Michael Kirst's Blog, page 20

Erasmus Potential To Learn In Foreign Nations: Egypt Is An Example

BY GLORIA WATSON

For those who don’t know, Erasmus+ is an education program launched by the European Union that encourages knowledge exchanges between different countries. Erasmus+ is a mobility project, which involves 33 countries from which 28 are part of the European Union. Other countries in the world are open to short partnerships as well. The program is based on international mobility for students. The educational exchanges are short-term, ranging from 3 to 12 months. Each discipline that will be studied at the partner university has a certain number of credits that contributes to the student’s degree. The budgets offered vary depending on the part of the world that is selected for the mobility program. Take this chance and you can be part of Egypt tours or other travel experiences you didn’t have the chance to try until now.

For US students, besides the regular international credit mobility program, students can also join the Erasmus Mundus Join Master Degrees which refer to studying for a full degree in a partner country. The program covers tuition costs, travel costs and even the living allowance. It is called joint master because the student will receive a double degree after ending the programme. Erasmus Mundus has North America partners since 2014. Some of the partner universities are University of Massachusetts, Michigan, Virginia, Clarkson and California. Until 2017, 11 institutions were full partners for the program. Students from US can visit the partner institutions in Europe, which are the same as in the Erasmus+ programme, separated by regions. You should consult these regions here. The US and Canada are included in Region 13. Students from the US that never got the chance to visit Europe should take advantage of this financed program and expand their studies in a country of their choice.

Among the non-EU countries, students can choose Egypt, a South-Mediterranean country in Region 3 of the Partner Countries. Egypt is a great destination for an Erasmus+ international mobility because not many people get to visit it. The Erasmus+ Office in Egypt provided students with an extensive guide that helps them understand the programme and the list of opportunities they have in this country. Beside organizational details, priorities of the programme, funding, and other details related to the participation of students in Erasmus+, they should also get informed about the country they will visit for the academic exchange. Don’t forget to read the Erasmus+ Programme Guide that includes details related to admission. Considering this aspect, here are some activities to try, places to visit and things to learn when visiting Egypt through Erasmus+:

Choose your partner university

Before researching anything else, you should select the partner university in Egypt that will host you for the whole period of the exchange. The participating universities in Egypt for Erasmus+ are:

University of Alexandria
Zagazig University of Egypt
Cairo University
Al-Azhar University
Helwan University

From this list, the universities in Cairo and Alexandria offer the most numerous possibilities and opportunities to learn more about Egypt’s history and culture.

Points of interests and landmarks to visit

Egypt is a country with a very complex history and a diverse population. Regardless of the location you pick, there are several landmarks and tourist attractions that all students who have the chance to be part of an educational exchange should visit.

In Cairo:

The suburbs of Cairo – Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Sakkara
Nile cruising
Egyptian Antiquities Museum
Coptic and Islamic Cairo
Mosques

In Alexandria:

Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The Palace Gardens
The Alexandria National Museum
The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Mosques

Take Arabic lessons

Not many people have the chance to learn Arabic fast. Students who choose Erasmus+ and go to Egypt can learn Arabic quickly and efficiently by taking part in the specially-created courses for foreign students. Most people in Egypt can speak at least a little bit of English and all your courses will be in English as well. As an Erasmus+ student, you will go through a series of exams that test your English level. If you already possess an English Language Certification that is accepted in the programme you no longer need to pass these exams, and the application process is shorter. It can take from 6 months to a year to learn basic Arabic when students choose intensive courses.

Stay safe

Students sometimes worry about the safety of the country they choose for the Erasmus+ project. Cairo and Alexandria are currently considered safe to travel and do not impose any risks. The area that should be avoided due to potential terrorist attacks is represented by the Sinai Peninsula. In Egypt, the society is Muslim, which means that a conservative behavior should be expressed at all times. Egypt is safe as long as students get to know the customs and laws of this country before visiting it. Safety concerns should not be a limitation in students’ way of choosing Erasmus+ in Egypt.

Research Egyptian customs

The daily etiquette and social customs in Egypt might be entirely different from what European students expect. This is the reason why all Erasmus+ Egypt students should get informed about the society and culture of the country. The majority of Egyptians practice Islam, which affects the way they live, the laws of the country and the social and legal norms they apply. Family, honor and social class are the most important units of the Egyptian society. Other students should help you with understanding the customs. In Erasmus+ programmes, events and parties are organized for students in what they call the Accommodation Week.

Cultural day tours

Students in Erasmus+ have a lot of time to visit the surroundings. Day tours that cover all cultural landmarks are the most popular choice of travellers in this area. There are private tours that start in Cairo and include other parts of Egypt as well, such as Luxor or Alexandria. Many tourists choose to visit the Fayoum Oasis and the Waterfalls of Wadi El-Rayan.

 

Byline: Gloria Watson ‘26 grew up in Texas and graduated from University of Texas. Nowadays, she’s a freelance writer whose aim to write article on computers and school education today.

Use E-mail Marketing for College Projects and Research

BY SAMANTHA BROWN

Right from when you are in college you need to understand the fact that from here on wards, communication is very crucial for your success at every stage. Mastering the art of efficient communications with prospective professors you want to research or intern under, can get you your dream project seamlessly. While email campaigns for college projects are very under-rated these days, it is an extremely powerful tool.

Are you all set to create an impression with your e-mails? Here is a list of some tried and tested tips to help you grab the attention of the mail recipient.

Be specific and interesting in the subject line

As stands true for email marketing in any industry, the subject line is the most important part of your email. It’s the subject line that would ensure whether your recipient considers the mail to be important enough to open and read, or to think of it as useless trash and ignore. Keep the subject line crisp, specific and intriguing, and keep it as short as possible.

 

Steer clear of unnecessary addressing in the beginning

While it is a common norm we follow while e-mailing, but in this case, until and unless you are veteran emailer, you should avoid coming on too strong and personal with an address like “Dear”.  A mail that begins with something like this at times turns off certain professors, giving them an impression that you are getting too clingy or too informal too soon. So, it’s advised not to take a chance, and start your mail with simply your professor’s name, preceded by their title.

 

Spell out the name correctly and use clear fonts

A spelling mistake or typing error for your professor’s name can finish the game for you in the very beginning. A sharp and clear font with the correct name, indented correctly in the mail, sends forth a textual respect to the professors, and gives them the feeling that your are genuinely fond of them and have made a conscious effort to write them the mail.

 

Maintain a balance between relationship and bottom-line

Although you are not advised to write stories or get all dramatic in your mail, but it is also important to try and build a relationship with the professor through the mail, strike an emotional chord in them and express your fondness towards them and their work. Maintaining a fine balance between the two is very important. You can’t just rudely get straight to the point saying “I wish to intern”, as it would paint no picture in the head of the reader and he wouldn’t think twice before deleting the mail. Also, nobody would have the patience to read an entire essay about you or your feelings towards him.  So begin with a little interpersonal line like asking them about their day, share a little background about yourself, tell them a little about your fondness towards their work and then move on with your prime agenda.

 

Be grammatically correct

Grammatical errors across your mail can puncture your impression severely and would portray a callous approach towards the mail. So make sure you proofread your mail well before hitting the send button. If required, get it proofread by a friend or family member for their feedback.

 

Sign off your mail in an appropriate way

Just like the first impression is very important, so is the last. You should leave your professor with an intriguing thought or impression that lingers in their mind for a while, so as to make them consider your proposal. A mail with a killer start but a very lifeless and bland ending is of no use, as by the time they finish reading, they might lose interest in you. Think of an interesting and non-desperate way to finish off your mail, before you sign off with your full name.

 

Attach your documents carefully

This is a very important part of creating the mail. First of all, mention all your attachments clearly in the mail. It is advised to mention the enclosed documents separately in a list format. It will help them to get what they seek easily. Also, do not forget to attach any of the documents mentioned in the mail. It again shows carelessness, and it’s not an impression you want your professor to have about you.

While these are the tips related to your email content, some other factors to keep in mind for such campaigns are:

Learn to be resilient

Patience and resilience are the two keywords here.  If a mail goes unanswered, you can’t afford to get distressed or lose hope. Remember, the professors are extremely busy professionals, and they get such mails from prospective students in bulk. So you have to give them time and keep trying your best.

 

The time of the email plays a role

The time at which the email is sent out plays a more crucial role than you can imagine. For example, if you think that on weekends you’ll get enough time to curate the perfect mail and send out, it might not be a very good idea, as your professor might be a person who does not attend to work mails over weekends, and your mail might just get lost amid the many others. So, analyze the person you are reaching out to bit before sending the mail out, to have an idea about the best time.

By-line

Samantha Brown is a freelance writer who specializes on carrier guidance, she is also motivational speaker and author

 

Six Career Advice Podcasts College Students Should Listen To

BY JANE HURST

 

While you are in college you should be planning for your career. You are taking classes that will help you get the career you want, however you should also listen to these six career podcasts to help you prepare for your life after college.

 

Squiggly Careers

This podcast offers tips and advice on how to take control of your own career development. It discusses knowing your values and what you want out of your career. It is a good starting point for people who are on the path to their first career or for people who are looking to start a whole new career. It talks about making better choices for your future and offers practical tips for getting started in your new career field. Some of the tips and techniques will be useful to you immediately in your everyday life and college career.

 

Career Tools

This podcast will give you practical advice for finding the career you crave. From job interview tips to networking to resumes, this podcast will offer you strong practical advice for making your dream career come true. This podcast is aimed at new job seekers so is perfect for you as a college student. You will hear practical advice that will help shape you into a worker that will be hired.

 

The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes 

This podcast is hosted by former athlete Lewis Howes. Lewis interviews influential celebrities, world class athletes, and extraordinary business minds to bring you a podcast full of career advice. They discuss the ins and outs of business, working with your boss, and much more. This podcast is full of information that will help with your future career. They discuss topics like the secret to happiness, over thinking, and being purpose driven. You will learn about career ups and downs from people who have experienced their own highs and lows in their fields.

 

Ctrl Alt Delete with Emma Gannon 

Gannon’s podcast interviews people who have made it in their careers. They discuss issues pertaining to career advancement and beyond. This podcast will inspire you in your career choices and opportunities. This is a podcast that goes beyond the typical celebrity interview. Gannon’s guests focus on the internet, personal growth, career trajectories, feminism, and social media. You will receive timely tips and advice from people who have established careers. This podcast will make you think and broaden your horizons.

 

Switch, Pivot, or Quit with Ahyiana Angel 

This podcast is aimed at people looking to switch their careers. As a college student you will be switching your career from student to professional. This podcast offers practical advice and tips. You can learn about a resume builder and interview skills and more. This podcast will help you transition from college student to career professional and help you with your personal growth. This is a podcast that will help you with your life and adulting. You will get where you want to go and need to be with the help of this podcast.

 

The Charged Life with Brendon Burchard 

This podcast is hosted by Brendon Burchard a successful personal development coach. He will guide you through work and school difficulties in order to make you into your most extraordinary self. With a subscription you will receive two episodes per week. One will be filled with practical tips and suggestions to help guide you through your personal growth and the other will feature snippets from Burchrd’s everyday life and how he overcomes his own personal obstacles. This is a great podcast for people seeking out new beginnings and careers.

 

Byline:

Jane Hurst has been working in education for over 5 years as a teacher. She loves sharing her knowledge with students, is fascinated about edtech and loves reading, a lot. Follow Jane on Twitter.

 

 

4 Tips to Stay Safe While Doing Research Online

BY KIMBERLY EVANS

Hacks and security breaches have sadly become an integral part of our lives. Whether it is shopping, banking or anything in between, we tend to use the Internet and this has greatly opened many risks for us. A lot of these risks come from hackers who want to steal our personal information to make some extra money by selling it in the dark web world.

But they aren’t the only ones who are snooping into your online activities. Many national governments also tend to monitor the activities of its citizens and residents as a part of their national security policies. A case in point is a program called Tempora where the GCHQ and NSA work together to gather information on emails, Facebook activities, browsing history and more by tapping directly into the transatlantic cables that end in the shores of the UK.

Such threats to security and privacy means you can’t simply use the Internet, especially when you want to do some research privately. You should take certain precautions to ensure that your work and research is private, away from the prying eyes of both hackers and intelligence agencies. Here are four tips to stay safe while doing online research.

Use your web browser’s private mode

All modern web browsers offer have a private mode, in which browsing history is not saved on your computer. In other words, no browsing history can be viewed by anyone who accesses the same browser or computer later.

But remember, it is not a complete foolproof system because your service provider and online services will still know what you’re browsing. Still, it is a good first step especially when you don’t want your colleague or family member from running through your activity.

So, if you’re wondering how to set this private mode, here are the steps in different popular browsers.

Internet Explorer: Navigate to Safety > Tools > InPrivate Browsing
Firefox : Menu >New Private Window
Chrome: Menu > New Incognito Window
Safari: File > New Private Window
Opera: Menu > InPrivate Browsing


Use a reliable VPN service

The best reliable option available out there is a VPN. If you’ve never heard of it, VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and as the name suggests, it sends all your browsing activity through a tunnel, so that no one else knows what your browsing. Even your IP address and location is not visible to others, and this gives you the highest possible privacy while doing online research.

With such an option, search engines can no longer log your search activity and you can even bypass contest restrictions laid down by your country. Above everything, even the best security agencies in the world can’t exactly know what you’ve browsed and the IP address from which you have accessed a particular content.

Due to these advantages, there are a ton of VPN services out there, but not all are built the same. So, make sure you do your research to zero-in on the best VPN service.

Sign out of online accounts

Another option that can help you stay safe while doing your online research is to sign out of all your online accounts. For example, let’s say you have signed into your Google account to check emails and Facebook account to check for messages. Once you’re done, make sure you sign out of those accounts to ensure that these online services do not monitor your web activity.

You might wonder what’s wrong if Google monitors your online activity, especially when you’re searching for safe content. Well, it is mostly harmless because Google is not going to do much harm except maybe provide contextual ads for you.

The problem with staying signed on is not Google or Facebook, rather the NSA, as all browsing information reaches them. This means, you may get flagged, especially if you search for any sensitive information.

Web browser extensions

Web browser extensions prevent third-party websites seeing your browsing activity. This ensures that you continue to stay private while doing your online research. These browser extensions block ads and cookies third-party services use for tracking your activity. This will ensure that your privacy is protected while you browse.

In short, private browsing is not so difficult to implement and hopefully, you’ll be able to pick one of the above four options to do your online research.

Kimberly Evans is a writer, traveler and Internet chatter. She covers stories about businesses and lives that inspire her. Email: KimberlyEvansPen@gmail.com

Study Tips for College Students

BY LINDA ANDERSON

Being attentive in college isn’t as easy as it used to be before the evolution of social media. Today, we spend more time uploading videos on social networking sites when compared to spending time in college. With this being noted, a college student has to work really hard to be attentive in college.

Apart from being attentive, there are a few other things to be kept in mind, if you’re a college student. Check it out below.

 

1. Focus on good notes instead of good grades

In college, students often think about getting good grades in order to find success. However, the fact is that if you do not have good study habits and good notes with you, it will be difficult for you to find success and get good grades. Everything is related, and you need to get into the habit of taking good notes at all times. For this, you need to be attentive in college.

 

2. Understand the requirement of the course

If you are studying for regular examination in college, you might satisfy yourself with studying for the examination for a couple of hours on a daily basis. However, if you are preparing for GMAT examination, you need to know that the procedure is detailed and you will have to spend at least 7 hours on a daily basis to get the result you want. GMAT online prep will only make it easy for you to complete the GMAT program as soon as possible and get the benefits out of it. Similarly, if you are studying for the Chartered Accountancy course, you need to look for an online mode that will help you in studying for the course as and when possible.

 

3. Stay organized

Organizing your class materials is important, and many college students are using sticky notes to Remember textbook pages and to keep them on track with the assignments. Keeping your notes in order is a must for college students.With all your commitments in college, you need to be sure that your extracurricular activities and social events are not affected. For this, you need to keep a detailed calendar in your phone or diary so that you do not end up compromising unnecessarily.

 

4. Avoid over studying

It is your examination, and we know that you’re stressed. There is nothing wrong with the routine, but remember that if you’re over studying, it will affect your study pattern and it will also add to your stress. This is because you’ll start forgetting things and we’re sure that you do not want it to happen. So, avoid over studying, and you’ll be happy with your study pattern and get enough time to relax. When over studying, we do not give ourselves enough time to relax, and we’ve seen this to be a cause of concern with many students, working hard to score good marks.

 

5. Know when you should take a break

Taking breaks every ten minutes is not good. Taking no breaks for hours is equally bad.

With this, we’re trying to say that when you plan your schedule, make sure that you’re making necessary provisions for breaks even. If not, you’ll end up cramming too many things in your daily routine and find it difficult to manage them. After all, you’re still college students, and there are many responsibilities on your shoulders. So, give your mind and body the necessary rest, and you’ll be at ease when trying to study.

 

6. Don’t wait for the last minute

There are too many things on your mind, and you’re trying too hard to manage them all. In this scenario, you’ll be tempted to wait for the last minute for a number of things. Don’t make this mistake because you’ll soon have too many things for the last minute. This is not the right approach to be taken, and so you should make it a point to avoid keeping things specifically for the last minute.

By line for Linda Anderson

I’m a writer and musician residing in Boise, ID in the United States, although I spent a small amount of time (about three years) living in the UK growing up, due to my father’s occupation. I graduated from the College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Business and a focus in marketing in 2014.

 

 

 

 

Three Ways Smart Tech Can Help with College

 

Hilary Thompson

 When it comes to improving study time, finding roommates, communicating with professors and registering for classes, students have solidly integrated technology into their educational experience.

Now, smart technology is quickly becoming another strong tool in helping students with their educational experience, whether it’s using smart boards in the classroom or saving money on energy costs that could better be put toward tuition. Here are some ways smart technology is changing the way students live and learn.

 

Smart tech in your home

Have you considered smart technology in your apartment or home? Many new apartment complexes and even dorms are incorporating the ability to add smart tech gadgets like programmable thermostats and smart lighting. This technology is just one way to improve energy savings by keeping heating, lighting and other functions automatically regulated to your school schedule. Why keep your apartment toasty or the lights burning while you’re in class? The money you save on utilities could go towards student loans, rent, and anything else you need.

High-efficiency light bulbs in your desktop lamps can help illuminate your study time properly while also avoiding the higher costs of incandescents while you’re burning the midnight oil. Some smart lights can adjust to block out blue light at night or even emit aromatherapy scents so you can get the quality sleep you need before that big exam. And these smart lights can change colors to create the right atmosphere for when it’s time to invite your friends over to celebrate your success.

Additionally, you can turn any appliance into a smart appliance with a smart plug or power strip that can be controlled via app—it’s a great way to get your coffee maker going for those quick pre-class review sessions, set the timer on the TV to make sure you limit break time and get plenty of studying in.

 

Smart tech in school buildings.

Smart technology that conserves energy is being incorporated into classrooms as well, cutting the costs of building maintenance and operations and letting universities focus the savings elsewhere. Sensors can help maintenance staff predict repairs before they’re needed by keeping up with preventive replacements and upgrades. Smart HVAC systems can keep temperatures regulated for a comfortable learning environment. Smart security systems can help protect school grounds by only allowing access to registered students, faculty and staff, creating a safer space for students.

Smart lighting technology can keep unused classrooms dark and adjust depending on natural light sources, and considering that lighting classrooms is typically one of the biggest costs for universities, it can result in thousands of dollars better diverted elsewhere. Not only can LED lighting improve costs, it also has been shown to help students improve their test scores, cognitive skills and productivity, particularly when the lighting can be adjusted between cool and warm lighting that better emulates natural daylight.

 

Smart tech also includes smart classroom design, such as capturing more of that natural daylight to enhance both energy efficiency and student alertness, and in functional furniture that can be easily moved and reconfigured for small-group learning. Flexibility is the key—the ability to adjust lighting for better screen viewing, to move around desks and chairs to create small-group conferences, and to offer ways to integrate technology are all ways smart design will enhance learning.

 

Smart tech in the classroom.

Learning has never been more accessible to students. More classrooms are incorporating smart boards and video projectors. Interactive whiteboards replace plain whiteboards or even chalkboards, functioning as large touch-screen computers or connected to a computer via projector, enhancing classroom experience and engaging students more actively in learning. Tablets, laptops, and phones are letting universities network the classroom experience and create more opportunities for small-group study and project collaboration.

Internet access at individual seats allows students and professors to share websites or screens with the class. Some universities are recording and uploading lectures for students to view at other campuses or streaming them in real time. That ability has allowed universities to expand class capacity, creating greater access to popular classes. Those larger classes require better audio connections within the classroom, eliminating the days of straining to hear from the back row. These video connections and recordings also have allowed universities like Stanford to offer free public access to courses for personal enrichment.

Undoubtedly, smart technology use is here to stay and is always expanding. As it grows, so will the ways it can help you enhance your work in the classroom and at home to maximize your educational experience.

BIO:

Hilary is a freelance writer, small business owner, and a perpetual student of life. She loves to write about everything from tech to travel and health. You can follow her on Twitter @TypewriterHil

 

 

 

What you can do to improve programming skills when you lag behind

BY KRISTIAN KRISYK

Programming is a complicated subject, and it is all too easy to get behind the rest of your peers if you are not paying sufficient attention or missed a couple of classes. After that, it is often exceedingly hard to catch up with them just by following the instructions of your teacher or professor; so what can one do to improve? How can one get better at programming on one’s own? Let’s find out.

1.    Use free and low-cost learning resources

To improve one’s knowledge of programming, there is no need to sign up for yet another expensive course. The Internet today is rife with free and affordable learning resources such as Coursera and Codecademy where you can get all the additional learning you are ever going to need without overpaying for it. There are plenty of narrow-focused courses that will improve your understanding of particular topics, so check them out.

2.    Learn by example

It is often said that the best way to learn something is to take a look at the way this something is done by somebody who has already mastered it. Now, it may be not so obvious where you are supposed to get examples when studying programming, but there are plenty of sources online, such as ABC Assignment Help and numerous other websites where you can get high-quality code samples.

3.    Learn from others

We live in the age of the Internet, which means that other people skilled at what you study right now are usually just a couple of clicks away. There are plenty of communities that bring together people specializing in programming, and you can often address them with your questions to receive highly personalized answers. Take Stack Overflow, for example – a leading website for anybody having any issues related to programming and coding. You can ask virtually any question here and expect it to be answered by skilled and experienced coders, often in a matter of minutes. A good decision is to stick to the 15-minute rule – if you haven’t made any progress with a task for 15 minutes or more, go to Stack Overflow and describe your problem. You may still solve it yourself, but at least there will be a backup for you to go to.

4.    Get better every day

If you are serious about getting better and catching up with your class (and outperforming them in future), you should make it your primary rule to get at least a little bit better every day. Don’t just do tasks mechanically – take time to stop and make meaningful improvement every single day. For example, read a page out of the manual, learn a new language feature and practice using it, clean up a piece of redundant code – in other words, make qualitative instead of quantitative progress.

5.    Contribute to GitHub

GitHub is a resource that hosts an ever-increasing number of open source programming projects. Taking part in one of them is advantageous in a number of ways: you get acquainted with new people from the coding community, many of whom have something to teach you, you get practical experience that will boost your expertise and confidence in your skills, you receive valuable feedback from other programmers. You can be sure that this is the experience most of your class will lack.

Even if you are seriously lagging behind your class in programming, there is no need to panic. With a little bit of ingenuity and readiness to apply yourself, you will be able to close the gap and get ahead.

BY LINE–Kristian Krisyk had been working in the field of web design for 7 years before becoming an entrepreneur in 2014 in design and marketing. His professional interests and hobbies defined major topics of his articles. These days Kristian runs his business and looks for new development opportunities. Follow him @KristianKrisyk or contact at kristian.krisyk@gmail.com

 

How to Manage Your Finances When You Are in College

BY SIMON REED

 

Something every college student understands, and something new college students learn really quick, is that money is always going to be tight during college – and there isn’t a ton of opportunity to make a mountain of cash while you are busy studying for your future and career, either.

This is why learning how to manage your finances when you are in college is mission critical. The better you are at working with your current cash flow, the better off you are going to be, and the more relaxed you are going to end up while your fellow college students are cashing in discarded beer cans for a little bit of extra dough.

To help you get a firm handle on your finances throughout college we’ve put together this quick list of tips and tricks. It will definitely help you hit the ground running!

Build Your Budget

The very first thing you have to do as a college student serious about your finances is understand exactly what your cash flow situation is right now and what your budget needs to look like.

The only things in life that get improved are the things that are constantly tracked and measured. If you don’t know how much money you have coming in, how much money you have going out, and where your money is coming from and where it is headed you’ll never be able to get a handle on your finances.

Building a budget isn’t one of the most exciting thrills you’ll have in college, but it’s going to make all those fun times possible. The budget helps you eliminate one of the biggest stress factors in college, and you’ll always be able to adjust on the fly as your incoming cash increases or your expenses decrease.

Take Advantage of Online Financial Services

Money management applications like Mint and budget building solutions like You Need a Budget are just some of the top-tier online financial services you can use to help manage your finances as a college student.

Again, balancing a checkbook, reconciling your accounts, and digging into the nitty-gritty of your financial situation isn’t going to be all that attractive a way to spend a Friday night at school – especially when stacked up against all your other options.

By using these online financial services, applications, and software solutions you can automate the majority of your financial heavy lifting without missing out on any of the benefits that closely tracking your money has to offer.

Cut Down on Student Debt ASAP

Student debt is a major problem these days, not because the value education has dropped off a cliff (an education is more valuable today than ever before) but because students are so ill-prepared to move forward with their lives after school with these massive debts hanging around their shoulders.

Managing and mitigating student debt is a big piece of the puzzle.

Make sure that your spending your financial aid correctly, investing it in your college courses as opposed to springing for pizza or buying a brand-new smart phone like the iPhone Xs Max and an expensive iPhone Xs Max case to go along with it. Borrow only as much money as you actually need to meet your financial obligations, too.

Do your level best to increase your income as much as possible as a college student without compromising your education. Jobs around school, profitable hobbies, and other positions give you a chance to make a little bit of extra cash that can be used to pay down your loan before interest rates kick in.

Lastly, you’ll want to push as much money to pay down the principle of your loan as possible ahead of those interest rates as we highlighted just a moment ago. Use any extra cash you’re able to put together towards these principles in you’ll end up saving thousands and thousands of dollars over the life of these loans that you would have had to cough up otherwise.

With this kind of laser focus on your finances you’ll have no trouble whatsoever navigating college life without the stress and pressure that those in financial disarray have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. These tips and tricks are going to help you knock your money management during college right out of the park!

Byline: Simon Reed is Director of Public Relations at Excelcapmanagement.com. We’re a US based firm following the different trends of finance and business and constantly look for new things on the market.

 

 

 

Creating a tech smart dorm room as an ingenious college student

BY EMMA BONNEY

Technology has not only revolutionized our perspective of the world, but also it has changed our lives by increasing the speed of time. Technology and the college generation are closely linked. If in the old days, students only had a laptop and a flip phone, nowadays they have all the tools they could possibly need to make automation easy. It takes a few additions to transform a plain dorm room into a smart one.

But why should they bother, anyway? To tell the truth, dorm life is not glittering. Suites have concrete walls, twin beds, and boring pieces of furniture. It kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth. There are many benefits for college students looking to create a smart dorm with the help of the latest electronic devices. If you are interested in transforming your sleeping room into a technological wonderland, this is what you need to do.

Get a computer with the right software

At present, there is a strong interest for the digital assistant among consumers. We have witnessed increased campus-wide usage. Students are familiar with Amazon-powered technology, such as Alexa. Alexa currently powers the Echo devices that are present in every dorm room and apartment on Saint Louis University campus. Who knows? Maybe we will see smart living speakers at Stanford too. Getting back on topic, connectivity will be the norm.

If you wish to be prepared for any situation that might come your way, think about bringing the convenience of the smart home into the dorm room. To do that, you will need a computer with the right software. There is no denying that home automation software can be a little bit expensive, but there is good news. You do not have to purchase the latest tech device to use it. Get your hands on an old machine, clean it, check the system, and use it for dorm room automation. If you have some sort of technical expertise, know that there are free, as well as open source options available.

Do not rely on your roommates or the manual lock. At this hour, automating your dorm room is your best bet.

What devices are good for creating a smart dorm room?

By simply integrating tech gadgets, college students can gain independence and make their lives so much easier. The great thing about dorm room automation gadgets is that they will not make your wallet cry. Some electronic devices are lightweight, meaning that you can take them with you from year to year. We have narrowed down some of the best gadgets for college students willing to equip their dormitories with utility.

Smart speaker : Wireless speakers have an integrated virtual assistant, enabling users to do many things like controlling the lights or getting hold of important information. The smart speaker that you choose must offer high-quality audio and ensure seamless integration with any music streaming services. There will be times when you will want to entertain your friends.

 

Motorized blackout shades : Motorized blackout shades are a great addition to any dorm room. You will sleep well night after night, not to mention that the shades will block the sunlight when you have to study. Thanks to advances in technology and increased demand, smart window treatments are reasonably priced. What is more, there are many options to choose from. Make sure that you find the perfect fit.

 

Smart plugs : Some power receptacles make it possible for you to control everything that you plug in from your mobile phone. They are called smart plugs. Smart plugs make a great choice for students. They operate on Wi-Fi, being accessed through an Android or iOS app, without limitations. Most importantly, they can be set to timers. If you have forgotten to turn something off, you can just use your smartphone.

 

Wi-Fi door lock : Just as you can turn off an appliance from your phone, you can lock the door of your dorm room. How? With the help of a Wi-Fi door lock. You trust your roommate, but how well can you really know someone? If you want to have complete peace of mind, you should really secure your place.

 

Smart coffee maker : Drinking caffeine as a college student is not out of the question. A good cup of Joe makes the morning go a lot smoother. Coffee is good for your body and, as long as you do not drink too much, you will be perfectly fine. A smart dorm room is not complete without a smart coffee maker. When you have such a device, you can control the timing of your preferred cup of coffee. So, even before you get out of bed, the hot beverage will be waiting for you.

Living the connected life

Anything that can be physically or electronically measured can be connected to the Internet. There is no reason why you should settle for just a few tricks when you can live the connected life. Think about it. Owing to advances in technology, it is now possible to detect gas leaks and vacuum the room. Figure out how far you are willing to go. There are no limits when it comes down to automation, that is for sure.

A bit about myself:

Emma Bonney is a successful blogger whose articles aim to help readers with self-development, Women’s Empowerment, Education, entrepreneurship and content management. My work has been featured and mentioned in a wide range of publication.

How students can utilize technology in the medical field

BY ANABEL MONAGHAN

 One of the most common questions that med students are asked is if they still think that it is worth all the hard work. This is quite an interesting question. Especially because many of these students have always wanted to go into medicine. They just always knew that they wanted to study medicine and become a surgeon. Look, it is hard. It is always going to be, no matter what you choose to study (if you even decide to study at all). Studying any field demands attention to detail and patience, but studying medicine is on a whole other level. Being a student and committing your time and energy to working towards your career goals is a tough job sometimes. But even so, it is always worth it in the end. For some med students, they just know that they want to help people, and becoming a surgeon seemed like the most worthwhile way for them to do that. So that is what they do. It is hard work, but more than that is understanding the key shifts that are happening in the industry. It might seem more obvious to some people, but technology has had quite a significant impact on most – if not all – industries lately. Medicine included.

This shift does not just correlate with digital health records and automating simple healthcare systems. Those are quite important innovations in the field, too, but the change that any student entering medicine needs to be aware of is this: the big-scale technological shift. From digital health records and automating systems, to the most intricate improvements, like machine learning healthcare, technology has well and truly found its way into the healthcare and medical industry. And they must be prepared for that. The field of medicine and healthcare has changed. As with the rest of the world, there has been a gravitational shift towards a more technologically-enhanced future. Some med students are happy being general practitioners, helping people daily with small health and medical issues. Others are more specifically focused – on becoming a surgeon, for example.

Now, surgeons have historically had very methodical ways of working to remove tumors and the like. This is the way it has always been. However, now technology is coming into the scene and changing things in sometimes drastic ways. Cholecystectomy, for example, is the removal of the gallbladder. This surgery is more common than you might think, in fact it is one of the most commonly performed surgical operations there is. Currently, a surgeon goes into the surgery performing slightly invasive tools and methods. These methods are known as Laparoscopic Gallbladder removal. While this surgery is often a success, it also happens to sometimes cause complications. And sometimes errors are made (no matter how hard the surgeon tries). Vascular injury and inadvertent bile duct are the most common injuries that arise during Cholecystectomy. The mistake occurs when a surgeon is unable to definitively identify the common bile duct, and instead mistakes it for the cystic duct.

These are the effects and circumstances that all surgeons-to-be (and anyone going into medicine, for that matter) should familiarise themselves with.  it is unfortunate, and it is serious, but sometimes humans make mistakes and we all need to be accepting of that. But here is the cool part. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now in development that could drastically impact this surgery’s prospective complications – eradicate them, even. Specifically in the case of thus surgery, AI can be invaluable. Why? Because using AI could precisely distinguish and recognise the anatomical structures that are the focus during a Cholecystectomy. AI has an incredible ability to take data and synthesize information to improve the recognition of the anatomical structures. This would be done in a more timely manner, and as such would drastically reduce the risk of medical error during surgery.

When med students start at university, they are told time and again that medicine requires a human touch and compassion to be truly effective. For this reason, a lot of students often feel that, when technology began to be introduced, that it would not take in the medical field. A lot of these same students drop out not long into the degree or fail courses that they needed to continue. They are not willing to adapt and shift with a gravitating field, and so their old-school attitudes make it too difficult for them to persevere. The healthcare industry has a lot to gain from embracing technology, with artificial intelligence and machine learning leading the charge.

And despite people’s insistence that the medical field is stubborn in its traditional ways, medical students going through their studies now, as well as those who are looking to study medicine in the future, will and should be ready and excited to embrace the technologically-fueled innovations that are working on strengthening my industry. By the time they enter the workforce, it will be ripe with technologies. If that is not exciting enough to tip their decision towards studying medicine, then honestly, what is?

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.