You’re preparing for university and you finally have your reading list. There are so many books on there, and I bet you are wondering, do I have to read them all? The short answer is no. But read on to find out how to tackle and make the most out of your university reading list.
Reading is an activity that you will spend a lot of time doing during your university and before you begin your course, you will be given a recommended reading list. This can be overwhelming because most likely you will be given a long list of books and you might be worried about the expense, how you are going to find the time to read them all and where you are going to put them in your tiny student room. But don’t fret! The list you are given will contain essential books, and some that are optional.
My advice is to get the essential texts and use the books that are recommended for your assignments and essays, they will most likely be a few copies at the university library, but be wary that the students studying the same classes as you will have the same idea and might get the last copy before you. Also, if there is only a certain chapter you need to read for research for an essay, for example, look at seeing if a digital copy is available to download on the library server. You don’t need to buy every book and read them from cover to cover.
Some students like to buy all of the books they are going to need for the year, brand new. Now, there is nothing wrong with doing that but ask yourself, are you going to read all twenty books listed? If you know you won’t, then look into buying some used copies from previous students, it’s a great way to save money and you can sell them again when you are done with them. If the books are listed as recommended and not essential, then maybe you can even team up with a friend who is taking the same course as you and share the book.
The key to successfully managing your reading list is to prioritize the texts that you will need the most and stay organized with the resources available to you. Make a list of books that you are going to read and what you are going to need them for. If you are taking several courses, or many different modules, it can easily become overwhelming to keep track of all the books on your reading lists.
Once you have your list of books, you want to downsize it and focus on the books that will have the most benefit for you. When you are trying to decide if the book is relevant or useful, look at the publication date and see if any textbooks are more recent and will contain updated information. When looking for a book, it’s a good idea to look at the introduction and get an idea of how the book is structured. A lot of online bookstores let you look at a few pages before you buy too, which is a feature that will help you decide.
If you want to take things a step further, you can access the library resources available to you, both in the library, and online and see what other things are available to help you on your course. There might be other forms of media such as videos and podcasts that might aid your learning. Books are only the beginning, speak with your course tutors and those working in the library if there are any other ways you can expand your knowledge and learn more about your subject.
]]>You’ve finally finished class 12 and you are ready to take the next step toward your medical career! But now you have the dreaded NEET exam to prepare for and you don’t know where to begin. It can be an overwhelming time for any Indian student. If you are stressing about your upcoming NEET exam and need some top tips on how to prepare for them. Read on to find out more about this exam and how to ace it.
First of all, what is the NEET exam? The National Eligibility Entrance Exam, also known as NEET, is a competitive exam in India that is the basis for qualifying for the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery) and BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) fields across the country. This exam is for any student who wants to study medicine in any of its forms. It is a tough and highly competitive exam.
There are a few rules in place regarding eligibility for the NEET exam. There are four different factors that you must meet the criteria for to be able to take the exam. The first one is nationality, only students who are Indian National, NRI, Overseas Citizens of India, or Persons of Indian Origin can apply for NEET. The second criterion is the mandatory subjects a student must have taken before applying for the NEET exam. The subjects required are Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The only other exception to this rule is students who have taken Mathematics with optional Biology can still apply.
The third criterion is the minimum qualifications required for acceptance to take the exam. All students must have cleared class 12 or any equivalent course before they can apply for the NEET. If you have completed a course from an open school or are about to sit your grade 12 exams, you can apply for NEET in the same year. The final criterion for NEET is the marks you achieve. For the General category, you should have at least 50%, a minimum of 45% marks in the PWD category, and at least 40% in the SC/ST/OBC category.
So, what’s the process when registering for the NEET exam? You must register before you are allowed to sit the exam. It’s a step-by-step process that starts with visiting the NEET website. You need to register as a new user and fill in the online registration form. Submit the documents required including your academic certificates and forms of ID. Then you will be taken to the online payment system. Pay the desired fees for the NEET exam and then you are done.
Once your registration is complete, you can then wait for your admin card. When you have this, you can download it and take it with you to the place where the exam is being held. You will not be able to sit your NEET exam without this card, so make sure you download it on your phone, or even print out a copy, to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day.
If you are going to prepare for your NEET exam, you need to know the syllabus and what you are going to be tested on. The main topics are physics, chemistry, and biology. These can be divided up into further sections. For physics, there will be topics on mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, and nuclear physics. For chemistry, there will be topics on the mole concept, the periodic table, general organic chemistry, coordination chemistry, and chemical bonding.
For biology, there will be topics of genetics, cell biology, the physiology of animals and plants, the basics of biotechnology, morphology, reproduction and ecology, and the environment.
Working remotely is the new norm, but what if you want to take it a step further and become a digital nomad, traveling around the world and working at the same time? It seems like a dream come true, doesn’t it? But what is a digital nomad, is it possible to achieve and how do you become one? Read on to find out more.
A digital nomad is a broad term but it simply means a person who works remotely and this gives them the freedom to live and work anywhere in the world. The term can apply to anyone who has an online job that gives them the flexibility to work in any location. The word “nomad” isn’t an official word to describe someone’s job, it is a colloquial way of saying that someone travels while they work. This term covers more than just freelancers and travel bloggers, a variety of jobs including entrepreneurs and TEFL teachers can live the digital nomad lifestyle.
Becoming a digital nomad is a huge lifestyle change, especially if you have been used to a typical office-based job.
There are many great reasons to live the digital nomad life. First of all, having the freedom to work anywhere gives you the chance to not only live where you like but to visit new places and always stay on the move, if this is something that you want to do.
When you travel for work, you always get the opportunity to meet lots of new people from different backgrounds. Experiencing other cultures, making memories, and earning money, what could be better than that? If you want to expand your worldview and witness some amazing sights, then this is a definite pro of being a digital nomad.
Being your own boss can be another reason why people choose the digital nomad lifestyle. If you have the skills required to work for yourself on the move and don’t want to answer to anyone else, then being a digital nomad might be the right move for you. Many choose this lifestyle because they want a better quality of life. Do you want to live right by the beach? Travel to a few different cities throughout the year? The freedom to go to new places is one of the main reasons why people crave the nomadic lifestyle.
I don’t mean to be a glass-half-full person here but if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Being a digital nomad is extremely difficult to do. You have to be okay with the uncertainty of it all. If you don’t feel comfortable or secure enough to quit your job on a whim and start working remotely and freely as you travel around the world, then maybe this life isn’t for you.
Having no stable income can be stressful. Sometimes, there are jobs with a stable salary that give their employees the freedom to work remotely from various or many locations. But if you are one of those people that is freelancing or working project by project, not having a stable income can be hard.
There can be tax complications too regarding your pay, whatever country you live in, or whatever countries you plan to visit during your digital nomad journey, be sure to know where you stand with this. It can be a lot of hard work, especially if you are self-employed and a digital nomad.
Another important thing to realize is that if you are a digital nomad who is traveling alone, you might also get lonely. You might feel like you are missing out on things happening in your family or friends’ lives and it can be difficult to work and live alone.
You have to know what your priorities are and what you want your life to be like. If you don’t have any responsibilities and like the idea of having the freedom to work and live wherever you like, then the nomad life might be something you should consider. But if you like the idea of having roots, staying close to your loved ones and having a more traditional day-to-day life, then maybe you should stick to what you are comfortable with. Being a nomad is no picnic. There is a lot to think about and only you can make that decision for yourself, follow your heart and never look back!
So, you want to earn some extra money while doing your studies? Between course fees, bills, having a vibrant social life, and enjoying all that student life has to offer, the costs stack up! If you want to land the perfect job to help you meet new people, develop new skills, and add some much-needed money to the bank, read on to find out how to land the perfect student job.
First of all, what type of job suits a student? The job ideally needs to be part-time, so it doesn’t clash with your lectures and seminars and doesn’t take too much time away from your studies. Whatever the job is, it should be something that you will get something out of. I know a lot of students get “any” job while they study, but if you are going to hate it and you know this in advance, don’t apply. Find something you don’t mind doing and click apply.
There are a majority of jobs suitable for students. One of them is working in events or hospitality. These are great for students who just want a little bit of extra cash and enjoy working with people. Many of these types of jobs offer flexible hours, which is great to schedule around your studies. Whether you want to work in a bar, as a waiter/waitress, or cater and clean at events, many roles in the hospitality industry would suit a student. Bar work specifically is great for students because it is primarily at night and it can be easily suitable for those night owls that don’t mind serving drinks, possibly to other students. Check your university and the area surrounding it for bar work.
Temporary work is another great fit for students. This can include a multitude of different jobs including retail work, cleaning, or administrative work in an office. Salaries will depend on the job you choose. Temp work is a great way to try out different things and figure out what type of job you enjoy and maybe something that you don’t enjoy, plus it's a great experience to put on your resume or CV.
Working as a barista in a coffee shop is another good job for students, you will learn new transferable skills, meet a lot of interesting people and earn some good money to give you a better overall student experience. But only apply for a job like this one if you don’t mind being on your feet all day.
If you like helping others and you feel confident in your abilities, why not try tutoring? It is a flexible, well-paid position that will allow you the opportunity to teach others. This type of job is recommended for third or fourth-year students, as you will need a certain level of knowledge to tutor successfully. But you can also tutor children or high school students if this is something you feel ready for. Tutoring can also be an online job, as well as in person, so if you want a job that you can do from your computer, this might be the right job for you. There are a few other online-based jobs that you could do including freelancing, affiliate marketing, virtual assistant, and website tester.
Where is the best place to look for student jobs? Many websites cater specifically to temporary or student workers but there are also other options such as word of mouth and via university bulletin boards. Is there a student service at your college or university? Check it daily or weekly for new job opportunities and don’t give up hope that you will get something.
Another place to look for student jobs is in the windows of establishments. You could be walking down the high street and see an advertisement in the window seeking a temporary worker. My top tip is to have a digital copy of your resume/CV ready to apply online but also have a few physical copies because some companies still prefer to do things this way.
Even though it is time-consuming, it’s important to personalize your application for every job. The more you tailor your application to the job, the more likely you are to receive an interview and possibly land the job you want. Job hunting isn’t easy and sometimes you are going to have to sacrifice some of your time to change your resume/CV or cover letter for each role.
Be confident that you will get the student job you desire. There is a lot of competition when it comes to student jobs and the majority of the students applying will have little or no experience, so it’s tough for the employer to pick a student for the role. Put forward the skills that you have but also avoid the cliches that are often on job applications such as “I’m a hardworking person” or “I have excellent communication skills.” Be creative and tell the employer what you will bring to the job and if you are being your authentic self, the right job will come along for you.
]]>Congratulations, you have a brand new place to live! Whether you’re a student living in accommodation or moving into your first rented apartment, you want to make it suit you. However, most rental properties have limitations on what you can do. Here are some rental-friendly decorating hacks on how to make the space your own.
You don’t want to risk your security deposit by painting things you shouldn’t or hanging picture frames on the wall. But how do you create a cozy and creative space for yourself without doing those things? It’s time to get cozy and creative. Think of the things that make you feel happy. Is it fluffy blankets? A bookshelf filled with your favorite titles? Candles and scented diffusers? There are lots of cheap and creative ways to make your home cozy without doing anything too big.
Fairy lights are a lovely way to add a warm glow of light to your room, hang them above your bed or drape them across your bookshelf to create a homey feel. If you buy a bookcase, you can also use this as a way to be creative, you could paint it different colors, and add some plants and photographs of people you love. Pillows, cushions, and blankets are another way to make your home feel like yours. Drape a fluffy blanket across your sofa and it will keep you warm in the winter months and make it a cozy experience, also, buy a few different blankets, so you can swap them around.
Personalizing lampshades is a great way to bring some fun to your new home. You can take a plain lampshade (make sure it’s one you buy yourself and not the original one that came with the apartment), poke holes in it to create a unique image and you will love the beautiful pattern it creates on your walls and ceiling. Another way to bring more light and warmth into your home is to buy a salt lamp. The calming orange glow of a salt lamp will make you feel at home in no time and the great thing about salt lamps is that they have many benefits for your health and wellbeing too, which is a bonus!
Plants are a wonderful way to brighten up your new home. Not only do they look pretty, but plants also produce oxygen and will give you the same calming feeling you get when you go for a walk outdoors. However, if you are anything like me and would forget to water real plants! Then a small number of artificial orchids or a Fejika or two on your bookshelf will also brighten up your space.
Another great way to do some rental-friendly hacks to personalize your living space is to buy some luxury rugs for your floors. The carpet in rented accommodation tends to be cheap and low quality and if you are lucky enough to have wooden floors, it’s great, until you walk around with bare feet in the middle of winter! Go to your local homeware store and pick up a variety of colorful rugs with different textures to customize your home.
Curtains are another great way to add some color to your home. If you already have a curtain pole in place, then you’re good to go. But if you don’t, you can always talk to the homeowner or landlord if you feel adding curtains will add more privacy and block out more light in your home. And finally, bedding! This is a fun one and it’s the best way to add some personality to your bedroom. The great thing about bedding is that you can buy a few different ones and change them around every month, depending on your mood or season. I have fleece bedding for winter and flowery bedding for spring.
So, those are some rental-friendly decorating hacks to turn your house into a home. You don’t need to paint the walls or drill holes into the walls to make a space your own. A few other things you can do are add candles and reed diffusers to leave your home smelling lovely, hang up some string on the wall with temporary glue dots or damage-free wall strips and use small pegs to showcase some of your favorite photographs or buy some foldable storage boxes with funky designs to add some color to your room (I have done all of these in my own rented apartment to make it feel like home).
]]>If you are looking for a role in health care and you have an interest in helping others, you may find a career as a dentist fulfilling. But what does it take to become a dentist? Do you have the right skills and ambition to achieve it? Read on to find out more about dentistry.
A dentist is a medical professional in charge of a person’s oral hygiene. They can work with a variety of people, from young children to adults and their duties are to monitor and treat any issues that might occur in the teeth, jaw, or gums. A dentist plays an important role in the community to ensure that everyone has good oral hygiene and avoids infections and diseases that can deeply impact a person’s life.
The career path toward becoming a dentist requires a degree in many countries. Having great subject knowledge in all science-related subjects can be highly beneficial for a career in dentistry. Once you have completed your foundation training, you can go on to run your own practice or pick a specialism to work in, some of them include oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, and orthodontics. Running your own practice includes many other skills and talents as you will need to take responsibility for the management of staff, calculate budgets and taxes and buy equipment but you will have the freedom to arrange your own working hours and work in a specialist area of your choosing.
There are other career paths you can take within dentistry. You can gain further qualifications and work in an educational setting teaching other students or progress to a senior lectureship or professorial post. There is also the option to complete dental research to develop expertise in a particular area of interest and to advance your career further.
There are a few different ways that you can train to become a dentist and this will depend on your country and education system. In the United States, dentistry is in the top ten career options and it’s because it is the opportunity to work with people and change their lives and it is also well-paid with many opportunities to progress.
There is a lot of competition to get into dental school and students must be determined and disciplined. After dental school, US students need to pass licensure exams to begin practicing and will require an additional two years of study if they want to pick a specialty.
In the UK, a five-year degree at university is required as a minimum requirement. Similarly, for US students, there are post-graduate opportunities to continue their education and development as theories and methods of dentistry change and advance.
In India, a Bachelor of Dental Surgery is required to practice as a dentist. To begin with, it’s recommended that you take science in the 11th grade and score highly in class 12 to be accepted into a college. The BDS is a five-year course and after that, you can practice as a dentist.
The skills required to be a successful dentist are that you need to have excellent verbal and written communication skills. You will be working with a variety of people of different ages and it’s important to know how to communicate effectively and problem-solve professionally when required. Other skills that most dentists need is manual dexterity and focus, you will need to maintain an intense concentration level for prolonged periods and have a steady hand while doing so.
If you have an interest in improving the wellbeing of others and can develop positive relationships with patients and colleagues, then you will thrive in this career. It can’t hurt to have some good administrative skills too, especially if you dream of opening your own dental practice.
The salary of a dentist is a good one in the majority of countries. If you’re in the UK, expect to earn anything between £33,000 and £110,000, this depends on the setting you are working in and if you are working for the NHS or in charge of your own dental practice. American students can earn between $117,000 to $372,000 with experience. Those in India can look at earning anything between 16,600 INR and 93,000 INR a month.
A day in the life of a dentist usually includes time assessing patients, talking with patients, completing work on patients, and doing administrative tasks.
Your day will typically begin with an early morning, preparing for the day and seeing what patients you have on your schedule. There will be similar work that you will complete every day including teeth cleaning, filling cavities, and removing or repairing teeth.
Your work schedule will vary depending on your experience, setting, and if you are employed or have your own dental surgery. The majority of dentists work weekdays but some do evenings and weekends to attend to their patient’s needs. The average dentist works less than forty hours a week.
If you don’t mind standing and looking inside people’s mouths all day long, then maybe a career as a dentist is the right one for you!
What is the best way to learn anything? The Feynman technique of course. This studying method is a powerful way to learn and will enable you to study smarter and faster. Read on to find out what the technique is, what it’s used for, and how you can apply it to your studies to become the best possible student you can be.
A Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Richard Feynman is best known for his invention of the Feynman diagram and the theory of positrons. He was considered one of the greatest scientific minds, a physics genius, and one of the most remarkable scientists in modern history. He was known for being an extraordinary teacher and his lectures are still used today to inspire the next generation of scientists.
To put it simply, the Feynman technique is not only to acquire knowledge but to learn through the act of teaching. I will explain further, the technique begins with the student choosing a topic and finding out everything they can about it. The next step is to improve their knowledge enough to explain it to another person. Feynman believed that the only way to truly master a subject is to have a deep enough understanding to teach it to someone else.
Learning with the Feynman technique is no easy task, it can be demanding and use more mental energy than just reading and memorizing but that’s why this technique is so effective, it broadens your understanding of your subject and encourages you to think on a deeper level. Another great reason the technique is highly beneficial is that it helps you to identify problem areas in your understanding and you can easily fill in the gaps using a targeted learning approach.
The steps to follow are identifying the subject, explaining the concept, identifying knowledge gaps, clarifying the gaps, and organizing your thoughts on the topic again. Once you have completed the steps, you will be able to confidently talk and teach the topic or subject you are currently learning about. Don’t worry if you can’t get someone to teach, you could even stand in the mirror and teach it to yourself, it might feel silly but it will be so beneficial to your learning!
This study method is effective for those who usually re-read textbooks and notes. Instead of using repetitive learning to memorize large quantities of information. Try using the Feynman technique to master your learning.
Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” The key to the Fenyman technique is being able to deliver what you have learned to someone else clearly and concisely so that someone else can understand it, even if they know nothing about the subject.
This technique is for those who want to solidify their learning and ace their tests and exams. Some other top tips are using spaced repetition to optimize your learning schedule and using a Pomodoro timer to manage your workload and achieve a state of deep focus.
So, there it is the Feynman Technique, the four-step method to understanding any topic through selection, research, writing, explaining, and refining.
One of the biggest decisions you will ever make is what career you are going to pursue. But before you can even get there, you have to decide what to study. Some students know what they want to do. But what about the students that don’t know? They find themselves in a decision dilemma and don’t know what door to pick or what path to take. So how do you choose your future, where do you begin? Read on for some tips and advice that will help you decide what type of life you want for your future.
Whether you are leaving high school and choosing what to study at college or ready to embark on the journey of studying for your degree at university, choosing what you want to study is an important time in your life. It can be difficult to figure out what the next step is for you and many students have external pressure from parents, friends, and tutors, which can make the decision dilemma harder and easier to navigate.
Mute all the voices that are telling you what you should be studying or what you should be doing. Ask yourself, what is my passion? What do I love to do? What brings me joy? If you could do anything in this life, what would it be? If you can’t think of an answer to that question, think about your skills and talents, what are you good at? Once you have a definitive answer of what your passions are, you will find it easier to research possible careers with this subject in mind.
I hate the phrase “where do you see yourself in 10 years”, but when it comes to this kind of dilemma, it’s helpful for you to look ahead, far into the future, and imagine your life. Do you see yourself working in a specific field or environment? Are you happy with your life in that future picture? Once you know what your end goal is, it’s easier to work backward and figure out how you are going to get there.
Sometimes, people study a subject at university that doesn’t correlate with their future career plans. They study their subject because they are passionate about it and want to improve their knowledge. If you are one of those students that don’t know what they want their future career to be, then pick something that will inspire and motivate you. There’s nothing worse than spending three or four years studying a subject that you hate.
When you are choosing the subject you want to study, it can be hard to be specific about what you want to learn. The best way to begin with this is to pick a general subject. If you are interested in working with people, you might want to study psychology. If you are interested in working in the medical profession, you might want to study one of the sciences. Start with the type of subject first and don’t pressure yourself too much to pick a specific thing to study. Many universities offer you the opportunity to swap courses in the first semester if it isn’t for you.
In some countries, you get the opportunity to study multiple subjects to decide which one you want to focus on. But even in the countries where you don’t get that option, there is always a fallback option or plan b. Ask yourself what fascinates you, and what do you want to learn more about? And go with it. Don’t feel the pressures of what other people think, use your heart and let it guide you toward what you are passionate about.
Once you know the subject you want to do, the next step is to find where you want to go to study it. Are you interested in studying abroad? Do you want to learn a new culture and language while you study? Or are you looking for somewhere closer to home? Distance is the first thing you should consider when choosing a university. Then, you need to seek out which university teaches the course you want to study. Once you have a list of them, book tours, ask questions, and do your research until you find the perfect campus for you. Whether you want an online distance learning course or to be immersed in the full student experience, there is something for everyone.
Everyone dreams about their university experience. What it will be like, how many friends you will meet, the adventures you will have, and how much you will love your course and spend as much time as you want to learn about your chosen subject. But something that is not often spoken about is loneliness. Especially for university students. This is the lonely student guide to surviving university.
During the pandemic, loneliness in students naturally increased. But, the statistics still show that more than half (53%) of university students say that they are lonely and 47% have concerns about feeling isolated on campus. Despite the opportunities to socialize, many students are finding it difficult to make new friends and are spending too much time on social media. A recent study shows that only 38% of students spent time with their friends in person up to 16 hours a week. Students are spending more time on their phones and as a result, they are suffering from anxiety and depression. An even more recent study shows that over 60% of students feel overwhelmed or anxious and 47% of those don’t know what to do other than isolate themselves and work on their studies.
There are many reasons why you may feel lonely or isolated as a student. It’s a tough time of your life and the transition from one form of education to another can be challenging for some. Many students will be learning how to be independent as well as learning, studying, and balancing it all and it can feel overwhelming. Who has time for friends when you have three essays to complete before the end of the week? But don’t underestimate the power of social interaction. There are other reasons why you may feel isolated as a student, you might be a mature student and older than your peers, or an international student with a language barrier.
The biggest effect of loneliness is how it influences our social interactions. If we are feeling insecure and detached from the people around us, we are more likely to feel anxious and overwhelmed in social situations. When we feel lonely, we seek connection. Humans are social creatures. But sometimes, seeking can be the scariest part.
If loneliness persists, it can deeply affect your mental health and wellbeing. If this happens, you should seek out support from student services or a loved one or friend. Don’t keep your feelings bottled up, if you are feeling isolated and alone, find someone to talk to that you trust and know that you are not the only one to ever experience loneliness.
So, how do you combat loneliness? The best way to begin is to meet some new people. As daunting as it sounds, many students are in the same situation, especially if you are in your first year and you are living away from home for the first time. Universities offer a lot of clubs and organizations to help students socialize for the duration of their studies. There is everything from language clubs to choirs to sports. Maybe you can continue with something you are already familiar with or if you are feeling brave, why not try something new? You can start a society yourself if there isn’t something on offer at your university.
Another way to combat your loneliness is to nurture your relationships. It’s important to maintain the relationships you have, even if they are long-distance. Speak to your family and loved ones regularly. In-person connection is important, but it isn’t always possible during semester time at university. So make sure you use your phone to connect with those who are far away. Maybe start a group chat or have a weekly phone call?
It’s also important to look after your wellbeing. Make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and plenty of exercise. The combination of all these things will help your mental and physical health and help you feel happier and more settled in university life.
And a final reminder in this lonely student guide to surviving university is to take a break from your studies from time to time and have fun! Although it can seem daunting at first, the years you spend at university will be ones that you remember for the rest of your life and it’s okay if you don’t warm up to it straight away, it’s okay to feel lonely sometimes, starting university is a big change and change is scary! But don’t let your loneliness be what stops you from embracing every moment of this pivotal stage in your education journey. Seek support if you need it and most importantly, be kind to yourself, you’re doing great!
]]>How many times a day do you look at your phone? We all have a smartphone device with the world at our fingertips and this can be distracting and pull us away from work and studying. But how do we use our phones to be more productive? How do we make our phones our best study tool? Read on to find out more.
Smartphones are amazing, aren’t they? You can talk to your friends, post cute pictures on Instagram and watch funny videos of cats playing the piano. But did you know that your phone doesn’t have to be a major distraction from your studies? There are ways to use your phone to be productive! But it’s going to take some willpower and a few little hacks to make it work. The main problem is that phones are designed for multitasking. With so many apps to choose from, you might be scrolling through Instagram, while listening to music on Spotify and sending a text message. But research shows that we are more productive when we are focusing on a single task. When it’s time to work or study, it’s important to have full focus and concentration, here are some top tips on how to make your phone your best study tool.
So, what’s the best way to cut back on what has your full attention? Simple, remove the distractions. Take your social media apps off your home screen, mute all push notifications, and only have ease of access to apps that are going to work with your productivity, not against it. Once you find the willpower to do this, you will see remarkable results already. But it’s no good just removing apps from your home screen, you need to categorize all the apps on your phone first.
What are your primary tools? These are apps that help you stay organized such as your calendar, diary, or other productivity-related apps. Then there are the slot machine tools, these are the apps that distract you from your study or work, these include email, social media, and messaging apps. Then there are the aspiration tools and apps that help you get to where you want to be, maybe they are exercise apps, book or language apps, or podcasts. Now, it’s time to rearrange your phone! Only have your primary tools and aspiration apps on your main home screen, everything else goes on the next page.
You’ve just sat down to study, you have everything you need and you are ready to begin when ping! A notification comes up on your phone. Your friend has sent you a message and it would be rude not to message back, so you do. Then you remember you saw a funny video a few days earlier that you wanted to send to them, so you go on Instagram and find it. Send it to your friend but now you’ve seen another video that you like. Before you know it, hours have passed by.
Notifications are one of the biggest distractions on your phone, so the best thing to do is to silence them. Push notifications show on the home screen of your phone, you can go into your settings and mute them, so you only find out what notifications you have when you go onto the app.
Instead of wasting your time scrolling through social media, there are apps that you can have on your phone that are better for your health, growth, and wellbeing, sound good? The hour that you spend on Instagram every morning could easily be replaced with listening to an informative and interesting podcast that will get you feeling ready to take on the academics of the day. Instead of watching videos on TikTok in the evening, why not swap it out for some time using an app to learn a new language or skill?
Everyone gets the same amount of time in the day. It’s up to you how you use it. If you know you have a problem with your phone and you find yourself getting too distracted to work or study, then it might be time to change your priorities. If that doesn’t work, then silencing or turning off your phone temporarily is a great way to stay focused on the task at hand.
Our phones are a big part of our lives now. But if you adapt the way you use your phone and use it for studying instead of personal use, you will find yourself reaching your study goals faster and getting one step closer to the success you want. Your phone can help your productivity. If you remove temptation from your home screen, silence notifications, and use your time effectively, you will have the perfect study tool in your hand and nothing will stop you from achieving your goals!
]]>Being a college or university student is a stressful time. The transition from high school to college or college to university is a big one and many students find it difficult to manage their money, especially when they are becoming financially dependent for the first time. Here are some money mistakes that students should avoid.
The first mistake you should avoid as a student is not budgeting! Research shows that 43% of students don’t track their spending or budget correctly for the academic year. Which can lead to overspending and debt. The best way to avoid this mistake is to divide your money up equally, so you know how much you have for the month or week to spend. There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to nice things or going out with your new friends, but you should monitor your spending and wait to buy things if you’ve already spent your money limit for the week or month.
You might be experiencing financial freedom for the first time and the moment your student finance goes into your bank account, you will be tempted to spend. From clothes shopping to daily coffee from Starbucks to countless drinks at student social events, it can be hard to resist the impulsive urge to spend it all. We convince ourselves that we need things and buy them without giving it a second thought. The best advice, if you are an impulsive person, is to ask yourself if it’s something you want or need.
Credit cards are becoming increasingly popular with students. It’s a great way to buy things that you need and pay for them later. But if you’re not careful, credit cards can be misused and leave you in a tricky financial situation. Before you think of getting a credit card as a student, you need to understand the responsibility that comes with it. The best advice for credit cards is to only get one if you feel you need it and when you do get one, use it for emergencies only. Another great alternative is to get a bank overdraft.
Having no emergency fund or overdraft is another mistake that students can make. As a student, you will have a lot of expenses and sometimes things happen and you don’t have enough money to cover them. You can’t always rely on a parent or family member to bail you out if you get into trouble. Have an emergency fund of money and when you have saved up enough, you can dip into it and treat yourself. Having an emergency fund of savings will give you the financial freedom to spend, knowing you have money there to fall back on.
Another mistake students make is not tracking their money. You will get halfway through the semester and realize you don’t have enough money left to stretch until your next semester.
You can do everything with a smartphone now, including tracking your money and spending. There are loads of helpful apps that keep you in the know about your finances. Some of them even enable notifications, so you can be alerted when you spend too much money.
It might not seem important when you are young to have a good credit score. But mistakes you make now might follow you later on in life when you are trying to get a loan or a mortgage. Many students end up with bad credit scores because they don’t repay their loans on time or they miss regular payments. Keeping track of your bills and payments is one of the best ways to keep a good credit score but there are many other ways you can improve your credit score, there are multiple websites and apps that provide that service.
Do you want to find out the best ways to live a happy and peaceful life? Are you looking for a self-help book with ancient teachings that guide you toward a life full of happiness and value? If you are, read StudyStream’s book summary of Ikagi: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.
Ikagi is a Japanese term that means “the reason for your existence or the art of living.” This book explores the meaning of Ikagi, the rules, and how they can be applied to your everyday life. The purpose of this book is to encourage you to live a long, happy, and purposeful life. Our Ikagi is different for all of us because we all have different life experiences and expectations but the one universal thing we all search for is meaning.
There are ten rules of Ikigai, stay active and don’t retire, take it slow, don’t fill your stomach, surround yourself with good people, get in shape for your next birthday, smile, reconnect with nature, give thanks, live in the moment and follow your ikigai.
The themes of Ikigai are looking after your spiritual, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Following your passion and your true calling in life is also a main component of Ikigai. “One thing that everyone with a clearly defined ikigai has in common is that they pursue their passion no matter what.” Pursuing and nurturing your Ikigai every day will bring meaning to your life and set you on the right path toward your goals and dreams.
The first lesson from the book that should be used in this summary is that finding a reason to wake up in the morning is what Ikigai is all about. “Iki” means life and “gai” in Japanese means value. Finding your purpose and value is important and you can find this by asking yourself the following questions. What are my strengths? What are my passions? How could I earn a living doing what I love? What does the world need?
The second lesson from the book is that elders know best. In Japanese culture, seniors have the wisdom to share and it is our job to listen to them. Okinawan elders have advice about wellbeing that the younger generation follows. The one tip you should follow is to “worry as little as possible.” The idea they teach is that life should be savored and you must take your time and not stress too much about having everything figured out right away. They simply say that you should focus on enjoying the life you have and connect with everything and everyone around you.
The third lesson from the book is to keep moving to stay healthy. Longevity and health are not necessarily only about going for a run or playing a sport. The best way to stay healthy, both for the mind and body is through movement. Okinawans strive to add exercise to their daily lives in small and simple ways. Even if it’s just lifting their arms and legs when watching TV or going for a walk in the morning when the sun comes up and again when the sun sets.
There are some wonderful nuggets of wisdom scattered throughout this book. One, in particular, is the “key to happiness is to celebrate each day, together and in local Spiritual ways.” The root of Ikigai is to find your bliss and connect with your spirituality, in whatever way you feel suits you, this could include daily meditation or prayer, yoga or simply giving thanks. Another lovely quote from the book is “food won’t help you live longer. The secret is smiling and having a good time.” The key to being happy is to have fun, life doesn’t have to be serious all of the time, you are also here to enjoy every moment. Finally, “the grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
There are many reasons why you should read this book. It will help you find your purpose and give you some much-needed direction in your life if you feel lost, it encourages you to practice introspection and discover what you want and it gives you the real secrets of happiness and how to live your life with joy and gratitude.
Another reason you should read this book is it gives you an intuitive guide on how to approach your health and wellbeing. It motivates you to have a positive attitude and feel at peace with yourself and your life. As the book says, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.” There are a lot of things that you can’t control in this world but there is one thing you can control, your attitude and outlook on life.
Do you like computers? Are you someone who likes to know about the components that make things work? Then you may be interested in becoming a software engineer or developer. If you want to start your journey on this in-demand career path, read on to find out more about becoming a software engineer.
First of all, what is a software engineer? There are a variety of different titles in the field including software developer, full-stack engineer, support engineer, test developer, and software engineer. Many of them require a unique combination of skills but if you are willing to learn computer science and have the patience and determination to work with technology, then maybe this is the career for you.
There are a variety of ways of becoming a Software Engineer. Whether you are a student going to university for the first time or are hoping for a career change, there are multiple paths you can take to become a Software Engineer. The majority of employers would want you to have a bachelor’s degree as a minimum to be in the field. Any relevant subject such as computer science, information technology, or software engineering specifically is what they will be looking for.
The multiple pathways to Software Engineering are any of the following, college certificates, boot camp training, associate degrees, and self-study. No matter what level of education a Software Engineer has, they all benefit from continuous training and qualifications to expand their knowledge and skills and keep up with the ever-changing technology and how it is advancing.
Some of the skills required to be a successful Software Engineer include being an effective communicator, working well within a team, and having coding and technology literacy skills. It will also benefit you if you are naturally good at solving problems and pay close attention to detail. You will spend a lot of time working with different coding languages, so you must have a good understanding of C++, HTML, JavaScript, C#, and Python to name a few. You should also be good at multitasking and working on multiple projects at the same time.
As listed above, there are many different paths that you can take as a Software Engineer. Once you are qualified and have a certain level of experience, you can find the niche role that suits you and your long-term career goals.
A Front-End Engineer specializes in the UI, which are the visual elements of what you see on an application or website. This can be anything related to layouts and aesthetics. The role of a Front-End Engineer is to fix bugs and ensure that everything runs smoothly. Unlike this role, a Back-End Engineer works on the underlying logic and performance that happens in the background. A Full-Stack Engineer does both frontend and backend and has the skills to create a fully functional website or application.
It may differ, depending on the country you live in, on the requirements needed to be hired as a Software Engineer. In the UK, most companies will require a bachelor’s degree in a related subject, but there are apprenticeships for those who want a career change, there are higher apprenticeships available at level 4 and also degree apprenticeships from level 5 onwards if you want further study.
In America, there are many ways to become a Software Engineer or Developer without a college degree. If you work hard and study the right online courses and learn the fundamentals of what is needed to be successful, you can compete with those who have the degree.
In India, there are many colleges specializing in computer science engineering. Similarly to the UK, in India, there are multiple career path variations to get you to where you want to be but all of them include years of higher education.
Software engineering and development is one of the largest industries in the world and has one of the lowest unemployment rates. You will be earning a high salary, even as a junior software developer and there are limitless opportunities to expand and grow your career in specialized fields. The median salary for a software engineer in the US is $110.000 a year and in the UK, you can expect to earn up to £50,000 a year. Indian software engineers can earn around ₹6,50,000.
The working hours of a software engineer will vary depending on if you are working as a freelancer or for a company full-time. But you might be expected to work late nights and weekends, particularly when you are approaching a deadline. Software engineers may have some flexibility in how and when they work, but with a lot of them being remote and working for international companies, you will have some freedom with working patterns.
So what is the day in the life of a Software Engineer like? An ordinary day will involve a lot of coding, working with the wider team to solve problems, and revising and rewriting code. Software Engineers and developers rarely work alone, they spend a lot of time in their day corresponding with the rest of their team and having meetings about the product or service.
Their main duties are working on system design, maintaining software functionality, and establishing new documentation. Every day is likely to be different. You might be working on a long-term project, liaising with different clients, or building new software for a new app or website feature. Software engineers don’t have an easy job but it can be a highly rewarding and creative one for those who are passionate about technology and what they do.
]]>Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most common treatments for a range of mental health problems. A psychotherapy that looks at how a person thinks, feels, and behaves and how this affects their mental state, CBT is a highly effective method for those with anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Read on to find out more about this technique and if you think it might be the right one for you.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a treatment that helps people identify their negative and destructive thought patterns and change their behavior and the way they understand their emotions. Through CBT, a person can learn to challenge their thoughts and have more positive and realistic thoughts that will uplift their mood. CBT is often an individual therapy, although there are CBT group sessions available. The number of sessions of CBT will vary from person to person, but the average number of sessions can be anything from five to twenty.
The main purpose of CBT is to help those with mental conditions to manage their lives more effectively. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy does this by changing distortions and perceptions a person may have and redirecting them to challenge their unhelpful mindset. Some of the negative thought patterns that might be challenged include jumping to conclusions, black-and white-thinking, or catastrophizing situations. The whole premise of CBT is to help a person see the world in a more positive light and healthily respond to their circumstances.
There are a lot of advantages to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Firstly, it can be completed in a short space of time unlike many other types of therapy, it is a versatile approach and can be taught online or via self-help books. The strategies that CBT teaches can be used in everyday life, even after the treatment sessions have finished and it can be effective as medicine in treating some mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
Of course, there are some disadvantages to this style of therapy. It takes a lot of commitment to get the most out of it and you need to attend regular CBT sessions and do the work. It takes time and it may not be suitable for those who feel uncomfortable confronting their fears and anxieties and discussing their emotions. CBT is for dealing with current problems but it isn’t good for focusing on specific and underlying issues such as trauma and abuse.
Just like a lot of therapies, CBT isn’t suitable for everyone. But research has shown that this CBT can benefit people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. It’s been considered most effective on children and adults who suffer from depression, general anxiety disorder, general stress, panic disorders, eating disorders, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can make a real difference in the lives of those who are struggling with mental and emotional troubles. It isn’t suited to everyone and every disorder but it can give people strategies and coping mechanisms to deal with challenges in their everyday lives.
Coding. Something that might feel foreign to a lot of people, unless your day job is computer programming. Coding is used for everything that you use daily, from your smartphone to your computer. Want to learn about coding, what it is and why you should learn and understand it? Read on to find out more.
Coding is the language of computers. It’s how we communicate to the computer what actions to take. Think of it like a set of instructions. Code can look different and has many formats but the purpose remains the same.
Developers use different programming languages when they code, some of these include HTML, C#, Python, and Javascript. HTML is widely used for creating web pages, whereas C# is used for creating desktop applications.
Coding is used to program a variety of things, from a complex computer program, to the websites you regularly visit and the social media apps on your phone. Code allows us to have the seamless technology that we use every day.
What’s the difference between coding and programming? Coding refers to a specific task, which is writing a set of instructions for the computer or phone to perform. However, programming includes more processes and is more about the development of the systems of code. Coding is part of programming, the essential component needed to make up the programming process.
Coders are essential for every growing industry and it’s a great skill to have, even if you don’t work with computers daily. There are many benefits if you learn to code, research has predicted that careers in software development will increase by over 20% in the next few years, so this will open up more job opportunities. Coding is an in-demand skill and employers see its high value, even if it isn’t necessarily needed in your daily work. Learning to code will also give you something challenging to focus on and nurture your math and problem-solving abilities.
Learning code can just be a fun hobby to acquire a new skill. However, there are many careers for those who want to learn code on a more serious level including web developer, front-end engineer, back-end engineer or software developer.
There are so many websites, courses, and apps that allow you to learn basic coding for free. Some popular apps can teach you how to use HTML and Javascript through video tutorials. But courses are more likely to go in-depth with exercises such as working towards creating a basic app or landing page for a website.
From boot camps to degrees, there are multiple ways to learn code and use it to improve your job prospects. The future is digital and knowing the language of computers will allow you to be a few steps ahead of the game. Coding is a tricky thing to learn, but once you know it, you will be unstoppable and despite what you might believe, you don’t even have to be good at math to learn it!
]]>