Understanding self esteem By Jenny (coolkid98) Self esteem can affect an individual in many ways. If one has a low self esteem, it can affect their home, school or work life, and their relationships with peers and family members. Many people struggle with a low self esteem in some way, and it is especially common among teenagers. There are many factors which can impact a person's self esteem; these can include the media, families, school and puberty. What is self esteem? Self esteem is...

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...

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...

Menstruation By Dez ( *~Skittlify~* ) What is menstruation? Menstruation is when the lining of the uterus is shed each month. Blood flows from the uterus then passes through the cervix, exiting the body through the vagina. Women start menstruating at various ages. Normally, menstruation begins between ages eight and fifteen. The purpose of menstruation and the menstrual cycle is to prepare for pregnancy. If a woman does not get pregnant, she will experience her period when the...

Eating in public By Cassie (Idyllic.) For people who suffer from eating disorders or anxiety, eating in public isn’t exactly a walk in the park. A fear of eating in public or in front of others is a specific phobia that is a lot more common in people than it is perceived to be. A specific phobia is defined as "a lasting and unreasonable fear caused by the presence or thought of a specific object or situation that usually poses little or no actual danger" source]. Signs of specific phobias...

Applying for university in the UK By Cara (Deadpool) All applications to universities in the UK, regardless of whether they're home (domestic) or international students, are processed through an online system known as the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). This system allows an applicant to enter all of their data (such as personal details and exam results) and will also keep track of the current exams an applicant is taking, updating automatically when results are...

The Troubles in Northern Ireland By Gareth (Catharsis.) Northern Ireland has endured a history of political and social instability. As a disputed constituent country of the United Kingdom, ordinary residents of Ulster have long lived in everyday fear. The worst stretch of violence that ever occurred in Ulster is known as "The Troubles". Two factions decided that enough was enough, and took to violent measures to profess their loyalty to either the Crown, or the Irish freedom fight. Widely...

Quick Review - Witchfinder: Dawn of the Demontide By Nat (Natsumi) Since the second in what is set to be a thrilling trilogy was released recently I thought everyone should get their teeth into the first of these amazing books; Witchfinder: Dawn of the Demontide. Jake Harker is a relatively normal teenage boy who knows everything there is to know about horror. You name it, he's memorised it; vampires, witches, werewolves, zombies, ghouls, everything. But what happens when his obsession...

Quick Review - 10 O'clock Live By Rob In late January 2011 the UK's Channel 4 launched a weekly news show based on the format of its widely popular "Alternative Election Night Live" (circa May 2010). The basic premise is to combine comedy with genuine current events, enabling it to be both entertaining and educational. Aimed predominantly at younger viewers, 10 O'Clock Live successfully makes news far more accessible to its target audience. Despite its value in this regard, it is concerning...