A bit of a whirlwind, isn't it?

Badriya Abdullah Deputy Editor

I flopped onto my bed one Friday evening and thought “phew, that was one hell of a semester”. Then I checked my planner. It was the end of week one. Life has been crazy, a whirlwind, and bunch of other things which are not appropriate to say in a newspaper. But one thing I know for certain is that everyone is feeling the same. It feels like the world decided to take a much needed break for Christmas, and then 2023 decided to sucker punch us all in the jaw with a whole slew of events. A lot of said events are being covered this time, and I won’t choose now to elaborate (the News Section had a lot to write about this issue in particular).

In other news, I’ve been thinking about how so much has changed throughout the past few months (and I feel like a broken record for saying so but, oh well). I’ve also been thinking about how it won’t be long until Libby, Matthew and I start thinking about who will be continuing the Concrete heritage and lead the team next year, but my brain can only handle so much large decisions before it implodes. Speaking of changes, how are those new years resolutions going? I won’t judge at all, one of my resolutions was to fix my sleep schedule and…it’s a work in progress. However, I’ve started taking the time to write in the mornings, even if it does mean being awake at *gulp* 8am to do so. London Writing Hour, I thank you for single handily saving my sleep schedule.

I just realised I forgot to wish you all a happy Valentines Day! Or if you happen to be reading this after, happy Day! That being said, I have beef with Valentines Day – or rather I have a strong disdain for the emphasis on romantic love over different forms of love. Maybe my singleness is rearing its ugly head, but please tell a friend that you love them today, whether it’s the 14th of Feb or not. If love is a strong word, at least say you appreciate them. Show some kindness to others, and most importantly, show some kindness to yourself. I’ve realised my forms of selflove are not going to work all of the time, and that is ok. Sometimes I need to take an evening off to do some embroidery (I’ve only stabbed myself with the needle once so far thank god), sometimes it’s playing video games (ok, one video game I play Genshin Impact), and other times I need to take a bath and watch a Barbie movie (which was much needed after the aforementioned Friday). All forms of self-love are valid and which the rollercoaster of a January it’s been so far, we all need it.

Stay safe all of you, and see you soon.

The University of East Anglia’s Official Student Newspaper since 1992

Tuesday 14th February 2023

Issue 392

Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ 01603 593466 www.concrete-online.co.uk concrete-online.co.uk

Throughout my educational career the lack of value placed in the arts and humanities by our country has been blindingly obvious. At school, we were given countless talks about STEM subjects and the value of future careers in science and technology (which to be clear are very valuable), but never about why the humanities matter and where they can take you, even though they open up a wide range of opportunities. English is clearly seen as worthwhile enough to be compulsory until you are 16, so why does it seem to lose that importance afterwards?

Cultural views on university education largely appear to support this perspective that the humanities are less valuable as degrees, but the reality of my experience both as a History student and working on Concrete have proven this so wrong. As for the arts, I’d simply ask what the point of being able to live the longer, healthier lives provided by some who go into STEM areas is, if they can’t be fulfilled by art, music, drama and literature?

I’m immensely proud to be a History student. People might think we’re stuck in the past, but issues at the forefront of current research, particularly those around questioning national myths and uncovering lost voices, are so relevant to our lives today. In examining how we look at the past, we can really challenge the ways we think and conceptualise our own world. Now tell me how that lacks value.

To every single person who’s worked on this issue (our best so far I think!), I’m so proud of you all. Whether your degree is in English Literature or Chemistry, in producing this amazing work you are proving the value of the arts and humanities to our community. Whatever may happen in the coming months and years, I hope that value never fades.

ConcreteUEA

ConcreteUEA

Cut-outs: Libby Hargreaves, Unsplash, Unsplash

Editor-in-Chief

Libby Hargreaves concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk

Deputy Editors

Badriya Abdullah & Matthew Stothard

News

Jamie Bryson

Senior Writer: Eleanor Radford

Home of the Wonderful

Ronaldo Martins

Senior Writer: Alexandra Ashby

Global

Emma Darlington

Features

Sienna Norris

Comment

Eve Attwood

Science

George Barsted

Travel & Lifestyle

Finlay Porter

Senior Writer: Emily Goodwin

Sport

Dan Laughlan

Senior Writer: Drew Murphy

Social Media

Jess Blissitt

Charlotte Guillick

Bethan Rush

Online Editors

Kanon Higashi

Ore Adeyoola

Yashika Mathur

Concrete Photographer

Prakrita Rahman

Venue Team

Louise Collins

Lily Boag

Ray Khawaja

Rosie Kyrin-White

Silver Constantinides

Clem Hailes

Tshequa Williams

Tabi Fielding

Jessica Clifford

Tom Porteus

Millie Smith-Clare

Alexandra Ashby

Rory Kettle

Editorial Enquiries, Complaints & Corrections concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk