So, in just over a month, I will be leaving for my year in industry as part of my course. I have been lucky enough to find a placement in Vienna, Austria. For the past two years I have been living in York during term time, attending university there, but my home city is Southampton, so generally a long way from all of my uni friends. This summer, it's really hit home how detatched I'm going to be from everyone.
Snapchat stories, Instagram, Facebook albums, they're all great for seeing what people are doing. Not, how they're doing, which to me as a friend matters far more.
I often wonder how friends from school or 6th form are doing, but convince myself it would be weird to message them having not seen them in years. I'm scrapping this idea.
During my year away, I will try to do regular posts of what I've been up to, but I will also be randomly messaging people with something along the lines of....
"Hey! How's life?"
... and by that I mean, tell me how you are and how you have been. It's like the modern equivalent of writing letters to people.
It sounds stupid I know, but as my friend recently said, looking at someone on social media is like "staring through their living room window for five minutes". You're not getting a realistic view, let alone any depth.
So to those of you thinking there's someone you want to message in this way, do it.
If you get a message like this, reply! They care about how you are.
Oh and please, I know the modern age can mean we read into e v e r y t h i n g but if you're a guy and the message is from a girl (etc. other combinations available) it doesn't mean they're hitting on you, so don't get weird. People are allowed to be friends and care about how someone is in a totally platonic way, we're not in year 9 (sorry any year 9s reading this).
So there you go, that's how I'm changing how I use social media.
Stay tuned for updates in the next year
All the best,
Bea x
Wednesday, 22 August 2018
Friday, 20 April 2018
Becoming an ecoqueen
As some of you know, I'm a biology student, and ecology at that, meaning I'm a bit of a eco-queen. Lately I've been trying to make an effort to be kinder to the planet through everyday changes. I don't have the self control with food to go vegitarian, let alone vegan so I try and find other ways I can contribute to making myself more environmentally friendly. Here I'm going to go through my favourite ways that anyone can help may the world a bit more green...
1. Recycling - I know it sounds obvious but it's shocking how many people don't bother, with British households failing to recycle 16 MILLION plastic bottles a day in 2016 with data suggesting this could reach 29 BILLION by the end of 20201
2. Receipts - only get one if you need it! Or if you get one without asking, see the previous point! Similarly for junk mail, but be sure to remove celophane first as this is unfortunately not recyclable (cry).
3. Who needs tuppaware? - If you're like me and enjoy a good takeaway curry, you probably end up with lots of tubs, these make great lunch boxes so keep them! And if your takeaway comes in the pie tin style containers, these can be rinsed and recycled!
4. Think seasonal - When you're in the supermarket, think about if your veggies are in season. You may feel super healthy and natural eating your avocado, but if it's been flown in from Chile, Central America of Sub-saharan Africa2, that's not all that great for the planet.
5. Razors - So this is one I've come across in the past day or so. They're called safety razors, cost around £25 and last for years. A quick google search will show you people rave about them, as a cheaper and more effective solution to disposable razors which can't be recycled (cry), whilst the blades used in safety razors can be recycled (yay)!
6. Drinking Straws - Everyone has seen the videos of turtles with straws stuck in their noses. Around 8.5 billion straws are thrown away in the UK each year, contributing to over 150 million tonnes of plastic in the seas3. There are even companies developing reusable plastic straws for on the go! Check out https://thelastplasticstraw.org/about-us/last-straw/
7. Water Bottle - linking to the stats in point 1, reusable water bottles could save so much plastic waste! All tap water in the UK is safe to drink4 so why pay £3 for some good old H2O?
8. Power Down - when you leave a room, turn the light off. If your house will be empty for a week or so, turn the wifi off. Boiling pasta, put a lid on it! It will still boil but use half the energy so just turn it down.
9. Let's talk about Tea - now I am a big fan of tea, so found it disappointing to hear that something I'd thought was biodegradable (teabags) contain plastic! Thankfully, Wendy at Moral Fibres has compiled a useful list of which to favour in the war on excess plastic http://moralfibres.co.uk/is-there-plastic-in-your-tea/.
10. Food Waste - this is a massive stress of mine, I HATE food waste. People think I'm crazy when I say I weigh pasta, but for the 10 seconds it takes to weigh it into the pan whilst the kettle the boiling really is nothing. Don't buy more food than you're going to have time to eat, and keep an eye on what you have. Meat is generally safest frozen or cooked right away. Dried carbs (pasta, rice, noodles) will often be fine way past their best before date so use your common sense before binning them. This will all save you money, and reduce the growing issue of food waste.
So there are my current favourites for subtle changes to make yourself greener. I'm hoping to test out the safety razor for myself, and maybe a bamboo toothbrush in my efforts to become more sustainable so will probably do a follow up post in a few months. Some of this may sound a bit mad but even by doing one of these you'll be making a massive difference!!
All the best!
Bea
References (cos I'm in report writing mode and don't want to make unsupported statements)
1https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/15/british-households-fail-to-recycle-a-staggering-16m-plastic-bottles-a-day
2http://www.freshplaza.com/article/156557/OVERVIEW-GLOBAL-AVOCADO-MARKET
3https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/straws-and-cotton-buds-could-be-banned-under-fresh-government-drive-to-cut-plastic-waste-a3817751.html
4https://www.water.org.uk/consumers/water-and-health/faqs
1. Recycling - I know it sounds obvious but it's shocking how many people don't bother, with British households failing to recycle 16 MILLION plastic bottles a day in 2016 with data suggesting this could reach 29 BILLION by the end of 20201
2. Receipts - only get one if you need it! Or if you get one without asking, see the previous point! Similarly for junk mail, but be sure to remove celophane first as this is unfortunately not recyclable (cry).
3. Who needs tuppaware? - If you're like me and enjoy a good takeaway curry, you probably end up with lots of tubs, these make great lunch boxes so keep them! And if your takeaway comes in the pie tin style containers, these can be rinsed and recycled!
4. Think seasonal - When you're in the supermarket, think about if your veggies are in season. You may feel super healthy and natural eating your avocado, but if it's been flown in from Chile, Central America of Sub-saharan Africa2, that's not all that great for the planet.
5. Razors - So this is one I've come across in the past day or so. They're called safety razors, cost around £25 and last for years. A quick google search will show you people rave about them, as a cheaper and more effective solution to disposable razors which can't be recycled (cry), whilst the blades used in safety razors can be recycled (yay)!
6. Drinking Straws - Everyone has seen the videos of turtles with straws stuck in their noses. Around 8.5 billion straws are thrown away in the UK each year, contributing to over 150 million tonnes of plastic in the seas3. There are even companies developing reusable plastic straws for on the go! Check out https://thelastplasticstraw.org/about-us/last-straw/
7. Water Bottle - linking to the stats in point 1, reusable water bottles could save so much plastic waste! All tap water in the UK is safe to drink4 so why pay £3 for some good old H2O?
8. Power Down - when you leave a room, turn the light off. If your house will be empty for a week or so, turn the wifi off. Boiling pasta, put a lid on it! It will still boil but use half the energy so just turn it down.
9. Let's talk about Tea - now I am a big fan of tea, so found it disappointing to hear that something I'd thought was biodegradable (teabags) contain plastic! Thankfully, Wendy at Moral Fibres has compiled a useful list of which to favour in the war on excess plastic http://moralfibres.co.uk/is-there-plastic-in-your-tea/.
10. Food Waste - this is a massive stress of mine, I HATE food waste. People think I'm crazy when I say I weigh pasta, but for the 10 seconds it takes to weigh it into the pan whilst the kettle the boiling really is nothing. Don't buy more food than you're going to have time to eat, and keep an eye on what you have. Meat is generally safest frozen or cooked right away. Dried carbs (pasta, rice, noodles) will often be fine way past their best before date so use your common sense before binning them. This will all save you money, and reduce the growing issue of food waste.
So there are my current favourites for subtle changes to make yourself greener. I'm hoping to test out the safety razor for myself, and maybe a bamboo toothbrush in my efforts to become more sustainable so will probably do a follow up post in a few months. Some of this may sound a bit mad but even by doing one of these you'll be making a massive difference!!
All the best!
Bea
References (cos I'm in report writing mode and don't want to make unsupported statements)
1https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/15/british-households-fail-to-recycle-a-staggering-16m-plastic-bottles-a-day
2http://www.freshplaza.com/article/156557/OVERVIEW-GLOBAL-AVOCADO-MARKET
3https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/straws-and-cotton-buds-could-be-banned-under-fresh-government-drive-to-cut-plastic-waste-a3817751.html
4https://www.water.org.uk/consumers/water-and-health/faqs
Thursday, 22 February 2018
15 Amusing things International Students find odd
So this term, as I've been becoming aware of more and more British things my international friends find weird. Now obviously some of these may be odd things I do, and it's likely more nationalities than I've mentioned think the things are strange, but you get the jist! Obviously plugs, which side of the road we drive on, binge drinking, North/South divide and queueing came up but that's nothing new!
1. Two Tap System (China, Poland, Spain, Cyprus, Italy, Germany)
2. We wait outside the room (at uni), whether it's for labs or a workshop, until the lecturer is there we'll remain outside. It just feels wrong after the years of school where it was a rule (Romania, Scotland)
3. How big the cucumbers are (Iraq, Cyprus).... and the size of the chickens (Poland)
4. This is a satsuma. (Lithuania, Germany, Cyprus)
5. Using multiple words for the same thing in one sentance. I'm very guilty of this in the case of America as my mum if from there. I can easily use USA, US, The States, America, United States all in one train of thought. (Spain/Germany)
(similar...)
6. Number of words we have to mean drunk (Hong Kong)
7. Ignoring each other in the street (Portugal)
8. How many accents we manage to have in such a small area (Spain)
9. Never seem to dress for the right weather (France)
10. The word "acknowledgements" (Lithuania)
11. Saying "maybe" or "We'll see" when we mean "no." (Germany, Hong Kong)
12. Using tea bags, not one of these! (Romania)
13. (my housemate was upset this came up) (Spain, Venezuela)
14. Our cuisine:
Chips and Gravy (Cyprus)
Love for Gravy (France)
Eating eggs without salt (Germany)
and my favourite... "the pride the British have on their cuisine (is) a bit ridiculous considered by that it is not very varied and without any indigenous ingredients" (India)
15. TV is very strange, I can sympathise...
1. Two Tap System (China, Poland, Spain, Cyprus, Italy, Germany)
2. We wait outside the room (at uni), whether it's for labs or a workshop, until the lecturer is there we'll remain outside. It just feels wrong after the years of school where it was a rule (Romania, Scotland)
3. How big the cucumbers are (Iraq, Cyprus).... and the size of the chickens (Poland)
4. This is a satsuma. (Lithuania, Germany, Cyprus)
(similar...)
6. Number of words we have to mean drunk (Hong Kong)
7. Ignoring each other in the street (Portugal)
8. How many accents we manage to have in such a small area (Spain)
9. Never seem to dress for the right weather (France)
10. The word "acknowledgements" (Lithuania)
11. Saying "maybe" or "We'll see" when we mean "no." (Germany, Hong Kong)
12. Using tea bags, not one of these! (Romania)
Chips and Gravy (Cyprus)
Love for Gravy (France)
Eating eggs without salt (Germany)
and my favourite... "the pride the British have on their cuisine (is) a bit ridiculous considered by that it is not very varied and without any indigenous ingredients" (India)
15. TV is very strange, I can sympathise...
Now what's going to be really interesting, is if everything goes to plan, I'll be an international student next year!! It'll be amusing to be in this situation from the other side!
Thursday, 24 August 2017
Dos and Don'ts: Uni Packing!
It's nearly term time, so I'm back!
Here's a quick list of things I'd say don't bother, and things I would say are (almost) essential!
ps. some stuff may be tailored to York as, ya know, I've only gone there, but I've also asked around among friends
DO
- DOORSTOP: Kitchens get warm (if you're lucky enough to not have a kitchen door alarm), and being able to wedge your door open makes halls feel a little less like a hotel
- DRYING RACK: I can guarantee that you will get sick of paying £2.50+ just to dry/damage your clothes, I got very lucky and had flatmates who were willing to lend me theirs
- POSTER/WALL HANGING: You're going to want to make it your own, posters are the fast way to do this. Many rooms have premade pinboards or poster rails so you won't damage the walls! Whiteboard pens are a good shout for kitchens with whiteboards
- SHOWER BASKET: If you're in a room where the bathroom gets cleaned every few weeks, moving stuff in and out is a hassle, plastic baskets are the super easy answer
- (MINI) SPEAKER/AUX CORD: Pres in the kitchen are far better with music
- PREPARE COSTUMES: Especially with York Freshers week where there are pre-arranged themes, several people said to get these in order, even think forward to halloween as it'll be around before you know it!
- BOOK BAG: Yes it sounds cheesy like we're back at primary school, but a bag you can fit a folder and notepad in for lectures is an essential. Oh and a water bottle, freshers flu is real and coughing through lectures is not cool.
- LAPTOP: Came up several times in peoples answers, by far the easiest way to do your work, far better than a desktop computer as it takes up less space, and can go with you everywhere (I have an ASUS ZenBook and would recommend it if you're looking atm, it's the size of A4 and weighs about 1kg so perfect for rucksacs)
- COUGH MEDICINE: freshers flu is real, please be prepared for the sake of everyone else in your lectures
DON'T
- PRINTER: Printing in the library costs very little, maybe 4p per page, and if you do certain feedback surveys, you can get free print credit. Connecting your devices to the university printers is usually explained on the IT Services page
- FUSILLI: So it's not something you'd take to uni, but when you do your first shop, don't go mad and buy the mega bag of fusilli, if you've seen Fresh Meat you'll understand (for those of you who haven't: you'll hate it and never finish it)
- EXCESS KITCHEN EQUIPMENT: It's likely you'll only ever use one mug, maybe 2 plates if you can't be bothered with washing up, and definitely no cake slices or place mats. Similarly with irons and toastie makers, it's likely you'll end up with several per flat, many of which will never be used. However, tupperware is v useful
- FANCY CLOTHING: Going out at uni is generally a pretty laid back affair, especially in York, heels are dangerous with cobbles
- BOOKS: Textbooks from 6th form are unlikely to be of any use, and a bit of light reading is something that you generally won't have time for. Unless you're an english student in which case it's not for relaxation. Recipe books as well, google holds all the answers for simple student food.
I hope you're all super excited to start your first term, and that this helps with any objects you're debating about taking.
All the best,
Bea x
Here's a quick list of things I'd say don't bother, and things I would say are (almost) essential!
ps. some stuff may be tailored to York as, ya know, I've only gone there, but I've also asked around among friends
DO
- DOORSTOP: Kitchens get warm (if you're lucky enough to not have a kitchen door alarm), and being able to wedge your door open makes halls feel a little less like a hotel
- DRYING RACK: I can guarantee that you will get sick of paying £2.50+ just to dry/damage your clothes, I got very lucky and had flatmates who were willing to lend me theirs
- POSTER/WALL HANGING: You're going to want to make it your own, posters are the fast way to do this. Many rooms have premade pinboards or poster rails so you won't damage the walls! Whiteboard pens are a good shout for kitchens with whiteboards
- SHOWER BASKET: If you're in a room where the bathroom gets cleaned every few weeks, moving stuff in and out is a hassle, plastic baskets are the super easy answer
- (MINI) SPEAKER/AUX CORD: Pres in the kitchen are far better with music
- PREPARE COSTUMES: Especially with York Freshers week where there are pre-arranged themes, several people said to get these in order, even think forward to halloween as it'll be around before you know it!
- BOOK BAG: Yes it sounds cheesy like we're back at primary school, but a bag you can fit a folder and notepad in for lectures is an essential. Oh and a water bottle, freshers flu is real and coughing through lectures is not cool.
- LAPTOP: Came up several times in peoples answers, by far the easiest way to do your work, far better than a desktop computer as it takes up less space, and can go with you everywhere (I have an ASUS ZenBook and would recommend it if you're looking atm, it's the size of A4 and weighs about 1kg so perfect for rucksacs)
- COUGH MEDICINE: freshers flu is real, please be prepared for the sake of everyone else in your lectures
DON'T
- PRINTER: Printing in the library costs very little, maybe 4p per page, and if you do certain feedback surveys, you can get free print credit. Connecting your devices to the university printers is usually explained on the IT Services page
- FUSILLI: So it's not something you'd take to uni, but when you do your first shop, don't go mad and buy the mega bag of fusilli, if you've seen Fresh Meat you'll understand (for those of you who haven't: you'll hate it and never finish it)
- EXCESS KITCHEN EQUIPMENT: It's likely you'll only ever use one mug, maybe 2 plates if you can't be bothered with washing up, and definitely no cake slices or place mats. Similarly with irons and toastie makers, it's likely you'll end up with several per flat, many of which will never be used. However, tupperware is v useful
- FANCY CLOTHING: Going out at uni is generally a pretty laid back affair, especially in York, heels are dangerous with cobbles
- BOOKS: Textbooks from 6th form are unlikely to be of any use, and a bit of light reading is something that you generally won't have time for. Unless you're an english student in which case it's not for relaxation. Recipe books as well, google holds all the answers for simple student food.
I hope you're all super excited to start your first term, and that this helps with any objects you're debating about taking.
All the best,
Bea x
Friday, 17 February 2017
Notifications
Bit of a jumble of thoughts today, but here goes...
It's a funny thing this technology age.
Part of me loves it, and part of me hates it. You see, there's something great about being able to go off the grid, but if you dare to do so, even for a few hours these days without telling someone, people seem to assume something is wrong. The stress that appears when a message is only showing as sent and not delivered, where could they be thats not on wifi, is their phone broken, are they okay?
Some people out there will try and convince you that wifi and the radio waves used are bad for your health. Personally, I find this hard to believe, but interpreted another way you could argue that it is. I don't think the waves are the harmful bit, I think it's the dependency. There's such a desire to be liked in society today, not in an emotional way, but in a click of a button way, this is what causes harm to people.
I went for a swim this afternoon, I was in the pool for no more than 45 minutes, 18 notifications waiting for me on my phone once I was back in the changing rooms. What's so beautiful about swimming is there is no wifi, no phone signal, no radios, no music. It's like putting yourself into airplane mode. It's just up and down, counting my strokes and my breathing, trying to line up the breaths with the markers on the pool floor, judging the distance for the turn. I guess it's a state of mindfulness. Focusing on nothing outside of that moment.
Last year when stress was coming from every angle possible, on my half days I'd drive out to the New Forest (Hampshire) and go for a walk. Often not planned but I always managed to find my way back to the car. Funily enough, there's no wifi there, or phone signal for that matter. Sometimes I'd take a camera, it's amazing how you find yourself looking so much more carefully at what's going on around you when you're holding a lens. Thinking critically about will that make a good photo. Not for Instagram, but just would it make a good photo.
A weird thing I've found myself doing since starting Uni is watching trash TV on my laptop everyday, often for several hours. Yesterday, even when I was hanging up my washing. What has this come to, can I not function without some narrative or noise going on at the same time, am I really that dependent on technology? I made a point of not taking headphones to walk to the gym, going to attempt to wean myself a little
I'm pretty sure I've gone about this in the most roundabout way possible but I guess I'm trying to say to take time out from technology. Whether it's setting up quiet hours on your phone (mine is 10pm-8am) so you can properly sleep, or just going to talk to a flat/house mate rather than messaging them (guilty of this). Find a place or activity where it's just you, no external thought or pokes or notifications or buzzes, whilst gadgets are popping up everywhere to do everything for us, it's important to take time off. You are an independent human being who doesn't need noise in your ear every hour of the day.
All the best,
Bea x
It's a funny thing this technology age.
Part of me loves it, and part of me hates it. You see, there's something great about being able to go off the grid, but if you dare to do so, even for a few hours these days without telling someone, people seem to assume something is wrong. The stress that appears when a message is only showing as sent and not delivered, where could they be thats not on wifi, is their phone broken, are they okay?
Some people out there will try and convince you that wifi and the radio waves used are bad for your health. Personally, I find this hard to believe, but interpreted another way you could argue that it is. I don't think the waves are the harmful bit, I think it's the dependency. There's such a desire to be liked in society today, not in an emotional way, but in a click of a button way, this is what causes harm to people.
I went for a swim this afternoon, I was in the pool for no more than 45 minutes, 18 notifications waiting for me on my phone once I was back in the changing rooms. What's so beautiful about swimming is there is no wifi, no phone signal, no radios, no music. It's like putting yourself into airplane mode. It's just up and down, counting my strokes and my breathing, trying to line up the breaths with the markers on the pool floor, judging the distance for the turn. I guess it's a state of mindfulness. Focusing on nothing outside of that moment.
Last year when stress was coming from every angle possible, on my half days I'd drive out to the New Forest (Hampshire) and go for a walk. Often not planned but I always managed to find my way back to the car. Funily enough, there's no wifi there, or phone signal for that matter. Sometimes I'd take a camera, it's amazing how you find yourself looking so much more carefully at what's going on around you when you're holding a lens. Thinking critically about will that make a good photo. Not for Instagram, but just would it make a good photo.
A weird thing I've found myself doing since starting Uni is watching trash TV on my laptop everyday, often for several hours. Yesterday, even when I was hanging up my washing. What has this come to, can I not function without some narrative or noise going on at the same time, am I really that dependent on technology? I made a point of not taking headphones to walk to the gym, going to attempt to wean myself a little
I'm pretty sure I've gone about this in the most roundabout way possible but I guess I'm trying to say to take time out from technology. Whether it's setting up quiet hours on your phone (mine is 10pm-8am) so you can properly sleep, or just going to talk to a flat/house mate rather than messaging them (guilty of this). Find a place or activity where it's just you, no external thought or pokes or notifications or buzzes, whilst gadgets are popping up everywhere to do everything for us, it's important to take time off. You are an independent human being who doesn't need noise in your ear every hour of the day.
All the best,
Bea x
Sunday, 5 February 2017
10 things every concert band member will know to be true
- Bandcest = relationships: Often contrasting sections, a very common one is upper woodwind and lower brass. Expect awkwardness 24/7 as there are always people breaking up and getting together
- One drink down, and if there’s music there’ll be over-expressive singing and harmonising. God forbid there be a guitar nearby, let alone bongos. Key change? Everyone loses their minds
- No rehearsal in the history of concert bands has ever started on time. It’s just one of those things that cannot physically happen
- That one kid who never shuts up and we must all bask in their amazingness
- The frustration that forms when you see an actor/actress/statue playing your instrument wrong
- Band kids freaking love biscuits
- It’s not considered even vaguely weird to listen to band pieces in your spare time, sometimes even while on the sesh
- Every band will have a different layout and note they tune to, just to screw with you
- Doesn’t everyone start Christmas in mid-November? Can’t forget sleigh ride! Let's not even start on busking...
- Stereotypes and clichés were not created out of thin air
Thursday, 24 November 2016
The Evolution of Popular and Cool
It's been a while I know, but this has been on my mind a lot lately; the difference between being popular and being cool.
Back in primary school, it was so small that they were rolled into one, it depended on whether you wore the right clothes, watched the right TV shows, and played the right sports. Of course having a school uniform took out the clothes factor a lot (as it did at secondary as well) which I am so grateful for (massive believer in school uniforms).
Then you get to secondary school, for me this was going from one class per year, to eleven so quite an increase. With 6 feeder primarys and people coming from elsewhere, the cool/popular groups combined. It was here I started to see the difference between popular and cool. You were able to be widely liked and known without having to be cool. The majority of people knew each other so the cool groups stayed pretty steady from primary to secondary.
6th form. 2000 people per year (no that's not a typo). With so many people coming from around the country and around the world, many of these groups were thrown up in the air. It was too big for there to be a cool group. It was very refreshing. Your "social standing" if you must call it that was determined by which seating area/canteen/cafe you went to at lunch time. There was no uniform but unlike all of the non-school-uniform days in primary and secondary, there was far less competing to wear the right clothes, and dress the right way. In a way, it was a bit like St Trinians with everyone finding a group of people similar to themselves, you had the hippies, goths, varleys, rugby lads, and us average joes.
And then you get to University, for the majority of people, they have come without their friend group from school. Being cool is pretty much irrelevant. It's all about knowing more people, and that comes under popularity. Joining random clubs and societies and putting yourself out there is the only way to do it, dressing in the right clothes and treating people in a way that makes you feel "cool" is going to get you no where. You need connections these days if you ever want to find a job, and Uni is such a great opportunity to do this.
I think in general, it comes down to this; Cool is dressing the right way, acting the right way (often frankly cruel), and keeping to a small group of people. Popular is being widely known, and generally well liked for who you are. I feel like you could write a whole psychology paper on this but I have enough work of my own I should be doing!
Popular or Cool, you decide; I definitely know which one I'm aiming to be
All the best,
Bea x
Back in primary school, it was so small that they were rolled into one, it depended on whether you wore the right clothes, watched the right TV shows, and played the right sports. Of course having a school uniform took out the clothes factor a lot (as it did at secondary as well) which I am so grateful for (massive believer in school uniforms).
Then you get to secondary school, for me this was going from one class per year, to eleven so quite an increase. With 6 feeder primarys and people coming from elsewhere, the cool/popular groups combined. It was here I started to see the difference between popular and cool. You were able to be widely liked and known without having to be cool. The majority of people knew each other so the cool groups stayed pretty steady from primary to secondary.
6th form. 2000 people per year (no that's not a typo). With so many people coming from around the country and around the world, many of these groups were thrown up in the air. It was too big for there to be a cool group. It was very refreshing. Your "social standing" if you must call it that was determined by which seating area/canteen/cafe you went to at lunch time. There was no uniform but unlike all of the non-school-uniform days in primary and secondary, there was far less competing to wear the right clothes, and dress the right way. In a way, it was a bit like St Trinians with everyone finding a group of people similar to themselves, you had the hippies, goths, varleys, rugby lads, and us average joes.
And then you get to University, for the majority of people, they have come without their friend group from school. Being cool is pretty much irrelevant. It's all about knowing more people, and that comes under popularity. Joining random clubs and societies and putting yourself out there is the only way to do it, dressing in the right clothes and treating people in a way that makes you feel "cool" is going to get you no where. You need connections these days if you ever want to find a job, and Uni is such a great opportunity to do this.
I think in general, it comes down to this; Cool is dressing the right way, acting the right way (often frankly cruel), and keeping to a small group of people. Popular is being widely known, and generally well liked for who you are. I feel like you could write a whole psychology paper on this but I have enough work of my own I should be doing!
Popular or Cool, you decide; I definitely know which one I'm aiming to be
All the best,
Bea x
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