Month: May 2023

Tips on reducing your plastic waste

Posted on by yl22363

Swap disposable plastic bottles/coffee cups for re-usable

Café Nero, Costa, and Starbucks all have offers when you get your coffee in a re-usable cup, so instead of adding to the 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups that are thrown away each year (estimated by Costa), save money by taking your own!

Save yourself that £1.50 for a plastic bottle of water, and invest in a steel water bottle. It keeps your water cool throughout the day, and you can fill up at home, in your local coffee shop, or at one of the University’s water fountains around campus, for free! Find your nearest campus water fountain here.

 

Take your own bags to the shops

Did you know that bags for life use up to three times more plastic than single use carrier bags? They’re also sturdier, making them much more detrimental when getting into natural environments. Make sure you’re getting the most of your bags for life, remember to take them to the shops with you and avoid buying more than you need. Or, take your backpack with you to shop, or any other bags that you use in your day to day life to avoid the plastic option completely!

 

Say no to plastic cutlery when you order in

Plastic straws, forks spoons, are included in many fast food options, and many can’t be recycled. However, most places on Deliveroo or UberEats let you choose whether or not they include plastic cutlery. Whenever you’re able, make sure you’re saying no to these single-use plastic items.

 

Cling film can’t be recycled, but tinfoil can!

Clingfilm is made from polyvinylidene chloride (PVC) and does not degrade. Manufacturing PVC releases dioxins that is toxic to humans. Swap out cling film for tinfoil, which (once clean) can be recycled! Even better, use reusable lunch boxes or beeswax wraps. Either way, make sure you’re avoiding clingfilm wherever you can.

 

Ditch the glitter

Glitter is made from aluminium or plastic coated in paint or metal and it’s everywhere. You can find glitter in body lotions, bath bombs, eyeshadows, and generally all over the beauty industry. Glitter is made of microplastics and microplastics never dissipate. It wreaks havoc on biodiversity and marine life.

 

Did you know there’s no limit on how long it takes a product to break down when it’s labelled ‘biodegradable’? Or that some biodegradable material require specialist treatment in order to do so? That means even when products like glitter are labelled such, it doesn’t guarantee that the product is eco-friendly. By the time some biodegradable plastics have broken down, they’ve already caused harm to the environment.

Some eco-friendly glitter alternatives are coloured sand, salt, coloured rice, certain face paints, sugar, and crushed glass. Of course not all of these can be used cosmetically, but options like glass can work great for craft projects.

 

Controlling waste at the University

Did you know that less than 5% of the University’s overall waste ends up in landfill? This is because the University is committed to maximising reuse, recycling as much as possible, and reducing the amount of waste produced.

 See more on the University’s sustainability efforts here.

 

MHAW – Managing stress this exam season

Posted on by Dan Cragg

Mental health awareness week (MHAW) 15 – 21 May 2023

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Managing stress this exam season

By Sophia Crothall

Exams can often bring stress which can have an impact on both our mental and physical health, which is why it is extra important to take care of yourself, ensuring you’re happy and healthy too. Here are some ways in which you can do that:

Taking breaks

As much as you may want to finish your essay in one sitting, or feel the need to complete your exam as soon as possible, you need to take a break. Taking breaks helps to refresh your mind and allows you to come back to your work with a clear head and fresh perspective. So, put your laptop away and get yourself out there. Go for a walk, have something to eat, grab a drink or watch an episode of your favourite TV show. Just make sure you take time away from staring at a screen.

Eat healthily

Don’t just rely on ready meals or meal deals over the next few weeks. As they say, ‘healthy body, healthy mind’. Ensure you are having three good meals each day, especially a nutritious breakfast which will set you up for the day. Bring some snacks with you too such as blueberries which are great for the brain. If you have some time, create a meal plan for the week and then you will know each day what you are eating and what you need to prep.

Staying social

Keep your social life up this exam season. Surrounding yourself with your friends is essential for keeping the morale high. Whether that is seeing them in the evening for a drink at the pub, a daytime coffee or studying together, don’t isolate yourself. You could even impose a rule that you don’t talk about university and exams when you see each other. If you are a part of any clubs and societies that are still running events, push yourself to go to them and see others.

Exercise

Finally, get yourself out there and get active. Whether you love the gym or hate it, there is some form of exercise for everyone!

One of my favourite things to do is to go on a nice long walk. Bristol has so many open, green spaces which are essential for clearing the mind. Some of my favourites include The Downs, Harbourside, Ashton Court and the Suspension Bridge. If it’s a rainy day, have a look at what B: Active programmes are running at the gym or in halls of residence, these are free for all students.

Remember to take care of yourself this exam season and not let the stress take control.

If you need to speak to someone, a range of support is available such as the Wellbeing team, Student Health Service or even your Personal Tutor.

Check out Lottie’s Instagram Reel too for more ideas!

 

MHAW 2023 – What are mental health boosters?

Posted on by Dan Cragg

Mental health awareness week (MHAW) 15 – 21 May 2023

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What are mental health boosters?

By Jennie Soh

As students, maintaining a healthy mental state is essential for success, not just in university, but in life. To do this, we may use mental health boosters, which help to manage stress and maintain a positive mind. While many of us are familiar with mental health boosters such as meditation, healthy eating, and socializing, this blog will explore novel mental health boosters that might offer a fun and refreshing experience and go beyond the typical suggestions!

  1. Create a Self-Care Kit

A self-care kit is a collection of items and activities that bring you comfort and help you re-centre. They can be physical objects, like a stress ball or a soft blanket, or activities, like listening to a favourite song or engaging in a creative hobby. Choose something from your kit whenever you feel like giving your brain a much-needed break!

  1. Practice Gratitude Journaling

Set aside a few minutes to list three things you’re grateful for each day. They can be simple, like a delicious meal, finishing an assignment, or a kind gesture from a friend. By focusing on positive experiences, you can cultivate a more optimistic outlook and better manage stress! Plus, keeping a gratitude journal can help you reflect on your growth and accomplishments throughout your time at university.

  1. Create a Worry Window

Instead of being preoccupied with worries throughout the day, designate a specific time for them. Set aside a few minutes each day as your “worry window” – a period when you allow yourself to acknowledge your concerns and fears. During this time, write down your worries and possible solutions. Then, once the window closes, allow yourself to let go of your stresses and focus on your tasks.

  1. The Pomodoro Technique with a Twist

You might have heard of the Pomodoro Technique, which involves breaking your work into intervals (usually 30 minutes) with short breaks in between. But have you tried combining it with mindfulness? In this approach, instead of taking a usual break, take a 5-minute mindfulness break. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing or do a body scan. Then, return to your tasks with renewed energy and clarity.

Remember that your mental health is just as important as your academic performance. By incorporating these mental health boosters into your routine, you are not only taking care of yourself but also preparing yourself for success!

The Borgen Project

Posted on by yl22363

The Borgen Project

The Borgen Project is a non-profit organisation raising awareness for global poverty by mobilizing ordinary citizens and pushing for positive change.                                                                          Student Comms caught up with Mohammed Farrash, third year International Social and Public Policy student, currently interning for the organisation.

Mohammed, how did you find The Borgen Project?

It was an accident really, I was looking for some work experience, as I’m now in my third year, and I kind of found this project through other organisations.

What are the main beliefs of the project?

The Borgen Project aims to tackle global poverty. The belief is that tackling this massive concern will impact other global issues, such as public health, overpopulation, and national security, as well as creating more jobs for the future.

So, what work do you do with the project?

I get set tasks weekly, usually sending emails to MPs and helping to mobilise others to do the same. I also research current world events, help fundraisers, network, and investigate current bills going through Parliament. All the work is done online, as there isn’t an office in Bristol. I usually spend around 8 hours a week completing work for them.

Are there any surprises that have come up in this work? What successes have you been able to enjoy?

This has been my first work environment, so it’s been interesting to see just how much you can accomplish from just talking to people. Just getting the internship was such an achievement, the acceptance rate is quite low. It’s been great to connect with people within my community.

Is this something you’d like to focus on in your future career?

Honestly, I’m not sure yet. There’s so much that I would like to explore in the world, but I wouldn’t rule it out. In terms of career, I am originally from Saudi Arabia, and I would love to be able to contribute to The Vision 2030 and help bring Saudi Arabia into the future. One of the main objectives of the Vision 2030 is to strengthen national identity by sharing our culture with the rest of the world.

And what brought you to Bristol?

So, I graduated from school during COVID-19, my exams were cancelled, and I didn’t end up with the grades that I wanted. I originally wanted to apply to study finance but didn’t meet the requirements. I ended up going through clearing to just try and find a spot doing something. I planned to get onto a course and then change programmes, but after a few weeks in International Social and Public Policy, I realised I was really interested and decided to stay. I don’t regret that decision. Bristol was so helpful when I emailed in during clearing and made me feel that this place would value me. My mother is an Alumna here – she did a masters in Blood Banking; she’ll hopefully be coming over from Saudi Arabia for my graduation soon.

What’s been your favourite thing about Bristol?

The food! I’ve discovered so many cuisines that I haven’t experienced before. I love the local food markets and I’ve now discovered vegan food. I never really liked vegan food before, but now it’s one of my favourites. Living alone has really let me work on my cooking skills, my favourite food to cook is definitely Indian dishes.

What do you need to do now that you’re nearing the end of your internship?

I’ll be filling out my feedback survey and sending that in. This blogpost will probably be the last thing I do for it. I’ve enjoyed my time as an intern with the project and would recommend internships to other students.

You can learn more about The Borgen Project at The Borgen Project.

To get advice on internships, volunteering and career opportunities, get in touch with The Careers Service.