Beyond The Degree

Hi Guys, Hope everyone is well. Can you believe the end of the year is here? What madness. I wish everyone a blessed, better and prosperous 2017.  Last month I attended the fifth session of a six part interactive programme looking at relationships hosted by Joe McSharry. It was a very engaging two hours that firstly touched upon values. Most people have values when it comes to sex whether we want to admit it or not. We all have values on why we do take part and why we don't and that's perfectly okay! There are no rules and regulations to follow per se (except consent obviously - that is vital and very important), but there probably are contributing factors that shape our views. These factors can stem from religion, our peers, the media, parents etc. We all have a perception on sex. Are we happy? If we aren't why is that? As young people or old, Joe highlighted that we can acknowledge our mistakes. Perhaps we regret locking lips with that stranger in our student union,...

Aleppo is the place where the dead are lying, Crash, boom, bang - the shrapnel pieces fly, Aleppo is the place where children have stopped crying, How can we claim that we are good people, People who truly care, when there are children without mothers, fathers and friends I feel for Syria more than words can describe, But what I think the worst thing about this is how I am desensitised, I am not shocked anymore I kind of expect to hear it, Until I watch the headlines and see a teen daughter has lost her father, brother and sister too, It brings you back to reality. Shit, she's just like me she's just like you I am not alone, I have my family, I have my home, a career prospect maybe, People don't understand Syrians don't flee to steal jobs, they flee for safety, These people are doctors, athletes, graduates, teachers, workers of the land, They are not 'dirty immigrants' - they just need a hand, They don't know who's bombing t...