Sexism's a big deal because boys like my twin brother don't hate women. It's a big deal because misogyny has become 'just a joke'. It's a big deal because while someone like Dom would never make a joke about lynching a black person, many wouldn't think twice about making a joke about rape.
The hipster level of idiocy has increased ten fold, as apparently educated people go to pathetically predictable lengths to express their "individuality" and general radness, in the irritating form of hipster racism.
Magazines like Mizz and Bliss were once my go to style bibles- guiding me towards bootleg jeans galore. Once upon a time, girls' magazines featured girls' fashion; but nowadays, the likes of Miss Vogue point their young fashionistas towards more adult wardrobe choices.
Like many other girls of my generation, I have long had a penchant for the indie boy. As a 16-year-old I spent many hours lamenting the fact that the bassist of 'insert name of NME's top-tip' was not, and probably never would, my husband.
I would argue that too many businesses are reluctant to take the risk on a young person without any experience. Turned on its head, that small risk could actually be a life-changing opportunity to set a young person on course for a truly bright future. So, I think every business needs to consider whether they are doing enough to support young people in their communities to first gain work experience, and then to move into employment. We cannot expect schools or parents alone to support a young person into work. In my view, businesses are a vital part of the equation.
Aptly, the theme of this year's Mental Health Awareness Week is physical activity and exercise. As I've repeatedly stressed, exercise has been crucial in restoring my own mental health. The release of endorphins is undeniably beneficial for those suffering from depression and other disorders.
Understand that lad culture is a subdivision of our society and is not contained, it spreads through everything. Advertisements directed at men that show a woman as an object (a games console, a beer bottle, etc) are not only appealing to men within the culture, but also reinforce the idea that objectifying women is right and okay. Our society makes lad culture acceptable.
I have to confess that I haven't completely mastered the art of hiding my Attention Deficit as I constantly fidget and am disruptive during long lectures but I do know how I cope with getting my work done to a similar standard as my classmates.
The Times featured a piece yesterday headlined 'Extremists preaching to students in Britain'. This conflation of extremism with increased religiosity and religious observance is indicative of just how muddled and confused the debate around campus extremism has become.
I have experienced the horrible side of lad culture, as many girls at university have, first hand. In fact, as a fat girl, the trouble from these self-crowned LADs is worse. But LADs don't seem to understand girls know exactly what they are up to, as one poor fellow found out last week
The unquantifiable currency of cool is elusively directed by politics, pop culture, and that one kid on the playground. But we've used it to measure the world around us since we were little things. What is its relationship with being politically correct?
It's exam season, so I'll forgive you for not wanting to think too much about the stresses of moving out right now. The start of a great summer might feel like a lifetime away, but really it's not too far on the horizon, and there's a lot you need to think about and prepare for.
The most offensive response I've ever received after mentioning my girlfriend to a new acquaintance involved a look of serious confusion on his part and the phrase "but you could definitely get a boyfriend if you wanted to".
University in this country has become something that we take for granted. It shouldn't be a privilege just for the rich - that wasn't my point - but a privilege for the people who were going to give their degree 110% knowing that when they came out, they needed to earn good money in order to pay off the debts they've accumulated.
As an eternally optimistic and hopeful person (ha), I will take any opportunity to find the silver lining in any situation (ha), and so it struck me the other day that I do actually have a 'favourite thing about the Summer exam season'. Are you ready? It's procrastination.
You lie awake at night, tossing and turning, unable to think of anything else. You try to do some work during the day to take your mind off it all, but it's no use. You can't concentrate, so instead you end up exploring the area around your would-be office on Google Streetview.
Morgana Edwards, 16.05.2013
Morgana Edwards, 16.05.2013