'Tis the Season to be Stressed

May 2012: The date which marks the completion of my undergraduate degree. The presentations have been given, exams have been sat and essays written. It is now time for that blissful feeling of freedom. The stress is over!! It is finally over!

No longer will the library be my second home. Those long, long days - and nights - are done with. Lying awake in bed, worrying if the amount of work I've done is enough, can be forgotten.

These symptoms may sound fairly familiar to the average student faced with exams; whether it is at degree level, or any other qualification. The assessment system of education can be an overbearing, demanding and draining force.

As deadlines become more threatening, the importance of all other aspects of life seems to evaporate into thin air. We become social hermits, only interacting with those brave enough to come near the crazed, irritable specimens we become. The mere notion of three regular meals a day is vanished and in its place we depend on copious amounts of snacks: energy drinks, biscuits and toast all become part of the normal eating regime. Sleep is deemed a luxury as it is forsaken for either further study, or thoughts of panic and depression, keeping you up all night.

In some cases, students react so badly to this "exam season" that they become physically ill. The pressure that is put on and felt by many people is, in my opinion, unfair.

Many of my friends are currently finishing their finals, cramming last minute revision at this very moment and it is clear that pressure and stress is at an all-time high. Students should not be getting ill as a result of exams, while it is good to feel motivated and endeavour for academic success, one's health should not be harmed as a part of the process. They say that "the fear" (the panic that sets in when you realise how much work there is to do but so little time to do it in) is a catalyst for motivation. Yet if this "fear" that kicks us all into action, also sends us all into despair, surely it cannot be effective.

GCSE and A level students, moreover, should not be intimidated by tense teachers who threaten that 'these exams are the most important ones you will ever sit!' School students are put under such a high pressure at such young ages. I remember when choosing which subjects to study at GCSE, at the tender age of 13, being told that these subjects will determine what I was to do for the rest of my life. Even though a friend who chose mainly humanities based subjects is now studying medicine...so, somehow I think that concept may have been flawed.

Not only are University students carrying the worry of academia, it is also the fear of the unfavourable prospective job market. Though we may be graduating with good degrees, the chances of attaining a job soon after are pretty slim. With the economic climate adding a further anxiety to the list, more and more students are being prescribed medication for depression and stress.

Though I am a thorough believer that hard work pays off, I find the effect of examinations and assessments worrying. Students should not have to feel as though they are undergoing an ordeal. While advice may be given, sometimes it simply does not cut it.

I am glad to say I have completed my undergraduate degree and that I can relax...well, for a little while at least.

How to Beat the Travel Logistic Blues.

Our world we live in today has become so small that travelling is now taken for granted. Once upon a time the idea of going to Morocco would be a far-off dream, but nowadays we are simply required to save some pennies to realise our travel fantasies.

For me, travel is one of the best ways to spend life. While I'll always love my home town, there is nothing I'd rather do than explore the various pockets of the world and learn about different cultures and lifestyles.

However, in order to get to this inspiring destination, there is one little thing you must do: organise it.

Usually, planning and booking a holiday is not exceptionally difficult, but when there are seven people involved logistics can get a little trickier.
At the moment, my friends and I are trying to book a week's holiday for a few months' time and it doesn't help that we don't all know each other, never mind the fact that we don't all currently live in the same country. All of these ingredients add up to a difference in ideas and commitments which doesn't make for easy organisation.

We know that as soon as we arrive at our sunny destination, the hard work will have been worth it. But, after trawling through page upon page of holiday rental websites, sat in rainy England, a hint of discouragement can be heard in people's voices, seen in their expressions. It becomes all too easy to give up and say you'll look again later. And then when you do, those perfect flights have gone up fifty pound in price! Or, sometimes, the opposite effect can occur. You become so sick of investigative work that you book the first hotel you find, but, on arrival, you don't find it. The worst happens and you realise you've been scammed.

In order to beat the stresses of organising travel adventures take a look at the following tips:

• Book early: there is nothing worse than realising you're only a couple of weeks away from your holiday and the flights have become astronomical in price. Generally speaking, the earlier you book the better prices you'll get.

• One-way or return: sometimes it can be cheaper to travel with two one-way fares rather than a round-tip return.

• Do the work...: it's always important to know that your bookings are legitimate. If you find something you like, research it. Don't take unknown company websites for face value, read the terms and conditions, make sure you are paying securely and find reviews from other websites. Check information on location and amenities to ensure you're not setting yourself up for a con.

• ...but don't exhaust yourself: if you feel like you're becoming demotivated, which can happen very easily with the vast internet, take a short break. You don't want to lose that holiday excitement.

• Think flexibly: an easy way to cut costs is to check out other dates. Different timings and locations can help you save on travel so you have more money to splash when you arrive.

• Try to haggle: with some accommodation you'll be able to haggle, so why not give it a go?

• Get everyone up-to-date: if there is a large group of you going together, set up an email or page where everyone can talk, share ideas and be aware of decisions being made.

• Insurance!: The one thing you don't want to forget is travel insurance. You never know when it could help you out, but if it is needed, you'll be thanking your lucky stars you have it.

• Keep the buzz: there is a lot to think about and remember when planning a holiday but remember, you're going on holiday! Keep that excitement flowing and motivation will carry you through to your departure date.

The Power of Social Networks

Communication: a way to keep in touch with your close ones, to feel more connected to them and to maintain those important relationships. Right? Maybe not.

While a catch up over the phone, or constant emailing are definite ways to keep in contact with friends and family, the mode of communication that the Western World now regards as second nature, social media, can almost have the opposite effect.

Although Facebook, Twitter and Google+ all set out to create platforms where we can be constantly connected with each other, do they really create that warm, positive feeling we get after we’ve just had a long and lively phone call with an old friend?

I think everyone can honestly admit to using Facebook as more than just a way to talk to friends. Let’s face it, we stalk. No-one should try to hide away from the fact either, we all do it. Whether you log in every day or just a few times in a month, it’s very hard to resist the urge to have a little explore around your news feed. It’s almost as though it’s become a natural facet of Facebook: the stalking element.

So when you’re having a snoop around your “friend’s” latest album, where they went on that amazing trip with all their beautiful friends, going to the hippest places and having the greatest time; does this make you happy? Yes, we may feel glad – particularly if it is someone you genuinely like – that they have enjoyed themselves, but does it not provoke a slight tinge of jealousy? Does it not simply make us question whether we are having as good a time as those joyful people in the photos?

Perhaps I’m just too cynical, but it is easy to see how social networks have the power to force a feeling of comparison upon their users. Status updates and profile pictures can be manipulated to become merely ways for us to compete with each other; devices used to try to portray our own lives as more exciting and inspiring than others.

Now I know there are people who couldn’t care less about what crops up on their news feeds. They have their account for singular purposes such as to keep in contact with long distance family and friends and to me, that's admirable. But, it does seem as though the more and more addicted we become to social media, the more it engulfs our lives.

I am one of those social media victims, yet I can still see the absurdity of it all. Although I may check my Facebook and my Twitter as often as Apple releases a new product, I am still fully aware that this constant need to always be in contact with your hundreds of friends is really quite pointless.

While I do believe that the internet can be a great way to keep up to date with your true close ones, it’s ridiculous to think that over the years I have collected such a multitude of so-called ‘Facebook friends’, that I can now hardly remember some of their surnames. 

If I really wanted to know about a friend’s latest escapade, I think I’d get hold of my phone, not the Facebook homepage. 

Jazz and Fusion with Charlotte Glasson at the National Portrait Gallery

After arriving in London on an early Friday evening, I decided to try out one of the National Portrait Gallery’s free Late Shift events. My pick was an hour of live music by Charlotte Glasson and her band. I went along with little knowledge of the artist and low expectations for the evening and so was pleasantly surprised with the experience I was greeted with.

Buried among the stunning galleries on the second floor, the session took place in a room which you would not have thought was the largest one of the floor. With the walls covered in political portraiture and the room packed with music lovers, the atmosphere was one of excited anticipation for the hour to come.

Glasson opened with Blues, moving onto Jazz and many other types of world music, with even a few Tango numbers thrown in. Each song was played beautifully with charismatic comments here and there between songs - enough to keep engaged without overstepping the mark. Talent was not aligned purely to Glasson either, each member of her band enjoyed spots of the limelight as all four were shown recognition for their playing.

A wide variety of instruments were used, ranging from a saxophone to a flute to the penny whistle. Glasson's assortment of musical instruments is so extensive in fact, that she even brought along a saw to play upon. Using a bow, she played the saw and produced a surprisingly charming tune.

As the audience grew throughout the hour, their captivation remained, with many dancing in their seats. Perhaps that's the only thing that this session could have done with - somewhere to dance. But personally, I think the packed in effect of the overflowing audience added to the intense passion of the music, creating an enlivened feel. 

These Late Shift evenings are not limited to music performances either. Every Thursday and Friday, from 6pm-9pm the National Portrait Gallery acts host to lectures, documentaries and film and art sessions, ensuring that there is something for everyone. For this performance to be free of charge, at one of the most fantastic galleries in London, I'm glad to say I experienced it and recommend the Late Shift sessions to all.



Charlotte Glasson: http://www.charlotteglasson.com/
NPG'S Late Shift: http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/lateshift/late_shift_home.php

What's fear got to do with it?

As I sit typing this blog, here in my student bedroom, I can see a Daddy long legs above me.
It is in the corner directly above me and I could swear it has moved closer to me, its prey, in the last ten seconds.

As you may tell, I hate Daddy long legs. I have a fear of them, Daddy long legs and birds. I think it's safe to say though that my fear of birds is worse.

I've come to realise that these fears originate from my childhood. The Daddy long legs phobia deriving from visits to my grandparents' house, where these creatures would haunt me from corners of the room. Their long, skeletal legs slowly prowling across the ceiling, I felt as though they were taunting me, they knew I was afraid, and they enjoyed it. Of course, no Daddy long legs has ever specifically harmed me, I've never been put into danger because of one, but if I were asked to hold one, I think I'd run a mile.

My repugnant feeling towards birds I believe has some more serious ground to stand upon. If my memory serves me right, the fear comes from a trip to Newcastle when a goose, or some other hideously feathered creature, bit me. I was very young and found it very scary. This, alongside the fact that my school was infested with screeching seagulls, although my school was located nowhere near a sea, but who needs the sea these days? All it takes in London is some litter and you've got yourself a flock of rats with wings. So, I spent 5 wonderful years running from the science block to the maths block in fear of getting stained. This, I promise you, does not add up to a love of birds.

To be honest, I know that they are irrational fears, but what fear isn't? I know people that are scared of things that I would consider to be features of day-to-day life: from cats to planes, to glitter, to sand. While I wouldn't think twice about any of these, for some, they represent their greatest phobias.

So, what is it that makes us believe these things are such fearful elements of life? When you truly think about it, our irrational fears don't pose such horrific threats as we may think. Perhaps it's due to the films and television programmes we watch - I can tell you I'll never be watching Hitchcock's The Birds. If we weren't incessantly told that spiders are scary, through such films as Eight Legged Freaks, perhaps the fear of insects wouldn't be so common.

It is also interesting to look at phobias from the point of view of control. Whether it is who we associate ourselves with, where we live, or work, people feel the need for a sense of control. Therefore when a seemingly uncontrollable threat is posed, we lose our composure.

Is it that we are all purely too obsessed with the need for control over our lives? Or has the media gained such power that its influence extends to what we fear? Either way, these irrational fears we live with are hard to shake. They say to get over a fear, you must face it, but in all honesty, I think I'll stick to asking my neighbours to remove this insect intruder.

Bramley's Cocktail Bar & Bistro

While the city of Canterbury may not have a brilliant selection of nightclubs (you'll have to jump on the train to London for that) it certainly has its fair share of independent bars and restaurants. From the ever popular Cherry Tree to the charming Marlowe's restaurant, there is always plenty of choice for somewhere to eat and drink.

Having been to most of what Canterbury has to offer socially wise, I was interested to visit an establishment I hadn't heard of before: Bramley's Cocktail Bar & Bistro.

Tucked away among the back streets of Canterbury, this place is easy to miss. Particularly as it's located next to a well-known bar, so your attention can be somewhat distracted. From the street, all there is to see is a small doorway. No loud, garish posters. No bouncers. No annoying lighting. But its simplicity is part of its intrigue.

On entering, the size of the bar comes as a pleasant surprise. Larger than you'd think, its layout gives a feeling of space. A corridor leads you down into a mysterious treasure trove, filled with nineteenth century adornment. Low lighting and a cushioned ceiling with sweeping curtains create a mellow and intimate mood, while a fascinating array of ornaments are an enchanting touch.

As soon as I arrived I couldn't stop myself from looking around. Bramley's is covered with antiques ranging from beautiful writing desks to Singer sewing machines, ornate candle holders, unusual lamps, plush velvet seating, quirky road signs; I could go on. It is an Aladdin's cave.

While there is a definite nineteenth century feel, many features point towards the 1920s. Enhanced by a wonderful grand piano, customers are treated to Jazz and Blues on Wednesday evenings. For those who don't wish to just sit and drink, a pool table and board games are provided, as well as a small smoking area at the back.

Though drink prices are not particularly kind to the student pocket, this is not your typical Wetherspoon's; there are 2-4-1 deals available on cocktails. That's another thing, which for me at least, adds to its appeal: you won't find any pretension or disorderly drunkenness in here. Instead, the atmosphere is one of simply style and enjoyment.

Friendly staff also ensure you feel welcomed into what feels like a secret that not many have been let in on.
Bramley's is a decadent and rare bar which harks back to a different era, allowing you to forget about the worries and stresses of real life, it transports you into an unusual world. Open six days a week, it's definitely worth a look.

Bramley's Bar

15 Orange Street,
Canterbury

01227 379933

Open Mon - Thurs: Noon to 11.00pm
Fri & Sat: Noon to Midnight

Dublin; that fair city.

I'm sure everyone noticed last Saturday was Ireland's national holiday, St. Patrick's Day. How could you not? The Irish don't tend to be quiet when it comes to celebrations.

Every year it's full of merriment with Irish music, dancing, plenty of Guinness and of course a sea of shamrocks and greenery. While it may bring the Irish weather with it, I've always enjoyed St. Patrick's Day. Perhaps that's due to my Irish heritage but even if I wasn't Irish, I think I'd still enjoy 'the craic'.

The emerald isle itself is very warm and welcoming with its capital, Dublin, voted the friendliest city in Europe. Due to my extensive Irish family, I've been to Dublin more times than I can count and I don't think I'll ever tire of it. While it may be a fairly small city, it is perpetually growing, with new places to constantly discover.

When thinking of where to begin with a visit to Dublin, there are the typical tourist hot spots to see:

• Trinity College
• Temple Bar
• The Guinness Storehouse
• Grafton Street
• Dublin Zoo
• Dublin Castle
• Kilmainham Gaol

and so on...

Not to say that these aren't well worth visiting, they definitely are. The Guinness Storehouse's Gravity Bar boasts incredible panoramic views overlooking the whole of Dublin, while seeing The Book of Kells in Trinity College is a must for any Dublin trip.

But, there are always those other sights which give you that closer insight into the real Dublin world.

Take St. Stephen's Green: the city's beautiful park. Aside a huge shopping centre and the main shopping street, Grafton Street, it is in the centre of town and indeed a lovely place to relax if the Sun comes out. However, due to its close proximity to the shopping areas, not to mention Trinity College, it can become a hotbed for tourists. Why not, instead, try The Iveagh Gardens. Only a short walk away from the commotion of Stephen's Green, the lesser known Iveagh Gardens offers a tranquil feel with its lush fountain, rosarium and maze. You won't find many tourists here either, but more of Dublin's working lunch crowd.

Other open spaces to check out include the vast Phoenix Park and the stunning Dublin Mountains.

For those interested in culture, go along to the National Gallery of Ireland, it's free and holds more than 15,000 works. Or, if interested in theatre, Dublin has plenty to offer, including The Abbey, The Gate and The Gaiety where you can often find many a wonderful production put on stage.

Another cultural gem is the Dublin Writers Museum on Parnell Square. There is a huge amount to see, housing collections of Irish literary figures from the last 300 years, from Joyce to Wilde to Stoker. Not to mention the house, a restored Georgian mansion, is an attraction in itself.

Although Temple Bar is on all the typical travel guides' hit lists, there's more to it than just drinking in a few pubs. Whether for shopping, drinking, or eating there is always something to discover, as well as various regular cultural events taking place across the 'Cultural Quarter'. For more information on Temple Bar, have a look at: http://www.templebar.ie

While you can find a good Irish dinner at many of the local Dublin pubs, the seafood in Howth is definitely worth a try, in particular Aqua, which provides beautiful sea views. Howth, a scenic fishing and yachting Dublin suburb, is an enjoyable afternoon visit for a little respite from the city. 

Wherever you go in Dublin, you're bound to have a good time. Its small size allows it to be manageable, yet it still encompasses a wide variety of attractions. Along with the wonderful Irish spirit, Dublin makes a great choice for a city break.