Students up and down the country are set to rally against the coalition government’s plans to raise university fee caps next Wednesday.  With so many students against the idea, why is the government not listening?  Georgie Campbell reports

The National Union of Student (NUS) has launched a national demonstration against the cuts under the title ‘Fund our future: Stop the education cuts’, which will see students at universities across the country strike against the new plans on Wednesday November 10.

The appalled reaction Lord Brown’s review received after revealing his plans last month should have given David Cameron some indication of public response, yet he seems to have ignored all the signs and steamrolled his policies through.

Having recently left university and currently working off the £18k of debt accumulated over a three-year course, I am disgusted at the new plans to charge students for an education that was formerly free.

Students rallied against the introduction of fees, the change in the ‘pay-back’ system and now that latest changes, yet no one seems to be listening. 

A career without a degree is near to impossible in today’s lightening market, suggesting government plans may leave many young people unemployed due to lack of education.

Lord Browne’s review has been criticised for splitting classes, challenging the working classes entitlement to further education and creating a competitive market for good education, yet no one seems to be able to solve these troublesome queries.

The strong interest from the press and the continuing challenge presented by the NUS should speak loudly enough to state the public’s lack of support. 

The BBC today questioned whether there will be market for university fees or whether the great majority will simply go straight to the suggested maximum of £9,000 a year further highlight key flaws in the government’s plans.

The next generation needs to take charge and stop these ridiculous charges taking place.  If young people can no longer afford to go to university the level of skill needed in certain traders will fall. 

Something needs to be done to put a stop to these ridiculous policies.

Instead of tackling the 5k race alone I’ve taken one giant leap by entering myself into the 10k run instead (I haven’t gone completely mad, I promise!)

So training starts now.  With my trusty Asics, wrap round head phones and good selection of tunes of the SansaClip, there’ll be no stopping me.

Planning training routes around Birmingham is proving harder and harder.  Although the trusty Google Maps program is helping to measure distance, actually tackling the routes provides an unwelcome surprise every time – who knew there were so many hills in the West Midlands?

Trying to build up my fitness levels, I have spent the last two weeks running every day.  The routes (mapped out in previous posts) ranged between 1.6 miles and 2.7 miles.  I know, I know I have a lot further to go, but I can already feel my speed increasing.

Now two weeks in, I’m relying on an 8 week training program to get me through to the 6.1 mile race.

Day One – Rest… I like this training malark already.

Stepping the running up to another level I’ve managed to talk my mum and auntie into taking part in the Race for Life this year. The 5 kilometre track round Cambridge city centre is designed to attract women of all ages and abilities, perfect for us.

Having participated in the event two years ago I’m looking forward to it already. The excitement on the day was enough to push anyone around the route and the array of costumes kept us all amused. (Yes that is me and my best friend dressed as 118 runners… oh dear).

Aside from continually convincing mum and my auntie that they will be able to do it, my current route has grown. The weather is slowing warming up and I’m actually enjoying it!

Pounding the streets of my hometown is a far better experience than being in the hustle and bustle of Birmingham’s suburban life.

Running through the somewhat quieter streets listening to my favourite upbeat songs certainly pushed me a little further. A whole 2.7 miles now!

Now, how do I encourage the others to get out in the fresh air?

On the plus side – the running is progressing, slowly. The Asics are still the best trainers since sliced bread, but being a final year undergraduate has finally taken toll on my social life, hobbies and existence.

Working on my final year project, The Grade, a graduate website for students looking to stay in Birmingham post graduation, I have lost all sense of contol, time and personality. Although I’ve started running again this week (staying on the somewhat harder route might I add!) it is so much harder!

The 7am starts are a no-go area having dedicated the hours of 10am – 6pm to the library/computer rooms, so my new dedication time slot falls just before dinner. I think it makes me run faster too – there’s food at the end!

Asics are for the real runners, the dedicated types you see out first thing in the morning.  I may not be at that level yet, but I will – soon!

Having been out pounding the streets of Birmingham (at 7am might I add…) I can now confirm they are the best trainers I have ever brought.  No more blisters, rubbing or other sore bits – heaven has arrived, in the shape of a shoe.

Taking my lead from the real running fanatic, Dave Harte, I’ve constructed a quick map to track  my progress.  I know it doesn’t look far now – but even Paula Radcliffe had to start somewhere.

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I would say give me a toot if you see me out – but in this area of Birmingham perhaps best not to hey?

In a weird way I think this may be the diet that actually works.  Say goodbye to these crazy ‘fad’ diets that claim to make you lose pounds simply by reading a book (you’ll lose more pounds buying the silly thing!)

Although its sometimes hard to work out exactly how many calories are in your food, I really would put my hand on heart and say the 1200 Calorie Diet works!!

Thanks to useful online calorie counters I’ve managed to stay on top of things.  Inches (literally inches) are falling away from me.  With 7lbs already lost (the weight of a new born baby!!) I’m actually looking forward to the next weigh in.

BUT…

Related or not… I have a headache most nights.  Dehydration? Hunger? Madness? I’m not really sure.  I will opt to drink more for now and report back.

Task One: Buy new comfortable trainers to begin training in.

Task Two: Begin the wonderful new diet as advised by Channel Four’s The Big Fat Diet Show.

Task Three: Catch up with friends.

Well it’s a plan at least.  Having watched the first episode of Anna Richardson’s latest dieting fad I’m fully convinced I can trim my waistline without too much difficulty.

The gist of the diet is that you can only eat 1200 calories a day.  I know what you are going to say – it sounds impossible as our Daily Guided Allowance (GDA) is 2000 to maintain a healthy diet, but it honestly doesn’t look that bad.

For example, the first episode included a KORMA!  What other diet includes that as a weekly meal?  The wonderful Matt Dawson was able to cut the calorific contents down to just 475 calories including rice!

Don’t get me wrong , this isn’t going to be some sort of Bridget Jones-esq charade to get fit.  This is a test of advertised diet regimes, sportswear and self control.  So, today… it begins.

World Environment Day

For one.. we now have three, not one or even two, but THREE bins in my house.  Ok, ok so this may not be the most exciting thing to have happened in my life, but it proves just how much Environment Day had a long lasting effect.  What’s the saying? Do something for 21 days and it becomes habit?

My boyfriend and I have have stretched ourselves this month.  We have cleaned out the cupboard under the sink to make room for our small, pedal controlled plastic bin and have moved the old football boots and balls from the downstairs toilet to make space for a slightly large flap lid bin.  Why you ask?  Because we are finally taking our recycling to the next level.

One bin contains anything that bio-degrades.  All banana skins, vegetable left overs, egg shells… oh and the hundreds of tea bags we use a day… go in to decompose economically and environmentally.

The second contains all dry recyclables… paper, cardboard, milk bottles (washed out), cans (washed and de-labled) and glass.  Although this bin does need a little bit of sorting on bin day it still makes us recycle a LOT more than we used to.

The last bin that we’ve always had contains everything that can’t go to our county’s recyclo camps… plastics, waxed wrappers etc. 

It may sound overly organised and somewhat geeky… but we have reduced our fortnightly rubbish to half a bag.  I’m impressed!

If everyone made these simple changes think of what effect it would have on world…. Why not try it today? 21 days? Easy.

But what a day…

Challenging ourselves to omit as many electrical appliances from our daily routine as possible, Kirsty Booth and I certainly had a hard time.

Combating the event with not one, but TWO, module deadlines made the task more difficult than originally planned.

Not only were we denied our much needed morning brew, but when it came to dinner time I was at no end of confusion.

What actually used electricity?

Does a gas cooker count if I ignite the flame with a match?

The day wound up being more annoying than productive.  Omitting electricity for one day certainly is not the way to combat climate change, however smaller details such as letting my hair dry naturally, making a conscious effort to reduce my telephone calls and finding other activities to do instead of watching the TV are all lessons that can be taken from the campaign.

It was also interesting to see how long we could survive before we felt the need to flick the light switch on at home.

Although daylight lasts much longer this time of year, it was surprising to see the clock strike 9pm before it became unbearable.

It does raise more questions as to what more could have been done to promote the Environment Day campaign.

Having ‘tweeted’ excessively on Twitter during the lead up to the campaign my suspicions were heightened as one ‘follower’ said:

“Apart from your tweets I’ve heard nothing about it on any other media”

Not only does it infuriate me, but begs the question… is climate change old news?

Has the media stopped caring about the environment in favour of MP expenses?

With little public promotion in our region, we decided to take matters into our own hands. 

Researching further aspects of the campaign, we have highlighted some of the most energy consuming house hold appliances and shall attempt to remove them from our daily routines.