By Olivia Hanna When I was five, all I ever asked for was a little brother or sister. I was an only child and sometimes it got lonely having only myself to play with. My mom was raising me by herself, so a little sibling was definitely not on the cards, yet I kept insisting. In January of 2001 my mom and grandparents decided a puppy would be the answer to my prayers; a … [Read more...] about My pet, my soul-mate: Are pets important for children growing up?
Olivia Hanna
Westwood Hotel closes to pave way for student accommodation despite controversy
By Olivia Hanna The Westwood Hotel in Newcastle closed its doors on 1 October after being purchased in June 2017 by the Ziggurat Student Investment Fund. The Westwood is currently being demolished to make way for student accommodation to be built on the site. The proposal, approved by An Bord Pleanála last month, includes five blocks of apartments, making up a total of … [Read more...] about Westwood Hotel closes to pave way for student accommodation despite controversy
Teen vaping: a new epidemic
By Olivia Hanna According to the Irish Examiner, teen smoking rates have decreased by 28 per cent over the past 20 years. This is no doubt a result of the increasing awareness of the harsh consequences of tobacco inhalation and government efforts such as taxation. But as tobacco smoking has seen a decline, a new market has opened up: vaping. Vaping grew in popularity as a … [Read more...] about Teen vaping: a new epidemic
How to start living a more sustainable lifestyle
By Olivia Hanna It’s no secret that pollution and climate change are some of the biggest problems our generation has to face. Disposable, single use plastics are ingrained in our lifestyles. We have become a culture that prioritizes convenience over the care of our environment. There’s no way we can repair the damage we’ve already done, but everyone can make changes that … [Read more...] about How to start living a more sustainable lifestyle
Out of Hours health services pertaining to students
By Olivia Hanna On Friday 30 August at 12:30pm, I was in pain and discomfort, upset, confused, and in desperate need of a doctor. This wasn’t the first time I’ve been in that position, so I knew what was wrong with me. I had a urinary tract infection that could be remedied with a simple course of antibiotics. Since I was in pain and needed to be seen as soon as possible, … [Read more...] about Out of Hours health services pertaining to students