Today, we are focussing on Valentine's Day and how students from around Kent have celebrated the occasion.
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00:00 (upbeat music)
00:02 - Hello and welcome to Kent Student 101.
00:21 I'm Robert and this is the weekly program
00:23 all about student life across Kent.
00:26 This is a show designed by students
00:27 to help you through your time at university
00:30 and highlight a range of resources,
00:31 opportunities and activities open to you.
00:34 Today we are focusing on Valentine's Day
00:36 and how students from around Kent
00:38 have celebrated the occasion.
00:40 Now, Valentine's Day is of course a day dedicated to love,
00:44 but how may this look for someone
00:45 in the LGBTQ+ community?
00:48 Quinn James spoke to the LGBTQ+ president
00:50 at the Universities of Medway
00:52 to learn more about Valentine's Day
00:53 through an LGBTQ lens.
00:56 And started by asking for advice
00:58 about sharing one's self identity.
01:01 - When it comes to self love,
01:02 it's about accepting those parts of your identity.
01:05 There might be parts of your identity
01:06 that you haven't come to terms with.
01:10 But when you realize that you're not the only one
01:12 that's going through that struggle,
01:14 that makes it a little bit better to self love.
01:17 I think accepting my sexuality
01:21 has really changed my life.
01:24 It affects every day, not just Valentine's Day.
01:27 It's always really difficult to get a Valentine's Day card
01:32 that is LGBT focused.
01:34 I think actually sometimes every day is Valentine's Day.
01:37 When you're in an LGBT relationship,
01:40 it's got a very different dynamic to other relationships.
01:45 I like having a Valentine's Day.
01:47 I think there's a lot of value in it,
01:49 but I think we should all be telling each other
01:51 that we love each other more.
01:53 - What are the challenges of meeting people
01:54 in the LGBTQ+ community?
01:56 - Being part of the community,
01:58 I think I can celebrate it more freely.
02:01 I'm not fearful now of what other people think.
02:04 There shouldn't be any sort of hate or bias
02:09 or discrimination or harassment.
02:11 - What are your thoughts of dating apps
02:12 versus meeting people in person?
02:14 - In terms of dating apps,
02:16 I think a lot of people within the community do use them
02:20 because it's so hard to meet people.
02:22 I think some people are more likely to say something online
02:25 and you don't really get to know that true person.
02:28 With groups like this,
02:30 like the societies and local groups as well,
02:33 there is actually quite a lot out there.
02:35 It's just about engaging with different events
02:39 throughout the year.
02:41 Dating can be quite difficult
02:42 because a lot of the time you can meet
02:45 some really great people that you have chemistry with,
02:48 but you don't know if they would identify
02:52 as part of the community.
02:53 And sometimes you don't wanna just assume
02:55 someone's sexuality as well.
02:58 So, I mean, I know I've had a few awkward moments
03:02 and I probably wouldn't be the only one.
03:06 A lot of people are afraid to put themselves out there
03:09 because they don't wanna live by a label.
03:12 My sexuality is one of the many facets of my personality.
03:17 I'm not just a lesbian woman.
03:19 I'm many other things.
03:21 I can be anything that I want to identify as.
03:24 There shouldn't be any pressure
03:25 to be with anyone on Valentine's Day.
03:27 As long as you're happy,
03:29 it's about celebrating what you have.
03:32 - How do you think asexual and aromantic people
03:34 can navigate Valentine's Day?
03:36 - It's not so much about celebrating relationships
03:41 that are intimate.
03:44 It doesn't need to be an intimate relationship.
03:47 It can be just celebrating relationships in general.
03:51 I mean, everyone, every person in my life
03:54 has made an impact in some way or another.
03:56 So I think maybe Valentine's Day should be
04:00 about celebrating everyone.
04:02 - Now, for many people, cooking is a love language.
04:06 And this week, Hannah from The Budget Babes
04:09 will teach you how to make a heartfelt sweet treat
04:11 at an affordable price.
04:13 Let's take a look.
04:14 - Hi, I'm Hannah and welcome to The Budget Babes.
04:19 (upbeat music)
04:22 This week is Valentine's,
04:29 so I'll be making a Biscoff cheesecake
04:31 for you guys to enjoy at home with that special someone.
04:34 - To make your cheesecake, you will need biscuits,
04:40 cream cheese, double cream, butter, vanilla extract,
04:43 sugar, and Biscoff spread.
04:44 - Now that we got all the ingredients, let's get started.
04:50 First, crush up your biscuits
04:52 until it has a sand-like texture.
04:54 It should eventually look like this on the screen.
04:58 Make sure to save some for decoration later.
05:01 Once done, make sure to melt your butter
05:05 and mix it with your crushed biscuits.
05:07 After it's mixed in, place your parchment paper on the tray
05:14 and put your base mixture into your cake tin.
05:17 Pat the mixture down for a secure base
05:19 for the bottom of your cheesecake.
05:21 Now that we've done our base, let's start our filling.
05:27 For the filling, add your cream cheese,
05:29 sugar, vanilla extract, and mix.
05:32 Then, mix in three scoops of Biscoff spread
05:38 into your mixture, as well as your double cream.
05:45 (gentle music)
05:48 Whilst making your filling,
05:53 make sure to put the base in the fridge to allow it to set.
05:56 Pour the mixture into the cake tin
06:04 on top of the Biscoff base
06:06 and lightly spread the mixture all around
06:08 and make sure it's evenly covered.
06:14 Next, heat up your Biscoff spread
06:16 and pour on top of the cheesecake filling.
06:19 Now that we've finished preparing the cheesecake,
06:21 it's time to decorate.
06:23 Now, you guys can decorate however you like,
06:25 but since it's Valentine's,
06:27 I decided to decorate my cheesecake with a heart.
06:29 After decorating, refrigerate your cheesecake
06:35 for at least four hours.
06:37 And there you have it, Biscoff cheesecake,
06:41 easy to make for your loved ones at home,
06:42 and it's less than two pounds per portion.
06:46 See you next week on "The Budget Babes."
06:48 - Now that we've seen what kind of food
06:59 the Budget Babes are cooking up
07:00 for a lovely Valentine's date,
07:02 let's take a look at what we should be mindful of
07:04 when on a date and want to have a memorable time.
07:07 We asked George and Daisy for a couple of tips
07:09 on what to do and what not to do
07:11 when preparing for a date.
07:13 - So it's the week of Valentine's
07:14 and you might be going on a date.
07:15 - From one student to another,
07:17 here's a few tips from us
07:18 that might help you prepare for a date.
07:20 The first do would be to be yourself.
07:27 It's very important that you don't act a certain way
07:29 or change personas just because you're with someone.
07:32 - For the first, don't.
07:33 Don't be late and don't spend too much time on your phone.
07:36 You and the other person are both taking time out of your day
07:37 to get to know each other,
07:38 so be respectful and treat someone
07:40 how you'd like to be treated.
07:42 - Another big no-go would be to talk about your ex
07:47 or someone you've had a relationship with.
07:49 It can be very awkward for the person you're with
07:51 and bring loads of negative energy into the room.
07:54 - For my first do, do make sure to compliment them.
07:59 If you think they look nice, tell them they look nice.
08:01 At a date, you and the other person
08:03 are both in the same situation,
08:04 so don't feel too shy or too nervous.
08:06 - Another don't would be to dismiss them
08:08 if they're not your type.
08:09 Meet different people, get out of your comfort zone.
08:12 It can take you a long way.
08:14 - For my second don't, don't quiz them.
08:16 You want the conversation to flow naturally
08:18 and get to know someone as you would normally.
08:21 If you throw in too many questions,
08:22 it might become overwhelming
08:23 and feel more like an interview.
08:25 - Another do is to be interested
08:27 in their hobbies and interests.
08:28 You never know what you might learn.
08:30 It's always good to be open and understanding
08:32 of what the other person is interested in.
08:34 - Another don't would be to obsess over your appearance.
08:39 Let your personality shine through.
08:40 It can take you further than you think,
08:42 and you might end up in a great place.
08:44 - So for my final do, be communicative.
08:51 You don't have to state your intentions from the get-go,
08:53 but make sure the person knows where your head is at
08:55 so nobody's left in the dark
08:56 and you're not wasting each other's time.
08:58 So these are a handful of do's and don'ts
09:03 that we find helpful.
09:04 - And remember, these are only examples.
09:06 You should always do what you feel is right.
09:08 But that concludes all the time we have for today.
09:10 - Thank you for watching.
09:11 - Bye.
09:12 - Now, do you think simply buying a card is boring?
09:23 Are you looking for more innovative or avant-garde ways
09:26 to express your feelings on Valentine's Day?
09:29 Well, good news, because George Erdogan
09:31 explored some of these alternative options
09:33 in this week's Recreation Station,
09:35 and he is here in the studio with me to share them.
09:37 Thanks for being here, George.
09:39 Let's start with you sharing some of the gifts
09:40 you made this week.
09:42 - So we did have a lot of fun this week.
09:45 We, as you can see, got some cards,
09:47 some nice little decorations,
09:49 and just tried to have fun with it, you know.
09:51 I'm personally not that good at crafts myself,
09:53 so if you're at home and you're not good like me,
09:57 don't worry, don't put too much 4F into it.
09:59 Just try and have fun with it,
10:00 because at the end of the day,
10:02 it's not going to be the world's last event,
10:04 and I'm pretty sure a nine-year-old George
10:05 would have equaled this,
10:06 so don't put too much 4F into it.
10:09 - Oh, fair enough.
10:10 What sort of simple crafts would you recommend
10:12 to someone who finds crafting difficult?
10:15 - I would just recommend go out,
10:17 buy the basic things, card, simple accessories,
10:20 feathers, tinsels, whatever you want, really,
10:22 and just put on the card whatever comes to your mind.
10:27 You know, don't think about it too much.
10:29 Really try to enjoy yourself,
10:31 and just create whatever comes to your mind, you know.
10:36 - Why do you like alternative methods to gift-giving?
10:40 - Because I think it shows a lot more intent,
10:42 and I think you put a lot more effort into it.
10:43 So if I'm going to give this to a friend or a family member,
10:47 you know, I think it just shows that you know them more,
10:49 and rather than buying generic gifts,
10:51 I think there's a lot more heart into it, you know?
10:54 - Well, what are your favorite gifts
10:58 to give on Valentine's Day?
10:59 - My favorite?
11:00 So there's not really like specific gifts.
11:02 I'm a big card person.
11:03 I do like to give a card, you know,
11:04 whether it's got like a funny joke
11:05 or reference to the person I'm giving it to.
11:07 I do quite enjoy doing that,
11:09 but it really depends on the person, you know.
11:11 I like to get stuff that's specific to people
11:12 that shows that I know them,
11:13 and shows, you know, I actually listen
11:15 to what they're saying to me.
11:16 So I like to give it specific to the person.
11:18 So there isn't anything particularly
11:20 just for that given person.
11:21 - Well, thank you very much for this chat, George,
11:27 and thank you for being here with us today.
11:29 Well, it is time for a quick break now,
11:31 but don't go anywhere.
11:32 We have so much more coming up,
11:34 including hearing from students around Kent
11:36 about their plans for Valentine's Day,
11:39 and their opinions of dating apps.
11:41 We will also have Alex's analysis,
11:43 where he will be reviewing the classic film "Casablanca."
11:46 We will then be following groups
11:47 as they celebrate a platonic Valentine's Day.
11:49 Thank you very much,
11:50 and we shall see you soon after the break.
11:53 (upbeat music)
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15:02 (music)
15:05 And welcome back to Kent Student 101.
15:12 This week we're talking all about relationships and love.
15:15 Now, with Valentine's Day just behind us,
15:17 we asked some of the students at the University of Kent
15:19 about their current relationship statuses.
15:22 Let's take a look.
15:23 I'm not actively looking, but again, content with finding a friend
15:28 and then pursuing something later on.
15:30 Nope. Yes. No.
15:32 I do not care.
15:33 It was through a hinge. I remember the question.
15:35 One of the prompts was, "What do you think about pineapple on pizza?"
15:40 She's Italian, so I guess that's why she asked it.
15:43 And I said it's not a good topping for a pizza.
15:47 So we've been together about four months.
15:48 In a relationship for about eight months now.
15:50 I'm just content with where I am. I really enjoy being single.
15:54 I think if I met someone who I could see myself having a great friendship with
15:59 and wanting to do everyday life things with,
16:01 then I would be open to it.
16:03 But there's no one in my life right now that I feel that way towards.
16:05 So I'm happy on my own.
16:08 We also took the opportunity to ask the students about their opinions
16:11 on dating apps and dating in the modern age.
16:14 I do not use dating apps.
16:18 Any technical difficulties at the moment?
16:21 I do not use dating apps.
16:23 I know people use them.
16:25 And I don't think it's the most conventional way to meet people.
16:29 Nowadays it's a lot harder to meet people in real life.
16:32 I think with the technology and with everyone being glued to their phones,
16:35 having just the ability to access and talk to people that you wouldn't normally meet
16:39 in the situations that you wouldn't normally be in.
16:41 I know they can be successful.
16:43 I've heard of quite a few success stories, but also quite a few horror stories.
16:46 Yeah, I used to use dating apps before, but I didn't really get much luck on it.
16:50 So it just turned to the old-fashioned way of meeting someone in person.
16:53 Personally, I haven't. I know a lot of people who have.
16:56 I think there's definitely a place for them.
16:58 It just depends on the person.
16:59 There are times when there are success stories, and for some people it works for them.
17:05 I think with dating apps, because I've seen a lot of people have found,
17:09 you know, they've been in relationships and things.
17:12 But I would say it's quite rare.
17:14 Now I'm joined by Alex Scaife to share with us this week's Alex's analysis
17:20 on the classic romance film Casablanca.
17:22 Alex, thanks for joining me.
17:24 Let's start with you telling us what the film's about.
17:27 So Casablanca is a 1942 romance film.
17:30 It stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
17:34 Humphrey Bogart plays a saloon owner named Rick,
17:37 whose life is sort of turned upside down when his old flame, Lisa from Paris,
17:42 comes to see him in the saloon.
17:44 So it's a really great film. It's a brilliant classic. I'm excited to talk about it.
17:48 Good. Do you think the film is showing its age?
17:52 Well, there are certain regards where it does show its age, in the script specifically.
17:57 During the 1940s there was a lot of censorship,
17:59 so maybe the original intention of the filmmakers isn't quite expressed in the final product.
18:05 But I think in terms of other things, maybe the most obvious way it's showing its age
18:10 is the fact that it's black and white.
18:11 But for me, I think that's a benefit to the film.
18:13 I think the darkness and the light create some really striking contrast in imagery.
18:18 There's wonderful use of shadow in the film, which shows the kind of conflicted nature of Humphrey Bogart's character.
18:24 So I'd say, yeah, in some elements it is showing its age,
18:29 but in other elements it's completely timeless.
18:31 Interesting. And what can you tell us about the performances?
18:35 Well, the two performances are essentially breakout performances for the stars.
18:39 So Humphrey Bogart plays sort of a hard-boiled sort of character.
18:44 He'd later go on to play Philip Marlowe in the cinematic adaptations of Raymond Chandler's books,
18:49 and that's the sort of things he'd been known for.
18:51 He plays this kind of gruff, very masculine man,
18:57 who basically won't reveal any of his feelings unless he's incredibly drunk.
19:00 So he plays that sort of character and he does it really well in this film.
19:05 Ingrid Bergman, I don't think her performance is as standout,
19:09 but I would say that her chemistry sort of sells the film, the romantic elements.
19:14 And one of the interesting things about the films in regards to the actors and the director
19:18 is that these were people who actually suffered under persecution during the war.
19:23 Many had to flee due to being Jewish or their political opinions.
19:29 So you really feel that come through in a lot of the scenes during the film,
19:33 and I think there's a really powerful pathos in the film that's expressed from that.
19:39 Interesting. And what would you say is the legacy of the film?
19:43 Well, obviously it's one of the most quotable films in history.
19:47 Here's looking at you, kid, from 'Always Have Paris'.
19:51 I'm very, very sorry, Alex, to interrupt you there, but that's all we have time for today, I'm afraid.
19:55 Thank you very much for joining us.
19:57 Earlier this week, we took a look at how Valentine's Day is more than romantic dinners and gifts.
20:04 The holiday can also look like time spent with friends or investing in oneself.
20:08 Let's see what that looks like.
20:10 With Valentine's Day having been this week,
20:13 we wanted a reminder that you don't have to celebrate just romantic love.
20:17 Whether you're spending time with friends or family,
20:19 it's a great time of year to show gratitude for the people in your life.
20:25 So we feel it's important, whether at home or at social activities,
20:28 to do something fun with your loved ones.
20:34 This year, Chantelle had a Galentine's get-together at home,
20:37 spending the evening cooking dinner and sweet treats.
20:40 As students, it can be difficult to fit down time with busy schedules,
20:44 so using Valentine's is a nice way to prioritise spending time with people you care about.
20:49 Cheers!
21:05 Ross spent Valentine's Day with his friends at a pub quiz.
21:08 It was a great way to have some fun without feeling the pressure that can be associated with Valentine's Day.
21:17 Valentine's Day isn't always for everyone.
21:19 It is totally okay to just celebrate it like any other occasion.
21:23 There is no need to feel stressed about living up to expectations you see across social media.
21:36 If you don't feel like socialising with in-groups on Valentine's Day,
21:40 it is perfectly fine to spend the day by yourself.
21:43 Treat yourself to a cheeky takeaway, have a self-care evening with your favourite snacks and film.
21:48 Valentine's Day can be celebrated however you like.
21:50 You can't go wrong. It's a great opportunity to celebrate self-love.
21:54 One of only eight in history, in 1963, who became the first person to become an honorary citizen of the USA?
22:15 However you spent your 14th, we hope that you prioritise your happiness and get to celebrate with those you care about,
22:22 whether romantically or platonically.
22:24 Valentine's Day is the time to spread some love.
22:27 This has been Daisy for Kent Student 101.
22:30 Now, earlier this week we released multiple polls on our account on X asking you,
22:39 the Kent Student 101 viewers, about Valentine's Day and how you, as students,
22:44 deal with balancing academic duties and being in a relationship.
22:48 Here's the results.
22:50 First, we asked if you think long-distance relationships can work.
22:54 It was pretty divisive, but overall more people believed that long-distance relationships would work for them.
23:00 Second, we asked if they would like living with a partner during university.
23:05 Here we can see that a majority of the viewers would rather live separately from their partners during university.
23:11 And finally, we asked if viewers enjoy celebrating Valentine's Day.
23:15 You can see here that over a third of the participants in the poll like to celebrate Valentine's Day.
23:21 Well, it's great to hear and see your opinions being shared here on Kent Student 101.
23:29 Make sure to follow us on X at KMTV/Kent so you don't miss out on future polls.
23:35 Now, keeping on the topic of relationships, on this week's Calamity Corner,
23:41 Daisy is answering your Valentine's Day questions.
23:44 Hey guys, welcome back to Calamity Corner.
23:51 I'm Daisy and today we're going to be answering your questions about Valentine's Day.
23:55 So our first question comes from a viewer and they're asking, "How do I plan a Valentine's Day surprise for my partner?"
24:01 I think a really nice Valentine's Day date idea is having some form of treasure hunt.
24:06 So you could leave like handwritten notes that are quite personal to your partner.
24:10 So say, for example, you could leave a note at the first place you guys met,
24:15 or you could leave a note at their favourite restaurant or in their favourite book,
24:20 or any of these kind of things that are quite sentimental and quite personal.
24:23 I think it's nice if you do cooking or baking together, knowing what your partner's favourite meal is.
24:29 I think it's really sentimental if you go to the effort of cooking for them.
24:34 I think it's a nice way of showing that you're thinking about your partner.
24:39 So our second question is, "How do you handle rejection?"
24:45 I think it's a very important question because it's something that everyone's going to go through at some point in their life.
24:51 Keep yourself surrounded by people that make you happy.
24:54 I think when you're going through some stage of rejection, you can feel really, really alone.
24:59 And so I think it's important to try and do things that you find fun with your friends.
25:04 Maybe reach out to family members or people that are going to give you support that you need.
25:09 Well, I'm afraid that's all the time we've got for this week's episode of Kent Student 101.
25:20 Be sure to add KMTV on all your socials to keep up with us throughout the academic term and to have your voices heard in future episodes.
25:28 Next week, we'll be talking all about finance, from exclusive money-saving tips to jobs for students.
25:35 We'll have it all for you here on Student 101.
25:38 Don't forget to reach out to us on social media and send in your dilemmas to Calamity Corner for more great advice.
25:45 Plus, look out for our regular polls on X, formerly known as Twitter.
25:50 And of course, let your friends know about Kent Student 101 so they can tune in and maybe even be featured on it as well.
25:58 Thanks so much for joining us. And we'd like to thank also our studio guests today, Alex and George.
26:05 It's been a great pleasure to have them on.
26:07 And it was interesting talking to them. And we hope that you had a great Valentine's Day because that was certainly an interesting one this time around.
26:25 And until then, that's all from me and the Kent Student 101 team.
26:32 Thank you and goodbye.
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