S COT L AN D’ S N U M B ER O N E STU D EN T M AG A ZI N E
WINTER 2019
sourcemagazine.org.uk
SPEAKING OUT
CALLIN’ 999
Why it’s time for young men to open up
Discover a career with the emergency services
YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
Looking for a change of scenery? Head off on a paid gap year
THE COLLEGE GUIDE
Our biggest college guide to date: we’re getting you ready for further education
WILL WE TALK?
SAM FENDER
The BRIT Award winner talks Hypersonic Missiles, playing Glasgow, and his Geordie inspos
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// welcome SCOTLAND’S NUMBER ONE STUDENT MAGAZINE
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Get cosy and enjoy the winter issue of Source
A
@SourceMag @source.magazine PUBLISHER
Denise Connelly denise@dcpublishing.co.uk
EDITOR
Lorne Gillies lorne.gillies@dcpublishing.co.uk
STAFF WRITERS
Emma Storr emma.storr@dcpublishing.co.uk Saskia Harper saskia.harper@dcpublishing.co.uk
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Lucy Baillie lucy.baillie@dcpublishing.co.uk
SALES
Karen MacKenzie karen.mackenzie@dcpublishing.co.uk
www.sourcemagazine.org.uk DC Publishing Ltd, 198 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG Tel: 0844 249 9007
s the dark nights settle in (cry) I bet you’re starting to think about the year ahead. I can already feel the excitement and opportunities that 2020 has in store for everyone, that’s why we’re helping you plan ahead. If you’re considering your options of staying on in high school, going off to college, university or jetting off: we’ve got it all covered. From page 11, we’re taking a look at going to college. There’s a lot to consider, and as it’s almost application season, we bet you’ve got a lot of questions. We spoke with students to discover everything you need to know (and what they wish they had known), before starting college life. Ahead of college and uni – sorry in advance – we have to talk personal statements. On page 18 we’re breaking down exactly what to put into your 4,000 characters to really stand out from the crowd. From school leaver schemes, volunteering to getting into the emergency services, and heading to Camp America over on page 39, there’s a lot to get your teeth stuck into in this issue. However, all this preparation to leave school, get a job or go into higher education, not to mention revising for exams AND keeping on top of your social life is hard work. Remember, it’s OK not to feel OK, and on page 43 we’re taking a deep dive into your mental health. It’s not all serious chatter this issue, though. He’s hot stuff at the moment, he even beat former cover star Lewis Capaldi to win the Critics’ Choice Award at the Brit Awards – starting a hilarious ‘feud’ – I’m of course referring to Sam Fender. On page 8 we chat to Sam about his debut album, coming back to perform in Glasgow and… Brexit? Rapper Aitch and Glasgow’s very own Joesef also stopped by for a chat at Source HQ. All this plus so much more! Consider this our Christmas present to you, so what are you waiting for? Get reading. See you in the New Year.
©DC Publishing Ltd 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any way without prior written permission from the publisher. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of DC Publishing Ltd. The publisher takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers within the publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that information is accurate; while dates and prices are correct at time of going to print, DC Publishing Ltd takes no responsibility for omissions and errors.
Lorne Editor
1 QUEER EYE JAPAN Your favourite Netflix show is back, and the Fab Five are in Japan. Since it’s so miserable outside we forgive you for binging this masterpiece in one go, after all, we waited long enough…
3 NEW YEAR Here comes 2020! Yaldi. Ditch the New Year, New You craze and give yourself resolutions you can keep and are driven to tick off. Reading 40 books in the next year to passing your driving test: what will be your 2020 goal?
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PICS: ©NETFLIX
PIC: © POLYDOR
2 NOVELTY JUMPERS IT’S CHRISTMAAAS! Well, not until you get yourself a hilarious, garish, novelty jumper. Pickle Rick it out this Christmas thanks to Primark and get guaranteed laughs.
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contents 8
29
18
39
SUBSCRIBE TO SOURCE
IT’S FREE!
CELEB
26 Disconnected
29 Aitch makes it shake
33 Step into teaching
Our cover star talks albums and touring.
46 In limbo with Joesef
The Glasgow star chats about playing SWG3 and falling in love.
STUDY
11 The next episode
Get ready to go to college with our top tips to get prepared.
13 Off to college
From applications to SAAS, we answer your college FAQs.
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@SourceMag
Don't miss our top study tips.
8 Dodging hypersonic missiles with Sam Fender
We get the Buss Down to the 0161.
sign up online at sourcemagazine.org.uk/subscribe
25 Ready, set, study
Turn off your phone and make the most of distraction free revision. Looking to educate? We spotlight the top teaching degrees.
WORK
22 Going forward
A look at what path to take after high school.
30 First responders
What’s your emergency? Learn all about a career in the emergency services.
16 The right move
36 In the studio with a mastering engineer
18 Acing the personal statement
39 The wonder of wanderlust
Find out if going to uni is right for you. 4,000 characters: it’s time to ace the personal statement.
We find out how you can work with Harry Styles to Lana Del Rey. Explore the world and get paid: we find out what it’s all about.
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18/11/2019 15:07
GET CONNECTED
Have you got the latest scoop? Did you have what it takes to speak to celebs? Well, find out with work experience at Source HQ. We’re always excited to give someone their big break in journalism – and what better way to do it than writing for your fave magazine. Get in touch today at editor@dcpublishing. co.uk with a feature idea and see where it takes you…
sourcemagazine.org.uk
LIGHTNING BOLTS WITH JAKE BUGG
20
PLAY
6 Diary
It’s going to be an action-packed winter.
20 Making a difference
Make your personal statement shine and give back to your community with volunteering opportunities.
HEALTH
43 Supporting young men: Every life matters
It’s time to talk about mental health, and you have been talking to Source.
ROCKING OUT WITH THE AMAZONS
Jake Bugg is back and we love his new single. If you missed his gig, check out our review.
I’M A CELEBRITY… Can you believe? We’re going back to the jungle for another year and there are some BIG names going in this year...
LOSE YOURSELF IN A SCIENCE WONDERLAND
BECOME A PARAMEDIC WITH QMU
Science comes to life at Glasgow Science Centre, will you be there?
Make a difference on the frontline by becoming a paramedic.
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Follow Source on Twitter @sourcemag or hit us up on Insta @Source.Magazine @SourceMag
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Rock and roll came alive with The Amazons at their Glasgow gig, don't miss our review and interview!
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dates for your diary
// PLAY
From amazing live music all the way to an actual carnival – here are our top winter picks for your diary
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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
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5 Dec – 5 Jan
20 Dec – 12 Jan
SWG3, Glasgow www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum www.itison.com
SEC Centre, Glasgow www.irn-bru-carnival.com
Aitch
Elfingrove
Get your grime fix at SWG3 this December as up and comer Aitch brings his tour to Glasgow. The Manchester-born rapper and songwriter is only 20 but he’s already killing it in the music industry. Don’t forget to read his interview on page 29.
JANUARY
Cinemas nationwide Rating: U
Our faves Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley are back to bring you an early Christmas present – the final chapter of the Skywalker saga. We’ll see you at the midnight showing.
Embrace the festive period and take a journey through Elfingrove, a magical land where Kelvingrove Art Gallery will come to life for the ultimate Christmas experience. Don’t miss the street food vendors!
Louis Tomlinson: Walls www.louis-tomlinson.com
This winter we are being blessed with not one but two directioner albums. Enter Louis Tomlinson: Walls. We’ve been waiting for Louis’s debut solo album since he released his first single, Just Hold On in 2016. Are you as excited as we are?
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www.manicthealbum.com
Events throughout Scotland www.visitscotland.com
Halsey: Manic
1
5
O2 Academy, Glasgow www.ticketmaster.co.uk
SSE Hydro, Glasgow www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Mabel
Our Autumn cover star Mabel is coming back to Glasgow on her High Expectations tour after lighting up the Hydro while supporting DJ Khaled in 2019. We’ll be on our best Bad Behaviour for this one.
Jonas Brothers
The Jo Bros are back and better than ever, even if they’re not all single anymore. Throw it back to 2009 and live your best life for one night only as our favourite family band headline the SSE Hydro. This concert is where true Happiness Begins.
The 1975
P&J Live, Aberdeen www.ticketmaster.co.uk
SEC Armadillo, Glasgow www.ticketmaster.co.uk
The follow up to the The 1975’s A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships is almost here. Including a collab with our saviour, Greta Thunberg, we have no doubt that Notes on a Conditional Form will be full of hits and you can hear it live just eight days after release.
Sit down with the Queen of documentary making and Strictly, Stacey Dooley, as she talks you through her journey from perfume girl to investigative broadcast journalist. This one is essential for budding journalists.
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Send your mum your dinner request for haggis, neeps and tatties in advance – it’s almost Burns Night. Honour the famous Scot at one of the suppers happening across the country in January or round up your pals for your own feast.
29
Conversations with Stacey Dooley
Sourcemagazine.org.uk
Burns Night
In 2019 Halsey stole our hearts with Without Me, Graveyard and our anthem, Nightmare. The singer’s third studio album is coined to be her best yet and we can’t wait to have all the feels on first listen.
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It’s the IRN-BRU Carnival’s 100th birthday this year and it’s not to be missed. With more rides than ever before and plenty of fun fair treats, this is the perfect place to drag your best pals or your younger siblings when you have to babysit.
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FEBRUARY
31
IRN-BRU Carnival
@SourceMag
PICS: ©BBC PICTURES; MARA PALENA; JSHPIX.CO
DECEMBER
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// CELEBS
DODGING HYPERSONIC MISSILES WITH
sam fender Since rocketing onto the scene in 2016 Sam Fender has been making waves in the music industry. Emma Storr talks growing up, staying grounded and Hypersonic Missiles with the Geordie star “The Borders, Hypersonic Missiles: those are songs I wrote a year ago,” says Sam. “You can see the difference in those to maybe Call Me Lover or Two People, which were written five years ago – but I guess I have changed, most people will change between 19 and 25.” Sam’s growth has only been accelerated by his time in the spotlight and he is no longer the naïve teenager he was when some of the tracks were first penned. Now, Sam has a number one album and is best pals with some of the biggest names in music right now.
HYPERSONIC MISSILES
Although he’s done a lot of growing up while touring the world, Sam is still finding his way, he says: “I’ve learnt a lot and I’m still learning even now, I’m just keeping my head down, trying to do my best and seeing where I go next – I’ve already written the next record.” Growing up Geordie has left Sam with plenty of well-known influences including Sting, just one member of the singer’s celeb fan base. “When Stormzy, Elton John, Sting or Johnny Marr are really nice to you, when they say they like your tunes, it kind of just makes you say it doesn’t matter what the critics say now because they’re the people who make music themselves.” For Sam it’s not only a great honour to have such epic fans, it’s also reassuring, he explains: “It calms me down and makes me not worry about critics as much because it’s kind of like who’s a critic? “That stuff doesn’t sell out the shows, the fans sell out the shows so as long as the fans are happy I’m happy, but it is amazing when someone like Elton John endorses you; he’s a legend.”
THAT SOUND
“I’m 100 per cent from Shields so I wanted the record to be 100 per cent from Shields,” says Sam. That’s his answer when asked about his homebuilt studio in North Shields, something he thought was a joke when his manager first suggested it. Talking about the album’s track list Sam explains that it reflects how he’s grown up in the last half decade. “I think its cohesively not the most cohesive album, but that’s probably because it’s been written over the course of five or six years,” reveals Sam. “I purposely chose some of the earlier, embryonic songs that I wrote when I was 18 or 19 to go on the album. “I wanted to have that naïve youthful thing about it from when I was 19 or 20, it needs to represent that change from when I was 18 to now.
“I’m not all doom and gloom, my tunes might be, but as a person I’m pretty easy going” 8
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WHITE PRIVILEGE
Sam’s songs address some of the biggest issues that the younger generations face today, asking for the answers we all want, but he doesn’t
want to be labelled as outspoken, he says: “I ask questions I want to know the answers to which is pretty much everything in my life because I’m not that clever, I’m a normal kid from a normal town and I’ve just turned 25.” Like every other millennial and Gen Z, he’s finding the world and its political landscape a pretty scary place to navigate. “I’m an adult now and I find the world overwhelming, terrifying, very, very confusing with mental people running it,” stresses Sam. “I think outspoken people tend to have answers, I don’t really have any answers I just sort of ask questions, I think it’s what most people do, I think that’s why people relate to it.”
WILL WE TALK?
Despite how it might seem, it isn’t all impending disaster in the world of Sam Fender, he loves a laugh too, he explains: “I’m not all doom and gloom, my tunes might be, but as a person I’m pretty easy going I would say, or funloving.” Celebs – they’re just like us. “Just because I’m writing about serious stuff it doesn’t mean that I have to be serious in real life,” adds Sam. “I’m still a person, I still laugh at jokes, my best days are when I’m having a laugh. “There’s a lot of darkness in the world that I can contend with when I’m writing songs, but I don’t have to contend with that when I’m just having fun with my friends.” If, like us, you wish you could chat to Sam daily about your worries, fear not, we present you with the next best thing – dance out your frustrations about the world at one of his live shows. He’s touring the UK until April 2020 and we’ll see you there. As for the debut album, we’ll leave you with this plea from the man himself: “Please buy it because it’s home made from Shields and will give you clear skin.”
PIC: © POLYDOR
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am Fender has had a crazy year from winning the 2019 Critics’ Choice Award at the Brits to releasing his debut album, Hypersonic Missiles. The Geordie is busy asking important questions through his music all while releasing absolute bops. Now 25, Sam’s debut has been years in the making, featuring songs that he wrote over the last five years. Sam’s success is something he could only imagine at the age of 18 when his manager discovered him in the local pub.
@source.magazine
18/11/2019 10:33
Sam Fender’s debut album, Hypersonic Missiles, is available now at www.samfender.com
@SourceMag
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Join us to change your world To find out more or visit our campus:
gcu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate
January Start Courses OPEN NOW
Choose WCS FULL-TIME COURSES OPEN JANUARY 2020
0300 600 60 60
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// studY
THE NEXT EPISODE College, here you come. Ace your move into further education with everything you need to know about preparing to start your college career from applications to funding
WHEN CAN I GO? There are many options and paths to take when it comes time to leave school. In Scotland you can leave school when you are aged 16, and one option is heading to college. There are many positive aspects to going to college that you may not get from other forms of education. Alongside offering various courses, you can also study whilst you’re working; college is an excellent way to prepare for a job; or help you take the step into another course or university.
APPLICATION TIME Top tip: each college in Scotland has their own application dates. Colleges will typically have courses which start during August or September, but the best way to guarantee your application is on time is speaking to the college directly for the course(s) you wish to apply for. You’ll need to write your personal statement (head to page 18), which will highlight your skills,
IN THE MONEY
qualifications and extracurricular achievements. For some college applications, you may be required to participate in an interview and this will be arranged with you directly from the college. If, unfortunately, you’ve been unsuccessful for a particular college or course you will still be informed – that’s why you get five choices in your application.
FIND THE COURSE A more independent way of learning, at college you’ll get a qualification at the end of each course you complete. From beauty to applied biological science, mathematics to media, the perfect course is out there. You can study for different types of qualifications including, National Qualifications, vocational courses, Access courses, modules, HNCs, and HNDs. Learn more at My World of Work (www.myworldofwork.co.uk) for advise on what course is right for you, and will take you forward.
Each college in Scotland has their own application dates.
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Once you’re accepted onto your course, it’s time to think money. Thankfully in Scotland we don’t have to pay any tuition fees (hallelujah!) as SAAS (www. saas.gov.uk) will cover the cost of your course. However, it’s important that you apply for SAAS funding each year. To help you pay for rent, to books, SAAS can provide a bursary and/or a loan. The amount of money you receive will all depend on your household income (the amount of money your parents earn.) There is lots of funding available including Disabled Students’ Allowance, living cost grants, and many more options for a helping hand. When all your time will be spent studying, money shouldn’t have to be a worry!
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18/11/2019 10:38
We offer a wide range of courses in areas such as Archaeology, Business Management, Art & Design, Computer Science and many other degrees offered by the UHI. There’s something for everyone at Orkney College UHI. For further information on courses available at Orkney College UHI, go to www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk or call us on 01856 569 000.
Orkney College UHI, East Road, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1LX Tel: 01856 569000 | Email: orkney.college@uhi.ac.uk www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk | www.facebook.com/OrkneyCollegeUHI
@OrkneyCollegeUHI
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For our full range of courses visit www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk/courses
Do something different Follow your passion Take a step to making your dreams a reality by studying at Scotland’s Rural College • University degrees • HND, HNC and NC courses • Access courses and vocational options • Full-time, part-time, distance learning • Campus locations across Scotland SRUC is a charity registered in Scotland: SC003712
Take a look at our website to find out more: www.sruc.ac.uk/opendays Find your local SRUC Campus on Facebook
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18/11/2019 11:33
// STUDY
oFf to
college WHAT IS COLLEGE?
Yaldi, the time has finally com
e: you’re finished with high schoo l and it’s time for your next venture. College is a fantastic
stepping-stone into further education or employment, but, what can college do for you?
That’s a great question. A college is a learning institution that provides a variety of different courses that can provide both practical and hands-on learning. Unlike a university, colleges can facilitate wider scope to take you on the path that is right for you. If, unfortunately, you haven’t got the grades to get into your first choice of university – or university isn’t the path for you, but you want to continue learning – a college can allow you to resit a course, prior to re-taking the final exam the next again year. In some cases, retaking your exams, completing an apprenticeship, or obtaining a HND can get you directly into the world of work or fast-track you into the third year of university. In a nutshell: colleges are the gateway to your learning.
Zara Kayani
glasgow clyde college www.glasgowclyde.ac.uk The bustling city of Glasgow is a buzz with students, and with opportunities to get future ready at Glasgow Clyde College, you too could be at the heart of the action. Deciding the right college for you is vital – it’s important you’re happy with the location and campus, not just the course (after all, you’re going to have to go there everyday). For Zara Kayani, Glasgow Clyde College was her local college and having always heard good things about the courses and campus locations, she decided to apply. Now, Zara is studying Business and Finance with Digital Technologies (available at both the Langside and Cardonald campus). She enthuses: “I wanted to study a course which has a good career path, and being on this specific course will give me lots of opportunities for the future.
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“Before I started I was told that college would be hard work,” Zara continues. “My course work isn’t always easy but my lecturers are really approachable and supportive and give me lots of feedback after assignments, which helps me to prepare.” Heading off to college means you can be in charge of your own learning, you might even find a style of revision you didn’t know would work for you. But, most importantly, no matter what you’re doing at college you’re never alone. “I wish I had known that there would be so much support and feedback about your work at college,” she adds. “Also, you’ll meet new people and working in a more mature environment has its benefits.” So, what are you waiting for? Take a step towards your future with Glasgow Clyde College.
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// STUDY
WEST COLLEGE SCOTLAND
www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk A new college with a long history, West College Scotland can help take your ambition further. With courses on campus, in school or online, you’re guaranteed to find your passion. Working with businesses across Glasgow and the West of Scotland, you can get practical, hands-on training to allow you to upskill or retrain.
new college lanarkshire www.nclanarkshire.ac.uk Don’t just learn it; work it at New College Lanarkshire, just like Oliwia Sierakowska who is studying HND Computer Aided Architectural Design and Technology (CAADT) at New College Lanarkshire’s Motherwell Campus. For Oliwia, when her school didn’t have an option to pursue Advanced Higher graphic communications in S6, Oliwia discovered that New College Lanarkshire could provide her an alternative route to gaining a higher qualification in graphic design – and she is reaping the rewards. “You have a lot more freedom in college,” emphasises Oliwia. “In my experience of going straight to HNC from fifth year at school, I enjoyed the freedom of not wearing a uniform, and of lecturers treating you more like an adult and less like a child. They train you to become a professional and prepare you to go out into industry.”
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Now in her second year of study, Oliwia has a new set of friends, is basking in the higher level of learning, and enjoys getting to use the more advanced technology for her studies that weren’t available in high school. Oliwia adds: “The equipment and technology that we use are really good. In school we did a lot of work on paper, but we mostly work on PCs now – and that’s preparing us better for working in industry.” And, the benefits of going to college mean you can go straight into third year for many university courses – if that’s where you want to take your learning. For Oliwia, she is excited to make this opportunity a reality, she adds: “After HND, I would like to go straight into third year at university, then finish uni and get a job. I’m 18 in November, so if I get a place at university I could be a third-year university student when I’m still
Oliwia Sierakowska
only 18.” For students preparing to head off to college, Oliwia advises: “I don’t think you should be stressed or worried because it’s great. It’s obviously something new, but there’s no reason to be scared – it’s something good and an experience that will benefit you in the future and will get you ready for work.” Where will New College Lanarkshire take you?
@source.magazine
18/11/2019 12:51
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// STUDY
the right move There’s more to choosing a uni than deciding which has the best union, or nearest takeaways. We’re bringing you our top tips, to make your university choices as simple as possible, and help find your course for the next four years (eek!)
A
pplying to university through UCAS, you have five choices: that’s five different possible universities you could be settling into in less than a year’s time. The only person that can make that decision is you, don’t worry – there’s lots of support on hand to make the right choice.
COMPARE COURSES Once you’ve settled on the courses you’re considering applying for, take a look at the course content of each of your prospective universities. Are they more assignmentbased, hands-on, or will you have to sit exams each semester? Does one course focus more on your interests? Maybe one offers the opportunity to spend a year on a placement. Think about how you learn best and what you want to get out of your university studies the most.
LEAGUE TABLES
LOCATION
Before choosing a university for its status or reputation, check out the league tables and filter by your chosen courses. The top university for the course you want to study might be somewhere you haven’t considered, or even heard of before, so league tables can be a great way of narrowing down your choices.
Though maybe not the most important consideration, it can help to think about location if you’re struggling to make your mind up. Do you want to live at home to save money, or would you prefer to move to a new city? Open days can be a great way of researching this.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS When researching universities, one of the first things you should look for is their entry requirements, and compare them with your existing and predicted grades. This will enable you to use your five choices wisely, applying to universities that are likely to accept you.
EMPLOYABILITY When applying for university, you’re focussed on the next four years of your life: anything beyond that probably isn’t on your radar yet. But make sure to check out each university’s employment stats: how many students are in work or further study six months after graduation? The course might sound like the best option, but if you’re unlikely to get a job after four years of studying, it’s might not be the right choice. Applying to university is just the first in a long line of big decisions when preparing to leave school. With plenty of research and the right support, you’re well-prepared to take on whatever the next four years have for you.
All the information and support applying for university is available on the UCAS website, www.ucas.com 16 Sourcemagazine.org.uk
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,
Why study at the
‘top modern university in Scotland’*? Because.... • we have a high employment rate - 97.1% of undergraduate leavers find employment or go into further study six months after graduating**; • you’ll never be lost in the crowd - our size and campus environment mean it’s easy to get to know lots of people, and to get support from staff; • our bright, contemporary, student-friendly campus offers superb facilities for learning, teaching and having fun, and is just six minutes by train from Edinburgh city centre; • we have an impressive range of career enhancing extracurricular opportunities that students can benefit from, including awards,scholarships, internships, overseas travel, and volunteering opportunities, and • with our range of undergraduate courses in the areas of business; media, communication and the performing arts; health; and psychology, sociology and education, our courses will prepare you for a meaningful career.
*Source: We are ranked 29th in the ‘modern universities’ table in the Times Good University Guide 2020, placing us first in Scotland in this category. See www.thetimes.co.uk/article/good-university-guide-in-full-tp6dzs7wn?nistatuscode=acsaz-307 ** Source: HESA 2018
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New for 2020
BSc Paramedic Science To view our full range of undergraduate courses, student case studies and films, visit our website.
www.qmu.ac.uk 18/11/2019 15:13
acing the
PERSONAL STATEMENT Writing your personal statement can seem like the most challenging thing you have to do in your school career. Fear not, an expert reveals all the top hints and tips on getting it right
S
elling yourself to your university of choice in 4,000 characters or 47 lines is a daunting prospect, especially if you’re applying to multiple institutions or courses in different subject areas. Although the UCAS Personal Statement might seem like the scariest part of your college or university application, there’s do’s, don’ts and simple ways to make sure you stay on track – and within the word count. Courteney Sheppard is the senior customer experience manager for students at UCAS. “It’s something we know causes a lot of anxiety for students as they are quite concerned about the prospect of starting it,” empathises Courteney. It’s normal to feel worried about writing your personal statement and the application process as a whole, but there is a lot of support and advice available to make it easier.
OPPORTUNITY
Unlike other parts of the UCAS application which are made up of details like qualifications, the personal statement lets your personality shine through, Courteney says: “It is the single point in the application where the student has full control and autonomy to write exactly what they want.” The personal statement is your personal manifesto, made up of the reasons why you want to go into higher education, study on a particular course, show what’s different about you and what you have done to get there so far. This part of the application isn’t just about why a higher education provider should pick you, it’s an opportunity to really think about what you want out of your college or university experience. “It’s also a good opportunity for students to reflect and consider why you are
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applying for higher education, why you really want to do those courses and go to those universities,” adds Courteney. “The key takeaway is that students differentiate themselves from the rest.”
TIME
No matter if you write the first draft of your personal statement in one night or you seem to be stuck in front of a blank screen with no inspiration (we’ve got the t-shirt), there is no right or wrong way to start. Tackling your personal statement as early as possible will give you plenty of time to waffle and find out what you really want to say, or to procrastinate until you are confident enough to begin. Why not get a head start and dedicate an afternoon every week of your summer holidays to writing your first draft? “Students have got a whole summer to think about what they want to put in their personal statement,” explains Courteney. “Take that time period to start writing a first draft, get that read by friends, colleagues for support then redraft it again and again until you are happy with the content.” Clicking upload on your application is sometimes easier said than done, especially with a strict word count. When you first start to write don’t let this hold you back, Courteney advises: “If the personal statement is more than the word count when you first write it that’s OK, you’ll be able to start taking it down. “Write your first draft free flowing, let ideas come out and put them on paper and then slowly work back to get to the character count.”
Be genuine and let your passion for what you want to become show through
INDIVIDUAL
Your personal statement should reflect your interests and passions as an individual, but college and university admissions staff will be looking for particular details about you. “Look at different personal statements and look at what’s important,” stresses Courteney. “The UCAS Higher Education Hub has a personal statement tool that breaks it down into three or four broad questions, so you’re not faced with massive blank sheet to start with.” Answering these questions based on what and where you want to study will break the personal statement down into easier chunks. Once you have an outline and some inspiration, start to flesh it out one question at a time. “[Include] anything appropriate to you as an individual that makes you stand out, also including things like clubs and societies you belong to and why you feel it’s important to belong to something bigger than yourself,” says Courteney. Things like your employment history, hobbies, volunteering, any awards and extra curriculars will ensure your personal statement is unique, Courteney adds: “Those things are all really personal and that makes it interesting to read, it also makes you stand out because it’s different to what everyone else is saying.”
SUPPORT
You might find it easy to hash out the first draft of your personal statement or it might feel like the most difficult thing you’ve ever done. There’s no denying that the pressure to write a good personal statement is high. If you feel overwhelmed during the process seek support from friends, family, a trusted teacher or even a UCAS advisor on their helpline. Most importantly, don’t let anyone tell you not to include what makes you stand out, Courteney says: “Be true to yourself, be genuine and let your passion for what you want to become show thorough that personal statement.” Before you start your personal statement take time to plan what you feel is important to include and what your chosen providers will be looking for. Before you know it, you’ll be on your 47th line.
FIND OUT MORE Visit the UCAS Higher Education Hub (www.ucas.com) or call 0371 468 0 468 for more information, support and advice while writing your personal statement.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE Standing out from the crowd amongst a sea of personal statements can feel like an impossible task. One of the best ways to create a memorable personal statement, while giving back to some worthy causes: volunteering
V
olunteering is not just a great way to make a good impression in your personal statement: it’s a valuable experience that will enable you to give back to a deserving cause, while gaining skills that will aid your learning when you head off to university or college.
CHARITY
The first thing you may consider when thinking about volunteering is working in a charity shop. Customer service is a great way of enhancing your communication skills, and boosting confidence, too. Think about the causes that are important to you: from The British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research, to Barnardo’s and Shelter, maybe there’s one that’s particularly close to your heart. Charities have plenty of opportunities and are always looking for volunteers for a variety of roles. If you want to gain some specific experience, why not look into befriending an elderly or young person, fundraising, helping out with admin or even running their social media: the options are endless. Organisations such as Volunteer Glasgow (www.volunteerglasgow. org) and Volunteer Scotland (www. volunteerscotland.net) can be a great place to start when looking for volunteering opportunities in your local area.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
You’ve probably heard of the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) (www.dofe. org), an exciting experience that’s available to high school students 20 Sourcemagazine.org.uk
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across Scotland. Through it, you’ll be challenged physically, mentally, and will be able to take part in volunteering opportunities and even an outdoor expedition – what’s not to love? The experiences that DofE offers makes you a very attractive candidate for a university – from resilience and problem-solving, to team work and communication, you’ll learn skills that you can utilise in the lecture hall and beyond.
SCHOOL LIFE
You don’t have to look far to find volunteering opportunities, in fact all you may need to do is ask your teacher about chances to volunteer within school – it’s that simple. From coaching the football team, to helping younger pupils with their studies,
you can gain valuable volunteering experiences for your personal statement, while also give back to the school community. Or, as it’s the festive season, why not organise some charitable Christmas events that the whole school can take part in? Christmas Jumper Day takes place on 13 December, so ask other students and teachers to wear their festive clothing in exchange for a small donation to charity. Taking charge over an event such as this will enhance your organisation and leadership skills, and will boost your personal statement in the process. So, what are you waiting for? Expand your horizons and give back to those in need. The right volunteering opportunity is ready for you to join in and get involved!
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STUDENT FUNDING WITH SAAS Going to college or uni next year and studying a course of Higher Education? You need to contact the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for your funding!
B
udgeting as a student can be hard. Your main expenses will be your tuition fees and living costs. While you are studying, SAAS can pay your tuition fees and may provide your bursary, you can also apply for a student loan.
APPLY
You won’t receive your fees automatically when you accept a place on a course, so it’s really important you apply to SAAS as soon as they open in April 2020. This ensures you will get your funding in time for the start of your course.
You can do this online at www. saas.gov.uk, don’t forget: this is separate to your UCAS application. You should apply as soon as you know the course you want to do. Don’t wait for your exam results. If you don’t get on the course you want, you can easily change or cancel your application.
ELIGIBLE
SAAS will check your eligibility, so you will need to meet their residence conditions and be taking a course that they fund. They may ask you for supporting evidence, which could include things like your
parents or partners income, P60 or PAYE income. Remember, you don’t have to take out a student loan, however if you do, you can apply for this through SAAS who then assess your application and send your information to the Student Loans Company (SLC). SLC then issue your loan payments. Other funding is also available if you are care experienced, have a disability or learning difficulty, are bringing up children on your own, or an independent or young student. Visit www.saas.gov.uk for more information.
Other funding and support is available
Help videos are available on the SAAS YouTube channel – YouTube.com/SAAS Help Channel Keep up to date with the latest SAAS news by following SAAS on Facebook – facebook.com/saasfb Follow them on Twitter @saastweet
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GOING FORWARD
The time has come to leave school, and you may be unsure of what path to take. Thankfully, there are options from the world of work all the way to postgraduate learning
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eaving school can be as scary as it is exciting, where do you go now? After four or even six years in high school you might not know what path to take. Regardless if you’re set with a college or university course, going into the world of work: a new direction is never too late to take.
FLYING HIGH
You don’t have to fly to be in the RAF. With over 52 roles on offer, a world of potential (quite literally) was opened up to Josh Taylor when he left school to join up. Ambitious to become a pilot, Josh was drawn to the RAF, but when he started investigating the opportunities available, he chose to hit the ground running by joining the RAF Regiment as a Gunner. This role, open to men, and now women, from age 16 – 47, saw Josh very quickly filling a pivotal role in an adrenaline-fuelled,
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action-packed, career unlike any other he knew. Working as an RAF Regiment Gunner, the opportunities to travel overseas and protect the RAF’s critical assets are just some aspects of the varied, diverse and specialist role. Josh’s position comes with significant responsibilities including providing Force Protection (the measures with which the RAF protects its equipment and people) enabling and supporting worldwide air operations in sometimes challenging environments. Broadening his horizons, Josh found a career that is positively challenging, and from the beginning of his journey, he has been engaged in an organisation that is both diverse and committed to taking him higher. In the first three months after leaving basic training, Josh’s adventure with the RAF truly began as he was deployed on a training mission to help build the
capability of the Nigerian Air Force. Josh enthuses: “I loved Nigeria. I’ve done a bit of travelling so I have seen different cultures, but for someone to go from school and then straight into the RAF and straight to Nigeria, it would be a big difference, but it’s really good.” ‘Work hard, play harder’ is the resounding ethos of the RAF, and with a wealth of opportunities and external activities available: you’re sure to find your passion. From skiing to snowboarding, kayaking to hillwalking, football and rugby, there are many sporting and adventurous activities on offer. The RAF is a rare employer that encourages time off duty to compete in sporting events – all the way to an elite level. This was another appealing aspect of joining the RAF for Josh. “I liked the thought of being part of a group, and part of something bigger. That’s what you do when you’re in this job, you are
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// WORK part of something bigger.” Are you ready to put your best foot forward? With 23 apprenticeships available in the RAF – not to mention the highest paid apprenticeships throughout the UK, starting at £15,670 plus benefits – your future starts here. Josh adds passionately: “Do it for the adventure that you go on. There is no other job in the world where you could be [working in the UK] one day and in Nigeria the next. If you’re the type of person that loves being part of a group, loves sport, loves adventure and travel then there is no better job, I believe.” You don’t have to fly to be in the RAF, see where your career will take you at, www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/apply
BIG IN BUSINESS
Entrepreneurs unite and bring the future of business and ideas to life with the help of Strathclyde Business School (www.strath.ac.uk/business). Boasting an industry recognised reputation for business education, from undergraduate to postgraduate learning, this business school has it all. If you’re keen to take your learning even further,
current postgraduate courses include accounting and finance, economics, marketing to entrepreneurship – it won’t be long until your business is leading the way.
SUPPORTING THE ARMED FORCES
Fulfil your potential and make a difference by becoming a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV) with one of HRFCA’s Cadet organisations. The cadet movement has been making waves since 1860, and you can get involved, too. With a range of CFAV opportunities, including Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) – including the Royal Marines Cadets (RMC) – Army Cadet Force (ACF), Air Training Corps (ATC) and the schoolbased Combined Cadet Force (CCF), you’re guaranteed to be supported to excel and move in a positive direction. Becoming a CFAV is an outstanding way to develop essential skills that will be utilised in an upcoming career, and to be empowered to overcome challenges and take on your future with confidence. Not to mention, making a positive change to your local community and gaining recognised qualifications and
transferable skills in areas such as leadership and management and first aid. Or, consider signing up to become a reservist. With almost 30,660 Volunteer Reservists in the UK coming from a range of backgrounds, it is an excellent step forward to gain a wealth of skills and training, whilst making friends and providing a service to our country. Are you ready to take your future further? Find out more by visiting, www. hrfca.co.uk
THE AFC
Are you a College, University or other business that would like to be involved in supporting our Armed Forces? If the answer is yes, then think about signing the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC). The AFC is a commitment to support servicemen and women and to ensure no member of the Armed Forces should suffer any disadvantage as a result of their service. Covenant signatories can then qualify for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). This encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. Find out more by visiting, www.hrfca. co.uk and www.armedforcescovenant. gov.uk
“That ’s what you do when you’re in the RAF, you are part of something bigger”
FIND OUT MORE
After leaving school, the opportunities are endless. For more inspiration visit Apprenticeship Scot (www.apprenticeships.scot) and Not Going to Uni (www.notgoingtouni.co.uk).
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THE MONEY INSTRUCTION BOOK
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www.lochlomondrecruitment.com
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Supporting Reserves and Cadets Highland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (Highland RFCA) exists to Highland RFCA help promote and maintain Britain’s Reserve Forces as well as the Service Lord Lieutenancies Cadets, youth organisations that help young people fulfil their potential. and Area Committees Our Regional Employer Engagement Directors encourage employers large Highland RFCA and small to support our Armed Forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant – a commitment to support servicemen and women and to ensure no member Northern Area of the Armed Forces should suffer any disadvantage as a result of their service. Covenant signatories can then qualify for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). This encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. It encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the Armed Forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. If you are thinking about becoming a Reservist, volunteering as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, want more information on the Armed Forces Covenant or just want to get involved, Highland RFCA can advise you. To find out more, email hi-reed@rfca.mod.uk or hi-reed2@rfca.mod.uk Western Isles
Shetland
North Eastern Area
Orkney
Caithness
Sutherland
Ross and Cromarty
Banffshire
Nairnshire
North Eastern Area
Moray Aberdeenshire
Inverness
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New boundary line City of Aberdeen
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Kincardineshire
Angus
Perth and Kinross
Argyll and Bute
City of Dundee Fife
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Eastern Area Clackmannanshire
Dunbartonshire North Lanarkshire
Southern Area
Lowland RFCA
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ready, set, study Prelim season is almost here and before you know it you’ll be studying like crazy for your exams in 2020 (sigh). Take a look at our top tips to make you, your best studying self
FIND YOUR METHOD Studying might seem like your worst nightmare, especially if you study for hours but never retain any of the information you have gone over. Finding the best learning style for you will increase your productivity and allow you to remember more information – decreasing your study time in the long run. There are three main types of learning: auditory, visual and tactile. Auditory learners recall information best when topics are explained out loud or when they read things like textbooks out to themselves. Visual learners study effectively utilise graphs, charts, maps and diagrams, and tactile learners study best by carrying out a task themselves, rather than listening to a teacher or watching demonstrations. These three categories can be broken down into simpler activities like quizzing, reviewing and doing.
PLAN IT OUT
STAY FOCUSED
Planning how and what you will study in advance will keep you organised and on track. This can also make studying seem like less of a bore, especially if you set yourself little rewards for completing a block of study that you were dreading. Devise a schedule ahead of your next test or exam dedicating blocks of time to different subjects and the topics within them. Take this opportunity to make sure you have enough time to cover all of the areas you need to, prioritising the ones you find the most difficult. Set aside an extra few hours at the end of your study plan to go over things you might have forgotten or to cover topics you didn’t have a chance to because of unexpected plans or changes in your routine.
It is estimated that notifications popping up on your phone can reduce your productivity by up to 40 per cent. Notification fatigue is real and it’s time to put your FOMO aside so that you can stay focused. Head to page 21 to find out why it’s important for you to switch off when you study and, more importantly, how to switch off. Ahead of your successful study session, make sure you have everything you will need from a glass of water to spare pencils and your best highlighters. The less you get distracted, the more quality studying you’ll get done. Before you know it, you’ll have your studying method down to a fine art.
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FIND OUT MORE Sites like www.educationplanner.org and www.how-to-study.com can help you determine your learning style so that you study effectively. @source.magazine Sourcemagazine.org.uk 25
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DISCONNECTED Ping! Buzz. Ring. We bet you’re sitting with your phone lighting up with texts, notifications and messages as we speak. But, when it comes to revision, it’s time to switch off
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obile phones, what would we do without them? Probz be more productive, we imagine. With revision season right ahead, you need to make the most of your spare time to revise and – sorry – taking time away from your phone is important.
SWITCH OFF
Stefflon Don has been harping on about it, so maybe she’s right: put your phone down (down, down). It might seem impossible, but switching your phone off – or even just leaving it in another room – can make all the difference when you’re revising. Settle into a room that doesn’t have any distractions and get organised with all the tools that will help you revise. We’re talking past papers, highlighters, pens and a notepad. Leave the phone and TV behind. TOP TIP: your brain only takes in new information or processes revision for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes of solid revision, use your 15-minute break to catch up on any pressing Insta posts you may have missed (nothing major, we imagine).
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APP HAPPY
OK, switching off completely is a big ask. But, if you absolutely must have your phone on, make it part of your learning. Keep procrastination at bay with Forest (www.forestapp. cc), the App is committed to helping you stay off your phone and focused on your work. Each time you open the App, you plant a tree and the tree will grow in the amount of time you don’t use your phone. Open your phone and your tree will die. Added bonus: Forest is partnered with a real-tree planting organization, when you gain virtual coins from growing a tree, this will be donated to help plant a real tree. Revision and helping the environment: it’s a win, win. Or go interactive with Quizlet (quizlet.com). Providing six different modes of study from matching words to working with flashcards, you can use the App to learn alone or with your mates. The App is free
to download, has competitions and high scores, plus heaps of study materials for all subjects. Even if you’ve not figured out the type of learner you are, Quizlet Learn can create a study plan to meet your next deadline, while helping you understand the best method of learning for you.
GET ORGANISED
Another clever way to use your phone in the right way is to organise your Apps. When you open your phone and see Insta or Facebook right in front of you, you’re probably going to tap into the app. Well, during revision and exam season, have a social media clear out and app move around. Put all social media Apps onto a different page in your phone so you don’t see them immediately, and instead, move your revision Apps to the front page. You’ll be more inclined to use the revision Apps first or your phone less. When you are sitting down revising, one buzz of your phone can instantly throw you off – hello airplane mode. After an hour, maybe more, you’ll be in the swing of revision.
@source.magazine
18/11/2019 11:10
International Enterprising Leading Local Strathclyde The final word in business education
As a well-established top 10 UK business school* within a leading international technological University, Strathclyde understands the business needs of organisations: from start-ups and SMEs to global players. Our departments and specialist units collaborate to provide a dynamic, fully-rounded and innovative portfolio of specialist and cross-disciplinary postgraduate programmes. Our Masters programmes are consistently ranked among the best in the UK – and around the world – and offer you an ideal opportunity to further enhance your employability and potential, and differentiate yourself in a fiercely competitive graduate market-place. To help with tuition fees we offer a large portfolio of partial scholarships, available for September 2020 entry. All of our Masters programmes are eligible for Student Awards Agency Scotland loans. Visit our website to find out more.
www.strath.ac.uk/business *Financial Times European Business School rankings 2018
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in e v ie l e b e e ur W t u f r ou y
More than just a room Secure your student living for 2020/21 today! www.collegiate-ac.com | +44 (0) 141 231 1321
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// CELEBS
aitch
makes it shake r rom writing rhymes on you ez ym Rh ht aig Str to ne pho on reaching 15 million views as you for l fee t tha s YouTube, how doe an artist? mad. Everything is amazing, it’s I love zy, cra nt Straight Rhymez we rything eve to art kst kic that it was the sonal – that’s one of my little per d that this gla favourites as well, so I’m d. we vie st mo song is one of the
PIC: ©HOLLIE FERNANDO PHOTOGRAPHY
F
estyling, but You’re well known for fre n for your atio pir ins where do you get lyrics? ause it’s It’s a bit of a weird one, bec es into com ver normally just whate ever how n eve ybe ma my head. Or I wrote en wh e, tim the at ling I’m fee t trying to Straight Rhymez I was jus and that ut abo I’m at show people wh rap. My lly rea ld cou I t tha , I could rap hardest the te brain just told me to wri bang I could.
gest names in grime is one Making waves amongst the big ling out a tour in seven lad from Manchester: Aitch. Sel , to reaching 15 million views minutes, releasing his debut EP is Aitch making it shake? on his first single, how exactly
charts with You’ve been climbing the ance ear Buss Down, and your app ake it (M te Tas on Strike a Pose, but ere did Wh ite. our fav fan Shake) is the g? son you get the idea for that y Listening to it, it’s not a ver of what I’m ms ter in e mainstream tun reotypical top talking about; it’s not a ste the end, it’s In five. That’s why I like it. rhymes on d har e som just me spitting to go in too ing try t sn’ wa I – t a sick bea something ate much, I was trying to cre to, and it ng alo g sin that people could g. kin ended up clic
nded right put on eight songs that sou one after the other.
ch20, how And looking at your EP, Ait t? tha on did you work studio and I kept making songs in the strongest ht eig I decided not to put my feeling the ber em rem I songs on the EP. which EP, my h wit ng alo go to I wanted ether tog s ow fl t was just a flow. It all jus in e vib nt ere diff nicely. There’s no I wanted to there, it’s all just flowing.
um soon? So, can we expect an alb um is going I’m not going to say an alb not my it’s e to come soon, becaus process. the in is it but main focus, are you Heading on the road, how tour? ber em Dec r you preparing for rything eve e sur ke ma to ing try I’m just to go ng goi ’re is bigger and better – we es tim ten do to ng goi crazy. I’m always time, s thi and m, for per I en harder wh properly we’re going to do [touring] Obviously, r. tou rst compared to the fi this next but k, sic s wa r the first tou one is going to be crazy. n’t heard Finally, for anyone who has words sums of you before: what three up Aitch? es – but Mancunian, unique and vib ez. Vib with a z.
The first tour was sick, but this next one is going to be crazy
Will you be there? Don’t miss Aitch on 3 December at Glasgow’s SWG3, and listen to AitcH20 here, www.spotify.com
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FIRST RESPONDERS The emergency services are a lifeline if you are in danger or need to help others during a
crisis, but the real heroes are the individuals on the ground. Do you have what it takes to enter the world of medicine and the emergency services?
SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE www.firescotland.gov.uk
No one takes the same path to starting their dream career. After finishing an honours degree and working as a DNA Analyst in London, Cari started to consider making a career change. Applying to qualify as a firefighter was an obvious option, Cari says: “It looked to be an exciting job with the opportunity for a wide range of training, advancement and specialisation. “I also see it as a great opportunity to help people and become a role model by showing that females can succeed in a role that is historically male
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dominant.” From when she first started her training, Cari was surprised at how easy it was to make friends and settle in. Bonding with your squad is key to success as a firefighter as you will have to pull together as a team to problem solve. As she continues on the road to becoming a fully qualified firefighter, Cari would encourage others to research the job role as much as possible, using the information available online to help with the application process.
SCOTTISH AMBULANCE SERVICE www.scottishambulance.com
Learning new skills Dion to start your career doesn’t have to mean going to college or university. Dion always knew that higher education wasn’t right for her, so looked for a career where she could learn at work. Now, Dion is a student ambulance technician in Tayside, she says: “The option of being able to train on the job was appealing to me as... I prefer a ‘hands on’ approach.” Dion trained for 14 weeks and has now been out on the road as a student technician for five months, responding to emergencies. “I am thoroughly enjoying the job; I come across so many different situations each day and the variety is great for learning,” stresses Dion. “I hadn’t realised how much patients trust and rely on you to do the right thing – this is a responsibility I feel privileged to have.” No day in the Ambulance Service is the same with its own challenges and rewards. Joining the service has changed Dion’s approach to learning, she now hopes to study paramedic training at university.
@source.magazine
18/11/2019 16:38
// WORK
university courses BSc Adult Nursing University of Stirling stir.ac.uk/2uv
POLICE SCOTLAND scotland.police.uk
Sometimes your career path is inspired from unrelated experiences that have an impact on you. While he was writing his dissertation at university, Nejc learned about human trafficking and wanted to make a difference, he explains: “I realised that my academic contribution may not make much of a difference to tackling the issue. “I felt like I wanted to Nejc take more of a handson approach, and that’s when I started thinking about a career with Police Scotland.” With an interest in theory-based work as well as staying active, Nejc decided that a career in the police would be the best of both worlds. Nejc is now undertaking his probationary period as a Police Constable. “I have really enjoyed the training so far and believe it has given me an excellent foundation for my career,” adds Nejc. “That’s the great thing about a career with Police Scotland: you have the ability to choose where you want to work and what you want to do.” If a career that combines theory and fitness sounds perfect for you visit the website to find out more.
From a young age, Graeme has been motivated to give back, working across youth services, mental health support and more, before he started his degree in Adult Nursing at the University of Stirling. Inspired to continue helping others, Graeme decided to pursue a career in Nursing, he says: “Nursing seemed to give me the best chance to work with people, continue to develop the skills I wanted and provide me with the variation and challenge that I want from a career.” Graeme always had his sights set on the University of Stirling, attracted by their progressive approach to studying Nursing. “Having the chance to study adverse childhood experiences, undertake training like Being Dementia Smart (BDS) and having that additional backing of being a graduate from Stirling were all appealing,” explains Graeme
BSc Paramedic Science programme Queen Margaret University www.qmu.ac.uk
Queen Margaret University’s new BSc Paramedic Science course is guaranteed to provide you with the necessary skills and understanding to deliver out of hospital care in a range of health settings as a member of an integrated health and social care team. Get excited to learn through innovative teaching, including virtual reality technology.
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Graeme. “I wanted to go to a university that was recognised for providing quality training and as such, providing quality nurses.” Now in his third year, Graeme has learnt more than he could have ever expected. Placement has been a key area for his learning, as Graeme admits he can sometimes find theory challenging. “It means you can take what’s being discussed in class and start to apply it,” emphasises Graeme. “It also means that you can start to understand what kind of care interests you.” With support from lecturers at the university and colleagues on placement Graeme knows he chose the right university for him, to help take his career in adult nursing further. It’s time to discover how the University of Stirling can help you.
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18/11/2019 11:17
Joining the Royal Naval Reserve can offer you: • The opportunity to gain new skills, expertise and qualifications • The ability to support the Royal Navy on operations • The opportunity to travel • The chance to meet new people and develop a camaraderie unlike anything you will get in your civilian life • Flexible commitment • You will receive an annual tax free bounty if you complete just 24 days of training • Plus RN rates of pay WEST & CENTRAL SCOTLAND
HMS DALRIADA
37-51 Birkmire Road, Govan Glasgow, G51 3JH
Telephone us on 0758 449 1910 or email navymr-dalriadamailbox@mod.uk
ARE YOU STIRLING?
SOMETHING THAT ISN’T THE EVERYDAY
HMS Dalriada serves the City of Glasgow, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire & Renfrewshire. To find out more about upcoming events search @RoyalNavalReserve on Facebook
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED
A CAREER IN
NURSING? At the University of Stirling we offer courses in : :
- ADULT NURSING - MENTAL HEALTH NURSING BSc / BSc (Hons)
The Guardian University Guide 2020
Find out more : stir.ac.uk/adultnursing stir.ac.uk/mentalhealthnursing
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14/11/2019 18:03
// STUDY
step into teaching When you’re sitting in class, listening to your teacher explain the periodic table or the themes of Romeo and Juliet, it can feel impossible to imagine yourself up there behind the desk. One student reveals why a career in teaching is more exciting than you might first think
G
ranted, we bet school is not your favourite place in the world. However, it is an important tool for your future and your teachers play a crucial role in that. Do you have what it takes to inspire, educate the next generation and make an impact on others – not to mention be part of an extremely rewarding role?
ON THE JOB
Life as a teacher is busy, regardless of whether you want to go into primary or secondary teaching. The most important part of the job is working
with the young people in your class to aid their education and support their learning. However, a typical day in the life of a teacher involves much more: from marking and organising events, to working with other teachers and communicating with parents and guardians. Teachers have a huge responsibility, so it’s no wonder that universities carefully select the best candidates for their courses, and for the important role. Universities around Scotland offer undergraduate courses in education, preparing you for life as @SourceMag
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a teacher through academic study and placements in schools, where you can put what you’ve learned to practical use in the classroom. At most universities, you can combine an education degree with other subjects, such as history, French, economics, chemistry or politics. This helps if you want to specialise in a certain subject, and can open up more exciting opportunities when you graduate.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE
The good news is, you don’t have to complete a four-year undergraduate @source.magazine Sourcemagazine.org.uk 33
18/11/2019 16:17
// STUDY
course in education to become a teacher. In Scotland, you can undertake a one-year post graduate diploma of education (PGDE), which offers an alternative route into the profession. This means, once you have completed your undergraduate in the subject of your choice, it’s possible to decide to go on to train as a teacher, without having to return to square one. Jodie-Ann McNeill chose to go down this route after she graduated in International Fashion Branding at Glasgow Caledonian University. She’s now studying her PGDE in Primary Education at the University of the West of Scotland. “I didn’t feel like I was suited, personality-wise to the industry, I felt like I wasn’t helping anyone,” admits Jodie-Ann. “Teaching is something I’ve always thought about doing, but when you go to university and you’re on that trajectory, you just roll with it. I thought about my priorities
and what I wanted from my career. I wanted to feel fulfilled, have job satisfaction, and that’s what teaching gives me.” The benefit of doing the PGDE is that you have already completed four years of university, so have a wealth of skills that will help you during your teacher training. Jodie-Ann explains: “There are lots of skills that I gained during my undergraduate degree. There was a lot of business involved in the course, including numeracy which was helpful. There was an emphasis on organisation, and the creativity was very transferable – I’m quite a creative person so that skill lends itself well to teaching, too.” Knowing that the one-year PGDE course is an option when graduation comes around means you don’t have to pursue an undergraduate degree in teaching if you’re not certain it’s what you want to do. It’s never too late to pursue your passion: if you decide down the line
that you want to start teaching, there is support available to help you make the transition into the career.
PRACTICE
Your time in lectures will teach you invaluable skills that you’ll be able to use in your teaching, but there’s no better way of gaining the necessary experience than during your placement. As with the undergraduate degree, PGDE students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in the classroom, while being supported by a dedicated teacher within the school. “Being in the classroom cements that you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing and you’re on the right track, moving towards a career you’re supposed to have,” Jodie-Ann says. “It’s been a wholly positive experience. It’s lovely to be in the school environment and be part of that community, too.” Your placement gives you an opportunity to use the skills you’ve learned at university to good use in a practical environment, and is a great way of understanding the realities of classroom life. “You just have to throw yourself in at the deep end and get on with it,” JodieAnn advises. “You get the best out of the experience that way.”
VALUABLE
Teaching is a big responsibility, but if you’re a great communicator, creativelyminded, good at organising and up for the challenge, there’s nothing stopping you from making your leap into the classroom. “I’m very excited to finally get into the classroom with my own class,” enthuses Jodie-Ann. “I’m overjoyed to know I’ve found something that I’m happy doing, that also benefits other people – that’s the best part about it. Just being able to connect with your class and making as big an impact as you possibly can: the small wins with children give you the biggest satisfaction.” Teaching is one of the most important, valuable jobs there is: we all have that one teacher who supported us, believed in us and helped us reach our goals. With the right training, you could be that teacher, too.
FIND OUT MORE Launch your career in teaching, head to the University of the West of Scotland website (www.uws.ac.uk), or the General Teaching Council for Scotland (www.gtcs.org.uk). 34 Sourcemagazine.org.uk
@SourceMag
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@source.magazine
18/11/2019 11:49
GO FURTHER
VOLUNTEER AS A CADET LEADER
If you’re interested in inspiring and leading the next generation – and want to build your own leadership and team working skills – why not take a look at the Army Cadets. If you’ve got the potential we’ll provide all the training you need (and cover your expenses for attending training, annual camp and for a number of other duties). Find out more at armycadets.com/volunteer-with-us
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18/11/2019 15:11
// WORK
In the studio with a
MASTERING ENGINEER Chris Gehringer has been a mastering engineer for over 33 years, working on albums for some of the biggest names in music. Discover what it takes to work on music with Harry Styles, Rihanna, and Twenty One Pilots
M
astering music for huge artists might sound like a dream, but as a mastering engineer it could be your reality – it’s time to learn how to get your creative juices to the top of the charts. Since he can remember, Chris Gehringer has been a music fan, but has always especially loved music’s sound. Mastering audio is the final step in the process of creating music, and the first step to distributing music to you – the fans.
SOUND
CONNECTION
Despite having such an impressive client list, he would never choose one artist as his favourite, he explains: “I don’t have a favourite anything – I have great friends and clients that I have connected with over the years. “If I had to pick a few highlights I would say Wu-Tang Clan’s album 36 36 Sourcemagazine.org.uk
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@SourceMag
Chambers, Naughty by Nature’s first album, my first Grammy nomination, and all of the Rihanna sessions.” Even the coolest jobs, like the ones that involved working with Rihanna, have their ups and downs, and even some challenges.
PROCESS
“The best part of my job is working on records that sound amazing or working on songs that become huge hits or anthems,” explains Chris. “I feel so lucky to be a part of the process. “The worst part of my job is if can’t make a client happy with the end result.” Now, with years of experience as a mastering engineer, Chris would encourage young people to follow in his footsteps, he says: “If I could give any piece of advice, it would be to be open to all styles of music and embrace every
“Be open to all styles of music and embrace every opportunity that comes your way” opportunity that comes your way.” If you have a love for music and a passion to learn about what it takes behind the scenes, have an ear for different music styles and an interest in working across genres: mastering engineering could be the perfect career for you.
PIC: © QUENTINBACON
“I became a mastering engineer because I loved working with controlling sound,” explains Chris. “I feel a connection with the sound of the music more than the individual tracks themselves.” With his heart set on the career Chris went on to study at the Institute of Audio Research for a year to qualify, he says: “It really is a job that you learn more as you do more. [Before I started] I knew what it was but I really had no idea what it was like to work in a mastering studio.” After more than 30 years as a mastering engineer Chris has been nominated for 10 Grammy Awards and worked with some massive names in modern music. Today, Chris’s list of clients includes Halsey, Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, 5SOS and many more.
FIND OUT MORE Courses providing further learning on becoming a mastering engineer are available from Riverside Music College (www.riversidemusiccollege.ac.uk).
@source.magazine
18/11/2019 11:21
Student Discount Stay Safe – Be Great
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18/11/2019 12:16
WE ARE HIRING!
Are you newly qualified or leaving School? NHS Highland has something for you • We are recruiting: Nurses (RGN and RMN), Midwives, Allied Health Professionals, Doctors, Domestics, Porters, Health Care Support Workers, Administrators & Modern Apprenticeships. • Various locations throughout the Highlands of Scotland • Rural Setting or City Living the choice is yours – we have both
For information about living and working in the Highlands please visit https://nhshighland.medical.careers.global or www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk and select NHS Highland for vacancy information
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18/11/2019 11:39
THE WONDER OF
// WORK
WANDERLUST Head out for an adventure like no other, and get paid for it: we’re talking a paid gap year. Yes, you can literally have the best of both worlds as you travel
W
hen was the last time you were scrolling through Insta only to see snaps of people living their best life on a lake in Canada or standing on a beach in Thailand? It’s happened to all of us at some point, but, you could be doing the exact same. Heading off to the other side of the world to experience new cultures, meet interesting people from different countries to making memories doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. You’re skint? Don’t worry, you can travel and get paid for it thanks to the evergrowing industry of paid gap year opportunities.
Connor exploring America
GONE CAMPING
For 50 years, Camp America has been providing cultural exchange programmes where you can spend your summer living and working in a camp in the USA. It’s your own taste of the American Dream, and Connor Lunn knows just how that dream can become a reality. “My passion and skills were primarily in sports coaching. Having the opportunity to go over to the USA and gain valuable coaching experience and showcase my skills was a massive incentive for me,” enthuses Conner, who heard about Camp America from a friend. “He told me all about his time at the Camp, and I immediately researched the programme. I was hooked instantly.” Work, travel, and play in the heart of America, thanks to one of the most trusted organisations worldwide. There’s no doubt that getting ready to jet off to the other side of the world is going to be overwhelming, not to mention expensive – Camp America is dedicated to ensuring the process is seamless.
Connor continues: “The application process was very easy. I filled in my personal information, what my availability would be for the summer, my camp type preferences and the list of skills I could offer to various summer camps. It was very easy to fill out, with handy pointers along the way from Camp America.” After his initial interview, Connor had the opportunity to ask as many questions as he wanted, before he started a summer experience like no @SourceMag
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“The personal and professional skills I have gained have been second to none” @source.magazine Sourcemagazine.org.uk 39
18/11/2019 11:22
// WORK
other. Camp America boasts a range of roles, so there’s guaranteed to be a position to suit just what you’re looking for. In Connor’s case, during his first year with Camp America he was hired as a general counsellor.
STEPPING STONE
“I loved the responsibility of being a positive role model to the children and developing bonds with them,” emphasises Connor. “I would teach a variety of activities from football, basketball, ultimate frisbee and fishing. This helped me develop my scope of sports and activities I could be confident teaching.” Connor continues: “In the years following, I would move to senior staff positions, being a support role for new counsellors and leading various programmes and villages around camp. This helped expand my leadership qualities and develop my leadership style. It also helped me gain valuable insight to the administrative side to camp.” There are many benefits to getting involved in a paid gap year, from widening your understanding of the world, and your career. Going to work abroad has many benefits for your future, and is highly appealing to any potential employers. Expand your CV, hone in on specific skills, continually learn, not to mention work in a team with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and more: working abroad is not only fun, it’s a significant stepping stone.
EXPERIENCE
Alongside Camp America, there are loads of exciting opportunities and programmes available that will see you jetting off to your exciting new life and working in a field that you’re interested in. If you’ve always had a passion for language, TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) is a fantastic route. With 80 per cent of graduates finding a job within two months, your journey could see you teaching in France to South Korea, Morocco to Argentina: you name it, you have the chance to be there. Or, head off with Oyster – the service has been sending travellers and paid workers abroad since 2006. There are
40 Sourcemagazine.org.uk
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@SourceMag
Connor at Camp America
a host of destinations and options to take, from animal welfare and conservation, paid hospitality work to training to become a ski instructor course. Stepping onto the plane will see your world open up in ways you had never imagined. “Working over in the States gave me much needed confidence and helped me figure out specifics in what I wanted to do in life,” enthuses Connor. “Having a sport coaching background, working on this in the USA was huge for me.” Connor has since gone onto study Sport Coaching at university, and still works with Camp America. Connor adds: “I would 100 per cent recommend Camp America as means to work during a gap year. The personal and professional skills I have obtained have been second to none and gave me a much-needed push in the right direction. My experience over the last five summers will stay with me forever; I have gained valuable life experience and made friends for life from all over the world.” No matter if a gap year has always been on the cards, is a daily daydream, or an option you’ve not yet considered, there are a wealth of experiences and directions the world can take you in. Have you got your passport ready?
FIND OUT MORE Discover your next adventure with Camp America (www.campamerica.co.uk/source-mag), TEFL (www.tefl.org), and Oyster (www.oysterworldwide.com).
@source.magazine
18/11/2019 11:53
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18/11/2019 11:47
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18/11/2019 15:12
// HEALTH
SUPPORTING YOUNG MEN
EVERY LIFE MATTERS Let’s face it, being young can be hard. There is a lot of expectation on you to succeed in school, think about the next steps and be proactive. However, young people in Scotland are facing a mental health crisis, what needs to be done to help you reach out?
D
id you know: around one in three Scottish people will experience mental health problems at some point during their life. We all have mental health, and sometimes, people can experience mental illness or challenging times, but young men are less likely to ask for support. The hard and upsetting truth is that suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK, and is the cause of 84 deaths every week: that’s one man every two hours. In Scotland, almost three quarters of all suicides are male, highlighting that brothers, sons, dads and friends don’t
feel comfortable asking for support and accessing mental health services.
STIGMA
University student Shah Gill struggled with his mental health from a young age, after moving to Scotland from Pakistan. “I was bullied as a child because I was especially different,” Shah explains. “In later life this made me very anxious and I struggled with food as a result. Afterwards I needed support with an eating disorder and bad food habits. I used excuses not to seek support, like it costs too much and I didn’t have time. I still don’t have time, but it was a @SourceMag
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@source.magazine Sourcemagazine.org.uk 43
18/11/2019 11:58
REACH OUT
When you have school, homework, revision, clubs and socialising to think about, it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed and want to take a step back to recharge. But, when it all starts to get too much, it’s important to know that support is available. But, for various reasons, young men may feel more reluctant to reach out for support: this could be because of the problems being dealt with, or the perception that asking for help
Trust that you have something important to say. And don’t be too shy to say it. Your voice matters and you matter. will be seen as a weakness. There are still outdated ideas of what masculinity means, which can put pressure on young men, especially those who don’t feel they meet these expectations. However, more men in the public eye are encouraging others to hold open discussions about mental health with each other. Stormzy, Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans are just a few of the famous men who’ve struggled with their mental health and are inspiring others to seek support. “Men aren’t encouraged to open up about certain things,” says Shah. “Their concerns and frustrations are often ignored or laughed at and
there’s little sympathy or empathy. It took me a long time to develop my voice and control over my life. I think if the right surroundings support young people they have a better chance to cope.” The first step towards reducing the stigma about mental health is having conversations with each other, and normalising the topic in friend groups. Asking a friend how they’re doing, reaching out if a mate starts to isolate themselves, or just sending a simple text, are a few of the ways to show that you care and are willing to listen – a simple conversation can make all the difference.
SUPPORT
When you’re struggling with your mental health, it can feel like a situation that is impossible to escape from. The first step to recovering is reaching out – to a friend, parent, sibling, teacher, GP or charity. And even if you’re not personally experiencing any issues with your own mental health, it’s important to be mindful of the people around you and being there for others, should they need it. “Mental health is for everyone,” Shah emphasises. “Just because you don’t feel you need support, it doesn’t mean others feel the same. It’s partially just about respecting and looking out for your friends and family. Just the question ‘are you okay?’ can go a long way into having someone open up.” It’s okay not to be okay, and whenever you’re ready, there is support on hand to help you navigate your feelings and get your life back on track. “It does get better,” urges Shah. “Even if that advice doesn’t help you right now, the hopefulness is something that is invaluable. It’s okay to not have everything in order in your life. Things get messy but that doesn’t mean your life is, or you are as a person. Trust that you have something important to say. And don’t be too shy to say it. Your voice matters and you matter.”
STATISTICS FROM THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT, WWW.THECALMZONE.NET AND WWW.CHOOSELIFE.NET
worthwhile investment into myself.” The stigma surrounding mental health, combined with expectations of what it means to be a man, in result male students may take longer to ask for help with their mental health; or may not reach out at all. This is why Shah and other young mental health campaigners are taking the time to spread one simple message: you’re not alone, and help is out there. “I think men are more discouraged [from getting] outside help, so don’t open up,” Shah continues. “I’m like that even after receiving support. I saw coping strategies as more fluffy, silly stuff. Now I see they’re practical, like breathing exercises, or mindfulness.”
FIND OUT MORE For support with your mental health, visit Samaritans (www.samaritans.org), See Me (www.seemescotland.org) or SAMH (www.samh.org.uk). 44 Sourcemagazine.org.uk
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@SourceMag
@source.magazine
18/11/2019 11:59
// HEALTH
FIGURING OUT
THE FRENEMY
When you’re experiencing difficulties with your mental health, some of the first people you might consider reaching out to are your pals. But, if your mates aren’t there for you when things get tough, it can be hard to know where to turn
H
as your friend ever said something that made you feel rubbish? Something that sounded like a joke but made you feel insecure or unsure if they were being serious?
TOXIC
Bullying isn’t always obvious: sometimes it comes in the form of a snide comment or dirty look from someone who is supposed to be your friend. This emotional bullying can have a huge impact on your mental health, and it’s important to know the signs of a toxic friend. Friendships are supposed to be equal: you have to get as much as you give. If you find your friend uses you as a sounding board for their problems, but never ask how you’re doing; or falls out with you over trivial things; or stops you from being friends with people
outside your group, you might be part of a toxic friendship. It can be hard to know what to do in this situation, especially if you still care about your mate, despite how they treat you.
HONEST
Firstly, you should try and tell them how you feel. They might not be aware of how their actions are affecting you, and telling them might be all it takes to change their behaviour. If they apologise and change their behaviour, you can move forward and know you can be more honest about their actions in the future. If they react badly, you may want to consider the future of your friendship. Mates are supposed to be there for you, in good times and bad. If your friend is making you feel sad more than they make you feel happy, it’s time to walk away, and focus on your real pals instead.
SPOT THE SIGNS They can be hard to spot, but some of the most common signs of a frenemy are: • You never know if it’ll be a good or bad day for your friendship • They act differently around other people. They might ignore you or make fun of you in front of others • You change your personality around them, to something you think they’ll like • They criticise you, or you feel they judge you
FIND OUT MORE For more advice about bullying, or fake friendships, visit RespectMe (www.respectme.org.uk), or the Anti-Bullying Alliance (www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk).
@SourceMag
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@source.magazine Sourcemagazine.org.uk 45
18/11/2019 11:59
// CELEBS
in limbo with
joesef W
hat were the main influences for your new EP, Play Me Something Nice? It’s a blend of music I like to listen to. I wouldn’t like to make anything I wouldn’t listen to myself, so I think it’s a reflection of that. It’s about my first ever break-up and the world ending, as a result.
Ethereal, honest, and raw, Joesef has taken the music industry by storm, and shows no signs of slowing down. We caught up with the Glaswegian singer to chat supporting Loyle Carner and being recognised in Marks and Spencer
just mind-blowing. I can’t believe how quickly it happened. It’ll be the cherry on top of a big year.
Do you find that being from Glasgow, people are starting to recognise you? I’ve been stopped a few times. I was in Marks and Spencer and a guy asked me to record a birthday message for his I wouldn’t like girlfriend. My face was to make anything beetroot and I was holding butter or something. I wouldn’t listen
How have fans responded to the EP? People have been messaging me, telling to myself me personal things. How does social media It’s nice if people can help you connect with your understand themselves fans? a bit better because of it. It’s a wee look into who you Sometimes I feel like a bit of actually are. If I wasn’t on social an idiot if I feel a certain way, but if media, I feel like people would listen to you hear someone else singing about going through it as well, you don’t feel so alone.
my songs and think I was walking about with a big, black cloud over my head. I feel like it’s nice to make light of things and connect with people on a different level. For anyone that hasn’t heard your music yet, how would you describe it? It’s quite summery, but quite melancholic at the same time. So, they’re kind of sunset tunes. Sad sunset songs. Catch Joesef at SWG3 on 23 December, or stream his debut EP, Play Me Something Nice, over at, open.spotify.com
So, coming from people connecting with you and resonating with your music: what’s your favourite lyric you’ve ever written? In Limbo, I sing: “I hate you, but isn’t that love said a different way?” For me, that was a big theme of the EP as a whole, because I tried my best to hate somebody, but it just made me love them. Hate and love are very closely related. Going on to playing live, you supported Loyle Carner at SWG3 in October, what was that like? Loyle Carner is one of my heroes. He was so nice, he signed a vinyl for me and gave me a jumper. He couldn’t have been nicer, it was a dream come true. Did the gig get you excited about playing your own headline show at SWG3 on 23 December? It’s going to be the best end to the best year. When we played King Tut’s at the start of the year, before we sold it out, I didn’t think it was going to happen. To play SWG3 not even a year later, it’s 46 Sourcemagazine.org.uk
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@SourceMag
18/11/2019 11:25
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18/11/2019 12:18