Lifestyle – The Orbital

24Nov

By Kayla DelaneyNo Comments

Lifestyle

The Budgeter’s Guide to the Galaxy

By Kayla Delaney As a community of students working towards their futures, we find ourselves often looking to the past - writers, theories and ways of living which permeate our studies and choices. I am particularly a fan of turning back to the old works like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, or the works of Ursula K Le Guin, Tolkien or the wonderful Studio Ghibli. We have expanded since then, but some of the old-school ways we can budget and live our lives to the fullest still hold true. Here's some classic budgeting hacks, refurbished for today's world! Don't bother with the brands - “There’s no point in acting surprised about it.” This is probably a very familiar bit of advice, but, trust me, it's just as valid today as it was in the past.Avoid the expensive branded stuff ...

Dating in the Modern World: Our Hearts Just Aren’t Really in it

24Nov

By Sophie FaireyNo Comments

Lifestyle

Dating in the Modern World: Our Hearts Just Aren’t Really in it

By Sophie Fairey – Senior Lifestyle Editor Something that stuck out to me when thinking about modernity was how technology increasingly defines the modern era, and influences the way we interact with the world, with each other, and with ourselves. Dating apps, for example, are a product of developing technology and increasing reliance on our phones for connecting with others and finding joy. Because of this, I think that dating apps have completely changed the way the world views romance. It is beginning to appear to me that these artificial connections mean that our hearts just aren’t really in it anymore. There are two sides to every coin, so dating apps are both a blessing and a curse. They allow people to kick start their dating life and match with potential partners who they mi...

13Nov

By Evelyn Fernandez-JarvisNo Comments

Lifestyle

Anxiety.

By Evelyn Fernandez-Jarvis- Deputy Editor-In-Chief Whilst I feel in the modern world anxiety and mental health has become more accepted, at times it does still feel that when you suffer from it daily, you are inevitably, completely alone. Personally, I can only come from the perspective of someone who has anxiety. As a 2nd year student I believed that when I came back after a summer break that all the first year fears would simply float away. Unfortunately, that is not how anxiety works. It creeps up on you at unexpected times and before you know it, you are in a flood of your own spiralling thoughts that feel inescapable. Sometimes it's like I am peeping through a glass window and looking at all the people who are doing different, exciting things and I am constantly wonde...

The Psychological Effects of Witnessing Cruelty to Animals on Social Media: An Interview with Dr Kieschnick and Dr Lawlor

17Feb

By Felix PoréeNo Comments

Lifestyle, News, Opinion

The Psychological Effects of Witnessing Cruelty to Animals on Social Media: An Interview with Dr Kieschnick and Dr Lawlor

By Felix Porée Royal Holloway graduate Felix Porée, who is studying for his MA in War Studies at Kings College London, recently collaborated with the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics to interview Dr Dustin Kieschnick and Dr Katie Lawlor. Dr Kieschnick holds a Doctorate of Psychology as a graduate of the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium as well as being a licensed clinical psychologist, and Dr Lawlor holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Stanford and specialises in the human-animal bond, grief, and pet loss. Felix specialises in the studies of 19th-century German philosophy, ethics, and terrorism. More information can be found via his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felixporee/ In a discussion centred around animal cruelty and its links with social media, Felix, Dus...

29Jan

By Tia MartelloNo Comments

Lifestyle

Have We Invested in Intimacy?

By Tia Martello In an era where technology reigns supreme and the desire for immediate satisfaction prevails, the search for genuine connections has become more pressing than ever before. In a rapidly evolving world, the conventional criteria for measuring relationship success are undergoing a major transformation. As we navigate the complexities of modern romance, a fascinating question emerges: could intimacy be the new currency of our generation? As we venture into the intricate realm of contemporary romance, it becomes increasingly clear that the traditional notions of love and connection are undergoing a significant transformation. In the era of current intimacy, dating apps have become the go-to method for finding love. With their enticing promise of a vast array of pote...

The Art of Growing Up: How to Progress Mentally in a Society that Stunts Our Growth

16Nov

By Lia DoyleNo Comments

Lifestyle

The Art of Growing Up: How to Progress Mentally in a Society that Stunts Our Growth

By Lia Doyle In the last four years, the world has been turned on its head. The unpredictable nature of the future and the notion of growing up have become gloomy subjects to talk about amongst younger generations. What must our generation do in order to feel like we are not falling behind? What must we do to not be mentally affected by the world around us? There is a subtle art to growing up, to growing older and wiser, that people seem to keep a secret. We can endlessly ask our grandparents for their advice on what to do in this all-consuming world, but any piece of wisdom can seem overwhelming. A look back on my childhood and teenage life reflects to me that there is a certain “je ne sais quoi” to growing up. Here is my advice about how to grow up and to feel okay about it....

A Reflection of Love in the Purest Forms

16Nov

By Beth McCowenNo Comments

Lifestyle

A Reflection of Love in the Purest Forms

By Tia Martello As the year draws to a close in these final months, I find myself contemplating the relationships that have left a profound impact on me and how they resonate universally. These connections, be they romantic, platonic, or familial, have shaped my academic pursuits, life choices, and overall worldview. In this article, I aim to delve into my personal experiences of love in its purest manifestations, with the hope that these narratives may strike a chord within you. In a world that often races forward, perhaps we could all benefit from taking a moment to reflect on how our relationships mould our day-to-day existence. Captivating Romance: Ah, romantic love - a sensation I trust we've all encountered in the course of this tumultuous year. Yet, I'm not just alluding to ...

16Nov

By Katherina HoiNo Comments

Lifestyle

Teen Body: [Your Ad Here]

By Katherina Hoi When I was 16, I had 80,000 followers on Instagram. When I was 16, I learned that my body was a commodity, an ad space, a place to project a hashtag and a brand name. Without an agency or clear direction of how to manage the online sphere, I was on my own, tens of thousands eyes watching my teenage self morph and change and twist to please. In a Pavlovian sense, I connected my neutral stance with the social platform to the positive stimulus that was free clothes, makeup, and attention. It all hinged on the maintenance of my online persona. I could pretend that my cyber self was an accurate reflection of who I was, not just a representation of everything I was not. I could pretend as if my cyber self was a true reflection, not a representation of everythi...

How do you answer a question without questioning your answer?

16Nov

By Anna DiedrichsenNo Comments

Creative Writing, Lifestyle, Literature

How do you answer a question without questioning your answer?

By Anna Diedrichsen How do you write a love poem without confessing too much? Do you only write down half of what you think? Do you write like instead of love hoping they’ll understand either way? Do you dial down on the pink and instead use a dark grey? How do you speak without sharing too much? Do you ask questions, trying not to care? Do you let your sight wander, avoiding their eyes? Do you wait until someone asks you to share and then only tell them quiet white lies? How do you live without wanting to move on up? Do you stare out the same window every day waiting for the view to change? Do you long for salt but wish your...

Some Things Never Change: Body Positivity or Toxicity?

10Oct

By Beth McCowenNo Comments

Lifestyle, Opinion

Some Things Never Change: Body Positivity or Toxicity?

By Beth McCowen As the weather gets hotter, and the events that have been in our diaries for months are finally rolling around, it’s time to switch up our wardrobes to include some summer attire after months and months of cosy jumpers and trendy scarves. As joyful as the sunshine, floral dresses, and holidays can feel, this transition in season, and therefore style, is easier for some than it is for others. Throughout the autumn, winter and even spring months, we often grow used to hiding away our bodies, our insecurities, under clothes in which we feel comfortable, usually on the basis that they show less of our skin than the alternatives that are more practical for the summer. For those who have struggled with eating disorders, other health problems, or difficult relatio...