Donation for #MyLocalRoleModel

Say thank you, by donating what you can. Your donation will help give people who have gone above and beyond during the Covid-19 crisis, giving a special gift from a food shop, home goods, spa sets to a well deserved trip away.  Every person has played a special part in someones life during the pandemic, […]

What does side hustle mean to a young person?

By Jack Parsons. It means hustling, It means getting back from your 9-5 and then working 7-12. For a lot this may seem too much and that’s absolutely fair for you to say. It’s really tough. But the question that arises is are you happy with what you already have? If not, then having a […]

Top tips and advice for the home working life

Inspired by Ruth Box , Big Youth Group Ambassador – Verified by Big Youth Group. Working from home can be a challenge but as a young person trying to move out and cut costs for saving, it has become an efficient way to optimise time and money without any major sacrifices. For many people who […]

Career growth for young people.

By Fahren Khalid -Verified by Big Youth Group. As head of Creative at the Big Youth Group, my job is to oversee the creative direction of the company and to be an advisor on anything related to strategy, special projects, advertising and marketing functions within the company. Growing in your career as a young person […]

How to be Taken Seriously as a Young Entrepreneur.

By Jack Parsons Being young and an entrepreneur certainly comes with challenges. Among these challenges is gaining the respect of those around you, including the older generation of business leaders. Through hard work, trial, error, and engaging with numerous successful people, you can learn a lot. Here are a few tips on how be taken […]

12 Everyday habits that drain our time and energy.

By Jack Parsons We all have big dreams. We all want to achieve amazing things in life however it’s human nature that sometimes we have things that get in the way which upsets us, waste our time but most importantly our energy. Lots of people have that ‘I don’t trust someone who smiles that much’ […]

Podcast of the week

Tips For Setting Up A Great Living Space On A Student Budget

Living on a budget is just another part of being a student but you don’t necessarily have to give up all the luxuries of home. Whether you’re sharing an apartment or living in a digs, there is a lot you can do to create your own slice of heaven. Be creative and shop around. You’ll […]

Simple ideas for managing money.

By Fahren Khalid – Verified by Big Youth Group. As Head of Creative at the Big Youth Group, my job is to oversee the creative direction of the company and to be an advisor on anything related to strategy, special projects, advertising and marketing functions within the company. Managing your money is one of the […]

Coping With Stress at University

Stress affects us all at some points in our lives. It can come from many different areas, finance, relationships, work, studying and a variety of other forms. At certain times, pressure can build up and stress can be difficult to deal with. For young academics, the effects of stress can be felt from a tender […]

Why is Making Friends at College Or University Vital?

Many people say that it is better to judge someone’s character and the way they are as a person on the basis of the friends that they choose to keep rather than the family that they are born with. The reasoning behind this view has simplicity itself at its very core – you cannot choose […]

What Are the Most Common Problems Students Face at College Or University?

Having worked with many thousands of students at – and beyond – many colleges and universities both in the United Kingdom and more internationally, I have seen at first hand many of the most common problems that students experience and also been involved in their resolution so I feel that I am able to provide […]

Importance Of Universities In Students’ Life

People go to a university for a variety of reasons: it might be for a degree, or it is simply the next step in life, or your parents expect it of you, or you want to make the most out of life. Whatever the reason, the university experience is different for everyone. While it is […]

Settling Into University – Moving Into Halls and Enrollment

Everyone experiences culture shock when they start university (especially international students). Whatever school or college you come from, it is all new and unnerving. Don’t worry, almost everyone quickly gets used to it. Here’s some general advice to help you get started. – Arrive in good time to settle into your accommodation and meet housemates […]

Why Should I Go to College?

In my line of work teaching and helping students with their studies in a whole myriad of subjects in various institutions both in the UK and internationally for the best part of the last seven years, it is often interesting to ask students as to why they actually want to go to college. A whole […]

Graduating From College – How to Prepare for Life After College

After a crazy graduation celebration, throwing the graduation caps into the air, you and your friends were gathering, drinking and saying goodbye to rushing assignments, exams and the lovely diet with cereal and baked beans. Seems like your future is so bright and shiny after graduation. However, for the ones having a clear plan, it’s […]

Student Accommodation – Where to Live Whilst at University

Where you live makes a huge impact on the quality of your student experience. The friends you make in the first year are frequently the ones you keep, and where you live plays a large part in meeting them. Accommodation is expensive; it is difficult to over-estimate the impact of your accommodation on your total […]

6 Helpful Tips on How to Choose the Best University

Deciding on a university is the first step towards becoming independent. The list of universities that you would want to go to can be random, or comprise of those institutions that you have thoroughly researched. The process of picking out a university that is best suited for you can be a little daunting. Following are […]

What You Should Know When Pursuing A University Degree

Are you through with your high school education and looking to pursue a university degree? Here are a few things you should know: Benefits of having a university degree There are plenty of benefits that come with having a university degree. Some of these advantages include: More money: This is a no-brainer. According to the […]

How To Travel As a Broke College Student

Step 1: Take Advantage of all Opportunities and Resources. As simple as it sounds, you may not realize all the opportunity there is surrounding you whether it is at school or with friends and family. At first it might start off with family vacations when you’re younger and then sooner or later, mom and dad […]

What Are The Best Android Apps For Students?

The strength of Android lies in its apps, and these days, there is almost an app for every activity. One can find millions of apps in the Google Play Store, ranging from media, tools, shopping, to simple housekeeping. And as most of our daily necessity and activity get mingled with these tons of digital apps, […]

How Student Loans Are Workable for Higher Education

Studying in a global university is an uphill task. With increasing admissions and other expenses, parents cannot guarantee the finance for their child’s higher education. Securing admission under this scenario requires money and time management too. The range of expenses include admission costs, hostel rent books and the tuition fee. Parents dream of a successful […]

What Is A Good Essay Technique And How Can I Improve?

Well, the academic year has already started in earnest and, talking to a number of young and mature students this week who have already been sent their first assessment, having not studied for a while (some for as long as two decades!) many of these students were already nervously asking me about how they could […]

Student Loan Resolutions Amid Interest Rate Uncertainties Post Brexit

Post Brexit there is a lot of buzz over student loan repayments. Those who have just entered the job market are unsure about the best move regarding their debts. The main cause of concern is burgeoning inflation following a lurking slump in the value of the pound after the Britain formally exits the EU. With […]

University Degree Courses – 8 Things to Consider Before Applying

Once you have made the decision to become a student and apply for a university degree course, there are a number of factors you must consider to ensure you make the right degree choice. There is the university’s reputation, the city you are planning to go to, the accommodation facilities, and of course the degree […]

I SUED THE SCHOOL SYSTEM !!!

This video is by Prince Ea. Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. Albert Einstein We at NeedToLive support this message. Never feel like you aren’t good enough.

Dealing With Grief While At University

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy, it’s a time of great sadness and many will struggle to cope with the grieving process. It can have a prolonged negative impact on your mental and physical wellbeing. Grief is a reaction to intense emotions and pain, we all deal with it differently […]

5 Things You Need to Know About University Lecturers

A-levels? Done. Offers? Accepted. Ridiculous fresher’s costumes? Bought. Congrats – you’ve made it. Welcome to Big School! You probably feel pretty prepared, pretty pleased with yourself, smug even – except there’s one thing you have no idea about. You’ve never had a university lecture and you know next to nothing about your lecturers. So, who […]

9 awesome careers you can get with any degree

Realised your degree subject isn’t for you after all? Don’t sweat – there are heaps of interesting career options you can pursue, regardless of what you studied. You might think you’re alone in not having a clue what you want to do after graduation, or in deciding your degree subject isn’t what you want to do […]

6 Things No One Tells You About Money For Uni

When it comes to managing your cash, forget the trial and error: Save the Student reveals winning strategies for getting – and keeping hold of – your money at university. 1. Student Finance is Over in a Flash Getting your first Student Finance pay-out is like winning the lottery, and then rent gobbles up most […]

53 business ideas to start at university

Setting up your own business and working for yourself is a great way to earn some extra cash at uni without being tied down to shift work – but finding a great idea can be quite tricky! These business ideas should get your entrepreneurial juices flowing and set you off on your merry way to […]

What Living in a Student House is Really Like

Fresh from spending a year in halls, moving into an actual house with your chosen friends can be quite a change. No longer in a big block of flats, the moment you step into your new house you feel like first year was a distant memory. It’s definitely different, so here’s a brief list of […]

Six Things I Learned About Life After University

You’ve spent the past three or so years working hard (and partying harder) and have finally got your degree. You’ve thrown your mortarboard in the air and said your goodbyes to the lecture halls, the student union bar, and the student flat you called home. You’ve just had the best three years of your life […]

Packing for university: items you do and do not need

Now that you’ve secured your place at university it’s time to start thinking about the things you do and don’t need to take with you. While it is tempting to pack every single item of clothing you own, your games console and a mini fridge, some of those things just simply aren’t necessary. Here’s a […]

How to Look After Your Mental Health During Revision

When it comes to exams, there’s a fine line between an apprehension that keeps you motivated, and suffering from the kind of all-encompassing stress that will negatively impact not only your revision but your general mental health. So how do you make sure you’re looking after yourself? Revision Strategies If you’re reading this prior to […]

How to Reach Out For Mental Health Support

Beginning your new life as a university student is an incredibly exciting time. It allows you to meet new and interesting people, live independently – often for the first time – and you will undoubtedly have experiences that will stay with you for the rest of your life. However, university can feel like a huge […]

How to Build Your Self-Confidence

Building your self-confidence can be difficult when you start university. You are finding your place in a new location with a new group of people. In times of change, self-confidence can drop, leaving us anxious and hesitant, fuelling our inner critic. However, there are ways to counteract this. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone From […]

How To Socialise For Less At University

Of course, it’s best to have a clear budget to see you through the month. But if the bills are mounting, don’t miss out. Here are a few ideas for what to do when money is tight, but you still want to hang out with your mates. Join Meetup MeetUp is an incredible resource for free […]

How Does Your Spending Compare to the Average Student?

As part of their Student Living Index 2016 survey, which looked at student spending habits across the country, it was revealed how much cash is being splashed on everything from rent and bills to alcohol and clothes.   So let’s take a look at what students are spending their money on every week: Rent The […]

How to Choose a University

The most important thing to remember when choosing a university in the UK is that “league tables” such as the Guardian University Guide or The Times Online University Guide are just that – a guide only. There are no official government lists of universities in terms of quality in the UK. Why? Well, mainly because […]

Why Should I Become an Outstanding Student?

Just like everyone wants to be rich, nearly every student wants to become an outstanding student. In fact, being an outstanding student is a noble objective, and there is nothing wrong with this goal. But the problem does lie in the fact that not many students have taken enough quality time to ask themselves WHY […]

Importance Of Universities In Students’ Life

People go to a university for a variety of reasons: it might be for a degree, or it is simply the next step in life, or your parents expect it of you, or you want to make the most out of life. Whatever the reason, the university experience is different for everyone. While it is […]

New Partnership to Support Students!

Student-centric platform, MyNeedToLive has teamed up with Big Youth Group to launch a new non-profit website with the aim to support students in multiple aspects of everyday life.

Can education help achieve your dreams?

By Jack Parsons from Big Youth Group A majority of young people don’t particularly enjoy being in education, in fact it’s been reported that a fifth of British teenagers drop out of education at 16 — the compulsory age. But why? Research suggests that the majority of teenagers that drop out is due to poor career advice! […]

Student Accommodation – Finding The Best One

In case you have small kids who will at some point have to go away to a university or school, you will have to find a suitable accommodation for them when the right time comes. There are several different methods of doing this, including specialist firms that provide a wide range of student accommodation facilities. […]

7 steps toward a better you!

2 minutes read by Jack Parsons We all want to grow and become the best versions of ourselves, but we often don’t know where to start, I didn’t know where to start, I had to seek advice from the ones that are close to me who I felt would give me the best advice with […]

Understanding Generation Z

By Fahren Khalid from Big Youth Group Anyone born from 1997 onwards can be considered to be part of Generation Z, in other words, this is the generation which grew up with the internet. Commonly seen as social hippies and smartphone addicts, there is more to the eye than you may think with this generation. […]

Yes! You Really Can Launch That Dream Start-Up Business

They say that all of us have a book in us but it’s also true that all of us have an idea in us. Nearly everyone will have at some point an idea for a business, for a product, for an app, or for a service. We all have ideas that we think could make […]

How to Be A Successful Student On a Budget

University is a time where you take your final steps towards adulthood. One of these steps is learning how to be a successful student on a budget. University is all about juggling your academics and social life, on top of that you now need to be responsible for your own cash flow. Knowing how to be a […]

Better Health Through BALANCE!

Most of us have heard, the advice, Everything in moderation! Those, who seek, immediate, easy results, when it comes to living a happier, healthier life, are generally disappointed, because it requires a BALANCE of a variety of actions, including enhancing one’s attitude, lifestyle, personal habits, diet and exercise, etc, as well as using some common sense, in the […]

How Technology is changing the way we work from home!

There is no doubt that remote work is on the rise, with some experts predicting that at least 50% of the workforce will be doing some amount of remote work by 2020. Technology is not just giving people the ability to work from home, it is also changing how they do it. Here are 5 ways that technology […]

About Last Night – Be Your Own Boss

By Hasan Jadayel from Big Youth Group What a night it was! ’Be Your Own Boss’ event was sold out! Thanks to all of the Coaches for dedicating their time to inspire and guide the new generation of entrepreneurs by sharing their knowledge and in-depth experience! We would also like to give a special thanks […]

What does it mean to be a leader?

Leadership is an interesting concept and one that is quite often misunderstood. The stereotypical or cliché idea of being a leader is someone who is alpha, macho, a man and often the CEO of a big corporation. In reality, being a leader is often the complete opposite; it’s empathetic, it’s caring, it’s eating last (as […]

Need some study motivation?

#HWPO – Hard Work Pays Off! We all have times when we don’t want to study/revise. We all get road blocks. This video is to give you that little extra boost!

Digital Leaders Podcast ft. Jack Parsons

Please note: this podcast talks about sensitive issues

7 Top Exam Stress Tips from Students

Exam season can bring a lot of pressure. Sometimes a little pressure can be a good thing, but when that pressure turns to stress, no one’s winning. So we’ve scouted around for some of the most useful exam stress tips and strategies from students and graduates who’ve lived through university stress and survived! Exam Stress […]

KonMari method of tidying

In this post, I’m going to share my thoughts on the KonMari method of tidying, my experience of following it, and how I hope it can help my mental health

What should I do if I feel stress before exams?

Every student will feel pressure at some point during their degree and there’s nothing like stress before exams to really make you feel that pressure. Pressure is necessary. It can be the motivation that we need to do things we don’t want to do. It’s the reason I only ever clear out the footwell of […]

What am I going to do for the rest of my life?

By Bex Sutton, NeedToLive Graphic Designer Nearly everyone has a moment where you have the internal panic of, “What am I going to do for the rest of my life?” That moment when you’re no longer satisfied with your job, you’ve finish school or you’re jobless etc. No matter your circumstances, know that you’re not […]

Self-Care Ideas

Are you feeling upset in your daily life because of pressure/stress/anxiety that you encounter? In my daily life I feel the pressure, especially when I have to multitask, or it comes time to submitting reports and any work-related problems. Dealing with stress daily becomes exhausting. Have you tried to ask yourself, “What is the best […]

Note to self: Stop Pleasing People

I love doing things for people who love and care about me. Friends, family even acquaintances. I gave my generosity, honesty and my loyalty to them because it felt like they give me a lot of appreciation and encouragement. I loved to hear their feedback and I was always doing my best to meet their […]

4 Ways To Handle Becoming Overwhelmed

Adulting is truly overwhelming A few years ago, what I would have been stressing about was just school stuff (e.g. Did I accomplish all the requirements? I have not reviewed for the exam yet!). Back then I thought that it is the biggest stress I will ever encounter but oh, I was wrong. Adulting came […]

15 Lies That Depression Would Have You Believe

Here are 15 lies that depression would have you believe: That it is bigger than you. It’s not. It just makes you think this so that it can keep in control of you. That it would be better if you never left your bed/room/house again. It wouldn’t. You have so much to offer the world […]

Signs that Someone is Struggling with their Mental Health

By Guest Blogger Antony Simpson Spotting the signs that someone is struggling with mental illness is really important, especially because they might not realise that they are struggling themselves. Here are some of the signs, looking back on my own experiences, that I was struggling. These can be applied to anyone: Changes in social contact. […]

How to support someone with Mental Illness

Supporting someone with mental illness can be difficult. What should you say and not say? What should you do and not do?

The Secrets to Self-Awareness

The Secrets to: Self-Awareness Self-awareness is about understanding more about you. It’s about being aware of your thoughts, feelings, ego, knowledge, skills, experiences, relationships, communication, strengths & weaknesses, drives, values and behaviours in a situation. Self-awareness isn’t something you do just once or occasionally. It should be an on-going day by day, hour by hour, […]

The Well of Resilience

Resilience or emotional resilience is our ability to deal with adverse events in life that cause pressure or stress. I like to think of resilience as being like water in a well: We only have so much resilience within us, like there is only so much water in a well. Adverse events cause us to […]

Uni, do I or don’t I?

It’s supposedly one of the biggest decisions you can make in your life- not just in terms of education and career, but lifestyle and fulfilment as well. So why can’t I decide? When it came to applying for Uni whilst I was doing A Levels, all my friends had powered through writing their personal statement […]

Our very personal Dark Clouds

By Nishith Singhal All of us are in middle of multiple things at any given point of time. Be it the weekdays when we are at work and struggling to balance between Growing expectation from Customer, Employer, and Teammates. Whether it is shrinking business and margin, stagnation in growth at work or our product or […]

From ‘Have To’​ to ‘Want To’​

By Daisy Bavage NeedToLive Administrator I never thought that I would be where I am today… In the current age that we’re living in, getting a job is pretty difficult- let alone getting one that you like! There is a whole lot besides determination that goes into securing a position that you actually want; qualifications, experience, […]

Why every young person should take up some type of volunteering in their local area?

By George Perfect – Verified by Big Youth Group. Think of your community. Picture a community where everyone is working together to help each other. This is what volunteers do. The tireless people who work around the clock to ensure that the people in their community get the support and guidance when they need it […]

The importance of music!

By Hasan Jadayel -Verified by Big Youth Group. Advertising Student in University of Arts London. 21 Years old. Football and Music enthusiast, with aims to achieve a lot in life, who are we without ambition? Strong believer in the phrase “Knowledge is power”, and believe there’s knowledge in everything. Creativity is the root of advancement, […]

How To Make Sure You Get An Offer After Any Job Interview

When looking for the next step in your career, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed when you are called in for a job interview, because you really want or need that job. For most people, job interviews are extremely stressful experiences, making them lose focus on the most important things. Sure, looking neat and professional […]

5 every day tips for managing your mental health.

By Jack Parsons, Big Youth Group We all know that life is or can be challenging, there is no doubting that. We’re flooded with responsibilities from looking after our family to keeping on top of work, doing all this can feel overwhelming at times, however, to have a good relationship with the world you need […]

5 Reasons to Live at Home During Uni From Someone Who Did It

So your friends are talking about moving into halls and deciding whether living off baked beans is a viable diet. They’re figuring out how much stuff to take and if the first loan instalment is going to stretch until Christmas. But what about if you’re not moving into halls? In fact, what if you’re not […]

Mental Illness at College: My Story & What You Can Do

What is your strongest memory of college? Is it the late nights spent hanging out with friends? Is it your experience with Greek life? Is it the romantic relationships forged there? For me, and the many, many people who suffer from mental illness at a young age, those memories are a bit different. My strongest […]

Small ways to improve your day to day life.

Life can become pretty mundane. You find yourself living through the motions and in a looping routine. You become trapped in a box and living life like a robot. Have you ever thought of trying something new? Or going on an adventure? Or perhaps you’re just wishing for something as simple as make valuable time […]

Plymouth RelayFest 2019

Relay For Life is a global event and we are proud, as always, to be holding this awesome 24 hour event for the 4th year running to raise money for Cancer Research UK This year we are holding our amazing Festival/Funday/Fete at the Tor Bridge High School. This year we have:Live music from The Dave […]

Need Help? Don’t be afraid to ask

By Laura Price, NeedToLive Marketing Project Manager For as long as I can remember I was always too scared to ask when I needed help. If I was stuck on a question in school I would rather guess the answer than ask the teacher for help. To this day I do not know why I […]

The ‘aaah!’​ of a new job…

By Daisy Bavage, NeedToLive Everyday Role Model Manager We all go through it, but the experience can be different for everyone… My most recent experience with being the ‘newbie’ If you have read any of my latest articles, or have taken a look at my profile, it will probably be quite evident that I started […]

My Alternative Route To A Career

By Hannah Goodwin, Guest Blogger I was very privileged to be brought up by loving parents, who despite not being able to give me as much as they wanted growing up, were able to support me and provide me with a Grammar School education. My peers at school were very set on what they deemed […]

Education is a funny thing. When I was at school, I hated it.

  I struggled with learning which resulted in the school putting me in classes with other students who were at the same level as myself. This is how the school was structured, you had 2 top classes, 2 intermediate levels and 1 remedial class. I would like to say the structure of the school was […]

8 Finance Tips To Help You Survive Uni

by Bex Sutton, NeedToLive Graphic Designer Get Organised – Getting organised with your bills, recording your in-goings and out-goings is essential, especially for those people who tend to overspend each month. Write a list of all your bills. This would be rent, utility bills, entertainment bills, gym memberships, subscriptions, food allowances. Record the dates in […]

Life is About Choices and the Decisions We Make

Life is a road. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight paths. Many roads will come our way as we journey through life. There are roads that lead to a life of single blessedness, marriage, and religious vocation. There are also roads that lead to fame and fortune on […]

What do I need to take to uni halls?

September is approaching and those of you heading to uni for the first time may well be asking yourselves, what do I need to take to uni halls? It’s the question many students ask themselves when preparing to head off for their first year at university. Moving away from home and into student halls is […]

Long Distance Relationships: A Guide

There’s quite a high chance that at some point in your life, your relationship will be tested by distance or separation. To put it plainly: no matter how long or short the time or distance is, it’s nearly always going to suck. (Sorry, I don’t gloss over things- I’ll give you the harsh truth.) The […]

6 Ways to Feel More Financially Confident

Does talking about money make you totally uncomfortable? Do you find it easier to ignore your bank statement each month than to take time to review it? When you swipe your credit or debit card, are you holding your breath in the hopes that payment goes through? We get it! Talking about your finances can […]

Why should you budget every expense?

Hey! Can I borrow some money? Will pay you back this weekend as my salary is due. You don’t want to say this to someone or you also want to help your friend who is saying this. Both ways the answer is here. You have not planned your money right. Just like you planned your […]

Pay your Education loan and Start saving

We are fortunate that our country encourages education. Education loan is available at an attractive rate and many of us tend to take this measure to pursue education. Many parents too persist that children learn under an education loan in order to inculcate a sense of responsibility in them. But I think we need to […]

8 ways of reducing cost in your Home and Kitchen

Most of us women spend our home-time in the kitchen. Be it a working women or a home maker our focus at home is usually towards serving the best food, up keeping the house etc. Here is a special article for you with some home and kitchen hacks 1.       Home stock room Establish a home […]

Curb your tech cost just by looking around your place

A few years ago only the younger generation who are from the engineering background were tech freaks and could understand gadgets. Today everyone owns and enjoys technology. From students of primary school to retired personnel social media, gadgets, technology are part of life. But many of us do overspend on the same and end up […]

8 first things to develop the habit of saving

Everyone comes to a stage in life where we realize we need to save some money for the future. We have dependents, family, dreams and various other reasons to save money for. But a lot of us, especially the younger generation is unable to do justice to this. Reasons could be the attractive shopping offers online, […]

Food habits which will help you to be within budgets

Food is bae! And there is no second thought on that.  But many a times we think we spend too much on our food. Well, I totally live on the principle that we earn to eat well but I do follow a few disciplinary steps that help me cut out on the unnecessary food expenses. Here is […]

How to Survive Wedding Season on a Budget

It’s officially June and wedding season is without a doubt upon us. While we’re all for lots of love, beautiful bouquets, tearful toasts, and a good old fashioned late-night rendition of Sweet Caroline (…“so good, so good, SO GOOD!”), we’re also the first to admit that these cheerful occasions can do some serious damage to […]

3 Easy Ways to Improve Your Finances This Weekend

Many people are under the impression that managing their finances will take up way too much of their time. While it is true that a good financial overhaul or planning session does require the initial investment of time, ongoing maintenance (or small, scheduled updates) doesn’t have to take longer than a few minutes here and […]

The Keeping Up with the Jones’s Effect

Do you often find yourself scrolling through the many gorgeous images on Pinterest or Instagram and, perhaps subconsciously, promptly begin fantasizing about winning the lottery? Do you allow yourself to imagine all of the many ways your life would be infinitely better if only you could trade lives with that one social media blogger you […]

5 Tips for the College Grad

Tis the season for hugging, cheering, celebrating, high-fiving, and family photos that never seem to end. That’s right …it’s graduation season! As you don your cap and gown this spring, take a minute to embrace your loved ones, celebrate your accomplishments, and mindfully contemplate all that is to come. Some of your best days are […]

Inspirational Video: Live and Learn

5 Financial Myths You Need to Ignore ASAP

When it comes to money, everyone seems to have an opinion or else be seeking a magic “get rich quick” solution. Unfortunately, we can’t all win the lottery nor can we expect to just create wealth by wishing for it. We can, however, get informed, learn our options, and efficiently invest and manage our money […]

Home Alone – The Realisation

Unfortunately being home alone isn’t as exciting as it was for Kevin McCallister. Apparently movies don’t accurately represent real life? Strange. Home alone is in-fact my life right now. I also imagine it’s the life of a few post-graduates around the world now too. It can be lonely. I mentioned in my previous post the […]

The best review of Fight Club you will ever read

Rule 1.

Plymouth’s Top 7 Stationery Stores For Students

by Bex Sutton, NeedToLive Graphic Designer It’s the start of a new university year, for some of you it is your first year! As a local to Plymouth, I am here to recommend some fantastic stores around the local area where you can buy some fantastic stationary for your studies. Poundland It may surprise a […]

MyNeedToLive Partners with The Resilience Project

MyNeedToLive is proud to partner with The Resilience Project. For more information about The Resilience Project please watch the video. Check back next week for more news and updates about the amazing things they’re doing! We love partnering with businesses and people who believe in young people and want to support them. If you are […]

Places to get Coffee with Friends in Plymouth

With freshers just around the corner and students returning, I wanted to create a list of the best places to grab a coffee with friends in Plymouth. It can be pretty daunting moving away from home for the first time, especially if it’s a brand-new town or city and you don’t know where anything is or where you can hang out with your new friends and grab a coffee together.

Lonely at University? 7 ways to make new friends at Uni

Are you a bubbly, confident chatterbox? Or do you sit more in the shy, struggle-to-start-a-conversation box? The crazy thing is, wherever you are on the spectrum, you could find yourself feeling lonely at university. And it makes sense. You’ve moved away from family and friends and you’re living alone on a tight budget. Maybe you […]

What is VPN and Why You Need It When Travelling

Plenty of things make you feel safer when travelling. You may research the safety of your destinations, memorise the emergency phone numbers, and equip yourself with anti-theft backpacks or money belts. But few travellers consider the safety of their online presence when travelling abroad.  A free public WiFi connection can save you from getting lost. […]

Everything You Need to Know About the Threats of Public WiFi

We are all guilty of using public WiFi. Be it at our favourite coffee shop or a free hotspot we stumble upon while travelling. We see free WiFi, and we think “Jackpot!” instead of considering the potential security threats.  But ignoring these threats doesn’t make them scarce. One doesn’t even need to be a professional […]

My Journey Begins – Smoking, Drinking and Zero Exercise!

My journey began with the realisation of my unhealthy lifestyle My journey begins in DEcember 2011, I was Obese, smoking, and drinking every day. This was what had become of me in my twenties. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed that decade of my life. It’s the decade I met and married my wife. We travelled (a […]

How to deal with negative thoughts

One of the most helpful things I think we can do for our wellbeing is knowing how to deal with negative thoughts because these are the thoughts that are associated with difficult emotions, in particular feeling down and anxious. It’s okay to feel down and anxious, these are, of course, normal human emotions. However, when […]

How Running A Marathon Changed Me

Running a marathon changed me, not a lot, but it definitely changed a part of my outlook on life. So I thought I’d write a few words to share how I changed as a result of covering 26.2 miles on my feet. Completing a marathon gave me self-belief We all have core-beliefs built up over […]

Re-Energising on the run, life as an introvert

I’m an introvert. I used to think introversion was a negative trait. Meaning that I was shy, socially awkward, and uncomfortable when in a crowd of people. I used to think that being an introvert was something to be ashamed of and that I should try to be more extroverted so that I could develop […]

How Gaming has Impacted my life

Anonymous blogger who would still like to share their experiences. You don’t know how much something has impacted your life until it is too late, sadly the story I’m about to tell is exactly that.  Growing up I’ve always been a hardcore gamer, I never enjoyed going out with friends, playing sports or doing anything […]

Top tips for good grades at University

Anonymous blogger who would still like to share their experiences. I undertook a science-related degree, so not all my tips may not be transferable to all course types, however I believe at least one of these may be useful to different student’s studies. 1. Read This may be the most obvious suggestion, however the correlation […]

Top Natural Spots in Plymouth

Living in a city centre certainly has its benefits; the proximity to shopping, restaurants and a plethora of indoor activities. However, as a student, moving into the city was a major change for me. I found myself feeling somewhat cramped, claustrophobic and suffocated due to the constant noise, people, and cars surrounding me. To help […]

Life or Death Decisions

JoyBinge Ep 30 – Friday Filosophies

About JoyBinge JoyBinge is a place to hear news stories of joy, good deeds, and hope when the news gets too overwhelming. Join Kimmy and Sinow as they find reasons to celebrate, laugh and smile! This week, Sinow and Kimmy talk about the great JoyBinge break they have embarked on, update on Cyntoia Brown and […]

Top Couch Co-Op Games For Console Players

Who else misses the days of sitting in the same room as your friends and playing split-screen games together. When I was younger and started gaming, me and my friends would play couch co-op games for hours and hours. Games like Golden Eye and Mario Cart were our go-to games when we played together. But […]

My Adventure into WoW Classic

What is WoW Classic? Recently Blizzard released World of Warcraft Classic which is an MMORPG. Classic runs along side the main version of the game, Classic recreates the game in the state it was in before the release of the first expansion, The Burning Crusade. Basically, WoW Classic is what WoW original was at launch! […]

JoyBinge Episode 31: Season 2 Announcement

Hi and welcome to JoyBinge! I am Kimmy and I am Sinow, and we want to celebrate that we are coming back from the much needed break and starting the second season on Nov 5th! We are so ready to binge on some joy! Over the last year or so, we have covered lots of […]

Where is all the Good News??

The news sucks. We all know this. Terrible things seem to be happening all the time and even though we know good things happen every day, they don’t get reported as often. So how do we keep up while keeping sane? A couple years ago, I was done with the news. I felt like I […]

Continental Scrabble Championship

Above video is a vlog that walks you through the Continental Scrabble Championship Continental Scrabble Championship Information This was the the 9th Continental Scrabble Championship, and was held in the beautiful and vibrant city of Amsterdam! More entertainment content can be found here

My Journey Into a Gaming Profession

Plymouth. My hometown. It is… an interesting old place. Tucked away deep in the south west of the UK, Plymouth is beautiful, especially in the summer, with the waterfront, the sea breeze and the bustling city centre. Plymouth is welcoming and traditional. Of course, to most people, Plymouth is a long way away – but […]

JoyBinge Season 2 Episode 1: Ok Boomer

Hi and welcome to JoyBinge! I am Kimmy and I am Sinow, and we share good stories about good people doing good things! Get ready to binge on some joy! News The cities designing playgrounds for the elderly Written by Vittoria Traverso for the BBC Staying healthy is difficult but many cities around the world […]

How online gaming changed my life…

When you think of your typical gamer, you may think of a guy sat in his bedroom, eating Doritos in his own little world, who might be socially inept, prefers the darkness of a blackened-out room with only the pixels of a monitor or TV lighting the way. But from my experience, this is just not true…

Motivational Video by TheAlphaApps

Here’s TheAlphaApps, one of our Everyday Role Models, with another great motivational video

A Guide To The Mindsports Academy Online Word Game

Features available and how to play Welcome to the Mindsports Academy Word Game, here is a guide to all the features available: You can choose to play either: Player v Player Player v Computer Player v Computer Free Members will need 2 shields to challenge the computer, Premium Members will be able to challenge the […]

Terminology: Trap

Trap A Trap is a move which may tempt the opponent to play a losing move. Another word used to describe a type of Trap is Swindle. This can be described in two moves: A ruse by which a player in a losing position tricks his or her opponent, and thereby achieves a win or […]

How To Get Better At Go

people ask us is something along the lines of “how do I get better at Go?”. It seems that nearly all Go players want to improve their Go game, regardless of what level they’re currently at. And that’s not surprising. After all, it’s human nature to want to get better at the things we enjoy […]

World Scrabble Championship 2019 Round 35 David Koenig v Peter Armstrong Report

There was an endgame on the MSA live stream of this year’s World Scrabble Championships that quite literally had to be seen to be believed. There have been hundreds, if not thousands of live streamed Scrabble games broadcast over the years but this one I feel might have been unique. To set the scene, the […]

Fun and Different Things to Do in Plymouth

So, you’ve just moved to Plymouth to start University, you’ve all settled into halls, had your induction and now it’s time to get stuck into life in Britain’s Ocean City.

The anxiety merry-go-round. I want to get off!

  When experiencing anxiety, the chest feels tight, shortening breath. Neck muscles tense, strain and lock, the throat feels closed and swallowing becomes a noticeable action. Some people also experience dizziness, fatigue, a burning sensation of the skin. Less energy results in less activity which in some, results in poorer circulation, shivering, hands turn a […]

Proud to be a social enterprise

We are proud to announce we are now a Community Interest Company. What is a Community Interest Company? A Community Interest Company (CIC) is a type of social enterprise. Our stated mission, known as a community interest statement lays out a clear definition of our aims and objectives. This means any revenue we generate goes […]

Send us your pet pics and you could win an Amazon voucher

We love our furbabies. Even if they are moody teenagers at times, our best pals are frequently the ones we turn to for reassurance, love and a cuddle. The power of pets should not be underestimated, there are plenty of studies to show that our furry friends are good for our health. Animals really add […]

#Foodhacks

We want to see your #FoodHacks from videos to recipes. Send us your greatest home made meals below for a chance to win an Amazon Voucher. We will publish our favourite videos and recipes, and one lucky winner will receive an Amazon Voucher. From super noodle sandwiches, to super burger towers, we want to see […]

MyNeedToLive Advertising

MyNeedToLive is a free digital Community Interest Company for 16-24-year olds packed with relevant, impartial and topical content created by young people, for young people. We believe the future of business should be Purpose Before Profit. Join us, as we support young people, developing the skills they need to face and shape their future STRENGTH […]

Turning aspiration into action

Young people are 100 per cent of our future, and we believe in that future. Every day, thousands of  young people wrestle with finding their place in the world. The pressure of social media, confusing messages around education and training, and a lack of joined up thinking when it comes to supporting their future aspirations […]

Nominate #MyLocalRoleModel

Do you know a Local Role Model who deserves a personal thank you? Everyone of us has been touched by the bravery, hard work and dedication shown by the people around us. They deserve our appreciation and we want to give you the opportunity to say a big thank you to the people who have […]

#Nominee Dawn Pay

Nominee Dawn Pay Nominated by Caroline Wilson This lady worked on the frontline in the covid ward. Having two young babies and having to go work to care for patients that you know will die and have to deal with this under extreme pressure as well as knowing you have a young family is hard. […]

#Nominee David Draffan

Nominee David Draffan Nominated by Jonathan Keable As Service Director for Economic Development at Plymouth City Council, he and his team have been amazing in getting the government grants out to businesses during lockdown to help them survive through the economic crisis. They have been one of the fastest and most reactive councils in the […]

#Nominee Hannah Bruce

Nominee Hannah Bruce Nominated by Emma Jackson Hannah is an amazing nurse and ward sister. Prior to the lockdown she had a knee operation scheduled to repair her ACL. Due to the pandemic this operation was cancelled and in spite of this Hannah continued to work in a new role as a discharge facilitator. Hannah […]

Publishing a Blog on MyNeedToLive

How to publish your blog on MyNeedToLive A short tutorial video on how to publish content on the MyNeedToLive platform, choosing a category for your blog, adding a featured image and how to use elementor.     https://blog.myneedtolive.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Monitor-Publish-a-blog.mp4

How to: Dealing with mental health at university

By guest blogger Soul diaries 1) Seek Consultation services There are free services that us we can take advantage of, specifically if you are under 25! Make sure to do your research thoroughly before splashing out on any counselling/therapy sessions because of high costs or giving up on talking to someone. Universities often provide their […]

#Nominee Nick Radford

Nominee Nick Radford Nominated by June Radford Nick is my son who is a paramedic and is always helping others . He has two young children so he is kept very busy yet he always goes above and beyond to help other people. He has a heart of gold and I am very proud of […]

#Nominee Tesco Staff

Nominee Tesco Staff, at Hyde Road, Manchester Nominated by Kelly Moore I want to nominate all the Tesco staff in the Tesco Extra store on Hyde Road in Manchester. They have been so helpful when I have gone into the store. I have had trouble getting around and struggled with being on my own during […]

#Nominee Kate White

Nominee Kate White Nominated by Pete Harrington Kate has done so much for the people around her. At the beginning of lock down she dropped flyers in the streets doors with her mobile number if we needed anything picking up. At 68 with a bad knee and a wife who needs full time care I […]

#Nominee Matt Lucas

Nominee Matt Lucas Nominated by Mary Helen Hunter Having 3 kids under 6 during lockdown hasn’t been easy but Matt Lucass thank you baked potato has entertained the kids for hours. they have sang the song for days on end. I had read the book to my girls day and night. while this may have […]

#Nominee Debbie Noble

Nominee Debbie Noble Nominated by Edith Cockburn Debbie Noble is a key Midwife at FV NHS hospital wearing full protective clothing with face shield.  She herself has twin daughters who she has to leave at home to attend. hospital.. Click to Nominate your #MyLocalRoleModel here View more nominees ->

#Nominee Gran

Nominee Gran Nominated by Mary Stewart My gran,  she is a caring person. she has had to look after my grandad who took heart attack in April.and she did not lose a days work .as she works with health and social care. Care at home. l am so proud of my gran. Click to Nominate […]

#Nominee Des Milling

Nominee Des Milling Nominated by Amber Edwards Des is a key worker, working as a manager at a supermarket. He has worked throughout the whole of lock-down going above and beyond without a complaint. He works early mornings and late nights and still also manages to be the most amazing father to his two daughters. […]

#Nominee Janis Sadler (1st Giveaway winner)

Nominee Janis Sadler Nominated by Nicola Sadler I would love to nominate my wonderful mother. For she is not just a wonderful mum to me but a super Granny too! Throughout the lockdown we have daily chats and we sing nursery rhymes and go through the alphabet –  which my son loves! She is helping […]

#Nominee Nicole and Amber-Louise Murray (2nd Giveaway Winner)

Nominee Nicole and Amber-Louise Murray Nominated by Suzanne Murray They are sisters both nurses.Whilst travelling in front of them a lorry and tractor collided. The lorry was a wreck,both girls got out of the car Amber went to deal with the tractor driver and Nicole climb into the lorry without thinking of her own safety. […]

#Nominee Shirley Pringle

Nominee Shirley Pringle Nominated by Aimee Pringle ???????????????????????????????????? I would like to take my mum Shirley Pringle She is a research nurse working on COVID 19 studies she is putting herself at risk to find a treatment or vaccine for this awful virus and I am so proud of her as she worked on the […]

#Nominee Carol Lawley

Nominee Carol Lawley Nominated by Justin Swainson I would like to Nominate my good friend Carol Lawley she goes out her way to do stuff in the local community, She is the one on the left in a yellow vest. She is always doing litter picks and always picking litter up when out and about. #LocalRoleModel (i have pinched […]

#Nominee Steve Hill

Nominee Steve Hill Nominated by Diana Heywood A local teacher who has been in school quite a lot during lockdown taking care of vulnerable children and Keyworkers children. In the evenings he has been setting work for is own class to complete the following day and marking work done.  In any spare time he has […]

#Nominee John Birch

Nominee John Birch Nominated by Mariola muzyka I would love to nominate my husband John he is working in the military for the past few months during the pandemic he had to work long hours to keep us all safe always be on stand by ready for anything to help anyone, supplying hospital with food […]

Are Gen-Z tired of the vanity of social media? Can apps like YurOn provide some relief?

Social media has become a way of life for young people, with 9 out of 10 young people having a social media account. But the increasing need for likes, follows and other forms of social validation, can become exhausting. The potential to expand the currently narrow experience of social media paves the way for new […]

#Nominee Paul Hamby

Nominee Paul Hamby Nominated by PAMELA HAMBY Would love to nominate my lovely hubby Paul for always working hard to provide for us. He’s a cemetery ranger so digs graves, walks funerals down, lowers if needs be, buries ashes, sees to all the flowers and grass etc At such a such sad horrible time he […]

#Nominee Joanne Hollingsworth

Nominee Joanne Hollingsworth Nominated by Debbie Parfitt I am nominating my keyworker Joanne Hollingsworth Because she has been there since the first day of the Co-vid outbreak she has been there for me and mum Helped me through the tough times Click to Nominate your #MyLocalRoleModel here View more nominees ->

#Nominee Amy Jane Beckett

Nominee Amy Jane Beckett Nominated by William Beckett My daughter Amy Jane Beckett She is a secondary school teacher who has been in school to look after the students still in school. She has been doing arts and crafts and computer science puzzles. She is also setting work daily for all her other students. Click […]

World Suicide Prevention Day

The 10th September is World Suicide Prevention Day, where every year organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness, understand how we can help, and put change in the world where less people die by suicide. Did you know: In 2018 there were 6,507 Suicides registered in the UK That is 11.2 […]

How To Survive Freshers’ Week When You Have Social Anxiety

Don’t let social anxiety stop you living your best life at uni! Here are some pointers on how to survive Freshers’ Week when you have social anxiety and thrive in your new environment.

MyNeedToLive Courses

Introducing the new MyNeedToLive courses, a section of free and paid courses that help you find the best options for you. Our courses offer a unique insight into different industries, helping you to determine if this role is what you want, and find the best career path to build your future. https://blog.myneedtolive.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Course-Website-Post.mp4 These courses are […]

#TellYourStory

#TellYourStory & Help Support Young Adults on a Global Non-Profit Platform. Share your experience’s and help support others We all have our own stories and point of views, the #TellYourStory campaign is here to help you with content ideas. Every blog helps to support, advise and entertain young adults on a free non-profit platform. We […]

MyNeedToLive and Dr Rosie launch Work, Home, Play

Working with young adults – those in the workplace, students, apprentices – along with educational bodies and many local businesses, conversations during this last year have often fallen to the topic of mental health. The changes to our lifestyle, put upon us by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, have affected each of us in some […]

Review: The Work, Home, Play Series

“The Work, Home and Play series by Dr Rosie, is packed with information and resources that are relevant and easy-to-action and when it comes to looking after my mental health in different environments.” Mental health is an extremely important issue, which you never really realise until you talk about it. You never realised that everyone […]

How to Make Friends in College

By USA Guest Blogger Kaitlyn Gloege About a year ago I went off to college as a freshman 2 hours away from home. I was nervous, to say the least. Making friends was so important to me. However, now I realize I did not have to be so nervous. Making friends is only hard if […]

Poem: Sometimes High, Sometimes Low

Three years after being mentally ill, that led to me being diagnosed with a form of bipolar, I’ve written something to reflect on the experience. Here it is, called Sometimes High, Sometimes Low: Sometimes High, Sometimes Low My thoughts race, I can do anything. I am joyous, I feel like a king. I get so […]

8 tips for mastering time management everyday.

2 Minutes Read, By Jack Parsons I struggled with time management for so long. Everyone wants my time and I want to give it to everyone because that’s the type of person I am (How can I help?). I like seeing people be successful and accomplish their dreams and goals. My time became unmanageable and […]

The importance of students understanding their transferable skills.

By Josh Clarke – Verified by Big Youth Group.  “What is the point in this?” This is the question I asked myself over and over again whilst at university. No, I was not referring to nights out in the student union… I was asking that question to myself every time I had to write a […]

Professional Life Vs College Life

Each one of us grew up with an aim, a dream in our heads, which determined our higher education, our choice of college. Coming to college is like a dream come true for many. That sense of freedom, responsibility, the endless possibilities for future, friends, bunking. If you ask me, college life makes a boy […]

How I Managed My Mental Health at University

If you’re like me and struggling with mental health, going to university may not seem like the best thing in the world. Having to meet new people, go to lectures and dedicate time to learning is more than just a little bit daunting, and it can be tempted to tell the university you’ve changed your […]

Spending less time on social media.

By Fahren Khalid – Verified by Big Youth Group. As head of Creative at the Big Youth Group, my job is to oversee the creative direction of the company and to be an advisor on anything related to strategy, special projects, advertising and marketing functions within the company. You have probably heard this advice before […]

The Best Place To Study For Maximum Productivity

We’re all different is so many ways… we like different foods… have different tastes in music and film… some people feel the cold more than others… The same comes to learning and studying. We all do it differently. It’s why different techniques for, say revision, work better for some than others. And when it comes to […]

The 7 habits to be highly effective in your life

Inspired by Jack Parsons, CEO Big Youth Group, Verified by Big Youth Group. 3 Minutes Read We get asked daily by lots of young people in different walks of life on “How have we managed to squeeze so much in our lives at such an early age?” Take our founder for example from growing up […]

Learn To Operate Outside Of Your Comfort Zone

The college years give students opportunities to learn and grow while becoming more independent and self-sufficient. It is also a time when young adults find that they will be held accountable for their behavior, performance and results. For many students, being expected to accept responsibility, make their own decisions and being judged on their performance […]