Posts published in January, 2018

7 Best Ways To Prepare For Final Exams

BY EMILY CARTER   2/1/18

Finals week can be a stressful time for many students; I know it was for me also.

So, understanding how to prepare for finals correctly is the key to preventing. All students would like to unwind by getting massages before finals (I sure would!).

However, All of us know this is not possible. There has to be a uniform approach to evaluate our performance, and it must happen at some point (hence, “finals”).

So, how else can we reduce tension and know that we are on the right path to excel?

  1. Distributing learning over time typically benefits long-term retention over a brief period.
  2. Say YES to cardio: Science says that “Only 20 minutes of cardio can enhance your memory”. Whether you are dancing, running or breaking up a sweat by walking, exercise will boost your energy level and reduce the effects of anxiety.
  3. 3. Sometimes we eat breakfast the day of a significant test. Research indicates that “High-carb, high-fiber, slow-digesting foods like oatmeal are best (grain is more satisfying than cereals).” However, what you consume a week before the exam also matters a lot.
  4. When school students were tested on focus and thinking speed, then given a five-day high fat, a low-carb diet heavy on meat, eggs, cream and cheese and analyzed again, their performance dropped.

When you study, your mind absorbs sugar, so have a five-minute break each hour to allow your body produce more fuel for your studying. Eating a healthful snack and is quite beneficial and can make a significant difference (almonds, fruit, and yogurt are also good options).

  1. Alternate study spots: Spending all night at the library can be draining.

According to this New York Times, “The area where a person study enhances retention.” An experiment, psychologists found that students who studied a list of 40 language words in two distinct areas – one windowless and cluttered, another contemporary, with a view on a courtyard – did much better on a test than students who studied the words twice, in precisely the same

  1. Learning Through Visuals: Your mind defaults to pictures for words, as it can. We recall images. We overlook words.  When we begin to read our mind, then it tries to translate letters into pictures.

Place a few notes together, and our brain must consider every individual message as a picture. Sooner or later, it reads mixed letters and believes of this photo, rather than the word. We learn nearly twice from images as compared to words or letters.

Visual Scientist Jaya Cross whose visual content on valentine’s day images went viral says, “We humans are sight creatures. Pictures translate across culture, education levels and age groups, the richness of the whole picture can be taken in at a glance.”

  1. By creating a balanced research program and schedule, you’ll have the ability to analyze each subject entirely and ultimately enhance your test performance.

All-nighters impair memory. As a result; you may receive lower grades. But that is not all; you’d then be forced to wake up sooner than expected – and that is bad too. According to Dan Taylor, manager of a sleep-and-health-research laboratory at The University of North Texas, that this will interfere with rapid-eye-movement (REM).

(Quick tip: Review the most terrible notes right before going to bed the night before the exam.  It makes it easier to remember)

Emily Carter :Writer at TheEventier.  She is a web copywriter and content strategist and helps social good-driven brands rapidly grow their impact and income.

 

How To Get Federal and State Financial Aid For Low Income Students

BY TOM JAGER

Getting financial assistance for students is a confusing topic. You’ll have to do a lot, including strict deadlines and numerous requirements, in order to get the money you need for a college education. To make sure you did everything right, you have to do a thorough research and apply only for those grants and scholarships you are eligible for.

In this article, we’re going to help you make your research as effective as possible by providing the most important information about federal and state financial aid 2018.

What is Federal and State Financial Aid?

Financial aid for low-income students like grants and scholarships comes from the federal government and state government. Federal aid, for example, is the money awarded to a low-income student to help them pay for higher education expenses such as tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation, and room and board. According to the U.S> Department of Education, there are a variety of federal grants available for students, including:

  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants for students who have exceptional financial need (up to $4,000 a year)
  • Federal Pell Grants for low-income students (up to $5,920 for 2017-2018 award year)
  • Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants for low-income students who are taking a class to become elementary or secondary school teachers (up to $3,736 a year).

In case you’re not eligible for federal aid (find the requirements below), you might receive money for education from your state. “Every state has at least one grant or scholarship available to its residents,” says John Caplan, an educator from write-my-essay-for-me.com. “Typically, the eligibility for this kind of financial aid is limited to students residing in this state or attending an in-state college.”

Who Gets Federal and State Aid?

Every student who meets pre-determined eligibility requirements can receive some kind of financial help from the federal government, regardless of age or income. The most common requirements are the following:

  • S. citizenship (in some cases, eligible international student)
  • A valid Social Security Number
  • Prove the need for financial assistance (depends on your Expected Family Contribution and the cost of college attendance. Find out more here)
  • Evidence of appropriate academic performance in school
  • Registration with Selective Service (applies to males only)
  • Evidence of qualification for obtaining a college education
  • The certification agreement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (find the online copy of FAFSA here). Fill it in every year you’re in school in order to stay eligible.

Given a wide variety of state financial aid programs, you need to go to the website of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and select your state to review available programs.

For example, by clicking on Texas on the map, one lands on a special site with the list of all federal and state aid programs available for Texas residents and other students.

Important Things to Remember

Deadlines

One of the critical things you need be aware of is deadlines. They can vary depending on state and program, but make sure you remember that the deadline for the federal financial aid application is June 30, 2019. The aforementioned FAFSA becomes available for students to fill in on October 1 and determines eligibility.

As for state programs, each state has a specific deadline. For example, the midnight of March 10 is the deadline for applications in Indiana while students in Iowa have to apply before July 1, 2018. To find out information about your own state, refer to the complete list of student financial aid deadlines by state from FastWeb.

How to Apply

Application is a bit complex process, so make sure you understand everything. The first step to getting federal aid is to complete the aforementioned FAFSA form at the Department of Education site. For example, if you want to attend college from July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019, the form will become available for you on October 1, 2017. Be ready to provide the evidence of the real need for financial assistance, including some information about your income and taxes.

The second step to getting federal aid for education is to obtain a unique FSA ID (required for both students and parents). It is a mandatory requirement that allows you to submit the FAFSA form online and confirm your identity. Remember, this ID has the same legal powers as a written signature, so don’t share it with anyone.

The third step is getting the Student Aid Report (SAR). It could be presented to you in paper or online (depends on whether you provide an email address in your FAFSA form). SAR provides you with some basic information about your eligibility and contains the answers to the most common questions related to obtaining financial help.

SAR also includes your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is a number used to determine your eligibility.

The final step is to contact the school you might attend to get all information on eligibility, available financial aid programs, and other information.

Tom Jager is professional blogger. He works at Proessaywriting. He has degree in Law and English literature. Tom has written numerous articles/online journals. You can reach him at G+  or  Facebook.

5 College Essay Clichés You Should Avoid

By Albina Welsh

According to Your Dictionary, clichés are overused expressions. Their continued use is trite. They do not add value to an academic essay or a personal statement. For your paper to be smooth, interesting and superb, avoid using essay clichés. This article identifies college essays clichés and explains how to avoid them.

Common essay clichés to avoid
To understand the common clichés to avoid, you need to identify different types of writing genres where you can find them. Examples of these genres are academic writing, application essays, book reviews, etc. Students are vulnerable to using different essay clichés to different types of writing genres. Therefore, you need to identify the genre of your text, before looking for the clichés that may make your essay to appear vague.

There are circumstances you may fail to identify these clichés. If you are faced with such a situation, get assignment help. Nonetheless, the following are some 5 college essay clichés that may make your academic paper lack credibility:
In other words: This is a cliché that is common in college academic papers. When using this cliché, you are in danger of repeating yourself.  This is a phrase that is used to provide a simpler explanation of a concept that is contained in the text. Overusing this phrase will make your paper boring. Furthermore, the sentence that contains the phrase will have an obscure meaning.                  
First and foremost:
Overusing this phrase in your sentence will make you look lazy. A person reading your text containing this cliché will conclude that you are not creative. They will lose interest in reading it further. Professional writers know how to limit the use of such phrases.
As a matter of fact: This is an expletive phrase. These are phrases that do not add any meaning to your sentence. It is good to avoid this phrase because it dilutes the quality of your text, and the ideas contained in it. As a professional writer, I strongly discourage you from using this phrase. It will make your paper look unprofessional.

In light of this: According to the Collins English Dictionary, this is a phrase that has a number of synonyms. Examples of its synonyms are: considering and taking into account. You can use these identified alternative phrases in your paper. The use of these alternative phrases will prevent you from overusing the identified cliché.

It is an obvious fact: Try to avoid using this phrase when talking about issues that are obvious or factual. A good example is a sentence such as “It is an obvious fact the sun is a star”. The use of this phrase makes the sentence to be wordy and vague. Just write a simple and easy to understand a sentence like: “The sun is a star”.
Well, these are the most common college essay clichés you can find. For your paper to be flawless, smooth and interesting to read, avoid them. However, it is not enough to know them. Below are some of the ways you can avoid using them in your essay.

How to avoid the identified college essay clichés

To avoid the essay clichés, you need to follow these simple rules.
Identify the unique angle about the cliché: Identification of a unique angle is important because it helps to make an uncommon point about your cliché. This result in a fresh and creative sentence.          Also, be specific: Essay clichés can result in the creation of a wordy sentence or paper. To avoid them, you need to be specific when talking about issues or facts being addressed in your paper.
Do not forget to proofread your paper: When you proofread your paper, chances of identifying and removing essay clichés are high. This is a process you should not ignore. Ignoring this process will make you vulnerable to writing a paper that is full of grammatical mistakes.
Moreover, these papers will contain essay clichés that make it dull and lack originality.
Well, the above steps will make you produce a paper that is free from college essay clichés. Papers containing essay clichés are boring and difficult to read. Submitting such kind of papers to your professor is risky. He may judge you as a student who lacks writing creativity. This means low grades for you. Nevertheless, identification of a unique angle for the cliché, being specific and proofreading your work will guarantee you the production of an essay that is flawless and free from clichés. Ignore this advice at your own disadvantage.

Albina Welsh is an international student at UC Berkeley. She is an outgoing person with a lot of dreams. Albina loves to read and write short stories for UC Berkeley Odyssey Community.

 

 Poor Study Habits Negatively Impact Grades

BY ANTON LUCANUS

With the advent of new technologies and social media, students at college are finding it increasingly difficult to focus and study effectively. Top ranked colleges across the United States are becoming so competitive that in order to stay afloat and thrive in their chosen field of study, students must consistently outperform peers – and the key to doing so is maintaining a high level of academic performance. Poor study habits are the downfall of many a student, and with so many varying approaches to effective study, how on earth are you supposed to know which is the best?

Here are some negative study habits that will without doubt impact your academic performance in the long run, so we recommend you address them as quickly as possible.

Not taking care of your eyes

While eye strain has not yet been proven to lead to longer-term, chronic health issues, it can certainly make it more difficult to work comfortably and focus for long periods of time. There are some quick fixes to the issue, including ibuprofen and eye exercises every 20 minutes, but there are some longer-term habit changes that need to be in place to make sure you can achieve pain free, successful study periods.

According to Doron Kalinko, Co-Founder of SmartBuyGlasses, “when working on a computer for any length of time, students commonly find themselves experiencing symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS) including blurred vision, eye strain, neckaches, headaches and red eyes, a result of your monitor’s bright backlight, glare and the inability of your eyes to remain accurately focused on your screen.” Luckily, it’s easy to fix most of these things. Firstly, tweak your monitor so that it stands 20-30 inches away from your eyes and so that it is consistently at eye level. Secondly, switch off any harsh fluorescent lights and ensure natural light is flooding in from either side of your computer, rather than from behind it. And, perhaps most importantly, consider getting your eyes checked in order to rule out vision problems, and then invest in some customized glasses with computer lenses, designed specifically to filter out blue light being emitted from your computer and protect your eyes.

Multitasking

 Music. Television. Texting. Social media. These are perhaps the most dangerous temptations a student will face during allocated study time. Constant push notifications, alerts, text messages and incoming calls mean that unbroken focus on your studies is nearly impossible. Recent studies have shown that 38 percent of students are unable to last more than 10 minutes without checking their phone or social media account, and nearly three quarters of college students admit they are constantly engaging with some form of technology while studying. Another research study conducted by the University of Connecticut also (unfortunately) revealed that students who multitasked while studying had to study longer and had lower grades on average than peers who multitasked less often. This means that if you want to spend less time studying, you need to actually pay attention and study without checking your phone!

To eliminate the temptation of distractions altogether, it’s best to remove mobile phones, laptops and tablets from the room before studying, unless of course they are required for learning. If you need a laptop, it’s worth downloading an application designed to help students remain focused. SelfControl is one app that enables you to block access to any distracting websites, mail servers, or pop ups while studying. Or, try switching to the ‘focus view’ function within Microsoft Word, which enables you to view your documents in full screen and hide all other potentially distracting toolbars. Set yourself a goal to not check your phone until your study session is complete. Habits are tough to break, but if you follow these suggestions you will eventually find the temptation to be less and less.

 Poor posture

 How you sit while studying for prolonged periods of time can have a huge impact on your ability to concentrate as well as your longer-term health. The worst habits, which you’ll probably recognize, include sinking down in your seat (which strains the lower back), jutting out your chin (which can cause upper back pain), slouching to one side, and sitting on your wallet (which could potentially pinch the sciatic nerve and cause longer term damage to the spine).

The best posture you can adopt when you’re studying is one where your back is connected to the chair, your feet are flat on the floor, your keyboard is no more than an arm’s length away, and the monitor two to three inches above eye level. If you start a small, regular, exercise routine that focuses on core strength and stretching, you’ll improve your ability to sit up straight for prolonged periods – as well as keep you fit and healthy! Take intermittent breaks throughout study to stretch, and last, but certainly not least, avoid hunching over your keyboard. This will cause you to develop a rounded upper back and lead to spinal misalignment and stiffness in your shoulders, which will definitely prevent you from being able to study as long as you need to get the grades you want.

Cramming

 While most students believe that an all-nighter before an exam, fueled by caffeine and junk food, is the best approach to retaining information, studies show they could not be more wrong. Rather, an hour of study one day, a few the next, followed by another hour or two over the weekend in the lead-up to an exam is a far more effective means of improving later recall. Why is this? Simple. By cramming, you’re making a trade-off between sleep and study, but it turns out that sleep is actually a key contributor to academic achievement. UCLA professor of psychiatry Andrew J. Fuligni reports that sacrificing sleep for extra study time, whether it’s cramming for a test or working through a pile of homework, is in fact counterproductive, as you’re more likely to have more academic problems, not fewer, the following day.

In a study he jointly ran with a number of UCLA professors, it was found that study time became increasingly associated with more academic problems, because longer study hours generally meant fewer hours of sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, not getting sufficient sleep limits your ability to learn, listen, concentrate and solve problems. The solution? Get the prescribed 8 hours of sleep per night recommend for university aged students. Ensure you quit studying early enough each night to squeeze in 8 hours of pillow time, and no less. Plan your study calendar well in advance of an exam to ensure you have allocated sufficient hours to study, so as to avoid last minute cramming.

There are countless other negative study habits that, unfortunately, 21st century students have fallen prone to. Consistently using one single strategy to study is a negative study habit to avoid. So are excessive consumption of caffeine and junk food to fuel long cram sessions, and sticking to the same working environment rather than mixing it up occasionally. Learning how to ‘study smart’ is vital if you wish to achieve great things, not only on campus but beyond it – in the working world – where negative work habits will not only impact your health but also your greater career prospects.

Byline – Anton Lucanus is the Director of Neliti. During his college years, he maintained a perfect GPA, was published in a top cancer journal, and received many of his country’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarships. Anton writes for The College Puzzle as a means to share the lessons learnt throughout his degree and to guide current students to achieve personal and educational fulfilment during college life.

 

How Students Can Protect Against Cybercrime

BY ANNABEL MONAGHAN

It was recently revealed that every wi-fi device is vulnerable to the unprecedent ‘Krack’ hacking attack. Krack allows an attacker within range of a Wi-Fi network to place multiple viruses within the networks, allowing them to read communication sent over the network. Including photos, passwords and even credit card numbers.

Education institutions like colleges and universities have networks where thousands of individual mobile devices connect every day, alongside classrooms full of hard-wired computers. This makes them prime targets for hackers phishing for data using a Krack attack.  It’s not just Krack making university networks a target for hackers either. The practice of regularly changing your password mandated by colleges and companies was considered best practice up until recently. When forced to change their password as often as every 90 days, most users end up adopting lazy practices. Reusing techniques in predictable ways that algorithms can detect, making them easier for hackers to crack.

The perception that young people are tech savvy and can ignore these threats is flawed. The number of scams out there which students can fall victim to are infinite. From phishing to doxing, even fraud and revenge porn. And all it takes is a weak social media password, out of date software, or even a misplaced phone or laptop. Small factors like these can lead to major security threats for anyone with access to the Internet, not only students. At the end of the day, it pays to do a little bit of research and be safe online.

According to research from Cisco, millennials are at a greater risk of falling victim to cybercrime than the over 50s! The good news is, it’s not hard to stay safe, and the tips the experts give to help you protect your home network, are the same steps you should be taking at school.

Install the latest Antivirus Software

Up-to-date antivirus software will stop malicious programs from being downloaded, block secret installations from malicious adverts on the web, and regularly scan the device to look for malware that might already installed. New viruses and hacks are being developed all the time, so the latest version of whatever you’re using is a must. Sometimes it does pay to fork out for the paid versions of antivirus software, especially if you need protection on devices like tablets or smartphones. Most companies offer student discounts, you can find some Symantec ones over on the coupon site Qetes.

Avoid saving passwords and payment details online

In 2016 the Opera browser hack meant the personal and financial data of millions of users personal were suddenly accessible to cybercriminals. It might seem convenient, but keeping your passwords and payment details saved online in google chrome or Firefox, is risky business. Be cautious of using your browser’s autofill option. Yes, it will store your credit card or PayPal information for future purchases. But it could also give hackers another route to stealing your data.

Limit your social media check-ins and be mindful of the information you share

The more information a hacker can obtain about you, the easier it is for them to impersonate you. Avoid checking in to locations like your home, or even public locations like your local coffee shop. Oversharing on social media also has the potential to put you at risk from other crimes, including home burglary and worse. It pays to keep some parts of your life private.

Annabel Monaghan is a writer with a passion for education and edtech. She writes education and career articles for The College Puzzle with the aim of providing useful information for students and young professionals. If you have any questions, please feel free to email her at annabelmonaghanwriter@gmail.com. 

 

5 Tech Skills College Students Need to Know

BY MASSIEL RAMIREZ

 

Every spring, millions of college students face the same life-altering question: Am I ready to graduate?

Today’s college grads are digital natives. We’re the first generation who grew up with the internet and digital technology. Because of it, we’re expected to enter the workforce with a résumé of advanced tech skills unlike any other graduating class before us.

In There Is Life After College, Jeffrey Selingo says that college grads need to be digitally aware and that they need to stop treating tech tools with a passive attitude. Instead, they should learn the ins-and-outs of popular tech to become better equipped for post-graduate life. And you can easily master the following five tech skills before graduation to help you on your way.

 

  1. Know How to Google Properly

 

Searching for things on the internet is one of the first tech skills young kids learn, but college grads need to know how to search at an advanced, logistical level.

I’ve never seen “Master Googler” on a job application, but I can attest it’s vital in the professional world. When my boss wanted me to use the Yesware app I didn’t know existed, I did a quick Google search and found dozens of resources available online for free. I watched a video tutorial and read a quick guide, giving me the proficiency to confidently return to my boss and tell them I was familiar with the program.

At another job, a manager asked me to tabulate a formula on an Excel spreadsheet, an intermediate task I didn’t know how to do. But I searched for a how-to guide using keywords on the specific tasks my manager wanted me to accomplish and quickly upgraded my Excel status.

The key to better googling is to remember less is more. If you’d like to search for tips on freelancing from the CareerMetis homepage, search site:careermetis.com freelance tips.

If you’d like to find a local web designer position, you can add the specific location by searching web designer location:los angeles.

If you want to find an elementary teacher job in Texas but want to avoid Houston, add elementary teacher -Houston to your search engine.

I become a more valuable, competent employee by using better Google search tactics. I solved my tech problems rather than relying on my employer to teach me.

Where to learn for free: Read 20 Tips to Use Google Search Efficiently.

 

  1. Master Image Editing

Photography is a key part to building a brand. Marketers say their most important content for their business is blogging (38%), followed closely behind visual marketing (37%). And 65% of people are visual learners, which means they likely won’t remember texts or facts unless that information is paired with a photo or infographic.

The Muse lists image editing as the number-one skill that will aid a professional in their career. By using simple image editing tools in my career, I’ve helped my company by lightening an image for a higher-quality social media post, resizing an image for a blog and Instagram account, and inserting a company logo onto an image for an email newsletter.

Where to learn for free: Try Pixlr or Gimp, both free photo editors.

 

  1. Memorize Keyboard Shortcuts

A professional working the average eight-hour workday wastes eight days per year (two seconds per minute) by avoiding keyboard shortcuts, according to Brainscape. Utilizing keyboard shortcuts raised me from computer illiterate to computer geek. Rapidly typing keyboard keys to activate a computer function instead of fumbling for my mouse saved time and impressed my boss.

To get into the habit of using shortcuts, unplug or deactivate your mouse. It forces you to use the much-quicker keyboard shortcut option instead of wasting time clicking all over your screen.

Where to learn for free: Print out The 20 Most Common Keyboard Shortcuts Everyone Should Know list from Lifehacker, and keep it by your desk until you’ve got them memorized.

 

  1. Learn to Code

 

At one point or another, every company will need the skills of a computer programmer. In fact, coding skills were part of seven million job openings in 2015. Even former CEO of GE Jeff Immelt says every new hire—no matter their department—will know how to code. Coding is “becoming the most in-demand skill across industries,” according to Fast Company.

Knowing coding is a big plus to potential employers, and it can increase your earning power too. A PayScale report found that knowing Scala (a computer programming language) equates to a nearly 22% pay bump.

Where to learn for free: Take a free, online coding course or enroll in a beginner’s class at your university.

 

  1. Understand Data Analytics

Big data is a major buzzword now because properly analyzing it leads to better products and customer experiences. But 36% of managers say new college hires last year lacked in their data analysis skills.

 

Data analytics are especially critical for new grads today because the Internet of Things (IoT) is playing a key role in companies of all industries. By 2020, the number of installed IoT units will grow to twenty-six billion globally, but there’s a shortage of IT specialists who can process the data on new IoT products.

Many universities are now designing programs in data science, and last year, the first Internet of Things Degree was offered at FIU. But I didn’t need to major in data science to learn a few key data analytics tips and tricks. Forbes points out that professionals can still “add new stackable credentials” to their résumés by signing up for online courses and becoming more adept at IoT-analysis skills, like managing virtual teams or working with visual data techniques.

Where to learn for free: Watch the free Excel training videos on the ExcelIsFun YouTube channel or see if your college offers a course.
Take time to learn and master these tech basics—they aren’t just tech skills, they’re critical job skills that can help you for post-grad life. By mastering these skills during college, you can stay abreast of the competition and have a better chance for success in your chosen career field.

Massiel Ramirez graduated from Utah State University in Marketing and Business Administration. In addition to technology, she enjoys writing about social media and business. Follow her on Twitter @massielmarier, she’d love to hear from you!

3 Steps to Choose Best Student Vlog Topics

BY TAHIR SIDDIQUI

If you’re considering to start a vlog, you will have to choose what topics you’re likely to vlog about. In the end, there are a whole lot of alternatives out there.

The options are endless, but, how do you pick the kind of vlogging topics and market that’s excellent for you, your character and your interests. Let’s explore ways to narrow down your choices and select the ideal niche and the perfect vlog topics for your YouTube channel.

 

STEP 1: Find your topic of Interest

To begin with, Have you got a hobby, area of research, or other interest which you wish to spend time researching, filming about, and talking on a daily basis?

In case you’ve got an interest in economics, you may believe that you wish to vlog about it. However, take a minute and consider how long you’re likely to spend on your YouTube channel. You might not want to devote that much time on a regular basis to something which just mildly interests you?

If you spend all your free time online researching health and fitness issues and you love talking about, you have just found your YouTube vlogging topic.

 

STEP2: Does This Resolve a Query?

Many successful YouTube channels are quite favorite because they solve a problem for their audiences. Some answer queries such as, “How to Find Great Beauty Products.” Others tackle issues such as, Finding the Best Vlogging Cameras for their Vlog.

Proceeding with the example from above, an interest in fitness can fix a problem for your audiences. You may show them great ways to stay in shape when they are short on time, and if they have not worked out in years. This market is filled with great potential to help solve common issues. It’s a fantastic example of YouTube topic for anyone who has an interest.

 

STEP 3: Is There Demand on YouTube?

Now, is there a requirement for those types of vlogs you would be uploading to YouTube? Have a moment to explore a few keywords about the topic or niche you’re considering vlogging about in your YouTube channel. You’ll certainly find one of two things. Either there are very few YouTube vlogs accessible, or there are a lot of vlogs that you cannot select which ones to see.

If there are very few YouTube vlogs in any respect, this is possibly symbolic that there is not a requirement for the market. However, have a look around on some forums and social networking. You might have just found a market where nobody has made any vlogs yet.

If there are seemingly countless YouTube videos on your preferred topic area, examine the top search results. Analyze what they have in common, and think of an angle that you could use that will set you apart from them.

Choose a YouTube vlogging niche, which you’re passionate about. If you select something you are only somewhat interested in, you are going to feel it in the long-run, and it’ll show on your vlogs. Viewers don’t need to see a YouTube video with a host who is not excited to be there.

As soon as you find a YouTube market that you love, do not be discouraged if there are a whole lot of other vlogs on the very same topics.

Byline

Tahir Siddiqui – Tech Enthusiast. Upfront Product Tester. Blog Scientist and founder of Stellar10.

I enjoy reviewing top-rated products and helping the users by making their buying decision relatively more straightforward

Part-time Education: Occupations Compatible with this Approach

BY SYLVIA KOHL

Many students apply to universities not only to get educated but also to become more independent from their parents. It is known that financial aspect is one of the starting points for independence. Although, while in college, time available for work is limited, finding a way to cover some of the expenses that occur is often worth the sacrifice.

In addition to that part-time jobs provide valuable experience and having them on your CV can be very helpful while looking for a job after the studies.

Tutoring

One of the greatest benefits of tutoring is that you can choose when and how much you will be working, pay can range from $10 to $15 an hour, which is not bad, considering that you are not required to have any kind of formal training or experience.

Many universities have official tutoring positions available for students at their educational resource centers (ERC). In most cases having good grades and going through an official application process can get you employed there. Generally, the areas where such centers are looking for tutors the most are math, physics, and chemistry.

However, if you are not especially strong in these areas of study, you might want to consider becoming a language tutor. Although being fluent in Spanish, Russian or Chinese can be very helpful when looking for a tutoring job, often being proficient in English can get you a tutoring job just as easily. As many students come from abroad and need help with their English language skills, tutors in this area are always very popular.

Nursing job

Nursing perhaps is not the first thought that comes to mind when thinking about a part-time job to do on the time free from studies. However, it can be a great choice for students of medicine related fields. It is also a great opportunity to gain some invaluable experience, get to hear interesting real-life stories and to help people while doing so.

Although some types of nursing require extensive qualification, students can acquire Certified Nursing Assistant certificate and begin working as an assistant nurse quite fast. Although salary might not be a major motivator, it does provide adequate income as a part-time job with salaries starting from $23,000.

Babysitting, pet sitting and housekeeping

If you love children, you might want to try babysitting. Babysitters are quite well paid for a job that does not require qualification. Salary can range anywhere between $10 and $20 an hour and includes a possibility of getting some of the schoolwork done over the downtime.

If screaming children are not your favorite way to earn money, pet sitting can be another alternative. Taking care of someone’s pet can be a great source of additional income as it is often a very simple task that pays decent money and can also be a great stress relief.

Although taking care of someone’s house might not be a dream come true, it is quite a popular way to make ends meet among students, as hours can be easily arranged not to interfere with the studies. Housekeeping is an especially attractive option for students, who prefer jobs not focused on social interaction.

Freelancing within the field of your hobbies

Students often have a leisure time activity that they enjoy and feel obliged to give up as they start studying or looking for a job, however, why not do what you love and earn money doing it?

If you are passionate about photography, trying to find people who would buy your photos or would like to have a photoshoot for a small fee might be a good idea to start your private enterprise. Maybe you love to write, why not try to publish something? Perhaps start with an article in a local newspaper and who knows, you might end up becoming a famous and successful writer.

In general, freelancing using your hobbies is often not a very stable way to start earning income, but if it goes off, you might have a substantial stream of income coming from something you love doing.

Sylvia Kohl is an IT teacher with more than 8 years of professional experience. Her main spheres of interest are e-education and she convinced that learning process doesn’t stop after years in school and university.

 

Successful Student University & College Fundraising Ideas

If you belong to any university clubs or groups, you know that you need to come up with new ways to raise funds every so often. Not all fundraising methods are created equal, though. While every club is different, these tried-and-true options almost always come through.

1. Bake Sales – They might be old-fashioned, but bake sales have a nearly unbeatable track record. Just about everyone loves sweets, especially when they are homemade. Time the sale during lunchtime, when everyone is hungry, and advertise well in advance. It’s hard to go wrong.
2. Naming Rights – Many companies and individuals jump at the chance to name something after themselves. Why not give them the opportunity to do so on campus? You can sell naming rights to something as basic as a desk or as grand as an entire department – provided there are plans to rename it.
3. Theme Parties – You can really have fun with this fundraising idea, and the possibilities are virtually endless. Popular ways to raise funds at theme parties include charging admission at the door, auctioning off items, running a 50/50 draw, and creating a prize pool to fund awards for the best costumes.
4. Auctions – As noted by fundraising experts at ABC Fundraising, this is one of several fundraising ideas that works best with products and services donated by local businesses. You can auction these items off to the highest bidders. It’s a win-win situation – the winners get a prize and your school or school organization gets the much-needed funds. Generate even more interest with auction items related to the school or organization.
5. Big Giveaways – Find a local business to donate a large prize, such as a trip or a car, and really make some money for your school. The ideal scenario involves a donated prize, which lets you maximize your fundraising. If that’s not possible and you have funds available in advance, you may have to buy the item before auctioning it off.
6. Guessing Games – Everyone loves easy-to-understand contests, and fewer are simpler than a basic guessing game. Numerical guessing games work well — like guessing the number of jelly beans in a jar, but on a grander scale. Fill an enclosed campus space, like a classroom or cafeteria, with tennis balls. Then charge people to guess the number of balls.
7. Raffles – Raffles are another tried-and-true fundraising method — so long as you comply with the law. Scrounge up compelling prizes by asking everyone you know if they have interesting items that they would like to donate. Ask them to ask their friends too. You can also approach local businesses and ask if they would like to donate products or services.
8. Talent Shows – Use the nearly endless supply of on-campus talent to raise money for your school. Find outgoing people to volunteer as performers and charge admission to the talent shows. Everyone wins: Ticket holders will enjoy a great evening of varied entertainment, the performers get to practice their art, and your school will benefit from the money raised.
9. Dinners – Host a fancy, black-tie dinner with a high price per plate. If your college or university has a culinary school, ask its leadership if they would be willing to cater your event. That could save you a lot of money. Approach the music department about providing live music and the art department about setting up decorations. You’ll create a night to remember for guests and raise a lot of funds at the same time.

Gordon Schorr is an online educator and creative writer.

Seeing the World and Boosting Your CV with Summer Volunteering

BY DAVID GUTIERREZ

Would you like to spend your summer doing something that can make a real difference for someone, visiting exotic locales and improving your CV to boot? If so, then you are likely to find something suitable among many volunteering programs available for students. Although you can volunteer at any time of year, there are many programs that are created with students in mind, and they take into account that you are more likely to go abroad when you have no classes. Here are five excellent opportunities awaiting you next summer:

1.    Studying Marine Conservation Protocols First-Hand in Grenada

Marine conservation protocols may sound a bit intimidating, but this program is aimed at making the subject as interesting and exciting as possible. You can learn everything about current and future efforts at saving the fragile sea ecology from qualified biologists, all the while gaining first-hand experience in scuba diving and doing field research. By the end of the program, participants get a Divemaster Certificate and considerable time to get used to the equipment.

2.    Orphanage Volunteering in Tanzania

Tanzania, just like many other African countries, faces a lot of challenges nowadays, and a huge number of orphaned and homeless children is one of them. Many volunteering programs in Tanzania and the other African States at least partially deal with projects involving orphanages and education, where you can do something meaningful while meeting people from other backgrounds and truly seeing life from a completely different perspective. And in your free time, you will be able to take part in many other exciting activities available in this part of the world. Going on safari in Tanzania is not an experience to miss!

3.    Community Development Projects in Costa Rica

An excellent opportunity to assist with a variety of community development projects in the course of getting submerged into another culture. Potential projects include teaching, ecological conservation, building and renovation, childcare and more. Additionally, you will get an opportunity to get affordable Spanish lessons and plenty of time to explore the country on weekends, including visiting volcanoes, rainforests, white water rafting and sampling local cuisine.

4.    Teaching and Childcare in Thailand

Although Thailand has a robust and highly profitable tourist industry, poverty is nevertheless rife, especially in locations not boasting tourist attractions. By signing up for this volunteer program, you can help give the underprivileged children the much-needed care and help. One doesn’t have to possess any previous volunteering experience to make a difference in this program, and Thailand has a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing and interesting activities, ranging from rock-climbing and diving to visiting locals markets in search for exotic goods and meeting a lot of new people.

5.    Volunteer Work in India

If you are interested in helping local community while acquiring unforgettable first-hand experience of India and its people, this program is for you. A wide variety of projects, ranging from child care and orphanage work to women empowerment and English teaching are open for all who are willing to dedicate their time to them. On average, about 5-6 hours are spent doing the work according to your volunteering placement, and the rest of the time you are free to explore the fine and ancient city of Jaipur.

These programs are just a tip of the iceberg – the world is rife with opportunities to both broaden your horizons and make a meaningful difference in somebody else’s life. Don’t miss this opportunity to both acquire unforgettable experiences and see the world – it will certainly look better on your CV than yet another part-time job or a vacation trip.

David Gutierrez has worked in the field of web design since 2005. Right now he started learning Java in order to get second occupation. His professional interests defined major topics of his articles. David writes about new web design software, recently discovered professional tricks and also monitors the latest updates of the web development.