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What have the Editors in Chief been thinking about this week? As we both enter 4th year, myself and Molly have been talking a lot about our time at uni (get ready for some self-reflection!) We’ve mostly been thinking about how much we’ve changed over these 4 years. As the cliché goes, university is meant to be the best years of your life. But as we’ve experienced those years it’s become clear that whilst we have had some amazing moments and made memories, uni can be bloody difficult as well. Isla: Whether on a coffee shop study date with a friend or crying over your essay draft that’s 200 words over the limit, it will come as a surprise to no one that uni can be a tricky place to navigate. From flatmate drama to nightmare lecturers it’s clear that university has a million different ups and downs, it’s almost a cliché. It’s hard to believe as you’re experiencing them, and yet the late night library and passive aggressive post-it notes for your flatmates are so formative that if you confronted your first year self on graduation day, both of you would be shocked! Anyone who knows me would say that I’ve always been relatively independent, opinionated, and loud. However, moving to a city and knowing nobody at all was certainly an eye-opening experience, particularly as a student. Coming from a rural area, parties were not too common as everyone was fairly spread out, but clubbing or simply drinking at the pub after class appears to be the norm here. My first experience clubbing was certainly an eye opener, and to be totally honest here, I left after about 5 minutes. Thank god my first year accommodation wasn’t far away, so the walk back only took about 5 minutes as well. So much for my first night out as a student - it only lasted 10 minutes! Although that does lead me nicely onto my delighted surprise that I could do a grocery shop in about 10-15 minutes, or simply being able to walk to the shops. Entering into my first year of academic work, I would say my first year was okay. Nothing special in terms of grades or altering to a new structure or style of learning, but I do often reminisce about that first assignment I did which I’d completed 2 weeks before the deadline. Now that would be virtually impossible to imagine, so I’m not sure where my triumph as an academic weapon went! Although it seems that the nightmare lecturers were held in reserve for my second year, so at least I wasn’t traumatised upon arrival. The friendship side of things isn’t exactly a walk in the park either. For me, first year was mostly taken up with forming friendships - there wasn’t so much on the drama side of things until second or third year. Yet even without extensive drama, constant arguments or taking sides it can be a difficult scene to navigate. I was definitely amongst those who thought that your friendship group would be forming during Freshers Week, and although I did meet a few people I would go on to be friends with post-Freshers, looking back most of the friendships that have stuck were those I met later on, whether through classes later on in the year (I’m looking at you Molly) as well as many from second and third year. Then again, some of those friendships haven’t lasted either. You make and break friendships at every point along the road, but ultimately the ones that matter are the ones that stick around. Not the ones that drain more of your energy than your 5000-word research project. If I could say one thing to myself 4 years ago it would be that uni will not solve all of your problems. In fact the next few years contain some of the more tough experiences in your life so far. Some things may even get worse. Of course I wouldn’t say I was naïve going into student life, but it’s simply not something you think about when you’re deciding which kitchen cupboard you want to claim on that first day at your accommodation. You will have some difficult experiences to go through, but you will become stronger, wise, bolder, and all the better for it. And who knows, you may have some funny anecdotes to tell in 5 years time. You don’t have to be anything special to muddle through. Although I would say that the movies lie to you, and not everything needs to be a drama filled rom-com moment followed by a sudden rain-induced epiphany. Focus on getting through each barrier as it comes and learn to figure out what truly makes you happy. Molly: Coming from a relatively small high school in Toronto, Canada to university in Edinburgh, Scotland was a huge jump! There were so many culture shocks that came with that transition, and from my perspective as an international student, everything you experience in your first year is ever-so-slightly more challenging to navigate. Of course it’s an immense privilege to be here, and there are more positives than negatives, but first year for me certainly had its ups and downs.  Now in fourth year, I feel truly settled in this wonderful city and at the uni. I finally know my way around without needing to pull out google maps every five seconds. I have favourite cafes (Edinburgh Coffee Lounge!) and bookstores (Toppings!), can recommend great spots in the city (the west side of princes street gardens, such a nice walk), and know the fastest shortcuts to campus from my flat. I feel much more at ease and comfortable here, a far cry from my constantly-anxious first-year self.  More than learning how to live independently, manage my time wisely, and balance uni life with a social life, I’ve come to realize that over these four years I’ve gained so many life lessons; an education that you can’t find inside the walls of a classroom. In fourth year, I’m much more sure of myself and I’ve improved my self-confidence by a long shot. Self-development is a constant cycle, but I think it’s hard not to get caught up in thinking “what can I improve next?” that it’s easy to overlook how far you’ve already come.  To help with that, something I started in my first year of uni was sending emails to myself one year in the future. It’s through a website called Future Me. This is possibly the best journal exercise I've ever done and I’d recommend it to anyone. It’s the closest you can get to having a conversation with your previous self. I somehow always manage to forget when the email from the past year is due to come in and so it’s always a nice surprise. It’s a great way to check-in, to see what is different now and what is still the same. It can help to see what was on your mind then, and how far you’ve come since then. In my fourth year I’m really trying to savor everything. It being my last year here, everything feels so final a lot of the time. So, I’m really trying to appreciate everything for what it is, make the most of spending time with friends, explore new parts of Edinburgh I haven’t yet, and try new experiences. As it goes, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” (Thank you Ferris Bueller!)  Thanks for sticking around while we rambled away once again. Isla and I really hope you’ve enjoyed this installment and we’ll see you again next week, same time, same place. This week, our challenge to you is to reflect on where you were a year ago; physically, mentally, and academically. Do one thing that will make your next year self proud. Whether that’s learning a language, striking up a conversation, joining a new society, starting (or catching up on) your GoodReads reading goal. It can even be as simple as doing something you from one year ago would not have had the confidence to do. Whatever direction our weekly challenge takes you, we sincerely hope it’s a good one. Have a lovely week!

It Ends With Us , at its core, is not a romance novel; it’s a story about choosing to make different choices than those of the past to set oneself free from violence. Illustration by Kate Granholm (IG: @Katesartthings) CONTENT WARNING: This article will include discussions of representations of domestic abuse, and will contain spoilers for the book and movie. It isn’t difficult to come across the book It Ends With Us  by Colleen Hoover when you’re in a similar demographic to myself: who identifies as a woman, is between the ages of 15 and 35, and spends time reading and on social media. It was only a matter of time before the algorithm caught up to me and the book began appearing on my recommended content along with other #BookTok novels; so, like many others, out of curiosity, I read the book. It Ends With Us  has recently been a hot topic online as people discuss how the movie adaptation, directed by Justin Baldoni who also stars alongside Blake Lively, has been promoted. Actress and producer Lively chose to encourage all the girls to ‘ grab your friends and wear your florals ’ and go check out the film (along with her new hair care brand and husband Ryan Reynolds’ new film), while Baldoni opted to stick with a more careful and serious marketing narrative, shedding light on domestic abuse and expressing his hopes for the film: “I just thought if [the book] could affect me in this way, then I can only imagine what it could do for women and people who are in this situation all over the world. ‘Cause all of us have a situation or a pattern that we need to end the pattern of.” ( CBS News ) The core of the debate on who was more appropriately promoting the film goes beyond whether there was any drama between the producer and director; it instead begs the question, is It Ends With Us  even a romance? As I read every plot twist and page, I became increasingly confused as to why the novel was so insistently advertised as one of the best recent romances which revitalized the genre through #BookTok. It Ends With Us  can certainly feel  like a romance at times, but at the end of the day, Hoover wrote a contemporary story on domestic abuse; advertising it as a romance simply allowed her to gain a wider audience for a book she (or her publishers) knew may not do as well had it been promoted as a novel on domestic abuse. For a quick summary, the book focuses on Lily Bloom, who accidentally meets surgeon Ryle on a rooftop one night. As Lily comes to terms with her abusive father’s death and her mother’s inaction during the years of violence, she begins a relationship with the tall, charming, bad boy-esque, Ryle, who always seems to be in his medical scrubs no matter the setting. Everything seems to be going well until Ryle unveils a side of him Lily hadn’t noticed prior, beginning a pattern of physical abuse. Lily also runs into her first love from her high school years, Atlas, who instantly recognizes the signs of violence as a victim himself in earlier years. As Lily struggles between Ryle’s changing temperament and the feelings for Atlas she thought she had forgotten, everything falls apart when Lily realizes she is pregnant with her abuser’s child, leaving her in a position she never imagined would find herself in. (There's also a very minor side plot where Lily Bloom, in her younger years, would open her diary entries with ‘Dear Ellen’ (as in Ellen Degeneres) because she thought ‘Dear diary’ was too embarrassing, and she is also obsessed with Dory from Finding Nemo (voiced by Ellen Degeneres.) It Ends With Us , at its core, is not a romance novel; it’s a story about choosing to make different choices than those of the past to set oneself free from violence. It’s a story about how Lily Bloom, without realizing it, ended up in the same position as her mother whom she had so much resentment towards for never leaving her father, in a relationship with a figure so similar to the man she hated so much during her childhood. I am no certified expert on the romance genre, but experts have agreed upon two guidelines  which narrow down the qualities of a romance novel; first, a love story should be the main plot, where characters fall in love and struggle to make their relationship work; the second, an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending. Of course, Lily’s relationship with Ryle is at the center of the novel, but it also exists in parallel to the relationship Lily had with her father and what she witnessed in her parents’ relationship. Lily and Ryle’s relationship is used as a tool to point the reader towards how, despite witnessing violence at home throughout her life, Lily was unable to pick up on the red flags in Ryle. She fell in love with him before realizing what was unfolding in front of her, and that isn’t her fault. The central plotline is Ryle’s abuse of Lily, not Lily and Ryle’s romance. The moments readers are underlining as ‘oh so romantic’ when Ryle is charming, intelligent, and kind, are supposed to highlight how abusers can easily hide in plain sight and manipulate their image. Ryle’s character exists side by side with the character of Lily’s late abusive father, as the main character herself repeatedly notes how her father had managed to fool their whole community. Love stories can exist as a sub-plot or device by writers and creators in any genre, from horror and sci-fi to social commentaries, crime, or adventure, and that’s what Hoover attempted to do in It Ends With Us . The success of what she initially sought out to craft however, is evidently mixed considering how her main audience now hails the novel as one of the greatest romances released in recent years. Regarding the second guideline, It Ends With Us closes with Lily’s character choosing to end her relationship with Ryle and instead co-parent with him, reciting the title of the book to her newborn daughter. The domestic violence does not end with Lily and Ryle; it ends with Lily and daughter, concluding on a note that is hopeful, yet bittersweet, as the reader can understand that Lily’s journey hasn’t been an easy one, and that her final decision is also a risk, as she chooses to keep Ryle in her life. So, why does it matter if Colleen Hoover decided to slap the sticker ‘romance’ on to her novel? Beyond the fact that it greatly minimizes domestic abuse and that it is not at all a romantic experience, It Ends With Us  also utilizes to its advantage the very things used to discredit and dismiss the romance genre. The reason why many readers confuse the blurred lines between romance and manipulation by an abuser may be due to Hoover’s writing and style. While it is a page turner that keeps audiences entertained with its rapid plot and twists, the lack of subtlety and nuance within the novel causes there to be a gap between Hoover’s writing and a carefully crafted illustration of how abusers manage to blend in all while being violent at home. Hoover’s writing habits and style are much closer to the ones of the typical contemporary romance #BookTok stories (see Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis,  Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation ) rather than authors such as Coco Mellors who have explored the themes of abuse as well, but in a more carefully built manner which allows there to be veritable layers and complexity in her characters. Hoover tends to have very straightforward, fast-paced, direct storytelling, and while this isn’t a bad thing, it does not necessarily complement the story she was trying to tell.  Whether it was Hoover herself or her publishers, someone picked up on this disparity: unfortunately, It Ends With Us  does not have characters and relationships which are explored with enough depth for us to have an intricate account of domestic violence. The writing style would most likely also never allow the book to be accepted as ‘serious’, leading to the decision to paint this story as a romance with a blurb on the back cover promising a story about an intense love triangle between Lily, Ryle, and Atlas. It also allowed access to a wider audience, as more people may be willing to reading a romance rather than a story on domestic abuse, and opened the door for #BookTok to pick it up, as the novels gaining the most momentum on TikTok are easy-to-read romances. So, was Blake Lively simply marketing a book adaptation in the same way as its source material, a cute contemporary story with fun promotion allowing Lively to sell her other products? Justin Baldoni attempted to put a more serious spin on the conversation by focusing on survivors of domestic abuse, yet his attempts were drowned out by speculation over disagreements between him and Lively. At the end of the day, no one was engaging in conversations about domestic violence when it came to any discussion of It Ends With Us , perhaps highlighting a deeper issue concerning what catches our attention or goes viral on social media. The novel, if remembered in a few decades, will most likely not remind most of us of the reality of domestic violence, and instead of a simple celebrity tabloid spat from the past.

What have the Editors in Chief been thinking about this week? Well, hello again! Thanks for joining us this week. Recently, myself and Molly have been hurling podcast suggestions at each other so we thought to take you all along for the ride and give you a run-down of what we’re listening to at the moment. What better way to beat the autumn blues than to dive into a new podcast! We’ve ended up with a variety of suggestions, so surely there will be something for you in the list below. We’d love to hear what recommendations our dearest gentle readers have (yes, I have watched Bridgerton recently). So, please send us a message on Instagram, and we’ll give it a listen whilst procrastinating our deadlines. Isla’s Picks: I’ve only started listening to podcasts over the summer, following several suggestions from friends, so welcome to my podcast era. I’ve come to enjoy a podcast when I’m cooking or doing some of those boring everyday chores like cleaning or grocery shopping. It makes me feel much more productive if I can tick off another episode of something whilst I’m making dinner or sorting out my laundry. As an avid reader, I often find it hard to carry on reading whilst at uni due to all of the articles and chapters I have to read for my History course. I always love to add another book to my Goodreads reading goal of the year, so listening to the odd episode of a podcast here or there makes me feel like I’m achieving something (especially as I am very far from up-to-date on podcast episodes!) Here are my top picks at the moment: More Better with Stephanie and Melissa For the Brooklyn 99  fans out there, this podcast is a must! Melissa Fumero and Stephanie Beatriz (or Amy Santigao and Rosa Diaz) share their personal experiences as they muddle through life just like everyone else in More Better . Their hilarious anecdotes mixed with moments of vulnerability and honesty make a perfect combination which makes you feel less alone and reassured that everyone else out there has similar experiences, whether they’re a celebrity or a student. Throughout the episodes, Melissa and Stephanie cover a different topic every week, from embracing your heritage, figuring out sex and relationships, understanding wine pairings, or trying to remember to floss. I find the podcast to be very relatable as both Stephanie and Melissa have experienced different ups and downs throughout their lives, both personally and professionally. The two self-proclaimed ‘amigas’ share embarrassing stories, regrets or successes they’ve experienced, such as finding time for self care whilst at the hairdressers or regretting not standing up for themselves in a previous relationship or job. Each episode is filled with fun and laughter no matter the topic, even after just one episode I always have something to think about in my own life, making me reflect on certain things. The episodes can be calming, thought-provoking, high-energy or reflective but regardless, I know that I will always feel more better. Listen to their latest episode, “Eh Whatever, I’ll Do It Later: Motivation” here .  Murder They Wrote Brought to you by the new true crime power couple Laura Whitmore and Iain Stirling, Murder They Wrote  takes listeners on a journey through a selection of cases from murder to extortion, robbery to kidnapping alongside some wacky confectionary heists. This dynamic duo have certainly hacked the true crime genre. Whether you watched Iain (with two Is) and Hacker the Dog  as a kid or had an unhealthy obsession with Love Island , this podcast brings out the best from both Laura and Iain, whether it’s Laura’s love of a backstory or Iain’s accents and impressions. A few weekly highlights include messages from the show’s fans or ‘living legends’ especially the demand for pictures of listeners’ dogs and the personal anecdotes shared (particularly Iain’s embarrassing stories about his parents), which make the show a true joy to listen to. The couple have a unique take on choosing their cases each week, with a mixture of cases involving darker themes and crimes with shocking stupidity or stunning smarts. Their cases span from the 19th-century to the 21st-century so there’s a bit of something for everyone alongside a plethora of dramatic pauses. So, if you want to add a bit of humour to your regular true crime playlist, you should definitely give this one a try. You can listen to their first episode, A Deadly Honeymoon, here . Betwixt the Sheets Of course the history student in me had to put a history podcast on the list. Betwixt the Sheets  talks about all things scandalous throughout history, from episodes on the femme fatale, corsets, misogyny in medicine, and the history of the bra. Be warned, there are SO MANY episodes and you will get hooked very easily, so get ready for a lifelong commitment! Brought to you by renowned sex historian Kate Lister and History Hit, featuring guest experts during each episode to dive into the fascinating history of sex, scandal and society. Lister’s brilliant skill of cultivating a light-hearted and relaxed conversation with their guests whilst maintaining a certain sensitivity when dealing with the less cheerful elements of history. If you hadn’t already guessed, the topics can be quite scandalous (evidenced by the next episode for me being about the history of BDSM), so maybe listen with headphones unless you want some weird looks from strangers. Exploring a wide range of topics and time periods, Lister has somehow managed to get me interested in medieval history - for those who know me, this is quite a glowing endorsement! Betwixt the Sheets  will certainly expand your knowledge whether you’re a history student or simply a history fanatic, and should give you some interesting fun facts to share (although maybe not ones suitable for a dinner party!) Listen to their episode, BDSM, here .  Molly’s picks:  When I’m not listening to music first thing in the morning, I’ll usually put a motivational podcast on to ensure I’m feeling ready for the day. I typically like podcasts that fall into the self-help/educational categories or ones that have more of a conversational tone. I find these kinds of podcasts help me feel inspired before I get on with my day. Particularly as we enter the late autumn/winter season, and with it the onset of the seasonal blues, that extra spark of early morning motivation is an absolute must. I’d love to share with you a few of my favourites: Get Up and Glow  with Madison Haynes With episodes dedicated to being your best self, organizing your day, feeling more put together, and all together “levelling up” into a new era of life, Madison’s podcast is the perfect antidote to feeling overwhelmed in your early twenties. On the podcast, Madison hosts an “It Girl” series with episodes featuring characters from television and movies such as Gossip Girl’s  Blair Waldorf and Legally Blonde’s  Elle Woods. Each episode provides “glow up tips” recommending life-style swaps, organizational apps for your phone, and ways to get out of a slump. In each episode of Get Up and Glow  you can expect multiple “action steps” which are tips to improve your life in small, manageable ways. With her upbeat narration, Madison’s podcast is a great one to listen to while getting ready for the day. If you like self-help content or are looking for ways to elevate your day-to-day life, I highly recommend giving this podcast a listen. You can check out the most recent episode of Get Up and Glow:  “It Girl Winter Arc Guide” here .  I’m On Your Side  with Sierra Brittany Boudreaux Sierra Boudreaux hosts I’m On Your Side , a podcast which feels like receiving advice from a wise older sister. Sierra’s philosophy is: “Mindful living doesn’t need to be a mystery,” and with each episode she provides a personal life story in order to communicate advice relating to mental health, self-confidence, and navigating major life changes. From episodes such as “The Art of the Pivot” and “Listen Before You Impulse Shop”, Sierra’s podcast has something for everyone. While also a great podcast for early mornings, I personally find it’s best to listen to as you wind down for the evening. Maybe while doing your evening skincare routine or some evening chores. If you’re looking for some reassuring advice and need a calm voice amidst the chaos of the midterm season, I highly recommend listening to I’m On Your Side . You can check out her episode, “The S(tress) Word” here .  Gilmore to Say: A Gilmore Girls Podcast  Would a Molly podcast recommendation list be complete if I didn’t mention Gilmore to Say ? While this will really only be applicable if you’re a fan of the show, Gilmore Girls , as we’re still in the autumnal season, what a great time to start watching one of the quintessential fall shows. As a result, you’ll then be able to tune-in to the amazing podcast, Gilmore to Say ! In this podcast, the hosts Tara Llewellyn and Hayley McIntosh, deep dive into each episode, explore fan theories, and share their favourite moments from each season. Haley and Tara’s conversational approach allows you as the listener to feel like you’re with friends talking about a show you love. If you’re wanting to explore plot holes in Gilmore Girls, debate Jess vs Logan, or learn more about the show’s creation, this is definitely the podcast for you. Check out their episode, “Logan is the new and improved Lorelai” here .  Thanks again for tuning into another EIC Spotlight. Isla and I hope you’ve enjoyed our recommendations. Our challenge to you this week (other than checking out a new podcast) is to beat the midterm stress and do one thing especially for yourself today. Whether that’s getting your favourite snack (chocolate or other) during a study break, ordering in dinner for the night, or taking an afternoon break from the library to explore a part of Edinburgh you haven’t yet, we hope you have a lovely week. See you again next time!

“I have just as much of a right to be here as everyone else.” The imposter syndrome that many of us Scottish students feel at a University that has come to be synonymous with everything but Scottish students. Illustration by Lydia Kempton @lydiak_arts The Edinburgh Tab has come under fire recently for several comments – to which they define as merely “jokes” - echoing the long-standing classism and marginalization of Scottish students present at Edinburgh University. The Edinburgh Tab’s efforts at seeming lighthearted and relatable are for a target audience that excludes a massive proportion of the student population. Amongst the articles they publish many set out to humiliate or patronise, with titles like “From Londoners to Pollockers, these are the 10 most annoying people you'll meet at Edinburgh Uni”, it is apparent that singling out certain demographics of students is something The Tab thrives off of. Scottish students studying at Edinburgh are not excluded from the Tab’s attempts at humiliation, as several comments made by the Tab on TikTok have left Scottish students feeling alienated at a University in their own country. As a Scottish student, born and raised in Edinburgh, the controversy surrounding The Tab in recent weeks has only echoed the feelings I have come to possess in my time studying at Edinburgh University. As such I feel that sharing my opinions on the controversy may bring light to the imposter syndrome that many of us Scottish students feel at a University that has come to be synonymous with everything but Scottish students. It is a known fact that the population of Scottish students at Edinburgh is low; free tuition provided by SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland) means little profit for the University when compared to English or international students. Education is a luxury, and while we are lucky enough to be given access to free primary and secondary schooling, capitalism has ensured that higher education comes with a price. If it wasn’t for SAAS, university would not have been possible for me. I come from a very working-class background and the high fees that go alongside studying at universities across the world meant I had to get into a Scottish university to be able to pursue my aim of higher education. The added costs of moving away from home and the absence of any financial help from my family, meant that for me Edinburgh was the only feasible shot I had at getting a degree. On my own merit and academic success, I was lucky enough to be accepted and I am now in my final year of a history degree. Throughout my time at university I have held down a full-time job, working upwards of 45 hours a week alongside studying. University for me is not just 4 years of fun and living in a new city, it is something I work incredibly hard to be able to do. I chose to study whilst having to contribute to and support my family. I am not a ‘trust fund baby’ and I wasn’t privately educated, but I have just as much of a right to be here as everyone else.  I know my situation is not unique, there will be countless students in the same position who feel alienated in a space where we are not the norm. These feelings are not merely a product of insecurity and imagination by Scottish students, they come from comments made about our accents, our education, our financial situations. Countless times throughout my four years I have been met with shock at the fact I work or simply when I open my mouth to speak in a lecture. For being in my own country, the number of students who are stunned to find out that I am Scottish baffles me. The Tab has recently consolidated the feelings that I and many others hold via a response they made to a TikTok comment. The Tab’s reply to the comment “Not a Scot in sight” was “as god intended”. Whether or not this was intended as a harmless joke it certainly hit home. It heightened that feeling of not belonging and made it seem as though being Scottish is a negative thing at this university. I still can’t fathom where this perception comes from, why is being Scottish marked with some degree of judgement? What confuses me even more is the apparent hate towards Scottish people despite the perks given to English and international students living in Edinburgh. They are entitled to free bus travel thanks to the Scottish government, receive free sanitary products in all university buildings, and enjoy the “aesthetic” of living in Edinburgh. They chose to study and live here, they make use of the free benefits Scotland provides, yet still Scottish students are treated with a degree of hostility. From my personal viewpoint, this hostility stems from classism. Scottish students often don’t fit into the narrative many English students like to create surrounding being an ‘Edinburgh Uni student’. The stereotype that the Tab itself highlights, of posh students with “daddy's money” often cosplaying as the working class. Wherever this generalisation came from it is not relatable, it is not a unifying feature of the student population, and it singles out students who do not fit within its definitions. Beyond this imagined construct of the typical ‘Edinburgh Uni student’ there is a trend in labelling Edinburgh Uni students as annoying. The Tab itself often self-criticises, with one writer from the tab stating: “As an Edinburgh Uni student, I think I can safely say, we are insufferable”. This self-deprecating narrative is boring and not relatable. You may view yourself as insufferable and you may be right when you join in the alienation of Scottish students, but I myself am not. Neither are the hundreds of other students who have worked hard to get their spot at this University. Every student at Edinburgh belongs at this university. They deserve to be able to appreciate Edinburgh as a city and what it offers, and Scottish students deserve to feel welcome in a place they call home. No one individual's life is the same, we all faced different obstacles to get here and experience ongoing challenges throughout our student lives. Rather than presenting the university as this upper-class English clique, creating content based on imagined stereotypes and excluding or looking down on Scottish students, The Tab should focus on celebrating the diversity that can be found at the University of Edinburgh, but to do so it is clear they have to drop their immature approach to content making and face a reality check. Slagging off “poshos” or Scottish students is not a resourceful use of your time and it just makes The Tab out of touch and unrelatable. With such a large platform there is a lot more good you can do like focusing on real issues rather than the presence of Scottish people in Scotland.

This conveniently located exhibition places you right in the heart of Edinburgh if you so wish to venture off Campus and further into the historic city. Image: Ulster Museum Enjoy going to museums and art galleries? Is the looming presence of midterms getting you down? Wanting to escape cloudy Edinburgh? Well look no further, the National Gallery of Scotland’s exhibition ‘An Irish Impressionist, Lavery on Location’ can send your study blues away, transporting you to the vibrant world of impressionism.   During Freshers Week, my friends and I visited ‘Lavery on Location,’ having thoroughly enjoyed previous National Gallery exhibitions such as their celebration of the ground-breaking artist Grayson Perry. In a similar fashion, the Royal Scottish Academy sought to stage an exhibition celebrating the works of Lavery, mapping out his extensive travels.   Sir John Lavery was an Irish painter born in 1856, during a time of increased immigration and imperial expansion. From a young age, Lavery was eager to see the world and travel, emulated through his decision to study in Glasgow, London, and Paris. According to the National Gallery, Lavery is often referred to as the ‘ Belfast-born Glasgow Boy .’ This nickname reflects Lavery’s affinity with the Glasgow Boys. The Glasgow Boys were a group of male artists active at the end of the 19th century, who focussed on depicting aspects of everyday life. Some of the big names you may recognise from the art world include James Guthrie, James McNeill Whistler and Jules Bastien-Lepage . Many of the Glasgow Boys enjoyed painting outdoors, and felt a strong connection to naturalism, painting the real world. This association gradually became a core part of Lavery’s identity and to learn more about the Glasgow Boys and Lavery in particular, I would highly recommend visiting the exhibition. The exhibition itself is located on the mound and is conveniently opposite Princes Street, in case you fancy some light retail therapy. The Royal Scottish Academy is also connected to the National Gallery of Scotland which is free entry for all. So, if after visiting the exhibition your thirst for art and culture has not yet been satisfied, you can always visit the Academy which houses extensive collections of Scottish Art, Impressionism, and works from the Renaissance. This conveniently located exhibition places you right in the heart of Edinburgh if you so wish to venture off Campus and further into the historic city.   As you enter the exhibition, there is an introductory video introducing Lavery and explaining his life. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I find myself (rather impatiently) wanting to skip these videos and head straight into the exhibition. However in this case the introductory video provides important context about Lavery’s life from the perspective of curators such as the Senior Curator for the National Galleries of Scotland Frances Fowle, who is also a History of Art Professor at the University of Edinburgh. The exhibition itself is well curated and spread out across seven different rooms, each focussing on either a specific time period or a theme of his life. One detail that captured my curiosity was how the colour of each room reflects the tone of the paintings on display. Lavery’s rich and vibrant paintings of North Africa are flattered by a deep burgundy red background hue. In contrast, Lavery’s earlier works of the French countryside which mirror the naturalism of the Glasgow Boys, are extenuated by a deep forest green.   We are immediately whisked away to the many interesting and faraway places Lavery visited, such as Morocco, the South of France and Florida. With each room comes a new adventure, whether that is perched by a river in Grez watching the boats go by ( The Bridge at Grez, 1990), or standing marvelling at the twinkling evening lights in Tangier ( Evening at Tangier, 1935.) A personal favourite of mine is The Blue Bay, Mr Churchill at the Riviera , 1921, where we are met with a cliff face scattered with trees arching over the shimmering dappled light of the Mediterranean Sea.  John Lavery, The Blue Bay, Mr Churchill at the Riviera, 1921. (Image Credit: Flora Gilchrist) As well as creating striking landscapes, Lavery was appointed an official artist in light of the First World War. This title meant Lavery was commissioned to paint the horrors and triumphs of the weary war days. Lavery took this challenge in his stride, adapting the events to fit his own dream-like impressionist style. Daylight Raid from my Studio Window, July 1917, captures the moment German fighter planes circle over North London. Instead of depicting the harsh and unforgiving reality of the raids, Lavery stages the scene from inside a lavish townhouse full of rich red carpets and long blue curtains. The planes seem far away and a distant fantasy. Perhaps Lavery’s quote ‘I felt nothing of the stark reality [of war]… I saw only new beauties of colour and design,’ aids our understanding of this majestic work. Lavery wished to offer a wistful escape from the severe realities of war. John Lavery,  Daylight Raid from my Studio Window, July 1917. (Image Credit: Flora Gilchrist)   The final room returns us to sombre Edinburgh, with Lavery’s Princes Street Edinburgh  and View of Edinburgh from the Castle  setting the clouded mood as I wander out of the museum filled with wanderlust and a love for Lavery’s colourful souvenirs of pastures near and wide.

What have the Editors in Chief been thinking about this week? Hello there! Thank you for joining us, we’re your Co-Editors in Chief for the year, Molly and Isla, both History students in 4th year (is it just me or does it feel so weird to say that we’re in our 4th year of uni?) We have been friends since we met during our Early Modern European History seminar in Year 1, and the rest is…history! Over these 4 years of friendship, it’s not been unusual for us to dive into a weird or concerningly profound conversation whilst pretending to read sources for a class, so we thought that as your Co-Editors in Chief this year, we’d bring you along for the ride. As the first of our EIC Spotlights, we will be sharing something that we’ve been talking about this week in the hopes that our weird and wonderful conversations (and the high possibility of several Brooklyn 99 references) might bring you a little spark of joy or simply something thought-provoking for you to ponder during a dull lecture or whilst waiting for the kettle to boil. This week we’ve been thinking about finals: Isla: Not exams of course, but the last moments, memories or events that we’ll be experiencing now we’re both in our final year as undergrads at university. To be completely honest, this is something Molly brought up in conversation, but it got me thinking about it as well. Admittedly I was mostly thinking about the cute pictures I took for the sake of a ‘last first day of Uni’ Instagram post, but Molly does have a point. Amidst all the stress of midterms, deadlines and dissertations, we are going to be having a lot of final moments this year to cap off our time at University before we have to stop living in ignorance to enter the big scary world of work. Whether the final procrastination brunch, the final Costa study date, or the final board games night, outside of weekly seminars and academic essays, it’s important to make time for the small things and embrace the art of living in the moment. It all feels so bittersweet to be truly appreciating and prioritising this time when in a few months you may have to say goodbye to your closest friends. It’s tough to have to focus on these important memories you desperately need and will treasure in 10 years time when you’re so focused on your dissertation and all of those bloody deadlines! Molly: For me, this year also represents not just the end of my university chapter, but also the end of my time living here in the UK. After graduation I plan on returning home to Canada. This is so bittersweet for me, as there is so much to look forward to back home and so many things I have missed (notably Tim Hortons Iced Capps…I mean family and friends!) However, leaving Edinburgh is going to be one of the hardest things to do. I have made so many memories in this amazing city and leaving for home without plans to return in the fall (like I have for the past few years) is going to be very surreal. I’m going to miss seeing the friends I’ve made here on a regular basis, I’ll miss the beautiful atmosphere of this wonderful city, and although I won’t miss the misty-rain and unpredictable weather, I will truly cherish this chapter of my life. Something I’m trying to work on this year is staying present throughout all of the lasts. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking about “what’s next” particularly with grad school applications. I am trying to stay in the moment and savour every second. I’ve been working on making an “Edinburgh Bucket List” to ensure I haven’t missed anything (any and all suggestions welcome!)  On a more academic note, working on my dissertation which covers Canadian First World War History has bridged a gap of being here in Edinburgh while learning more about a specific part of the history of my own country. It is fascinating to read the stories of Canadian nurses coming to Europe to do their part for the war. One of the Nursing Sisters wrote in her diary, talking about how she travelled to Scotland while on leave. Reading about their stories makes me all the more thankful that I am able to be here in Edinburgh to attend university and be able to study here.  Isla: I’m sure most of you can relate to the difficulties of flatmate drama or the breakdown of friendship groups. As someone who has recently been through a rough year in the realm of friendship and flatmate drama, I now understand how an experience like that can completely break you down and force you to re-evaluate the decisions you have made, make you question all of your actions and really consider the people you have allowed to play a big part in your life. This year feels like the perfect time to focus on prioritising the experiences that make you happy, the people that put a big smile on your face or make you laugh until your sides hurt (I’m talking about you Molly during that high stakes game of Monopoly!) What makes this epiphany so bittersweet is truly understanding who you are and what makes you happy at the time when you're reaching a finale in your life and about to experience what may turn out to be a considerably unstable period that comes after graduating. To get a little profound for a second, I’m glad that the two of us have this EIC thing to make sure we are forced to spend time together every week. It’s sometimes tricky to remember to spend time with your friends when you’re struggling through deadlines and uni work, and even just meeting up for a study date can be fun time spent with your besties (and of course the joint stress makes those pesky deadlines a little easier of a burden to bear.)  So, our challenge to you this week is to make the most of your uni experience and try to stay in the moment amidst all the chaos of being a student. Whether this is your first year or your last–or somewhere in between–it’s all too easy to get caught up in the overwhelming workload or life struggles. Take a wander through the meadows, get yourself an overpriced hot chocolate, or make the most of Edinburgh’s free galleries and museums. Enjoy experiences without worrying about posting them to whatever social media accounts you have. Try to embrace one experience this week without thinking about your Instagram story and just have fun living your life. However you choose to spend your time this week, we hope you’ve enjoyed reading this and stay tuned for more ramblings from us next time.

What have the Editors in Chief been thinking about this week? Hey everyone! How’s your week been going? If you read our thoughts from last week, we hope you enjoyed taking our challenge of staying present and spending time with friends without thinking too much about posting it to socials. Surprisingly, this week we have not been talking too much about all of our stressful deadlines despite midterms being right around the corner. Instead, as the spooky season approaches, we’ve been contemplating Halloween of course, as an addition to our weekly Costa rant session. As a brief disclaimer, if you’re a die hard Halloween fan, do not read on - Isla will be hardcore ripping into it as a concept. Molly: Before Isla rips this holiday to shreds, I’ll happily defend Halloween. While it’s not my top tier favourite of the holidays, I thoroughly enjoy the spooky vibes of the October season and always love a good excuse to eat more chocolate. It’s a fun opportunity to coordinate costumes with your friends and Halloween parties are always a great time. Isla: Halloween is meh. I said it Molly - sue me! To be completely honest I don’t really mind Halloween - I can put up with it in the grand scheme of things, but please do not call it a ‘holiday’. It’s not like students need ANOTHER excuse to go drinking. Once you reach a certain age it is generally frowned upon to go Trick-or-Treating, which is the only plus side I can see, because let’s be honest here, I cannot say no to free chocolates! Molly: I have to say I disagree! It absolutely is a holiday, and a huge part of it is the nostalgia aspect. As a kid, I loved going Trick-or-Treating with friends and family (although as October in Toronto is always freezing and often has snow falling, we’d always have to bundle up with coats over our costumes which was less fun…) Now in university, I appreciate the concept of “Halloweekend.” Why not extend such a holiday into several days, allowing you to have different costumes and attend multiple events!  Isla: Okay I get it, dressing up can be fun, but I definitely do not have the budget for one costume, let alone something different for each day of the week. It’s already difficult trying to come up with a single costume idea. Perhaps it’s the history student in me, but there is a complete lack of rules to this costume game for a celebration that is meant to be spooky. You should be dressing up within the realm of monsters, witches, and vampires. Halloween is way too commercialised and the rules have been thrown out of the window in favour of dressing up as literally anything. I’m sure your Marvel and your Once Upon a Time themed costumes will be great, but none of it makes sense. Molly: You’re one to talk, didn’t you dress up as one of the Peaky Blinders last year? Isla: I knew you’d bring that up. Molly: Sure, the whole point of Halloween is to ward off spirits by dressing up in crazy costumes. But surely there’s nothing scarier than the impending doom of commercialization…perhaps this year taking the form of whatever franchise has recently been acquired by Disney. Isla: You can have a costume party whenever you want, we don’t need to ruin the designated spooky party of the year. At the Christmas party you never dress up as Kevin from Home Alone  or the John Lewis Christmas advert. Molly: Speak for yourself! Halloween may not have quite the same fanfare as Christmas, for example, but there are so many seasonal activities you can do to get into the spooky season vibes. From watching Halloween themed movies like It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown  and Ghostbusters  to carving pumpkins (don’t forget to roast the pumpkin seeds, so delish!) There are a variety of ways to enjoy the lead up to the 31st.  Isla: We love an excuse for movie night. But if anyone tries to start a debate with me about whether The Nightmare Before Christmas  is a Halloween or a Christmas film, I will run home and hibernate until it is socially acceptable for me to watch Love Actually , Elf , and A Muppet’s Christmas Carol . And you’re right, my opinion on Halloween is entirely hypocritical and contradictory - I despise Halloween but love the nostalgia of it. I would probably be more willing to embrace the Halloween spirit if I could still go Trick-or-Treating for the free chocolates. Basically, people need to take Halloween less seriously and also more seriously at the same time. As you may discover if you become a weekly EIC Spotlight reader, Molly is the more cheerful one of the duo, and Isla gets annoyed at a lot of things. But Molly has managed to convince Isla to embrace the Halloween spirit a little more, so in light of the simultaneous  controversial issues and wholesome vibe invoked, our weekly recommendation is to embrace the nostalgia of the season: maybe return to an old Halloween costume, do a movie night for that film you watched every year as a kid, watch all of the “Halloween Heist” episodes of Brooklyn Nine Nine , and instead of going pumpkin spice crazy, opt for the supreme hot chocolate. Halloween is something to not be taken too seriously–save your energy for the December holiday season, you’ll need it! Either way we both agree that for us Christmas and New Year celebrations are (as Molly says) ‘God tier.’

With the ever-growing threat of climate change, any small contribution is crucial in safeguarding our planet. Illustration by Izzy Reeve (IG: @izzymayv) The intensifying urgency of climate change is pressing our generation to be proactive in preventing further degradation of the planet. About one-third of planet heating emissions, 70% of freshwater use and 78% of freshwater pollution are attributable to the food industry. Veganism has been increasingly popular, with a 40% increase in commitment to the plant-based diet in 2020. Research has shown that a vegan diet has resulted in 75% less land use, 54% less water use and 66% less biodiversity loss. These statistics have been disputed by critics of the vegan diet, who claim that the water use and energy required to produce plant-based alternatives prove that the vegan diet is not as eco-friendly as it seems. This leads to the big question: Are the environmental benefits of veganism exaggerated? The meat industry is a large contributor to carbon emissions. Due to the farming of livestock and the extensive land use for animal feed, it is estimated that if meat eaters in the UK who ate more than 3.5 ounces of meat daily reduced their consumption to less than 1.7 ounces, the reduction of carbon emissions would have the same impact as taking 8 million cars off the road. Research has shown that following a plant-based diet accounts for 75% less in greenhouse gas emissions. This doesn’t necessarily mean that a strict vegan diet is necessary to reduce carbon emissions. Whilst those who ate 3.5 ounces of meat daily emitted 22.5 pounds of CO2 emissions daily; pescatarians accounted for 10.4 pounds of CO2, vegetarians 9 pounds, and vegans 5.4 pounds. Out of all the diets, veganism is arguably the most effective, however, any reduction in daily meat consumption is environmentally beneficial. There has been debate on the environmental impacts of producing plant-based alternatives; Notably in genetically modified (GMO) foods. Mass-producing crops such as soy are heavily reliant on GMO seeds, which decrease biodiversity. Furthermore, many of these alternatives are grown in monocultures which deplete soil and diverse habitats, on which pollinators depend. This may harm the ecosystem’s ability to regenerate. However, there is currently no conclusive research on long-term impacts of GMO seeds. To raise cattle ethically, land space is required. However, this causes a larger risk of deforestation which increases as global meat consumption rises. Crop production, on the other hand, produces a much higher yield per square acre. Plant-based diets also have beneficial impacts in regards to the preservation of animals. These animals are of paramount importance to the sustainability of farming. Many farms use toxic fertilisers that eventually pollute rivers and oceans. Animals produce natural fertiliser in the soil through their manure. Without these animals, there would be an increased demand for such non-manure compost. Critics of veganism emphasise the water requirements to produce, for instance, non-dairy milk alternatives. Despite popular belief, the volume of water required to produce almond milk is drastically less than dairy milk. According to the Water Footprint Network, it takes an average of 628 gallons of water to produce a singular gallon of dairy milk. The water used in the production of almond milk is predominately used for irrigation, compared to cow’s milk, where water is required for the growing of crops for cow consumption, the cleaning of equipment and the milking process. As a result, it takes 23 gallons of water to produce one gallon of almond milk. The production of dairy milk requires energy derived from fossil fuels. The growth of almond trees, on the contrary, absorbs carbon dioxide as they grow. The vegan diet is much more conducive to a healthier planet. Expecting everyone to make such a drastic change, however, is unrealistic. Firstly, it may not meet everyone’s nutritional needs. Without adequate knowledge and planning, there may be deficiencies in key vitamins that are more easily found in animal products. There may be cultural influences as well. Animal products are at the centre of many traditional cuisines. Furthermore, a vegan diet is largely dependent on trans-global trade. This means that certain plant-based alternatives are either more expensive or generally less accessible. It would be unfair to expect widespread adoption of veganism, however, a reduction of meat consumption should be encouraged. Even a modest reduction has major benefits. With the ever-growing threat of climate change, any small contribution is crucial in safeguarding our planet.

Travelling is necessary to get away from academic stress, deadlines, midterms and any other issues that may put pressure on ourselves. While they say getting away from your problems won’t solve them, travelling can definitely put most issues on hold. Illustration by Kate Granholm (IG: @katesartthings) Edinburgh during February is just awful – that’s a fact. It is undeniable that the rainy, windy, grey and muddy environment will easily trigger your SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) or just generally put anyone in a bad mood. Luckily for you, there is a solution for that: travelling! Travelling can improve your spirit by introducing you to new experiences, cultures and people in a relaxed environment. Also, as nice as Edinburgh can be, leaving the little university-bubble can prove to be amazing to anyone’s mental health. Travelling is necessary to get away from academic stress, deadlines, midterms and any other issues that may put pressure on ourselves. While they say getting away from your problems won’t solve them, travelling can definitely put most issues on hold. No matter your budget, Edinburgh is a great hub for travelling, especially around Europe. Low-cost airlines like EasyJet, Ryanair, WizzAir or Vueling offer very good offers for quick getaways, especially off-season. LISBON, Portugal 3 hours away from Edinburgh lies Lisbon, the capital of steep streets, colourful houses and delicious food. Take a tram ride, eat a warm pastel de nata (aka the best dessert ever), visit the mind blowing Oceanario de Lisboa and try some local wines. Even better, if you’re a wine connoisseur or just interested in trying some local selections for good prices, take a train to Porto, a city which is internationally renowned as a Wine Capital! Lisbon is also perfect for fans of architecture: in addition to the unique buildings, the MAAT Museum is known for its quirky shape and its even quirkier pieces. EasyJet offers very affordable direct flights from Edinburgh every Tuesday, Thursday and and Sunday. BUCHAREST, Romania Another 3 hours away–but in a different direction–is Bucharest. This is an ideal destination for budget travelling, as Bucharest is known for great parties and amazing prices. However, the Romanian capital is so much more than just that. Nicknamed ‘little Paris’, Bucharest has a certain bohemian atmosphere to it. The MARe museum and the Insta-famous Carturesti Carusel are must-sees and the Ceausescu House is an incredible sight for both history and luxury (or kitsch!)  lovers. However, bar hopping is a must: take a scroll through the Old Town or Calea Victoriei bars, and make sure to end the night at one of Bucharest’s hip clubs, like Apollo 111 or Platforma Wolf. If you still have a day or two to spare, catch a train or a domestic flight to Brasov, a gorgeous historical city in the heart of Transylvania and make sure to also see Bran Castle, the original Dracula castle. Ryanair operates affordable direct flights to Bucharest every Wednesday and Sunday. BOLOGNA, Italy Bologna has THE BEST food in Europe…there, I said it. Despite being the birthplace of Bolognese pasta (obviously!) and many other famous dishes, Bologna has so much more to offer than delicious scran. The breathtaking colour palette seen in the rose, orange and red buildings is something you likely won’t find anywhere else, especially combined with the gorgeous porticoes which nest fantastic bars, hip galleries and cool shops. You could go people watching in Piazza Maggiore, look at the beautiful art in Pinacoteca Nazionale or get some fresh fruit in the Quadrilatero market. You will obviously also need to try the amazing food: Sfoglia Rina is a place you can NOT miss, but, if you are not a fan of queues, it is unlikely that you will find any bad Ragu pasta or Tortellini, which is something that makes Bologna famous. While no direct flights operate from Edinburgh to Bologna right now, Ryanair will resume their four direct flights every week on April 1st. UTRECHT, Netherlands Utrecht is a gorgeous city in the Netherlands, known for its mediaeval architecture, canals and lively streets. Amsterdam is cool, but is also surely overhyped, overpriced and always overcrowded. If you want to be better than all your friends who can not stop talking about that one crazy trip they had there, then you need to visit this city. Take a boat trip on the canals, visit the Botanic Gardens and get some gorgeous tulips at the Bloemenmarkt, or take a moment to sit at a cafe or terrace and people watch.BBC travel named Utrecht the happiest place in the world, so if getting out of the Edinburgh sadness bubble is your reason for travelling, Utrecht is the best place to go. While there are no direct flights, Amsterdam is 1h30 away by plane and Utrecht can be reached via Amsterdam Centraal on a 30 min train. NICE, France Nice is NICE. The French Riviera is a gorgeous gem at any time of the year, offering a picturesque landscape with its colourful buildings amongst the lush scenery. While March / February may not really be the greatest time for visiting the beach, Nice has amazing views at all times: a cocktail overlooking the Mediterranean WILL cure winter blues. The Old Town is a must visit for both local and tourist bars, and the restaurants will satisfy any foodie with a refined palette (as a bonus, you may want to try Ratatouille and Nicoise salad here, as this is their birth place!). Modern art lovers need to visit Musee National Marc Chagall and Musee Matisse. If you have a day to spare, Monaco is a gorgeous destination for a quick trip, and if you have another day to spare on top of that, Grasse is the perfume capital of France which is, yet again, a must do if going to Nice. Starting April, Nice can be reached directly with EasyJet daily.

Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift adapts Taylor Swift’s music into a set of instrumental string quartet covers. This evening is perfect for any fan of Taylor’s and there is something for everyone: both newer and older fans alike. Illustration by Lydia Kempton (IG: @lydiak_arts) Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift is a magical evening, perfect for any fan of Taylor Swift. Described as a “multisensory musical experience”, this hour-long concert provides a calming evening that allows fans to discover Taylor’s music in a new light. The setlist consists of 13 songs (any Swiftie will appreciate this), including hits from across her entire discography; with newer songs such as “Anti-Hero” from Midnights and old favourites such as “Love Story” from Fearless. Walking into the room, I was met with candles illuminating from every corner. The soft, warm light provided a tranquil atmosphere, which allowed for all worries from the outside world to melt away. Everyone spoke in hushed whispers, but the quiet anticipation was felt throughout the room. While the musicians were not yet on stage, the speakers around me were playing instrumental renditions from Swift’s third album, Speak Now, which set the mood perfectly. After much anticipation, the string quartet came onstage and began their set with “Lavender Haze”; from Swift’s most recent album, Midnights. Their arrangement was beautiful and provided a fresh take on her music. It was very akin to the soundtrack of Netflix’s Bridgerton which adapts modern pop songs into instrumental pieces. The juxtaposition of modern music adapted into a classical style allows the listener to feel present and timeless at the same time. With the combination of the music and the glowing atmospheric space, this concert was a lovely break that left me with a sense of peacefulness similar to finishing a yoga class. Candlelight’s set included many highlights from Swift’s discography. My personal favourites included: “cardigan” from folklore, “Snow on the Beach” (feat. Lana Del Rey) from Midnights, and “Wildest Dreams” from 1989 (Taylor’s Version, of course). I also really enjoyed their renditions of Swift’s upbeat songs, such as “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “I Knew You Were Trouble”, both from Red. Both songs would not have been my first thought for adapting into an instrumental string quartet cover, however their interpretation was brilliant. It allowed for appreciation of these songs in a new format. As the concert came to a close, I was taken by surprise because of how quickly it had gone by. The musicians announced the final songs they would play and I attempted to savour the last few moments of this beautiful evening. As I walked out the doors, the lingering instrumental melodies replayed in my mind. Overall, this was an amazing experience, and certainly is a concert I would attend again. My only complaint I have is that it could have gone on for longer! As a long-time Swiftie, I have so many favourites that I would love to hear adapted in this style. However, I’m sure as Swift releases more albums, Candlelight will adapt more songs to include her newer work. This will allow for returning audience members to have a slightly different experience every time, which is incredible. I attended Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift on January the 11th at Ghillie Dhu, and there are upcoming performances on February 17th and March 23rd. I highly recommend attending whether you’re a seasoned Swiftie or newer fan alike. Candlelight events are produced by the company Fever and take place in over 100 cities worldwide. They offer candlelight concerts in tribute to a variety of artists, such as ABBA, Hans Zimmer, and Queen. I recommend that everyone takes a look to see if their favourite artist is included on the list. It is truly an amazing experience to hear your songs you love interpreted in this way.

With its tailored responses, ChatGPT has revolutionised the learning experience. However, its efficiency has raised plagiarism concerns. The key question I ask here is: should ChatGPT be banned? Illustration by Taichun Zheng (IG: @taichun_zheng) Vast advancements in computational power, machine learning, and datasets have increased the accessibility of artificial intelligence. Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT has amassed over 100 million users (many of whom are students) since its launch in 2022. With its tailored responses, ChatGPT has revolutionised the learning experience. However, its efficiency has raised plagiarism concerns. The key question I ask here is: should ChatGPT be banned? Efficiency is the foremost advantage of ChatGPT. Students spend hours scouring the Internet, their textbooks, and the library for answers. AI offers the benefits of an immediate and personalised response. ChatGPT delivers responses based on its training data, which is a dataset derived from a culmination of Internet sources. It centralises a wide range of information, offering a personalised, yet comprehensive answer. At this level, ChatGPT is similar to Google, because its primary function is information retrieval. However, unlike your typical search engine, ChatGPT condenses its response to what is relevant which ensures there is no need to sift through redundant websites for the answer to one question, because this information is available at any time. There are no time constraints when using AI for research. This is in contrast to strict loan times for books or library opening hours which can limit students. Furthermore, ChatGPT is an effective study tool. Firstly, it can be used for planning. Students can ask AI to develop study plans, condense notes, and create active recall questions or flashcards. This does not compromise academic integrity. It facilitates effective approaches to revision and ultimately enhances scholarly practice. AI analyses and adapts to the user's questions. Students are able to ask for clarification on any subject matter. Alternatively, students can ask ChatGPT to rephrase a source in simpler language or ask for context-specific examples to reinforce their learning. This is particularly useful in improving written literacy and language proficiency. Students can converse with AI in a foreign language, practising conversational skills, sentence construction, and vocabulary. ChatGPT can provide students with inspiration for creative essay titles, and structures for essay plans. Students can also use ChatGPT for feedback. By asking the software to analyse their work, students can identify any weaknesses or knowledge gaps. AI, when used appropriately, has the capability of acting as a tutor; an accessible tool available to all students globally, as long as they have internet access. However, the accessibility of ChatGPT increases the ease of plagiarism. Its history of being interlinked with plagiarism is the primary concern for overreliance on AI. Due to the speed and convenience of ChatGPT, students are more likely to resort to an AI-generated response for graded assignments. This negatively impacts critical thinking skills. The widespread use of AI also decreases the creativity of student literature. Additionally, ChatGPT relies on a vast dataset. This is based on information both accessible and inaccessible to the public. Students may blindly rely on information that has not been factually verified or accurately cited. With a training dataset based on Internet sources, ChatGPT inherently reflects societal biases, and is more susceptible to bias in general. Furthermore, AI adapts to user input, and at times, it reinforces bias if influenced. Finally, ChatGPT’s knowledge does not extend beyond January 2022. The information offered  is therefore relatively limited. The concern for plagiarism is warranted. It is estimated that 47.3% of students at Cambridge used ChatGPT in April 2023. At least 8 out of 24 Russel Group Universities have banned the use of ChatGPT. However, I believe completely banning ChatGPT is unjustified. It is ultimately user discretion that determines whether ChatGPT is beneficial or harmful to education. AI can massively enhance the learning experience through tailored feedback and efficient information retrieval. Although there is potential for abuse, this risk can be seen in many other study tools. For instance, plagiarism is easily accessible via Google articles. Similar to AI, Google results also include inaccurate, biassed or outdated information. An overreliance on Google could arguably result in a decrease in key analytical, critical thinking and research skills. Despite this, it would be incredibly restrictive to ban Google. It is unrealistic to completely ban ChatGPT. Its positive impact on accessibility and efficiency means a ban would hinder key advancements in education. Furthermore, AI is quickly being integrated into various facets of society. Exposure to such developments is necessary to prepare for future careers. The focus should be on regulation; finding a balance between enhancing student experience and upholding academic integrity is crucial.

This satirical commentary explores the different ways in which people view the meaning of life, and provides a rundown of one pessimist’s view of what it really means to live in this universe. Illustration by Liamarie Hammerly (IG: @soymaxxing) Wait, what’s that? … Yes, that. That relentless buzzing… …oh no. Turns out it’s not a bumble bee. Unlike the bee, this buzzing can’t be shooed away by frantic hand movements. In fact, this buzzing never leaves us alone. It taunts and persuades in the background, telling us that we mustn’t ignore its call. It lifts us up when we think we have it, and crushes us down when we don’t. What is it? Well, it’s the meaning of life, of course! Is the answer found through certain religious beliefs? Maybe even through science? Or could the answer really just be 42? Let’s investigate. It all started about 13.7 billion years ago when the universe came to be. Unfortunately, that’s a bit far back, and I’m not allowed to make this piece too long or else you’ll get bored and stop reading. So instead, I’ll begin a little later. It all started when God created life. Wait… what? Yes, it can get a little confusing now with so much knowledge available at the touch of a button. Was it God? Was it The Big Bang? Whether you are religious, agnostic, atheist, or haven’t got a single clue, we all have different ideas of how life came to be. It’s these fundamental beliefs we hold that form the basis for what we see as the meaning of our life. Let’s have a closer look at these. Religion is an important part of many people’s lives all over the world. There’s no doubt it has had a huge influence on how we view life and its meaning. Some secular people even agree with certain theologians' arguments that without God, life would have no meaning. Why is this? Well, many claim that for so many to believe in a higher entity, religion and one’s sense of meaning must be psychologically connected. In 2021, a study found that theists (those who believe in the existence of at least one deity) felt not just a higher presence of and need for meaning, but seemed not to need to search very hard to find it. Atheists, in contrast, didn’t have as strong a sense of meaning in life, or a large desire to need it. Another study from 2022 concerning atheists views on the meaning of life after being reminded of death remarks, ‘According to terror management theory, humans rely on meaningful and permanence-promising cultural worldviews, like religion, to manage morality concerns.’ This interesting insight tells us that in the face of death, one will turn to something like religion for support and guidance. The fear of impermanence, or eventually dying, can be directly combatted through religious views, such as reincarnation or the afterlife. On the other hand, many secular people also find other ways to deal with this. Without a deity there to help provide meaning, they must construct their own ideas about life. Tending towards more scientific or philosophical explanations for life, some may be more biological, surrounding the science of living organisms, while others may be more ontological, encompassing abstract ideas. A journal from 2012 titled ‘Explaining life’ looked at the different ways people have to explain life and its meaning. In terms of science, they concluded that ‘Science alone cannot tell us anything about the meaning or value of life, nor can it explain the subjective perception of our own lives.’ (962) You see, science knows that there isn't one overarching meaning to life as we know it. Science knows that there is not one answer for why we are here, living and breathing. The problem with science is that it cannot take into consideration every single person's experiences and perspectives, and this fatal flaw makes it impossible for science to know our own personal goals and ways of looking at the world. This means, then, that the meaning of life is irrevocably down to our own personal opinion. Now I’m not comparing it to one's preference of season or favourite colour, but in a way we all construct ideas that not only create who we are as a person, but also how we navigate the world around us. If the meaning of life is so personal, then I’m going to give you special insight into one single pessimist's views on the meaning of life. And remember, this is one opinion of eight billion. Take it with a grain of salt. Nothing actually matters in the grand scheme of things, so you might as well go rogue and break a few things… just kidding! Please don’t do that. But seriously, the way of the world is so much larger than you. Stop putting pressure on yourself to live up to certain expectations. Stop getting caught up in what you should be doing and focus on what you want to do. Are you really going to be concerned, lying on your deathbed, that you wore that absolutely hideous jumper that you loved to work one day, or that you ran to the shops in your dog-printed pyjamas to get milk because you’re an idiot and forgot to buy it the day before? No, I think not. No one else cares anyway. Just because nothing really matters, doesn’t mean you can go around talking smack about everyone. Be kind. You’ll find yourself on your own pretty quickly if you aren’t, and that's no way to live. The pressures we and others place on ourselves in life are ultimately constructs and do not matter, but that does not mean we should forget that everyone around us holds the same worth, regardless of their circumstances. They have simply had different experiences and hold different opinions and perspectives. Our own experiences, opinions and perspectives can make it difficult for us to see from theirs sometimes, which is why it's so important to always be kind. You never know what someone has gone through, or what they’re going through as we speak. Let go of vanity. Humans can be incredibly vain, and judge those who aren’t. It’s a cruel system that forces us to conform with society’s expectations. Its why aesthetics are everything, it's why there are levels in dating (you may be tempted to say they’re below your level, but you also might have just dismissed the one person you’d have really clicked with), and its why women can be so cruel to each other. Surround yourself with people you love and who love you back. It doesn’t matter if that is one person or more than five, but the people you are around not only impact your mental health but also affect how you act and treat others. It's great and all having loads of friends, but which one of those would you really be able to open up to when you’re having a hard time? And which one of those would really stick around? Keep that person extra close. Most importantly, find your calling. It doesn’t matter what job you have or how much money you might earn; if you don’t also do what satisfies your soul, then what are you really living for? Do you like helping people? How do you like helping people? By donating to charities and shelters? Being there for your friends? Listening to people when they’re struggling? Leading key research into cures for diseases? Or maybe instead you need a creative outlet? Go for it! Try it as a job, or try self-employment, or simply try it as a hobby - many of us know how difficult it is to succeed in the creative industry. Not to mention how soul-sucking it can be doing something we love as a full-time job. Sometimes you just want to enjoy it in your own time. The most important thing to remember is that whatever your calling is, it's vital you find it and keep it close to you. Without it, life becomes rather dull. And finally, when someone asks you what the meaning of life might be, the safest answer will always be 42. No one can argue with that, not even you.