A guide to adult tonsillectomies By Nicole (Pug Princess) Tonsillectomies used to be quite common among children to prevent complications down the road. Today, doctors typically don't suggest tonsillectomies unless the tonsils are degrading one's quality of life. Adult tonsillectomies are even less common; these are conducted on adults as the name implies, and they typically have a longer and more painful recovery time than a tonsillectomy performed on a child. Reasons to get the...

The Scottish independence referendum By Adam (Adam the Fish) On 18th September 2014, Scotland’s citizens voted decisively to reject a split from the three-hundred-year-old union it shared with England in the United Kingdom. With a record turnout and passionate campaigns prior to the referendum on independence from both the “Yes” and “No” (“Better Together”) sides of the argument, the decision was a historic one. Circumstances leading to the referendum Whilst independence is something...

Difficulties a trans person might face By Nicole (Pug Princess) The definitions of sex were created to be composed of two simple labels in order to categorize society, however for many people it is a very complicated process to figure out how to define oneself. Some people grow up thinking that they were born the “wrong way” because they don’t like the opposite gender which is what society deems is “correct.” In other cases, people feel that they were not born as the right gender, and that...

Online schooling By Cassie (Cassiopeia.) When people think about their school environment, what comes to mind? Most people probably think of fellow classmates running through the halls before the bell rings, whilst some would think of sitting at their kitchen table, with their books before them, taking instructions from their parent. For a few, learning in front of a computer could come to mind as well. Education is a broad spectrum that can be taught in many different settings....

Staying safe online By Adam (Adam the Fish) The Internet is a wonderful place, full of opportunities to meet new people, learn new things and connect with the world. Since the popularisation of the Web, it has become indispensable in many areas of our lives. Like all good things, however, there are some risks, especially when sharing your personal information online. These don’t normally outweigh the benefits of using services provided online, and can be managed effectively, but it is...

Living with a mental illness By Chess ( *~Skittles Martinski~* ) It’s quite common for people with a mental illness to say they are suffering from it: “She suffers from depression” or “He suffers from bipolar” are phrases which sound familiar, but they may not be entirely accurate or helpful. This approach is fairly typical, but it’s also problematic. For many people with mental illness, a diagnosis can result in a declining sense of stability within their lives. They may fear that their...

Depression and Suicide: Fact vs. Myth by Cassie (Cassiopeia.) Approximately every 13.3 minutes, someone commits suicide ]. Suicide is the act of killing oneself and it is strongly associated with depression, one of the most common mental illnesses, and is a persistent state of sadness that lasts for more than two weeks. Depression and suicide can affect anyone of any age, race, gender, or background. This year alone, it is estimated that 30,000 Americans will take their lives. On...

Remember, Remember, the 5th of November By Louise (LlamaLlamaDuck) In most parts of the world, November 5th is no different from any other day. In the UK, however, it is a night celebrated with parties, bonfires, and fireworks. It is much like the 4th of July in America but on a smaller scale. Known as Bonfire Night, Fireworks Night, or Guy Fawkes Night, it is commemorated across the UK every year. It all began courtesy to the man known as Guy Fawkes. Originally from York in England,...

Debunking the myths of bullying By Jenny (coolkid98) Most people will experience bullying at some point during their lives and will know someone who has previously been bullied or who is currently being bullied. There are many myths about bullying which can make it hard for those being bullied to reach out to get help to deal with it. According to research conducted by the NSPCC 46% of children and young people in the UK say they have been bullied at school at some point in their lives....

Grief: what to expect after someone has died By Robin (PSY) Although it can be difficult to find a reliable estimate, many organizations report that 5-20% of youth around the world will experience the death of a significant person before reaching adulthood. Regardless of what life stage a person is in, grief resulting from the death of a significant person can present many challenges. Merriam-Webster defines grief as "deep sadness caused especially by someone's death," but grief...