Emeli gives advice to struggling students

Singer songwriting star Emeli Sande has been helping students at Sunderland University deal with the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Sunderland-born performer urged the university’s performing arts students to “stay motivated” during lockdown when she took part in a virtual question and answer session.

Emeli – Chancellor of the University – said: “Try and take some time out. I think sometimes when we’re working so much, so focused on something, and putting so much energy into it, we can lose perspective and burn our brains out.”

“We have to remember that making music or anything creative is such a high intensity mind process.

“Put it aside for a second and do something else that can stimulate another part of your mind.

"Play the piano – but just for the enjoyment of playing and not thinking about a career.

"Try turning off the internet for a minute.”

She added: “It’s just regrounding and resting your mind. When you come back to what you were doing, you’ll find a renewed excitement and energy. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

Emeli also revealed she has been keeping herself busy during lockdown by making a new album.

She said: “This is the first album I’m going to be releasing independently and I feel the joy of music and creating music has come back to me.

“I do believe that music is really needed now, and I hope I have approached this album in a way that shows this to others as much as possible.”