Xplode Magazine (Manchester Communication Academy Edition) by Youth Leads UK

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ARE YOU A CREATIVE PERSON?

By Fatema Nazri

Creativity can come in so many different forms and isn’t limited to a certain group of people. You don’t have to be privileged to be creative. Things like art, music, writing and acting are hobbies that anybody could follow. It’s also quite personal to me: drawing and creativity, in general, have always been a part of my life.

With times progressing, creativity has grown and become more relevant. The internet has brought many opportunities for people to explore themselves and their identities, whether this is through creating art, writing, or music. Creativity truly has no limitations - even in these three examples, there are so many sub-categories, it would be almost impossible to list them all off the top of my head. With this in mind, I don’t think people realise just how easy it is to be creative. All a person really needs is a “spark”. From my own experiences, I can say how easy it is to find something to be passionate about in the creative world. It took one little English lesson to bring me into the joy of poetry, which then introduced me to the world of music and the goal of one day being able to write a song.

It’s never too late to start a new creative hobby; I’ve been constantly drawing and, ten years later, I’m still improving these skills whilst also looking into writing and learning to play instruments.

I wouldn’t say you need any sort of serious commitment to start a new creative hobby either. I find that doing things at your own pace allows for your creativity to flow and you might find that your newfound hobby feels less of a chore and would help you say goodbye to the creative block. But above all else, enjoy yourself and with creativity, that’s all that should matter.

A NEED TO END BULLYING, RIGHT AWAY!

By Peace Adeoye

Bullying can lead to physical, emotional and mental distress. We’re probably familiar with physical bullying, but we might sometimes overlook emotional and cyber-bullying. Let’s look deeper into what the effects of bullying are because hurting others will definitely not fix your problems.

EMOTIONAL BULLYING

Emotional bullying is when you, in a way, insult somebody. Saying things that leave someone emotionally traumatised, can be counted as bullying. This can be common with peers hurling insulting words to their mates, either in schools or anywhere else. You never can tell how a person feels on the inside. A need to be conscious of how we speak to people and respect them is important - we need to get rid of carelessness.

CYBER-BULLYING

Cyber-bullying is when you use phones and social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, to threaten people. Cyber-bullying can make us wonder if the internet, including social media platforms, can impact people in a positive or negative way. People often insult each other on the internet but this culture is uncalled for. Social media platforms are there for people to interact with each other, not to inflict pain on someone.

Let’s live right and make the world a positive place to be. Let us constantly treat people the way we want to be treated.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU OR A FRIEND ARE EXPERIENCING BULLYING?

First of all, do not keep the secret away from adults that can help you. If you are the friend of a victim of bullying it’s important that they know you are ready to listen. You can also encourage the victim to speak to an adult; they may have a better solution to the problem as they have more experience. Another tip that may be of help to the victim, is to tell them how special they are. You can start by reminding them of the good qualities that are embedded in them as an individual.

Helplines to contact if you or a friend are being bullied: Childline: 0800 1111 https://www.childline.org.uk/ Anti-Bullying Alliance: 0808 168 9111 https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/

THE CULTURE OF PAKISTAN: TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW

By Kristal Read

You’ve probably heard of Pakistan, but how much do you really know about the South Asian country? Chances are, not a lot. What people don’t know is that Pakistan is a staple in Asian culture - with delicious food, colourful festivals and inspiring faith.

Pakistan is the fifth-most populated country in the world, with a population of almost 242 million people. It has the world’s second-largest Muslim population. Pakistanis all over the world often face the dilemma of explaining what their culture really entails, thanks to years of news-media exaggeration and agenda-setting. Let’s clear a few things up.

1. FOOD

Food is very important in Pakistan culture. Pork is forbidden under Islamic tenets, so the animal proteins of choice are lamb, mutton, chicken, beef, and fish but there is a wide and delicious variety of vegetarian foods which often are more popular than the meat dishes. Food ties in with family time and celebrations, making it an important part of culture.

2. DIVERSITY

Pakistan is home to multiple ethnicities based on region, religion, language, and culture. A few of the existing ethnicities include Baloch, Brahui, Sindhi, Punjabi, Muhajir, Saraiki, Memon, Kalashi, Balti, Wakhi, Afghani, Kashmiri, and Hindkowan.

3. RELIGION

Pakistan is an Islamic Republic, meaning Islam is the official religion and laws are written to be consistent with its teachings. The state religion is central to daily life in Pakistan; Mosques are located in almost every neighbourhood and the call to prayer is heard throughout urban areas five times a day.

4. LANGUAGES

The official number of languages actively spoken in Pakistan is between 73 and 76. While Urdu is the most widely spoken, within hours of travel between the country’s districts you could be hearing multiple languages and dialects.

5. WEDDINGS

No matter the religion, weddings are a big deal in Pakistan. The celebrations usually start with a day dedicated to henna application, followed by a musical night and a night of traditional rituals to bless the couple. Then, there are receptions that last two days, thrown by the bride and groom’s side of the family.

6. FAMILY

Family comes first in Pakistan due to religious, cultural, economic and societal values. Families are often brought together by marriage and nonblood relatives quickly become just as important as those from birth.

7. SPORTS

Pakistan is famous for cricket. The sport may have been introduced to Pakistan by the British, but today, the country has not only made its own but has also raised one of the world’s best cricket teams.

8. TEA

Pakistan is the third-largest importer of tea, although some tea is grown locally too. Pakistanis make their tea strong and sweet in either milk or diluted milk depending on their preference. Sometimes cardamom and other spices are added to tea on special occasions. Chai is a popular beverage in Pakistan and can be found in most Asian supermarkets and restaurants in the UK too!

9. POETRY

Sufi poetry is widely read in Pakistan. Sufis show their devotion through many means like dance, poetry, whirling, meditation, etc. Some of the country’s most spiritually advanced and unifying messages of love are found in Sufi poetry.

10. CLOTHING

The national dress in Pakistan is shalwar kameez (pronounced shalvar-ka-meeze) and is worn by men and women. Shalwar kameez refers to loose trousers and shirts. Wearing this attire is great for hot weather as the material is light and breathable. Each region has its own twist on the shalwar kameez, with many examples being brightly coloured and patterned.

VIEWS ON VIDEO GAMES:

VIOLENCE OR SURVIVAL?

Some video games are made out to be violent games that influence the behaviour of the player, but can survival games actually teach you how to survive in a real-world situation?

Surreal games - Can they be applied to the real world?

Games such as “Call of Duty” are mainly based around war and fighting with other people, which could be good to learn some tactics. However, most of the Call of Duty games are based in the future with more advanced technology, which is far from what we have in the real world. Some parents tend to see it as a game that could influence violence in their children and refuse to let them play most games, even though some can teach good survival techniques.

By Rebecca Brown

Games based around the genre of survival could actually be applied to real-world situations, “Stranded Deep” is a good example of an educational game. The story is based on a plane crash only you have survived, you are then taught how to maintain your health and hunger, while also learning how to create a shelter to survive until you are saved. It teaches you to hunt and cook food to stay alive, and how to boil seawater to make it drinkable.

There are many different arguments about games. One being, how they can potentially influence bad behaviour, in contrast to the suggestion that they teach you life skills which could help in the real world. Not everyone can be convinced that some video games could actually be good for you, but you can’t view them all the same. Why not give some a chance?

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE MET GALA BALL

By Katie Thompson

What actually is the Met Gala?

Many people know what the Met Gala is, they mainly know it as a ball which celebrities go to once every year. However, it is something more than just a ball, it is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institutes. This year, the theme of the Met Gala was “Anthology of Fashion”. This meant that we see fashion from different periods of time allowing there to be a range of designer outfits.

When and where does the Met Gala take place?

The Met Gala takes place on the first Monday of May each and every year. The Met Gala is held at Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City. The venue itself, ‘The Metropolitan Museum of Art - The Costume Institute’, is known for the paintings inside, as there are approximately 2,500 European paintings inside its walls. These include: The Death of Socrates, Washington Crossing the Delaware, The Dance Class and The Gulf Stream.

Who is the founder of the Met Gala?

The Met Gala was originally founded by Eleanor Lambert. Not only was Eleanor Lambert the founder of the Met Gala but she was the founder of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, The International Best-Dressed list and New York Fashion Week.

Why do I love the Met Gala?

I love the Met Gala because of the outstanding pieces of fashion that you are able to see the celebrities wearing as they head inside the ball, and how all the celebrities incorporate the theme of the ball and different designer brands.

Image Source: Taylor Hill + Getty Images

Image Source: Getty Images

ATCHA MBE

So how would you introduce yourself to people that haven’t heard of you?

I would introduce myself as a young activist, who wants to make the world better for young people.

What actions do you take to make the world a better place?

So I lead Youth Leads UK, which is a youth char ity that’s all about helping young people realise their skills, develop their skills and challenge themselves. We also give young people a lead so they will go out there and deliver their own social action projects. And we influence change across society, meeting with politicians and oth er decision-makers, such as in the health world. We will regularly meet with the chief executives of hospital trusts and tell them what’s wrong. So how I describe myself is primarily through being Chief Executive of Youth Leads, but alongside that, I’m a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Man chester.

As a child, did you imagine yourself in this position now?

No, definitely not. For me, my life was laid out before me. I felt that I would most likely end up in prison and I didn’t really have an awful lot of ambition. I was just frustrated as a young person, not having things to do. That’s why I decided to forget everybody else around me and do some thing because I felt like nobody else around me cares. There’s only me to care, and I’ve just got to do it.

Would you say that’s your inspiration for becoming a young leader?

My inspiration for what I do is my own upbring ing, but also the upbringing of many thousands of young people across our country who don’t grow up in the best backgrounds. I’m a massive be liever that where you end up in life shouldn’t be determined by the circumstances you were born into. Should it matter what your postcode is?

Should it matter what your parents do? Should it matter if you own a house? I don’t think it should matter. So my job is to try and get the rest of society to agree and put things in place to make a difference.

In your journey, have you encountered any other boundaries, trying to keep you back from reaching your goal?

When you come from a working-class back ground, sometimes you feel like you’re not enough, you feel like you shouldn’t belong in certain rooms and that is a struggle that I’ve had.

It’s not people who’ve been through the care sys tem that usually ended up in Downing Street and in Westminster. That was a bit of a challenge, because I didn’t speak in the way that they do, didn’t have the same upbringing or I couldn’t relate to them. The more time I spent with people at the top, in terms of the country, I actually un derstood that they need people like me, who’ve lived through a different experience than they have. You need that diversity at the very top, and at every level, because if you don’t, you make the wrong decisions.

Would you say that as a society, we need more diversity for people at the top?

We definitely need more diversity of people at the top, I mean diversity in every way possible.

I mean, diversity in terms of race, diversity in terms of religion, diversity in terms of the class that you are born into, I think there isn’t a focus on that. I believe there should be more focus on people’s backgrounds and the class that they were born into because that’s a big thing in our society. Decision-makers come from 7% of our population, so 7% of our population, go to a pri vate school. 1% go to the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge and everybody who seems to be in a top position has gone through that path. So that needs to shift and that needs to change.

What motivates you to keep on going?

People like you. The youth of today, because you understand much more than adults about the issues in society and you actually care. We’ve had generations of adults who haven’t made the right decisions and young people are suffering because of it. You look at the climate, and you look at what’s been done over the past 20 or 30 years, even longer than that. So what inspires me every day is the young people that are ready to make a difference.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CRICKET

Cricket is a sport that is really fun. It may take some time to understand how the game works, but once you start to play, you won’t be able to stop!

By Aadam Imran How Cricket Came About

Cricket is thought to have been created in the thirteenth century. When kids from a place called Weald became bored of their ball game, they created cricket to play and enjoy. Today, cricket is known across the globe as the second biggest sport in the world.

Rules & Regulations

• Cricket is played between two teams, each made up of eleven players.

• Each team will take turns in batting and fielding/bowling.

• The fielding team will have a bowler throw the ball to the batsman who tries to hit the ball with their bat.

• The fielding team must get ten batsmen out before they can change over and start batting.

• The fielding team tries to get the batsmen in four different ways:

1. Hitting the wickets with the ball when bowling

2. Catching a batsman’s shot on the full

3. Hitting batsman’s leg in front of the wicket

4. Hitting the wickets before the batsmen can run to the other end of the pitch

• The batsmen try to score as many runs as possible before getting out by:

1. Hitting the ball, running between the wickets and making it to the other end before the fielders can hit the wickets. (Each time you run one full length of the pitch it equals one run.)

2. Hitting the ball to the boundary along the ground is four runs.

3. Hitting the ball over the boundary on the full equals six runs.

The aim of the game is to score as many runs as possible before the fielding team takes ten wickets. The team with the most runs wins.

Fun Facts

• There are 2.5 million followers of cricket.

• Cricket is most often played in countries like Pakistan, India, and Australia.

• Cricket is one of the longest sports ever, some games go for a few days - the longest game of cricket recorded lasted 14 days.

• Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world.

• Cricket was introduced to the Olympics in 1896.

Source: https://australiansportscamps.com.au/ blog/how-to-teach-cricket-to-kids-beginners/

ACADEMIA, ALL ABOUT FASHION.

When you say ‘academia’ you think of long essays, dusty books and the smell of a musty lecture hall. But what was once a matter exclusive to leather-bound hardbacks has now made the jump from the pages to our wardrobes.

By Issra Ismail

‘Dark Academia’ is a fashion trend that started in 2021 but will take Autumn and Winter by force in 2022. Expect to see long coats, Doc Martens, tartan wide legs, tucked-in polo necks and leather briefcases (vegan leather of course).

But what is DARK academia fashion?

The Dark Academia trend has taken the structure of an academic aesthetic (suit trousers, waistcoats, trench coats, white shirts) and pairs this with a gothic twist. It’s classic, romantic and tragic, influenced by things like Greek mythology and poetry with existential themes, authors like Shakespeare, the Bronte sisters, and Jane Austen. Modern-day sources of inspiration include films like Dead Poets Society and Sherlock Holmes. Think preppy, but with an edge.

Gen-Z has undeniably influenced fashion trends through the use of popular social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Such trends as ‘cottagecore’, ‘fairycore’ and ‘gothcore’ took off after being featured on hauls and try-ons and the ever so popular ‘what I would wear if I was in (insert film, television, book title here)’ and Dark Academia is no different. Influencers such as @trangreeny, @lilyjcollins and @naansoutfits have all wielded their fashion platforms to showcase the preppy, vintage look.

Where did ‘Dark Academia’ come from?

A higher-education aesthetic has long been a staple of any seasonal wardrobe. Almost everyone has at some point owned a pair of tapered trousers. But the aesthetic doesn’t just loan itself to fashion; Dark Academia was a literary genre long before someone ironed a white shirt and stuck it on under a plaid vest. Donna Tartt’s novel ‘The Secret History’ was published in 1992 and, while it is a murder mystery, what caught most people’s eyes was the Ivy League

surroundings and gothic nuances. In 2015, the genre began to grow into an aesthetic on the social media site Tumblr, with the creation of a book club that centred around classic and gothic literature; the aesthetic then grew into a distinct subculture. A rise in popularity within Gen-Z has been accredited to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown of schools. Who said students hate school uniforms?

How to get a Dark Academia wardrobe

To dress the part, create a capsule collection of tapered trousers, pleated skirts, collared shirts, cosy cardigans, and pairs of chunky loafers. The colour palette mustn’t be too bright (though ‘Light Academia’ is sure to be a Summer trend - keep an eye out for 2023…) so start with blacks, greys, beiges and the odd navy blue piece. Layering is also key to Dark Academia styling. Incorporate different textures with knit sweaters or vests laid over button-downs, skirts worn with tights, and sophisticated outerwear like a trench coat or blazer. This doesn’t need to be expensive. Dark Academia lends itself to vintage and thrifting so you can look Oxford-ready with any budget.

Once you’ve got your crisp white shirt, long trench coat and an air of melancholy, you can pour yourself a mug of bitter black coffee and dust off a Shakespeare. You’re going to Starbucks.

LIFE AS A YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER

Photography is a popular hobby - and with good reason. It’s creative, engaging and can take you to some amazing places, but its popularity can be a hindrance.

By Surelle Momoh

How is a young photographer ever supposed to make it in the industry when there are hundreds of photographers waiting behind and in front of you in the queue?

I found my own way into photography through school. Our school prides itself on its creative offers and picking photography was a nobrainer. I’d already spent Year 7, 8 and 9 getting grips with the camera; now it was time to start using it. My style is very natural and I enjoy photographing nature. It’s always there and it’s always beautiful.

Despite its popularity, photography as a hobby is an expensive one. A professional camera can set you back hundreds, if not thousands of pounds. A good way to start is by using a camera on your phone. Pretty much everyone has a smartphone these days and even your most basic iPhone camera is good enough to take some impressive shots.

Social media is also a great resource for young photographers. Make sure your Instagram feed is full of photographers you love. Pages like ‘National Geographic’ and magazines such as ‘Vogue’ use their pages to show off their photographs. These are useful for your own inspiration and mood-board-making. An Instagram page is also a great tool for showing off your own work and creating a small following that could grow into something bigger.

Photography is now a major degree at most universities in England; a career that might once have been seen as unrealistic and too unreliable, is now qualification-worthy. But you don’t have to venture into the academic route if you don’t want to. A quick Google search of ‘photography courses in Manchester’ pulled up 14,000,000 matches. Some of these courses didn’t even cost anything. What’s stopping you?

There are plenty of ways to make a phone camera image look professional:

• Panorama Feature

Use this feature for extra wide shots, this could be from a stand position.

• Pano Drive-By Take a panorama from the window of a moving vehicle.

• Zoom Lens Use binoculars as a zoom lens.

• Macro Lens Put a small drop of water on the lens for a macro effect.

• Tripod & Shutter Cable

Reduce camera shake by building a miniature tripod with a few pieces of cardboard. A shutter cable can help you operate from a distance & is great for longexposure shots.

• Underwater Housing

Place your phone in a clear glass to simulate underwater housing.

QUICK QUESTIONS WITH AN ART TEACHER

When you were younger, did you think you would become an art teacher?

So when I was younger, and when I was in school, I definitely wanted to become a teacher, I just didn’t know what subjects I wanted to teach. When I was in school, I was probably inspired most by my art teacher and then I got the best grade in art out of every other subject that I studied. So that kind of informed my decision.

How does art impact your life?

Obviously, every single day I am in and amongst art and I also quite like the fact that art is linked to fashion, and I’m quite into fashion. I enjoy going into galleries, I enjoy making art as well, in my spare time. I’m also delivering workshops in the Whitworth Art Gallery, so I deliver workshops to university students. So even at the weekends, I’m still around art!

If you could describe art in three words, what would they be?

Inspiring, engaging, and colourful.

What makes art so important to you?

Art is very relaxing. I’m just engaged by all different types of art, so everything around us is art, particularly like modern type of art. So not so much Picasso paintings but more sort of abstracts, colourful, questionable art.

If you could give advice to a young person pursuing art, what would you say?

Don’t give up, because it’s a very tough industry to get into!

(Miss Moran is an art teacher working at Manchester Communication Academy)

By Kindra Sowah, Precious Famuyiwa, Katie Thompson & Paula OniEro

CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES

Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year, is an annual 15-day festival in China and Chinese communities around the world. It begins with the new moon that occurs sometime between January 21st and February 20th, according to Western calendars, where festivities last until the following full moon. The most common greeting used during Chinese New Year is a simple “Happy New Year” in English or “Xīnnián kuàilè”, which is commonly known as meaning: “New Year’s Happiness”. Additionally, “Gung hay fat choy” is how Cantonese speakers wish you a happy new year; “wishing you great happiness and prosperity.” The two-week celebration includes family and friends, feasting and fireworks, parties, and parades.

Chinese New Year food traditions are hugely symbolic. Traditions include serving two whole fish and saving one for leftovers, to represent surplus in the new year, serving a whole chicken to represent wholeness and prosperity, and serving items like spring rolls, which resemble gold bars and symbolise wealth. Furthermore, Lantern Festivals, also called Yuan Xiao Festivals, are a holiday celebrated in China and

By Leon Liu

other Asian countries that honour deceased ancestors on the 15th day of the first month (Yuan) of the Lunar Calendar. The Lantern Festival aims to promote reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness.

Lions play an essential role in Chinese mythology and express joy and happiness. In general, the red lion symbolises good luck and is mainly seen at weddings, the yellow lion represents fortune and is most regularly used to perform. The green lion represents money and friendship while the blue lion usually symbolises funerals because of its darker hue.

By Demi-Leigh McCormack

From the cult-classic 2009’s Jennifer’s Body to 1996’s Scream, femininity has always played a huge part in the horror genre. Is femininity something to fear or should it fear us?

The plot of Jennifer’s Body takes place after a devil-worshipping indie boy band attempts to sacrifice Jennifer in order to gain success, abstractly falling into the ‘behind every successful man is a woman’ trope. This causes Jennifer to be possessed by a succubus, a sex-centred demon, and exact her revenge by killing her male classmates. While the film is labelled a feminist cult classic, its plot devices are questionable. The fact that Jennifer becomes a demon, because of men’s actions, and then seeks revenge by killing her male classmates by using her feminine qualities, demonises femininity, literally and figuratively.

Next is 1996’s Scream, the typical horror slasher film with the infamous ‘final girl’ trope, a concept coined by Carol. J Clover in 1992. This trope follows of the main female lead being ‘the last one standing’ and the one to defeat the antagonist, usually a male. Furthermore, Clover says that “the ‘final girl’ is deemed “worthy” of survival because of some moral high ground she has over the other characters”, specifically over other females. This compares women in an unintended yet patriarchal viewpoint as women who have ‘better and stereotypical female behaviour’ are the ones who survive over their more expressive and free female counterparts.

Horror’s ‘feminist films’ plots are carried out at the cost of feminity. Jennifer’s Body makes us fear femininity; presenting it as demonic and supernatural for a girl to gain revenge on males by using her body and femininity, something she is entitled to. Scream presents femininity as a rivalry where it’s a privilege to survive because of the patriarchal gender ideology that the ‘final girl’ is ‘not like the other girls’. As Clover says, “She’s virginal. She doesn’t do drugs or consume alcohol. She’s kind and tries to do the right thing.“.

So, is femininity something to fear or should it fear us?

Image Source: 20th Century Fox

HERE’S WHY: HEALTHY EATING MATTERS.

By Precious Famuyiwa

There are apps like ‘My Fitness Pal’ which can track your calories, but be careful because calorie tracking can be harmful at times (‘Nutrition Stripped’ gives 7 reasons why calorie counting is harmful). Estimates say that 28.0% of adults in England are obese and a further 36.2% are overweight. This percentage is shocking however we can improve this by having a healthier diet.

My Healthy Eating Tips:

Healthy foods don’t always have to be bland and tasteless, healthy foods can still be tasty!

To maintain a healthy diet make sure to:

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables (your five a day)

• Cut down on energy drinks with a high amount of sugar

• Cook at home and try to avoid fast foods as they have high-calorie content and are higher in fat.

Why not try this tasty and balanced recipe?

How to make an easy fried rice:

• Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a pan

• Chop half of an onion and add to a pan

Diet is an important topic in today’s society, and I believe healthy eating is not as encouraged as it should be. Doctors recommend 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men. The human body needs a balanced diet to work properly. Good health involves drinking 6 to 8 cups of water daily and eating the right amount of foods from the different food groups: such as carbs, fats, protein and fibre.

• Crack an egg into the pan and scramble the egg with a pinch of salt and pepper

• Add 150g of pre-cooked jasmine rice

• Add in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce

• Add in a vegetable mix of peas, carrots and cauliflower

Grab your favourite drink & serve!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR DAILY ROUTINE PRODUCTIVE.

By Kindra Sowah

We need to be motivated to accomplish tasks during the day. So, to be more productive, change is required. Try not to be hard on yourself if you don’t get what you want to get done.

1. Get your priorities straight

Prioritise the important things. For example, if you have a deadline for something important for the next week, prioritise that, then move on to something you need to get done next month.

2. Don’t drift off

Avoid procrastination: a way you can avoid procrastinating is by breaking a task up. For example, if you have to write 2,000 words for next week, make a daily task to write 300 words per day so it’s more reasonable and easier to get done. Your goals should be realistic enough to be achievable.

3. Rest stops

Have breaks: no one can work for 8 hours straight without feeling tired. One example of an effective method is the Pomodoro Technique where you work for 25 mins and then rest for 5. It’s important to take breaks to energise yourself and come up with fresh and new ideas but sometimes we can get caught up in the break, so be careful not to get distracted in that period of time.

4. Focus on one task

Don’t multitask: people tend to be more efficient when they monotask. If you have several tasks to complete at the same time, you might not be able to get the tasks completed in a proper way which can cause stress. It can make you forget what is actually important.

5. Put it on paper

To-do list: this will help you stay organised when you write down what you have to get done. They help you make it more manageable when you get an outline of what you have already done and it makes you focus on the tasks that you need to complete.

You are on your way to becoming a better version of yourself.

3 FOODS TO BE SURE TO TRY

Humans first started cooking food about 1.8 million years ago. In that time, we’ve collected a decent amount of recipes and classic dishes. Food dominates our leisure time, family time and working day.

By Paula OniEro

I bet you’re already counting down the hours until your lunch break, but food is much more important than just a tin foil-wrapped sandwich in a Tupperware box. Food is culture, and is often used as a means of retaining cultural identity and nostalgia. Signature dishes can become cultural classics cooked all around the world.

To take away the mammoth task of finding these dishes yourself, we’ve cultivated three signature dishes from 3 different countries you just have to try before you die.

1. Pizza Napoletana

You think Italy, you think pizza, and there’s no better than a classic Neapolitan pizza. This dish is served in restaurants and pizzerias all over the world today, but did you know that it’s actually the original pizza?

Pizza started out in the southern city of Naples. If you want a true taste of Italian pizza then a trip to Naples is a must-do addition to your bucket list, but with plane ticket prices stretching into the hundreds for a chance to sample the doughy deliciousness, it might be better to start at home with some authentic ingredients and sunny disposition. Rich tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and a sprinkle of basil. Drizzle some virgin olive oil on top for a mouthwatering bite.

Try it yourself at: www.acouplecooks.com/neapolitanpizza-recipe/

2. Paella

Paella (pronounced pai·ei·uh - get it right or be the victim of a dirty look) is a classic Spanish dish. The main ingredients in every paella dish are rice, saffron, chicken, and vegetables. From there, ingredients vary depending on the type of paella or region where it’s made. Now an Abuela would probably hate me for saying this, but - you don’t need a paella pan to make paella. Just use something skilletlike or a big frying pan and the result will be almost authentic. What you need to make sure you get right is the “bomba” rice (also called Calasparra rice, Arroz Redonda), traditional in Paella, and it’s what I recommend using. It’s short grain rice that absorbs more water than regular rice, without turning mushy. Think risotto rice but longer. Paella is fishy, fresh and delicious on a hot Summer’s day.

3. Jollof Rice

Jollof rice is probably the most well-known dish in Africa. Lots of African countries have their own interpretation of Jollof rice but, in my opinion, the best Jollof rice is found in Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cameroon. Of all the African dishes there are, Jollof rice takes the spotlight. The classic version is cooked with long-grain rice and seasoned with curry powder and dried thyme. Most serve the rice with fried plantain, dodo to those who know, and coleslaw. Jollof rice is an instant crowdpleaser which makes it great for potlucks, buffets and even celebrations. To some, Jollof rice might just be a side dish, but to me, it’s always the main course.