Diversity is a critical element of any university community. As someone that comes from a Caribbean and African background, I have always felt like diversity was a big factor no matter where I went in terms of school and college. I personally feel like I can adapt to my environment and still manage to socialise with other people from different parts of the world, especially as I have grown and matured. Finding out about new cultures and traditions has always interest me. The University of Westminster allowed me to discover that side to me as my course is very diverse. I have made many amazing friends and cannot wait what to future hold.  

However, majority of my memories I have is with the friends I have made from the African and Caribbean Society. The number of unforgettable events we have had will always be my favourite part of my university experience. The spring ball in 2022 will be my number 1 memory, the venue and the vibes were truly immaculate! A saxophone player, music, 3 course meal, 360 camera and an after party.  I really can’t wait to go out with a bang and end my university experience with the next one in June.

Also moving on to the statistic side of things, one of the key benefits of a diverse university community is the exposure to a range of ideas and beliefs.

With a diverse student committee, students can learn about different cultures, values, and traditions. This exposure can help students develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for diversity, which is crucial in today’s world.

This is especially important for students from historically disregarded communities who may have faced systemic barriers to accessing higher education. It also allows stereotypes and ignorance to be demolished and give students a different point of view. The UOW also offered a range of perspectives, experiences, and insights that deepened the academic and social experiences of all individuals involved. Diversity isn’t only about race and culture, but it also covers many aspects such as, socioeconomic, religious, and gender identities.

Inclusivity is just as important!

In addition, diversity at university can also help to create a sense of belonging and inclusivity. When students see people like themselves represented in the university community, they are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and to be successful in their academic life. This is something I can relate to as having an amazing society which allows you find out more about other African and Caribbean cultures such as food, tradition and my favourite which is music.  

 Studies have shown that diverse groups can outperform less diverse groups in problem-solving and decision-making tasks. This is extremely interesting to me because I also discovered that when students work in diverse groups, they are exposed to a range of perspectives and are more likely to consider multiple viewpoints.

 Relating to this discovery, I remember watching a documentary a few years ago about school children that were split into 2 groups and were assigned a mini project relating to culture and diversity. The group that has the most diverse range of children outperformed the other group as they had a lot more to talk about and were also able to learn more about each other’s backgrounds. Therefore, this can lead to more creative solutions and a deeper understanding of complex issues.

Although, diversity at university can has a lot of amazing benefits, there are also challenges that need to be addressed. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that all students feel included and supported, regardless of their background. I remember when I was telling one of my friends about the ball last year and her saying that she wishes there was a similar society she could join that represented her as she felt like she wasn’t fulfilling her university experience.

That moment I realised. Not everyone feels included in the places they are and therefore they feel unacknowledged. Therefore, I believe that universities need to create inclusive environments where students feel safe to express themselves and there is a societies and groups made for those who have niche interests or come from different parts of the world. Students should also not be afraid to let their voices be heard and speak up about improvements that they want to see within university. You shouldn’t feel hesitant when speaking to teachers as they are there to help you have the best experience possible.

To wrap this up, I have realised that diversity is an essential element of any university community. A diverse faculty can offer a range of perspectives and experiences that improve the academic and social experiences of all individuals involved. It is crucial that universities continue to focus on diversity and create inclusive environments that support the success of all students.

This is something that I have gained from studying at the University of Westminster and I will forever be grateful for that…

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As someone that cares about animals, the thought of species possibly going extinct due to our actions and decisions makes me feel a little bit emotional. Marine animals are affected by pollution in the oceans due to plastic waste and mammals such as big cats are affected by pollution, climate waste and deforestation. I couldn’t imagine a world with my future children growing up and not knowing what specific species are due to extinction. To them a lion or tiger would be in the same category as a dinosaur!

 Therefore, I have also realised that we must ensure that we use natural resources responsibly and in a way that maintains their availability for future generations.

Being a student, I have learnt about the effects of environmental, social, and economic issues that we face in the world today. These problems have far-reaching consequences and affect the health and well-being of all living beings.  

I vaguely remember reading an article online a couple months ago about the environmental effects of not recycling and the harmful effects that it could have. These effects included overflowing landfills, pollution, and natural habitat destruction. This really opened my eyes on how serious this problem is getting and therefore encouraged me to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Long story short, sustainability is crucial for the survival of our planet and its inhabitants. It is essential that we adopt sustainable practices to ensure that we have a healthy environment, a stable economy, and a better future for all.

Being a student in London, has also made me realise that sustainability should be a one of the first priorities. This city is growing rapidly, and with this growth comes a huge demand for resources such as energy, water, and food. However, resources are limited, and it is important that we use them in a sustainable way to ensure that they are available for future generations. One way that I can help contribute towards the environment in a positive way is reducing my carbon footprint. This would be a big challenge for me as I do like driving and getting places quicker whenever I’m in a rush. There’s no doubt that public transportation can be incredibly frustrating, noisy, and crowded at certain times of the day. This was a nightmare when trying to attend 9 am lectures at university which I will NOT miss!

Despite this, I am still open to reducing the number of times I drive and instead walk to places if the weather is nice. It will also be beneficial for my physical health as well as the environment.

Luckily, London has an extensive public transportation system that is efficient and affordable, making it easy for students in general to reduce their carbon emissions.

Another way that London students can promote sustainability is by reducing waste. This can be done by using reusable bags, water bottles, and food containers instead of disposable ones. For example, the food containers I receive from my Friday night takeaways can come into great use and be a minor change when being more sustainable.  London also has a range of recycling facilities, and it is important to ensure that waste is disposed of in the correct manner to reduce pollution and maintain a healthy environment.

The truth about fast fashion

Moving on, Fast fashion is a term used to describe the mass production of inexpensive clothing that is designed to be trendy and quickly sold to consumers. This industry has grown rapidly in recent years, with companies producing clothes at an unsustainable rate, causing significant harm to the environment.

 Like almost every female, shopping is one of my favourite things to do. I even have a Shein basket right this minute filled with the long awaited clothes that I will be treating myself to after university finishes. Therefore, I do contribute to the fast fashion industry. But the question is why? I guess it’s because of the ridiculously good prices and value for money you can get clothes for. Well at least that’s why I do it. As a student with only a weekend job and maintenance loan, its important for me to save as much money as I can so therefore buying from fast fashion brands such as Shein, Zara and Pretty Little Thing is a lot more affordable for me.

Loads of other students are also more drawn towards fashion and current trends. Therefore, its important that our eyes are opened to the harsh realities of our normalised bad habits. However, like I mentioned earlier there is many small changes which could be made to improve the environment and live a healthier lifestyle such as, recycle, purchase a reusable bottle or coffee cup, and reduce plastic intake. Recycling, donating, or repurposing old clothes is also an effective method.

Surprisingly, there is an increase in young people showing an interest to sustainable fashion. 68% of gen Z said that they try limit their use of plastic and 57% said that they try encouraging their friends and family to be more environmentally friendly. However, 58% said they find it hard to know what cant be recycled. This is something even I completely relate to! Therefore, I think spreading more awareness about what can and cannot be recycled and most importantly how to do it is needed.

One step at a time…

Different approaches which can be made includes buying second hand clothes and research about the brand you are buying from. The ‘about us’ section should tell you all the information you need about their level of sustainability.

Brands that offer sustainable alternatives include, Thought Clothing, Mud Jeans and People Tree. I have never shopped from any of these brands before, but I have sure made a note of them for future reference.

Finally, it is important to reduce the amount of clothing that is thrown away by recycling, donating, or repurposing old clothes. This reduces waste and promotes a circular economy, where resources are used efficiently, and waste is minimised.

The post Sustainability Blog 1 first appeared on wbsdigital.