Author: Contributing Writer

Features

Stop the Spread but Stay in Touch

By Abi Edwards It is hardly surprising that the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown measures have had a negative impact on mental health, particularly for young people. With restrictions on socializing, seeing family, friends and partners, and making new friends at university, the impact of lockdown has caused many feelings of isolation, particularly for students.┬á According to a survey by the charity┬áMind, over half of adults … Continue reading Stop the Spread but Stay in Touch

Contributing Writer
Film & TV

Review: Over The Moon (Netflix)

by Soyal Khedkar ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà + half  Over the Moon is a musical adventure film filled with fuzzy family moments and positive spirit. Based on the legend of Chang’e- the Chinese goddess of the Moon- a little girl named Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) puts all her love and passion into building a rocket ship to meet Chang’e (Phillipa Soo).  The story starts out with a rather … Continue reading Review: Over The Moon (Netflix)

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Travel

The Hazy Future of Travel

Words by Caitlin Parr I cannot begin to imagine how many people around the world have had major travel plans (holidays, study abroad programmes, business trips, research projects) abroad cancelled due to the Coronavirus; let alone how many short, local, travel journeys have been interfered with due to travel restrictions. With the struggling music, theatre and hospitality industries all receiving ample media coverage (and rightfully … Continue reading The Hazy Future of Travel

Contributing Writer
Features, Invisible Illnesses

Invisible Illnesses IV: Coming to Terms with My Complex PTSD and What Comes with It

Words by Molly Govus / Interview by Rebecca Astill Illustration by Amelia Field Can you tell me the story about how you came to realise your diagnosis? Due to having an estranged and problematic past with my biological Dad, I have been in and out of counselling sessions for as long as I can remember. I remember being so young that counselling was just drawing … Continue reading Invisible Illnesses IV: Coming to Terms with My Complex PTSD and What Comes with It

Contributing Writer
Album Reviews, Music

Album Review: ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ by Bob Dylan

Words by Sophie Revell Image courtesy of Columbia Records Bob DylanÔÇÖs Rough and Rowdy Ways feels like a portal back to traditional song-writing. Released on Columbia Records this summer, this is his 39th studio album and has been met with critical acclaim. Carl Wilson called it DylanÔÇÖs best release in ÔÇ£many years, maybe decadesÔÇØ for Slate, and I have to say that this review will … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ by Bob Dylan

Contributing Writer
Fashion

TikTok Fashion Aesthetic’s

Words by Maja Metera TikTok had bad reputation before COVID-19 happened seen as another silly thing that Gen-Z came up with. Well, at this point it became a blend between Instagram and YouTube as it combines aesthetic requirements and editing skills of both platforms. People started using it not only for comedy but also to show off their creativity. This way fashion left shopping hauls … Continue reading TikTok Fashion Aesthetic’s

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Creative Writing, Literature

Short Story – Kingfisher

by Katherine Wheeler Jean lifted the cup to her lips and took a sip, clinking her teeth against the bone china edges. The tea was cold, a little stale from some time on the mantelpiece. SheÔÇÖd picked the leaves herself, when sheÔÇÖd still believed in health kicks and quick fixes, an age ago. Beside her an armchair rocked a whispered beat into the ground, pushing dimples … Continue reading Short Story – Kingfisher

Contributing Writer
Literature

Shirley Jackson’s Scariest

Following the recent success of NetflixÔÇÖs, The Haunting of Hill House, this spooky season is the perfect time to discover some of Shirley JacksonÔÇÖs scariest works: Rhian Lock on The Lottery (1948) First published in The New Yorker in 1948, The Lottery received more backlash than any piece ever published by the magazine, with many cancelling subscriptions and boycotting Jackson. I first read JacksonÔÇÖs short story in my first year as an English … Continue reading Shirley Jackson’s Scariest

Contributing Writer
Features

Offended by Diversity’s Black Lives Matter dance? Your privilege is showing.

By Laila Hodd White privilege has been at the forefront of conversations about race since the killing of George Floyd in May. While many members of the white community have awoken to the realities of the privileges granted to them by the colour of their skin, there remains a frighteningly large amount of people who either refuse to accept or continue to deny the existence … Continue reading Offended by Diversity’s Black Lives Matter dance? Your privilege is showing.

Contributing Writer
Travel

The Places We Wish We Could Be This Winter

Artwork by Ellie Hutchings Iceland – Words by Kat Mallett Winter is now officially in full swing, with infinite grey skies and chilly mornings. Although holidaying is less common during these colder months, it is as good a time as any to visit a new place. A winter vacation offers a totally different experience, with new and exciting opportunities, such as skiing and Christmas markets. … Continue reading The Places We Wish We Could Be This Winter

Contributing Writer
Film & TV

Behind The Lens: Sci-Fi

Words by Lottie EnnisIllustrated by Amelia Field Science fiction is perhaps the most versatile film genre of the lot. Covering a range of aspects of the human condition, the sci-fi genre allows us to fulfil our deepest question: ÔÇ£what would happen ifÔǪÔÇØ. This format helps us as humans to consider the range of possibilities outside of our everyday life. Defined by more official parameters, science … Continue reading Behind The Lens: Sci-Fi

Contributing Writer
Food

How to Have a Wicked Halloween in Quarantine

Illustration by Sian Hopkins Words by Abi Edwards Halloween ÔÇôa time of donning scary costumes, house parties, Halloween club nights and all things spooky. This year, students will be experiencing a slightly different Halloween as all the usual festivities cannot go ahead due to the coronavirus. However, it doesnÔÇÖt mean that you canÔÇÖt enjoy yourselves, as it is an exciting opportunity to get creative. A … Continue reading How to Have a Wicked Halloween in Quarantine

Contributing Writer
Film & TV

Zendaya: From Disney to Big-Budget

By Zoe Williamson Actress, Singer, and Dancer, Zendaya is a woman of many talents and has become a household name in  Hollywood. Known for her smiley and positive personality, she has been taken around the world as a global icon, with a huge fanbase awaiting her every move. But how has she attained the success that she holds today, transforming herself from a Disney actress … Continue reading Zendaya: From Disney to Big-Budget

Contributing Writer
Film & TV

Review: IÔÇÖm Thinking of Ending Things

By Lottie Ennis ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà IÔÇÖm Thinking of Ending Things is an American psychological drama film, written and directed by Charlie Kaufman, released in 2020. Based on the interesting 2016 novel by Iain Reid and with some great actors such as Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons, I had high hopes for what seemed to be a quirky film from the trailer. Starting off in classic horror … Continue reading Review: IÔÇÖm Thinking of Ending Things

Contributing Writer
Literature

7 Book-Inspired Halloween Outfits That Will Give You Goosebumps

by Eva Rodericks. The question looms of what youÔÇÖre going to wear on Halloween. What could be more perfect for the best dress up night of the year than a literary cosplay? Here is a break down of 7 book characters you could use to impress your group of 6 this 31st of October.  Sexy Sherlock – Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle  .  One … Continue reading 7 Book-Inspired Halloween Outfits That Will Give You Goosebumps

Contributing Writer
Features

The NHS Rainbow – Respect for Our Key Workers or Appropriation of the Pride Flag?

By Caitlin Parr The symbol of a rainbow is one of hope, belief and resilience – three things that the UK and our NHS really do need at the moment to get through the Coronavirus pandemic. As the UK went into lockdown, posters and flags in rainbow colours appeared in windows all across the country.  Though a symbol cannot end the pandemic or provide the … Continue reading The NHS Rainbow – Respect for Our Key Workers or Appropriation of the Pride Flag?

Contributing Writer
Film & TV

Cinema of Solitude

With another local lockdown being introduced to Cardiff, we wanted to hear what some of your favorite films are based on the theme of loneliness. What is it about these films that allows us to find solace and comfort in them, even in the hardest of times? Slow burning, brooding and emotionally charged- weÔÇÖve got the perfect films lined up highlighting the theme of solitude … Continue reading Cinema of Solitude

Contributing Writer