Rachel Hains, Author at The Orbital

28Mar

By Rachel HainsNo Comments

Opinion

Let’s Talk: Endometriosis

As anybody who has the joy of experiencing periods each month can tell you, it definitely is not a walk in the park. True, periods are just like people, as varied and as individual as whoever you speak to. One person may not experience such difficulty as another. Still, very few people are aware of the fact that extremely painful periods are not common and can be a sign of something else: Endometriosis. As Endometriosis awareness month begins, it is well worth re-highlighting its severity. Just like sexual health, it is not something we should be embarrassed to talk about. If you are ending up bedridden or sick as a result of periods you deserve to be made aware of the fact you may need medical help and are entitled to receive it from someone who will take you seriously. People. Trust y...

Is It Time To Wave Good-Bi To Stereotypes?

15Mar

By Rachel HainsNo Comments

Opinion

Is It Time To Wave Good-Bi To Stereotypes?

Bisexual. It is a word like any other. However, it is astounding that such a simple word can still inspire such curiosity, misconceptions, and disapproval from both heterosexual, and homosexual people alike. Why should Bisexuality be treated differently to any other orientation? If people wish for acceptance, should they not offer the same in return? In the year 2019 - or twenty Bi-teen according to the internet - you would think outdated discriminatory ideas would be a thing of the past. Nevertheless, despite the current visibility and acknowledgment being afforded to the LGBTQ+ community, it is odd that only the beginning of the acronym is often acknowledged. No wonder many of us Bisexuals consider ourselves invisible mythical creatures that do not exist and feel the need to have to j...

17Dec

By Rachel HainsNo Comments

Opinion

Student Safety On Campus

On the 13th of December, at 4:30 am, Surrey Police were called to campus, here at Royal Holloway, to attend to what has now been revealed as a stabbing. The incident occurred outside the SU shop, and whilst the victim is not in a life-threatening condition, nor a student here, it is enough to make some students question the safety of our campus. Is there more that the university could be doing to prevent incidents like this one? Shortly after the incident was reported, the staff at the university issued a statement claiming we are “still one of the safest universities in the UK”. However, currently, the Times Higher Education survey 2018 has placed Royal Holloway as only joint 49th for being ranked as the ‘safest’ university in the UK. Clearly, students do not agree. Having spoken to nu...

Should universities remain international?

24Oct

By Rachel HainsNo Comments

Opinion

Should universities remain international?

Immigration: a word that nowadays never fails to provoke controversy. Looking at the U.S in particular, immigration seems to be the ‘hot topic’, with a never-ending barrage of stories about the dangers of allowing foreigners inside the country being hurled at the public. Is it any surprise, then, that this latest rhetoric has finally spread across the pond? Back in July, the public learned that UCL lecturers could be “liable to a £20,000 personal fine per case” if they fail to report Tier Level 4 students. According to The Guardian, Lecturers have also been advised to verify foreign students’ IDs, as Tier 4 students’ attendance must be regulated using “spot-checks based on face-to-face verification”. The regulations also demand that academic supervisors have to meet postgraduates personal...

8Oct

By Rachel HainsNo Comments

Sports & Socs

The Fencing Club

As a society, you were shortlisted for BUCS Club of the Year last year. Is it safe to say it has been a successful year? Definitely, our place on the shortlist was the icing on the cake of a brilliant year. Before winning club of the year and the Sophie Christiansen award at colours ball we ran a multitude of events outside of fencing and even took a group to Paris for the X-Systra fencing challenge. Members of our committee have also become increasingly involved with the sport beyond the university scene. Our fantastic Women’s team also celebrated a perfect season, conceding no matches and taking home the cup! You clearly have some talented members, but can people with less experience join? Of course! We are working on a new beginner’s course for the new year to make the club eve...

24May

By Rachel HainsNo Comments

Features

The Flood Anthology

Egham Museum have recently announced that they are releasing a book to commemorate the 2014 floods in Egham, and the impact they had on the lives of people within the area. The project is being led by a team of dedicated students with support from Community Action and the Egham Museum. A terrible disaster, the floods back in 2014 affected the lives of thousands all over the country, including local residents in Egham and the surrounding area. The floods occured after extremely poor weather resulted in high water levels along the River Thames. It was the wettest winter on record, with the ‘January monsoon’ the greatest since at least 1766. As a result, in at least 10 places water levels were at an all-time high, which ultimately lead to the river bursting its banks, and flooding nearby are...

5Mar

By Rachel HainsNo Comments

Opinion

Our Time Is Up

Harvey Weinstein. The “Times Up” campaign. Donald Trump’s war against women’s rights. Everywhere we look, sexism is a familiar part of the world we live in. As a woman living in 2018 I Rachel Hains explores the second ever “Women’s March” in London, reminding us that the fight for equality is far from over. cannot help but wonder, how can this still be the case? This question was on the lips of the thousands of people who, on the 21st of January 2018, marched for a second time in London. The march was aimed to promote current issues women are facing globally including battling for equal pay, stopping sexual harassment and issues surrounding racism. These are all basic expectations for a modern, civilised country. Yet, people felt the need to take to the streets to remind those in power ...

6Dec

By Rachel HainsNo Comments

Features

Free speech for all?

We have all been there: sat in our kitchens and seminars, facing the overwhelming urge to bang our heads into the table as someone says something we fundamentally disagree with. Everyone has the right to an opinion, but there is nothing more annoying than someone who believes their view is the only viable view. With this considered then, is it good news that the government has announced that universities are now being expected to pledge to uphold free speech on campus, or face being blacklisted? Changes announced by Universities Minister Jo Johnson state that plans are in place to challenge the culture of so-called ‘safe spaces’ and to force universities to answer for the behaviour of student unions that “no platform” controversial speakers. He also said any that any that failed to pro...

11Nov

By Rachel HainsNo Comments

Opinion

Armed With Chances; Poised For Change

As the United States faces its deadliest mass shooting, the 347th mass shooting this year alone, questions are once again being raised regarding the country’s lack of gun control. How many people have to die for change to happen? 28 people in Connecticut, 49 people in Orlando, 59 people in Las Vegas. The list of fatalities gets longer and more dizzying every day. The New York Times reports that, in the United States, there is at least one mass shooting a day. Yet, little is being done to amend or restrict the availability of the cause of these deaths - guns. When the Titanic sank, boat safety regulations changed to ensure there would always be adequate lifeboats on board in future, so that a tragedy like it would never happen again. Unfortunately, the United States seem unable to ...