.

Delicate daisy tree petals mingle

with sparkling cashmere musks and

driftwood to create a lasting and

memorable gourmand twist.”

I LOVE this scent for summer! This

could be because I bought it in

summer time and it reminds me of

the sunshine, however, it is so sweet

and fresh that I think it goes perfectly

with the long days and warmer

weather.

ZARA TUBEROSE

£3.99 – £10.99

“The scent reveals notes of

blackcurrant, tuberose and vanilla. It’s

a feminine, luminous and comfortable

fragrance.”

This is now my go-to handbag scent.

It’s so cheap and affordable yet I

think it smells so good and expensive

too. For me, this is a perfect daytime

scent.

YSL LIBRE

£48.00 – £85.00

“The burning sensuality of the

orange blossom flowers from

Morocco, twisted with the aromatic

boldness of lavender from France.

Fiery and couture.”

For me, this is one of my absolute

favourite night time perfumes,

it’s a little more pricey but I was

very lucky to receive this as a gift; I

would usually wear this on special

occasions or in the evening.

30 • MARCH ISSUE 412019 • STUDENT • STUDENT LIFE LIFE

TRAVEL

CO-EDITOR ELISE DIXON

BY ANONYMOUS

Whilst I love the UK and all it has to

offer, sometimes I do wish I can move

abroad! For many people when doing

a degree, they can study abroad.

It offers so many opportunities

especially to those who could not

have afforded to travel prior to taking

a degree. In this article I’ll go through

a few countries that people can study

in and see whether you would move

abroad as well!

FRANCE

UNITED STATES

A bit further away from home is the

United States! America is particularly

renowned for the sports scholarships

it can give, especially in the athletics

scene. With great sporting facilities

and universities, I recommend that if

you are doing a sport, see if there’s a

scholarship available for your sport!

An American scholarship will develop

you as an athlete and your future

career!

The country on everyone’s mind

when people first hear about studying

abroad is France! It offers a wonderful

night life and amazing culture (with

some amazing food too!). Though

most of the teaching is usually in

French, there’s education often

available in English! Or if you want to

have a challenge in the future and be

able to speak to the locals in Paris,

why not attend a course to learn

French!

31 • 31 MARCH • TRAVEL 2019 • STUDENT • LIFE LIFE

GERMANY

The third country on our list is

Germany! With internationally rated

universities and festivals all year

round, how could you not take an

opportunity to study in Germany!

With many different festivals to

attend, you’ll never be bored! With

one of the most renowned events

being the Christmas markets!

The two most visited cities for its

Christmas markets are Dortmund

which has around three and a half

million visitors every year: Secondly

you could visit Cologne’s Christmas

markets which has around four

million visitors every year!

WHY STUDY ABROAD?

Lastly whilst this article has only gone

through three countries, the more

important question is why! One of the

many reasons’ students wish to study

abroad is to become independent.

By studying abroad, it, it allows you

to learn about not only your subject

but how to do things for yourself.

Skills that will be used for the rest of

your life! Another reason would be

to experience different cultures and

how people experience life different

to your own life! As well as meeting

new people who have vastly different

backgrounds.

WHAT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

CAN IT PROVIDE YOU AFTER YOUR

DEGREE?

You may stumble across your dream

job? When abroad, you can build

up a network of contacts, and by

living and working abroad, you may

find opportunities you may have

never had accessed before. Before

you choose where to study, take a

look at what subject you will study

first, as it will give you the best idea

of where to possibly go. The most

common example is, if you were to

take Fashion, countries like France

and Italy would give you the best

education and career opportunities.

As well as being able to attend highend

fashion runway shows! I hope

this article can help some students

out there and reminder… keep in

mind both the education a country

can provide but also what you can do

in your chosen city. Whilst education

is clearly important, you’ll be living in

the country for a while so make sure

you know you’ll love the country!


MY PLANET

CO-EDITOR LIBBY DAWSON

Our Plastic Oceans

BY EMMA SAWYER

We’ve all been walking along a beach

or river one day and seen bits of

plastic, big, small, and in all sorts of

colours, lying in the sand or pebbles.

Sadly, the amount of plastic in our

oceans is only going to increase

unless we do something about it.

FACT: Experts believe that by 2050,

there will be more plastic than fish in

our oceans, by weight.

This is shocking, but sadly true.

Every minute, the equivalent of a

whole truck full of rubbish enters

the ocean. Most of this plastic comes

from countries living in poverty,

who do not have waste collection

services. We can’t just blame those

countries though, as every country is

responsible. Plastic takes 1000 years

to decompose, but it never really

disappears. Instead it just turns into

microplastics, which will remain in

our oceans forever. But how does

plastic end up in the oceans? Here in

the U.K, littering and using the wrong

bins are the main reasons that plastic

ends up in the ocean. Every time you

throw away something that could be

recycled, the plastic goes to landfill

and can easily be blown away onto

the streets again. The plastic blown

from landfill, alongside littering, can

be taken by the wind and rainwater

and are then carried into our drains;

they can eventually end up in our

oceans.

But how can we help reduce the

amount of plastics going into the

oceans? Reducing our reliance on

single use plastics, such as straws,

plastic bags and bottles and takeaway

containers can have a huge positive

impact on the environment. Luckily,

there are lots of alternatives that we

can use in our everyday lives that

can help save our oceans. These

items include things such as reusable

straws, bags-for-life, and reusable

bottles. Using these items, though

they may seem expensive, will save

you money and the environment.

If everyone started using reusable

water bottles, the 20,000 plastic

bottles produced every second will

decrease, leading to less plastics

going into our oceans every day. Our

actions now can have huge impacts

on our future. We need to act now

before it’s too late.

33 • MARCH MY PLANET 2019 • STUDENT LIFE

Veganuary

BY LIBBY DAWSON

Veganuary is a non profit organisation

that encourages people all over the

world to eat a plant based diet for

the month of January, and hopefully

beyond. This year has recorded the

highest number of people EVER to

take part in the challenge and I was

one of them! Now more than ever it

is so easy to find the foods that you

already know and love, but without

the meat and dairy content; there is

so much choice. Personally, I can’t

find a reason not to eat something

that’s tasty, (sometimes) healthier and

better for the environment!

Prior to Veganuary, my diet was

mostly plant-based as I didn’t eat

meat, fish or many dairy products.

Roughly, I’d say 93% of the time I ate

this way, but the remaining 7% was

when I had the odd bit of Dairy Milk,

slice of carrot cake or some cheese; it

was like this for a couple of years, but

finally I decided Veganuary 2021 was

the time to drop the treats and fully

commit.

One of the biggest excuses for not

consuming a plant based diet is

“but I love cheese and chocolate”

and for a long time this was my

excuse too. However, there are soo

many different vegan cheeses and

chocolates out there (many that I

have tried and loved), that you are

bound to find something you like.

Like with most vegan alternatives… if

you don’t like it, try something else,

because they’re not all the same and

they all taste different.

Initially, I didn’t think I would find this

challenge that difficult, and honestly

it really wasn’t! For me, the most

difficult thing about switching my diet

completely was definitely checking

the labels. You do get used to it and

begin to familiarise yourself with

certain products, however, the one

thing that I slipped up on once was

milk powder – it’s in everything so

watch out!

With that being said, it’s going to be

a different experience for everyone

because we all have different tastes.

One of my biggest tips is don’t beat

yourself up about your choices or

your mistakes. If you eat a plant

based diet 100% of the time that’s

amazing, but if you eat vegan twice

a week or four of your meals out of

the month… that’s still amazing! And

don’t worry about going from 0-100 in

the beginning; start by changing your

cow’s milk to oat milk, then introduce

your dairy free butter and meat free

sausages. Every single change, big or

small is a good one!

DID YOU TRY VEGANUARY? HOW

WAS IT? I’D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT

YOUR EXPERIENCES:

libby@student-life.co

34 34 • MARCH MY ISSUE PLANET 2019 41 • • STUDENT LIFE

LIFE

Climate Strike Online:

the ins and the outs of what you can do at

home and how to enjoy this time

BY CELESTE SPAIN

According to an article published

in the Guardian on the 22nd

April 2020: ‘The large crowds and

brightly coloured placards of the

school climate strikes became

some of the defining images

of 2019.’ Which is very true. In

September 2019 there were more

than 100,000 people in London

taking part and more than 200

demonstrations in the UK. All

because of this global movement

to stop Global Warming and save

our planet. Now, we may find

ourselves stuck at home due to a

global pandemic but that doesn’t

mean we have to stop protesting

for our future and our planet

which we cherish. The Earth’s

finally healing and it’s thanks to

everyone who’s staying at home,

driving only when needed, taking

care of themselves, that’s giving

nature a breather.

1. TAKE A SELFIE WITH YOUR

OWN CLIMATE STRIKE POSTER

I’m sure you’ve all seen people

across the country raising their

Climate Strike Online posters

in photos on social media. Not

only is it relaxing and enjoyable

making a poster, especially if, like

me, you’re getting colouring pens

out that you haven’t used in ages;

but to be part of this (currently)

online movement can make such a

difference. It’s simple, make your

own climate poster (even if it just

says ‘Climate Strike Online’ on it)

and post it on your social media.

Make sure to include the hashtags:

#climatestrikeonline #StayAtHome

#fridaysforfuture #Digitalstrike

SO I’D THOUGHT I’D SHARE WHAT

YOU CAN DO:


2. DONATE TO

ORGANISATIONS AND

CHARITIES THAT WILL HELP THE

PLANET IN ITS RECOVERY

Such as: Fridays for Future, Extinction

rebellion, Woodland Trust and of

course to organisations and charities

that help people in need during these

strange times, such as: NHS Charities

Together, The Intensive Care Society

etc. Even small donations make a big

difference, if you’re a younger teen

you may wish to encourage others

to donate, with the power of social

media behind you there’s so much

you can do to fight for your future!

3. FOLLOW FRIDAYS FOR

FUTURE, GRETA THUNBERG

AND SIGN UP TO RECEIVE

EMAILS ABOUT ONLINE

DIGITAL STRIKES

By signing up to receive emails you’ll

get updates on digital strikes online

and online newsletters.

4. NEXT TO YOUR NHS

RAINBOW, WHY NOT PUT A

CLIMATE POSTER UP IN YOUR

WINDOW

By doing this, you not only show your

support for the NHS but you will also

remind people on their daily exercise

the importance of looking after our

planet and joining in the fight against

climate change.

5. WATCH ONLINE TALKS

ABOUT CLIMATE STRIKE AND

INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE

This is the perfect opportunity to

learn more about why we strike, how

and when the next digital strike is.

You may even be inspired.


6. APPRECIATE NATURE

AROUND YOU

You may be thinking: well I already

do that, but it’s so easy to take this

planet for granted and now more

than ever I feel at one with nature.

Each day, look out at the nature

around you, cherish it, cherish each

moment with family or pets or when

video calling your friends and if you

have a garden, go read outside in it,

enjoy the peace and quiet.

7. CREATE A CHART OF

POSITIVITY OR LIST THREE

GOOD THINGS THAT HAVE

HAPPENED AT THE END OF

EVERY DAY

Something in which I’ve found

extremely helpful, especially when

it may seem a bit boring right now

at home. If you list all the positive

thoughts, positive things that have

happened each day the world

certainly seems a lot brighter.

8. MAKE SMALL CHANGES

TO LOWER YOUR CARBON

FOOTPRINT

A good start is to take a good look at

how you live your life normally and

how you are currently living it. Small

changes: are you recycling, is your

wardrobe sourced ethically, is your

food sourced ethically? And of course,

what can you do to change this (if you

can now) or after this period.

9. KEEP A JOURNAL

(write in it each day keeping it

positive, even doodling in it if you

wish)

10. HAVE A TAKEAWAY NIGHT

AT HOME OR FILM NIGHT

(buy popcorn, buy what you’d usually

get from a Chinese takeaway for

example). This can be something to

look forward to at the end of each

week and means you don’t have to

miss out.

JUST MAKE SURE TO ENJOY TIME THIS TIME AT

HOME, AND APPRECIATE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND

ESPECIALLY YOUR ANIMAL COMPANIONS.

ENJOY NATURE, LOOK AFTER OUR PLANET

AND SPREAD POSITIVITY!


A short message about

SEXUAL your sexual HEALTH health:

CO-EDITOR RACHEL MITCHELL

During the Covid-19 pandemic we are encouraging you to follow

Government social distancing advice to make sure you keep yourself

and others safe.

Tips to keep safe:

• keep your distance from people not in your household

(2 metres apart where possible and at least 1 metre otherwise)

• wash your hands regularly

• don’t meet people outside for activities where you can’t

safely socially distance, this includes for sex.

Now is a good time to think about your sexual health.

What you can do

1 Stock up on condoms

You might not be able to access normal Terrence Higgins Trust services

for a while but you can get free condoms posted to you at an address you

choose. See links below.

2 Make sure you haven’t been passed on an infection during sex

You can get tested for sexually transmitted infections for free by ordering an

STI testing kit online to be sent to an address you choose OR by calling the

iCaSH sexual health clinic on 0300 300 3030.

iCaSH clinics are still open but by appointment only.

Don’t worry, anything we send you is delivered in discrete packaging by Royal Mail.

2m

Get more information or support:

• To get free condoms by post visit tht.org.uk

search for “free condoms”

• For free chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing

tht.org.uk search for “chlamydia”

• For contraception and other STI testing

icash.nhs.uk/suffolk or call

0300 300 3030.

• For short videos on how to use a

condom, consent and other sexual

health advice - youngandfree.org.uk

• HIV and sexual health – tht.org.uk

CONSENT: When things

start to get back to normal

we understand that you

might want to hook up

with someone. Please

remember that it’s

important to make sure

you have got clear consent,

an enthusiastic yes.

Check out our video

on consent at

youngandfree.org.uk

Thanks very much and we’ll see you at some point in the future. Stay safe.

38 • ISSUE 41 • STUDENT LIFE

39 39 • SEXUAL MARCH HEALTH 2019 • STUDENT LIFE

MENTAL HEALTH

CO-EDITOR MIA PATIENCE

Nature

BY THOMAS HEATHWAITE

It is the night of the 23rd of March

and lockdown has just been

announced. I feel sadness, annoyed

with the restrictions, and annoyed

with the government response;

but what I could not predict was

the power of nature to help me

get through this, and subsequent,

lockdowns.

Nature has been a constant of my

life, and I love it; but during the first

lockdown my love was rekindled with

it. Normally, in March, April and May

of each year I hear a melody of crisp

birdsongs through my window but

not much else. Exams are coming and

I have little time for much else other

than endless revision.

But last year was different…

I made time to see nature and as

strange as it sounds, the 1-hour

limit of exercise once a day gave an

incentive for me to go out and spend

that hour being humbled by nature.

I stopped work and made time to

learn; to explore; to discover… I learnt

to recognise different birdsong which

opened a whole new world up to

me; identified different individual’s

territories; identified new moth and

butterfly species; and identified

ladybird larvae and adults. It was a

simply magical summer of discovery.

That discovery, I believe, helped

me stay mentally positive in that

lockdown. I dread to think how much

harder I would have found the first,

and subsequent, lockdowns without

nature.

Science shows that spending time

in nature is beneficial, and indeed,

science is not wrong. Antidotally,

going for a walk in the fresh air

outside in nature makes me feel

much more positive, awake, motivates

me; makes me more energetic; gives

me the ability to focus better on my

work; to think clearer; and makes me

feels happier mentally and reduce

negative thoughts. Immersing myself

in wildlife and taking the time to both

see and hear the small details always

enthrals me and makes me feel more

positive; but also reminds me that

IF THIS ARTICLE HAS 40 • BROUGHT MARCH UP 2019 ANY • EMOTIONS STUDENT THAT LIFEYOU WOULD LIKE

TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

I am only a small part of this world.

Seeing a blue tit, or blackbird, or robin

hop onto a branch near me always

brings a smile to me and it gives

me comfort. Listening to birdsong

is simply relaxing. Seeing how moss

has created spectacular textures

on trees makes me feel happy and

brings comfort to the soul. Hearing

the howling of the wind blow onto my

face is comforting too; as is sunshine

beaming onto my face. Seeing these

details relaxes and comforts me. It is

my mechanism to help reduce stress

and anxiety and allows me to feel

positive and relaxed.

I struggle to relax. In fact, the only

place where I feel truly relaxed is in

nature. Nature is magic! Pure magic!

To conclude, I would recommend

spending time in nature. And yes, I

know it does not look inviting right

now but trust me you will feel better

for going outside. Even half-an-hour a

day will transform your day and both

your mental and physical health. And

remember nature is magic!

Nature is deeply powerful and has

helped me tremendously to get

through lockdowns. Why? Because

IMAGE BY SOPHIE DEBENHAM


What does Self Care

mean to you?

BY MIA PATIENCE

Self-love is the act of caring for

yourself and loving yourself in a

healthy manner. To me, self-love

means to love yourself in a healthy

way and practicing this means to do

something you enjoy, something that

makes you happy. Something that

keeps your body healthy and well and

makes you feel more loved. Many

believe that self-love is the key to a

healthy relationship with a partner

and with yourself, which is very

understandable. One many suffer

without self-love, and feel under

the weather mentally and struggle

to complete daily activities. Feeling

good about yourself is something you

may struggle to achieve if you do not

appreciate the importance of selflove.

Self-love can be practiced through

many ways! I love to practice it

through many ways, I enjoy a relaxing

home spa day (doing face masks,

taking a long bath, lighting candles

and doing my nails and hair) as

well as watching my favourite show

on Netflix! Eating healthily is also

something I enjoy as it nourishes the

body and releases a lot of vitamins, it

also creates enjoyable food which is

nice to endure yourself with. I enjoy

movement and dance as it releases

serotonin which makes me feel much

more confident about myself, I enjoy

workouts at a healthy level and it

creates muscles which make me feel

much stronger and powerful when

dancing. Without self-love one may

feel negatively about themselves or

physically be declining in wellbeing.

Self-love may be as simple as running

a bath or washing your face, yet it is

the little things which really matter.

Without self-love and self-care, I

tend to be a lot more negative and

don’t make as much of an effort with

my appearance. I find it a lot more

difficult to enjoy myself when I’ve

not practiced self-love/care and find

myself in more of a daze and find it

IF THIS ARTICLE HAS 42 • BROUGHT MARCH UP 2019 ANY • EMOTIONS STUDENT THAT LIFEYOU WOULD LIKE


hard to feel my best. It can also be

difficult to interact with other people

when I haven’t cared for myself and

my appearance. One’s mental health

may be affected if you haven’t taken

the time to appreciate yourself and

your body. A lot of mental health

disorders can be caused by not

looking after yourself properly and

not educating yourself on how

powerful your bodies can be, which

can be quite incredible once you

realise all the things one’s body can

do and fight away.

If you are looking to begin loving

yourself and caring for yourself,

it’s important to keep in a positive

mind-set about self-love. You should

do whatever makes you feel happy

and keeps you well taken care of,

something that is a healthy habit and

makes you happy. It’s important to

appreciate your body and to realise

it’s limitations and its strength to

adapt through situations like child

birth and any illnesses you may be

struggling through without realising.

Many people practice self-love in

different ways, it doesn’t matter how

you practice this as long as you do

so healthily as it is such an important

practice.

There is a wide range of resources

you can research if you are looking

into self-love and care. YouTube has

a lot of videos you can watch which

include a wide range of tips and tricks

on mental health and self-care. There

is a wide range of websites which

touch on the topic and also ways to

love yourself.

To conclude, self-love to me is a very

personal kind of love, it is what you

make it. It can be scary sometimes,

yet it’s important to care for your

mind and your body and self-love is

the portal into it, it’s easy to enter and

is very enjoyable!



IF THIS ARTICLE HAS BROUGHT UP ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE


WHAT AN ANXIETY ATTACK FEELS

LIKE:

BY ANONYMOUS

It’s like thinking something

irrational, knowing it’s irrational,

but not being able to stop the

thoughts.

It’s when your whole body feels

on edge, like you’re panic stricken.

That at any moment you might

combust, a ticking time bomb.

It’s when your mind races, like you

can hear all your thoughts at once

but can’t focus on the present

moment.

It’s when your heart races, you’re

losing breath, worried that you

might pass out.

It feels uncontrollable, even when

you try to control it.

It’s like an out of body experience

- you’re rationalising, talking

yourself out of the panic, yet your

body and mind is ignoring you.

It’s like being in a body that’s not

yours.



IF THIS ARTICLE HAS BROUGHT UP ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE


IN AN EMERGENCY PHONE 999

FOR NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROBLEMS CALL NHS 111

Supporting families through

change

0300 772 7715

www.familyfirst-uk.org

NATIONAL

In a Crisis? Anxious? Worried?

Stressed?

Shout for 24/7 help

Text 85258

giveusashout.org

NATIONAL

A safe place for you to talk about

anything at any time you like, in

your own way

116 123

samaritans.org

NATIONAL

Providing a wide range of

health and wellbeing services

turning-point.co.uk

NATIONAL

Campaign against

living miserably

0800 58 58 58

thecalmzone.net

NATIONAL

A national self-help

organisation helping people

cope with their depression.

depressionuk.org

NATIONAL

Supporting women who

have suffered or are at risk of

domestic abuse

01473 228270

lighthousewa.org.uk

SUFFOLK

Run by people with experience

of living

with anxiety and stress

03444 775 774

anxietyuk.org.uk

NATIONAL

Support for survivors

of childhood sexual abuse

07765 052282

survivorsintransition.co.uk

SUFFOLK

We’ve got lots of advice

about looking after yourself

0800 1111

childline.org.uk

NATIONAL

Arts in mental health

and wellbeing

insideout

community.com

SUFFOLK

Improving teenage mental

health by stemming commonly

occurring MH issues at an early

stage

www.stem4.org.uk

NATIONAL

For confidential suicide

prevention advice contact

0800 068 4141

papyrus-uk.org

NATIONAL

Whether you’re stressed,

anxious, low or depressed, we

can help

0300 123 1503

wellbeingnands.co.uk

NOR/SUFFOLK

Advice, guidance and

practical support

01473 252607

4yp.org.uk

SUFFOLK

Advice for those affected by

low mood, depression and

suicidal thinking.

studentsagainst

depression.org

NATIONAL

The mental health charity

offering support and guidance

0300 111 6000

mind.org.uk

NATIONAL

Support people over 18 who

have been bereaved by suicide

0300 111 5065

uksobs.org

NATIONAL

PHYSICAL

HEALTH & SPORT

CO-EDITOR VACANCY

Awareness Days

February & March 2021

TINNITUS AWARENESS WEEK

1st February - 7th February 2021

‘Campaigning to make sure that everyone with

tinnitus gets the right information, from the right

place, at the right time’.

tinnitus.org.uk

WORLD CANCER DAY

4th February 2021

Theme: I Am and I Will

A campaign built to ‘resonate, inspire change and

mobilise action long after the day has passed

worldcancerday.org

48 • PHYSICAL 48 • MARCH HEALTH 2019 & SPORT • STUDENT • STUDENT LIFE LIFE

INTERNATIONAL EPILEPSY DAY

8th March 2021

‘Promotes awareness of epilepsy in more

than 130 countries each year’.

internationalepilepsyday.org

ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH

1st March - 31st March 2021

‘This year, more than ever, we want to

ensure the voices of those affected by

endometriosis are not forgotten’.

endometriosis-uk.org

DOWNS SYNDROME DAY

21st March 2021

Theme: “We Decide” - ‘inspired by the United

Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities (CRPD) which supports effective and

meaningful participation as a core human right’.

worlddownsyndromeday.org


Online Workouts

BY RACHEL MITCHELL

YOGA WITH ADRIENE:

Lockdown this time around is a little

grey, dull, rainy and windy. For some,

that won’t put them off exercising

outdoors (I wish I was that motivated!)

but many like me, would prefer to

stay in the warm. However, if you’re

able to go outside, even for a walk,

I highly recommend it for both your

physical and mental health. A change

of scenery can do wonders for your

mindset.

If you’re after something a bit more

intense (or relaxing) than a walk, then

there are options to explore from

the comfort of your home. Below

are some of my findings, which are

free – some I’ve tried and some I’ve

heard of. Let me know if you have any

recommendations to add!

I explored yoga during the first

lockdown as a way to relax, clear

my mind for the day ahead and also

stretch out some of the tension I

felt in my body. I was recommended

Adriene’s channel, which has 9.21

subs and it’s honestly brilliant for

anyone interested in yoga- whether

as a beginner or more advanced.

Currently, Adriene’s doing a 30-day

yoga journey where she posts a daily

video, focusing on various areas of

the body and yoga. Each video differs

in length, which I love as you can then

find a workout that’s suitable for the

time you have available to you.

Let’s start with those which I’ve tried

and can recommend.

The most obvious platform to start

searching is YouTube. There’s possibly

hundreds of thousands videos

available to you which as a thought is

very overwhelming! I’ve listed some of

my favourite channels here:

50 • PHYSICAL 50 • MARCH HEALTH 2019 & SPORT • STUDENT • STUDENT LIFE LIFE

THE BODY COACH TV:

The one and only Joe Wicks has

really come into his own during

the last year and he deserves all

the recognition and success for his

dedication to keeping us all active

and talking about Mental Health

freely. Joe is someone I followed

prior to the PE with Joe success,

but more for healthy recipe tips.

However, once PE with Joe was

launched, I attempted to take part

in as many as I could and although

they were primarily aimed at school

children, the workouts were actually

really good and suitable for all! Since

then, Joe’s channel has picked up a

following (he had one before, but it’s

been elevated!) and there’s lots of

great content, aimed at everyone –

even seniors.

STRONG NATION:

If you’re looking to ramp up your

workout intensity, then this a good

place to start. Last year, I took part

in some zoom workout classes (paid

for classes) which were amazing

and one of them were STRONG

Nation inspired. These high intensity

workouts will warm you right up.

There are a range of videos, featuring

30-minute full body workouts or a

shorter 7 minute one for abs and

core. I’ve tried some of these at home

and you feel great after.

When googling the words ‘free

online workouts’ there are a wealth

of website returns. One of the first

websites to pop up is the Sport

England website and when you click

through there’s a link to content to

help you get active at home. What

I love about this, is that it is broken

down into sections depending

on who’s working out or what

you’re wanting to work out. Under

each of the categories, are lists of

organisations, individuals and the

like who offer home workouts – both

free and paid. Those that offer free

resources include:

NIKE TRAINING CLUB – nike.com/gb/

ntc-app

POPSUGAR FITNESS – Youtube

channel

NHS HOME WORKOUTS – nhs.uk/

better-health/get-active/homeworkout-videos

COSMIC KIDS YOGA – Youtube

channel

DISNEY WORKOUTS – thisgirlcan.

co.uk/activities/Disney-workouts

MOVE IT OR LOSE IT UK – Youtube

channel

I think it’s safe to say, that if you’re

looking for it, there is plenty to be

found. It might take some trial and

error finding the right workouts for

you but there is plenty of diverse, fun

or results yielding exercises out there.

Here’s to a healthy and happy 2021.


FOOD

CO-EDITOR AARON BEAVIS

Halloumi -

The Superior Cheese

BY AARON BEAVIS

My relationship with cheese is a

tumultuous affair. The part of my

brain that is tasked with thinking

about cheese is like a mental

Thunderdome. There’s been highs

and lows but something I know for

sure is that halloumi is unequivocally

the best of them all, at least in my

eyes. However, before I can sing

its praises, let me illustrate my ups

and downs with cheese prior to me

discovering this dairy deity.

As an infant, I could not eat cheese

in any form. Cooked or uncooked,

on its own or just a sprinkle on

something else, I wouldn’t have it. I

didn’t even eat pizza. I suspect it was

very psychological as I used to guzzle

mini-Cheddars like water and never

realised why they had the name they

did. As I matured, my hatred became

milder and, eventually, I ate it semiregularly.

I don’t eat raw blocks of it

like my sister does but, if it’s cooked,

I’ll eat it in most scenarios.

I still didn’t eat cheese on its own. It

was an accoutrement, nothing more.

If a past dish had too much cheese or

it was too strong, I would say I wasn’t

hungry. You might have guessed

but my mother is the real victim of

this story, I was the fussiest child in

existence. I ate toast but wouldn’t eat

un-toasted bread. I’m not kidding.

Anyway, my relationship with the

dairy delicacy hit a stand-still.

And then it happened. I visited

Nando’s for the first time and,

hesitantly, agreed to try one of

my Mum’s halloumi fries. It was a

transcendent experience. I ate a piece

of cheese with no accompaniment

and enjoyed it whole-heartedly. The

taste was salty and mild although

apparently if aged like a fine wine is

much stronger. The texture which

gives it the moniker ‘squeaky cheese’

52 • 52 MARCH • FOOD 2019 • STUDENT • LIFE LIFE

was surprisingly pleasant. My only

issue was the serving size and I’ve

found that’s a problem with almost

every restaurant I’ve tried it in. The

saying goes ‘quality over quantity’ but

both would be the optimal scenario.

Halloumi is traditionally made with

goat’s and sheep’s milk (although

cow’s milk can be used) and originally

hails from Cyprus but has become a

British delicacy in its own right. Apart

from its homeland, Halloumi is most

popular in the UK and I find that very

believable as most food places I’ve

encountered serve it in some way or

another.

The main reason for this is that it’s

a popular vegetarian option which I

myself discovered when I decided to

cut meat out of my diet. I admit, I am

not the most technically skilled chef

in the kitchen so I did worry about

how varied my meals would be along

with what I would order when I went

out to eat. Vegetables are nice and

lentils are underrated but I know that

I would have struggled the transition

immensely without our friend

halloumi.

ordered it from some takeaways and

it’s come battered which is also quite

nice. I find it tastes perfectly lovely on

its own but it’s also often served with

a chilli jam or chutney.

Halloumi has become my favourite

food. If it’s on a menu or in a

supermarket, it is inevitable that I will

eat it within the next 24 hours if not

the next 24 minutes. It tastes good

and also provides for a fun anecdote

considering it’s a particular type of

a food stuff I don’t typically care for.

Now, I’m a rational person. If you

don’t consider halloumi the best

cheese, that’s okay. Just remember

that when the apocalypse hits, don’t

ask to hitch a ride with me because I

don’t forget easily.

In terms of preparation, it is usually

fried or grilled as it has a much

higher melting point than most

other cheeses so remains solid. It’s

typically cut into strips to make fries

or a patty shape for burgers. I’ve

also discovered it’s great as a meat

substitute with kebabs. Recently, I’ve


MY LIFE

CO-EDITOR RACHEL MITCHELL &

GLORIA DARGATZ

My 2020


Hello! My name is Thomas

Heathwaite, and I am a second-year

student studying BS(C) Wildlife,

Ecology, and Conservation at the

University of Suffolk. Here, I reflect

upon my 2020…

This year has been a roller coaster

(understatement)! Back when

everyone was all hyped up for the

beginning of the new decade at

the end of 2019, no one could have

imagined the year we just had. No

more of the same, please….

Despite that, I have had plenty of

time to reflect on my life and develop

new positive habits, which I want to

carry forward to 2021. Reflection is

perhaps the greatest positive habit

I have gained, as it allows you to

establish other positive habits, and

through starting to understand your

weaknesses it shows you how to

improve, which I think is extremely

powerful for reaching your new year

goals. I could give you a multitude of

examples right now of how reflection

has helped me, but here are some of

my favourites:

1. REFLECTION TOLD ME I WAS

DOING A LACK OF EXERCISE –

Bad mentally and physically. I

know that, yet my time was just

so congested (or that is what I

thought). In truth, it was not; just

I had never made the time. Joe

Wicks and PE with Joe inspired

me, and i still do at least two

workouts a week. I also took up

endurance running at the end of

March and continued to do it at

least once a week – finishing the

year with the ability to run 15km.

This is proof, I think, that if you

put your mind to something

you can reap great rewards. So,

thank you lockdown!

54 54 • • MARCH MY LIFE 2019 • • STUDENT LIFE LIFE

2. REFLECTION ALSO TOLD ME

I WAS NOT USING MY TIME AS

EFFECTIVELY, OR AS EFFICIENTLY,

AS I COULD.

This led to me overworking,

overstudying, and having no time for

‘life’. Creation of a weekly planner

was a revelation! It seems so simple

but yet was so powerful. It allowed

me to organise my day and my weeks

better and allowed me to see how

much time I had. It allowed me to

write down my work for the following

day allowing me to mentally prepare

myself, and, more importantly,

reduce stress as I was drifting off

to sleep. It allowed me to schedule

walks, running, exercise, and allowed

a general increase in my quality of

life and better mental and physical

health.

3. REFLECTION ALSO TOLD ME I

WAS IGNORING NATURE – ONE

OF MY GREATEST INTERESTS –

And I was falling behind in my work.

Two ironies were behind this – I

was not falling behind; just simply

overworking by not being effective

in my work, and if I set time to do a

walk, I would be more likely to do it.

Using the weekly planner ensured

I did and soon habits formed. I was

reminded during lockdown of the

importance of nature by doing daily

walks, and now that is my favourite

part of my day. Ah! If only I hadn’t

ignored nature before. Another great

positive of lockdown!

4. REFLECTION ALSO TOLD ME

I WAS TAKING MY FAMILY FOR

GRANTED.

A stupid thing I think in hindsight! In

particular, I was not valuing the time I

spend with my Grandad as much as I

should have been and it took the first

lockdown to give me that wake-up

call. This is even more potent now

given he’s 81 and has both prostate

and up to the 22nd of December skin

cancer (that has now been removed).

Why I took family for granted I can’t

answer, but now I respect seeing

them more, value them more and

that is a really positive change!

Whilst lockdown has given me

more time and the ability for

me to learn new skills such as

Danish and running; lockdown

in many other respects has

been really hard: lockdown

has caused more anxiety and

stress with all my modules for

university changed, significantly

altered and has deprived me

the ability to plan. The hardest

thing about lockdown, though, is

not seeing friends: I miss social

interaction – at one stage I had

not seen anyone but the people

in my household and Grandad

for 168 days. 168 days of seeing

the same people and no variety.

That was really hard. I can’t wait

to see my friends, to chat and

develop friendships again. I want

to meet new people from new

backgrounds: I just want social

interaction.


When I reflect on 2020, I think I can summarise it by saying: it gave me time

and space to think, to stand still and reflect, and I am all the more better for

that. Sure, 2020 was hard but, for me, 2020 was the wake-up call I needed.

The weekly planner. Whilst I don’t expect you to read everything I have

listed on the planner; I want to draw your attention to some things I have

done that make it really effective. Firstly, having lectures highlighted in

green – I know when they are; they won’t change, and I know that time is

filled. Secondarily, dividing the A3 sheet into the days (using columns) and

hourly slots (rows), means I have hourly slots for which each day I can fill.

This makes it really easy to fill in, and see how much time I have left in a day.

Lastly, I include everything I need to do in a day: work stuff; relaxation, and

admin work. That way I don’t miss anything.

56 56 • • MARCH MY LIFE 2019 • • STUDENT LIFE LIFE

Studying in Lockdown


When I think about studying during

the pandemic I think of the words:

low motivation, boring, stressful,

procrastination, 4-walls, mundane.

Here, I outline my daily routine

and discuss the challenges I have

faced whilst studying as a year 2

University of Suffolk student during

the pandemic.

MY ROUTINE:

07:00: I Wake up and have breakfast

whilst looking at any news of

interest.

08:00: Have a shower and make the

bed. Making my bed is an important

step I find as it gives your brain

satification that you have done your

first task, and that motivates you to

complete more tasks.

09:00 till 12:00: Spend the day doing

work, and/or join lecturers (we have

live lectures). I always come away

from my room and downstairs to

make tea during a comfort break

during lectures. I have found this

remotivates you and makes you

more productive.

12:00 till 13:00: Have lunch. I always

escape from my room as I spend

enough time engulfed by the 4 walls

of my room. Having a break from

the room remotivates me for the

afternoon work.

13:00 till 17:00: Complete more work

(yes, it never ends!) or continue with

lectures. One of my main challenges

to overcome has been being confined

to 4 walls. My main strategy to

overcome this is to get exercise

every day and to take regular breaks

from being in my room. Doing this

ensures you get out of the house,

which is good mentally. Exercise also

energizes you; gives you a boost

mentally; allows you to come back

refreshed and makes you more

productive.

17:00 till 18:30: Make and eat tea. To

me, making tea is very therapeutic

and allows the mind something else

to think about.

18:30 till 21:00: This is my relaxation

time! I will often play cards with

my sister and Dad; build Lego for

an hour; or make my own Lego

creations. One thing I always ensure

is I don’t look at devices. This helps

me to relax and allows a better night’s

sleep.

21:30 till 07:00: sleep! Getting a good

night’s sleep (for me I need at least 9

½ hours of sleep) is critical to having a

good day the next day. A bad night’s

sleep = a bad tomorrow.

Another challenge has been the lack

of socialisation. To overcome this, I

facetime my Grandad and friends.

It’s not great, but it’s the best I can do

currently.


LGBT

CO-EDITOR RAINE HATCH

LGBT+ History Month

BY RACHEL MITCHELL

The month of February celebrates

LGBT+ History Month and this

year’s theme is ‘Body, Mind, Spirit’.

This is linked to PSHE, for the

second time.

WHY LGBT+ HISTORY MONTH?

LGBT+ History Month was founded

in the UK by Schools Out UK and first

took place in February 2005. The

main aim is to increase awareness of

LGBT people and history as well as

highlighting and tackling the prejudice

LGBT people face.

WHAT RESOURCES ARE THERE?

There are a number of resources,

games, informative talks etc available

from lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk.

We’ve shared some that might be of

interest below. To access these, you

will need to visit the website:

MAYA ANGELOU’S

AUTOBIOGRAPHIES –

DRAMATISED ON BBC RADIO 4

RAINBOW QUEST BOARD GAME

FACT SHEETS AND VIDEOS OF THE

LGBT+ FACES OF 2021

A DOWNLOADABLE LGBT+

HISTORY ‘VOICES AND VISIBILITY’

WALL CHART

You can also follow @LGBTHM

on twitter or use the hashtag

#LGBTHM21 to keep up to date with

events.

58 • 58 MARCH • LGBT 2019 • STUDENT • STUDENT LIFE LIFE

WHY IS THE LGBT SYMBOL A

RAINBOW?

The rainbow flag is seen as a symbol

of a ‘new era, of hope and of social

change’ (Schools Out UK). There is a

history of rainbow flags being used

all over the world for a number of

reasons, however it’s been used as a

symbol of gay pride and LGBT social

movements since the 1970s.

The rainbow colours represent

inclusion and seeks to create a

welcoming environment to LGBT

people.

THE MODERN FLAG

The modern pride flag now includes

stripes to represent the experiences

of people of colour, as well as stripes

to represent people who identify as

transgender, gender nonconforming

(GNC) and/or undefined.

THE ORIGINAL FLAG

(taken from lgbtplushistorymonth.

co.uk)

Created by Gilbert Baker in 1977

at the request of Harvey Milk, an

LGBT activist.

This flag is inspired by the song

‘Over the Rainbow’ from The

Wizard of Oz (1939).

HOT PINK SYMBOLIZES SEX

RED EQUALS LIFE

ORANGE SYMBOLIZES HEALING

YELLOW STANDS FOR

SUNLIGHT

GREEN REPRESENTS NATURE

TURQUOISE EQUALS MAGIC

AND ART

INDIGO STANDS FOR SERENITY

VIOLET REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT

OF LGBTQ PEOPLE

WWW.LGBTPLUSHISTORYMONTH.CO.UK


TECH

CO-EDITOR VACANCY

Has technology helped or

made lockdown harder?

BY RACHEL MITCHELL

Cue February 2021, and nearly a

year on since this global pandemic

hit the UK; forcing us to reside in

our homes, meeting only with our

household or support bubbles and

bringing challenge after challenge as

we all adapt to this new day to day.

Emerging from the first lockdown,

was a new found appreciation for

technology, in particular the ability

to video call on mass to family and

friends all over the place. The likes

of Zoom and Google Hangout came

into their own, providing a space

for individuals to safely meet, play

virtual games and gain comfort from

seeing the faces of the ones they

love. For many, this has been the

only form of communication for a

year (or longer!).

The benefits of this has meant

that it seems more acceptable and

easier to arrange a call to check in

with eachother on a weekly or even

daily basis. We’re all longing for a

connection with someone, for that

element of normality and a call is

sometimes enough to make us feel

loved and thought of.

We should not forget at this point

either, that there is a generation, as

well as others with no access to such

technology and may only have the

ability to make a normal phonecall

as opposed to a video one- for these

people, this may be the only form

of contact and as such becomes

a crucial lifeline in their sense of

wellbeing.

60 • 60 MARCH • TECH 2019 • STUDENT • STUDENT LIFE LIFE

However, while it has been a saving

grace to be able to pick up the phone

to our nearest and dearest, has it also

increased this expectation that we

should be on the end of our phones

24/7 and if we’re not, what message

does this send?

We are of course living in a time

where we may choose to hold

multiple online profiles, across

different platforms, enabling pretty

much anyone, anywhere to get in

touch. Therefore, it’s harder to wrap

yourself with anonymity as such

platforms can expose your activity

and of course if your seen ‘online’

in one place but not replying to a

message elsewhere, it can throw

up all sorts of questions from those

‘expecting a reply’ including feelings

of being ignored and the like.

The most important thing to

remember is that element of selfcare.

Easier said then done - I get

it. But it is okay to take a step back

from our phones and technology for

a few hours or even a day. I know

it’s the usual ‘but what if there’s an

emergency?’. In most day to days,

this is a rare occurance and if it was

to happen, I’m sure there are other

ways of being contacted - you’re not

disappearing off the radar entirely!


MY MONEY

CO-EDITOR ADRIANNA GNIFKA

Investing your money as a

Teenager

BY ADRIANNA GNIFKA

Though trying to save money as a

teenager is hard enough nowadays,

there are ways to make your money

grow over the long term through small

investments. Whilst you cannot invest

in the stock market until you are 18 in

the UK, there are alternatives such as

the Junior ISA.

The Junior ISA can only be opened by

a parent or legal guardian of a child

from birth up to the age of 18 (anyone

over 18 can open a regular ISA for

themselves) yet once the child turns

16 they will be able to manage their

account. The way it works is that by

putting money into the account you

are investing into specific shares and

bonds. These will generate profits over

time and anything you earn will be

free from tax. You can decide to put in

as little money as you like, as often as

you like, or you could invest regularly

with a set monthly amount. Though in

the US, teenagers under 18 are legally

allowed to trade and invest in the

stock market as long as it is under

their parent’s name, a Junior ISA is the

safest form of investment allowed for

under 18s in the UK.

If you are interested in trading stocks

once you turn 18, it is best to learn

the basics by researching, looking

into companies, watching videos,

and reading books about the stock

market. Popular trading apps such

as Trading 212 offer the chance to

practise investment with a fictional

£50,000 which is a great way to

learn what to do and what not to do,

and will show you how easily you

could lose money as well as gain

it – since the stock market can be

unpredictable and has many risks

associated with it.

There are many other stock simulator

apps out there that allow similar

chances to practice investing before

you turn 18 and may decide to do it

for real. So whether you decide to

open a Junior ISA or learn more about

the economy, it is best to be wise

about how you can make the most of

what you save and invest.

62 62 ••MY MARCH MONEY 2019 • STUDENT LIFE

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