Education Archives - Foreign policy

5 Misconceptions People Have About IQ and Intelligence

Published on April 9, 2021April 12, 2021

Life

The question of intelligence always fascinated people. It goes only natural that some people have more capabilities than others. There is nothing strange about that. It is something that we face every day. Surely, the most popular way of measuring someone’s intelligence is the IQ test. If you are interested in taking a look at this test, be sure to take a look at iq-global-test.com.

It doesn’t matter that we have a wide array of different studies to look at, we can still see that there are many uncertainties and misconceptions about intelligence and IQ. Sadly, some of these myths can be a little bit scary sometimes. However, we assure you that all they are is myths, there is no truth to these claims.

Therefore, the easiest way you can do that is to be neutral. That doesn’t mean that you should do that. You should educate yourself on this question and have a credible opinion on this topic. That’s why we’ve done research on it, and we would like to provide you with some of the biggest misconceptions people have on the question of intelligence and IQ.

1. Intelligence in Inherited

One of the commonest mistakes when talking about IQ is when people say that the intelligence level is inherited. While there is nothing wrong with this fact, we can see that a lot of studies have found out that it not true in a majority of cases. As you can see, this claim is not entirely wrong, but it doesn’t mean that it is tied solely to this factor. There are a lot of profs for this claim.

For example, it has been proven that a person can enhance their intelligence by practicing. Once again, it is still unknown if there are some limits to this enhancement. But that doesn’t mean that it is impossible, right? Therefore, we can conclude with the fact that intelligence is simply not inherited in a majority of cases, despite all the beliefs that this is the most important factor. The first myth has been debunked.

2. A High Score is an Accomplishment

Since we are living in a world where intelligence is held in the highest regard, it is no wonder that people with a high IQ are valued in today’s society. The commonest manifestation of this occurrence is seen in student’s performance. Especially in the case when a student has just taken a test and the results were pretty high. It needs to be said that a high score on this test is not something that can be described as an achievement.

We can see that a lot of the studies have shown that this is not a guarantee of a human’s ability. Instead, it needs to be said that our intelligence plays a minor part in our overall life. If we are to draw an analogy with something, we would say that a high IQ score is similar to being born to a certain blood type. Therefore, anyone who doesn’t get a high score on this test shouldn’t be discouraged.

3. Increased Eccentricity

The next misconception we would like to talk about is the fact that intelligent people are often mistaken for being eccentric. However, we can see that, according to numerous studies, this is simply not true. They are saying that no matter how intelligent kids are, that doesn’t any kind of effect on emotional development. At the same time, some studies say that people with higher IQ are more successful in life.

Still, that doesn’t mean that those with an average IQ don’t have high chances of succeeding in life. The reason many of these studies say that is that they have a somewhat generalized conclusion. It means that they are not taking a look at different layers, which is of the utmost importance. Therefore, not all of them can be described as credible enough to make a perfect conclusion.

4. It Can be Fixed

Furthermore, we can see that many people believe that IQ score is something that cannot be changed, both enhanced or lowered. But we can see that this is not exactly true. Depending on the education, it can be boosted or it can decline. It is the question of nourishment. Only by doing that, a person can increase their intelligence.

Not only that, there are some other factors like the culture and environment. Surely it will variate depending on these conditions. Therefore, you cannot expect to see that IQ can play a major role in your effectiveness and future. So, you can see that no person in the world needs to be distressed too much about IQ score. It all depends on some factors we can influence, and some we cannot change, no matter what we do.

5. Intelligent People are All Nerds

Surely, you have heard stores where intelligent people are struggling with communicating with other people. Once again, we would like to say that this is not true. According to many studies, who were conducted over a long number of years, we can see that the result is that children with high IQ don’t have any problem with communicating with other children. It all depends on the personality.

We can say that intelligence is something that we gather all our life, and we build our castle. That way, we have a better insight into all situations in life. We analyze them much deeper and discover different layers. But it can’t be said that all people with high IQ have problems with communication. Since we have many different studies that prove this claim of ours, you can consider this myth completely debunked.

Summary

Surely, you came across many different stories regarding the behavior and habits of intelligent people. As you can see, a vast majority of these stories are not true. The reason problem behind these myths is that they generalize people who have higher IQs. Therefore, all people need to educate themselves about certain situations and occurrences before they generalizing. Here, you can see some of the ones we consider the commonest ones, who are simply not true.

Overcoming the Challenge of Teaching Complex Content and Crucial Life Lessons

Published on March 5, 2021March 8, 2021

Education

Teaching complex concepts can feel like an uphill battle. It can also be discouraging for both teachers and students. If students find the study material hard to understand, they can resort to surface-learning techniques such as cramming. After all, most of these students are verbally competent and highly intelligent.

Considered the most predominant role models in students’ development, the responsibility of teachers goes beyond academic enrichment. You must reach your students on multiple levels and connect with them on a personal level if you want to be a great educator.

The best teachers are committed to the well-being of their students both inside and outside the classroom. They can affect virtually all aspects of learners’ lives by forging strong relationships. They can do this by teaching them essential life lessons to help them succeed beyond standardized tests and term papers.

How to help students better understand what they are taught

Teachers face many classroom challenges such as teaching difficult content, motivating uninterested students, and increasing class sizes. While technology may offer some help in the education process, it is a common challenge. Instead of reading the textbook chapter, students tend to rely on electronic learning aids and textbook slides.

It takes a great teacher to change a student’s life as it’s not always easy. Aside from academic performance issues, some may be experiencing troubles in their personal lives and may need someone to talk to.

While you spend your entire career learning how to change students’ lives, you can draw some helpful inspirations from Bree Picower. She is an Associate Professor in the College of Education and Human Development at Montclair State University. Having taught in several elementary schools, she works to create spaces for educators, helps them sharpen their skills more, and acts for educational justice.

As a life-changing teacher, here are the key aspects that you can apply to help your students excel:

1. Inspiration

To encourage students to fulfill their potential and attain their goals, inspiring them is an integral aspect. When inspired by their teachers, students can accomplish amazing things. This motivation stays with them and helps them to continue excelling in many aspects of their lives.

Inspiration can take several forms, from helping pupils maneuver through academic years to assisting them to achieve short-term goals while guiding them towards their careers in the future. Years after graduation, many working professionals attribute their accomplishments to their educators and cite particular teachers who fostered their current achievements and the love of what they are doing now.

2. Education

Engaging lessons are pivotal to the academic success of a student. To achieve this, a great teacher has to make learning stimulating and fun. Students prone to disengagement, truancy, or misbehavior tend to be more dependent on an engaging teacher.

If you want students to be fascinated by learning, you have to make your classroom an exciting environment. Students learn best and tend to grasp things more when they are both interested and challenged. While the ways of motivating students may not be easy, they benefit from them immeasurably in the long run.

3. Enlightenment

Regarding weighing important life decisions for students, educators can be a trusted source of advice. They can guide pupils towards pursuing higher education, competing in events, exploring career opportunities, and helping them discover their talents.

Since students perceive their teachers as people with substantial knowledge and experience, they trust them fully as their mentors, and they are likely to ask for advice of any kind.

4. Contact with students

Teachers should strive to build rapport with students. Contact between teachers and students is vital to the success of individuals. If students happen to encounter experiences of isolation, some may leave school. When shown some concern, students can get through difficult times. It helps them to focus and grasp even the difficult lessons that are being taught.

5. Prompt feedback

By letting students know what they know and what they do not, they can better focus on learning. Students need frequent improvement suggestions and other opportunities within the classroom for them to perform. When starting, help them to evaluate their current capabilities and knowledge.

Throughout students’ time in school, they need to reflect on what they’ve learned, how to assess themselves, and what they are yet to know. Students need appropriate performance feedback to benefit from courses.

How life lessons impact the lives of students

Influential by nature, teachers often utilize opportunities when they present themselves to teach life lessons to their students. Life lessons taught by teachers usually make a far more significant and lasting impact on many students than standard-based content. They present indirect and direct opportunities to instill lessons.

Indirectly, educators take advantage of teachable moments to discuss aspects or expand topics to life-based issues brought up by students during class lessons. Natural components of schooling are directly used to lead students to learn life lessons.

Life skills education is based on methodology and research for positive education, developed along with positive psychology. Teaching research-based life skills such as strength, happiness, resolution, interaction, emotional skills, self-management, empathy, and relationship skills at school are essential. In this way, students grow up to be mentally strong, whole, and resilient adults.

Life skills can be implemented as individual exercises or as a module. Teachers should familiarize themselves with training on teaching life skills. Apart from the well-being of the individual student, the results of taught life skills will become visible at the school level when these skills are taught consistently.

Can teaching critical thinking help?

For more than just academic reasons, developing substantial critical thinking capacity for students serves them well in all aspects. It encompasses several vital life-skills such as decision making, problem-solving, effective management of relationships, and personal responsibility.

To help learners think more critically, teachers can explore concepts by using real-world examples. However, you must recognize the challenges and barriers that come with teaching critical thinking skills and discover how to get around them. Without a doubt, critical thinking is among the crucial mindsets that students should have – for learning and life.

9 Surprising Benefits of Doing Jigsaw Puzzles

Published on February 26, 2021

Education

Jigsaw puzzles are a good way to enhance the brainpower of a child. The use of mathematical puzzles is quite efficient in building a child’s interest in this challenging subject. Students have shown great improvement in their math results by doing jigsaw puzzles. It has proven to improve cognition and visual-spatial reasoning. The exercise of putting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together requires concentration that improves the short-term memory and problem-solving skills of kids. Here are five surprising benefits of doing Jigsaw Puzzles:

1. Improves Memory:

Playing jigsaw puzzles is an especially effective way of improving short-term memory. It can improve short-term memory and increase a child’s performance in studies. Doing a jigsaw puzzle reinforces connections between brain cells, improves mental speed, and elevates memory power. When a child picks up a piece of puzzles to join, they have to search among the other pieces for color or shape. For that, they need to visualize the whole image, which they saw when pieces were together. This exercises the part of their brain in charge of storing this information to help maintain and improve short-term memory.

2. Increases IQ:

Doing a logical jigsaw puzzle has the potential of increasing your IQ. As most of the logical puzzles are derived from the field of mathematics, and math is a subject that improves the capability to think critically and solve problems. These logical puzzles are surely an effective activity that can improve kids’ intelligence quotient (IQ).

3. Collaboration and Team-work:

Doing a jigsaw puzzle in a group or as a collaborative activity with other kids promotes team spirit and collaboration in kids. It enables kids to attain a sense of teamwork to contribute to a team’s success positively. Encouraging such skills in kids can benefit them in the long run. These qualities are beneficial for kids in their careers as teamwork and collaboration are essential and valued organizational skills.

4. Mental Exercise:

Doing jigsaw puzzle exercises the whole brain. When a child solves a puzzle, both of their left and right brains collectively work together, increasing cognitive abilities. The two hemispheres of the brain control different functions. The right brain is in charge of creativity and emotions; whereas the left brain deals with logical and methodical things. By engaging your child with puzzles, you can develop both sides of their brain, giving a real mental workout. Exercising the mind also helps prevent cognitive decline.

5. Increases Productivity:

When a child learns math through puzzles and games, they feel happier and less stressed. Playing with puzzles makes it easier for them to focus; with this improved concentration, their productivity skyrockets. These puzzles also promote long term engagement, implying increased productivity and consistency.

Using a jigsaw puzzle gives an exercise to a child’s mind that can help spark imagination and creativity in them. It is useful in increasing both creativity and productivity in children. By encouraging children to do mathematical puzzles, you can deliver complex concepts and fundamental knowledge easily. To find some more interesting activities for your child to learn math, visit www.cuemath.com.

6. People can pay attention to details:

At the time of solving the puzzles, it is very much important for the people to pay proper attention to the details especially in case the pieces are very similar. Hence, this way the people will be able to train their eyes very easily and ensure that they will be able to find out differences between shapes and colours that will allow them to complete the image very easily. Hence, this is considered to be the best possible way of developing different kinds of skills which are very much helpful in every aspect of life, especially at work. Hence, in this way, people will become very detailed, precise because the quality of the work will very easily improve.

7. Improves the problem-solving abilities of the people:

Another very important benefit provided by solving jigsaw puzzles is that people will be having different kinds of abilities to improve their problem-solving skills. People will learn the value of formulating different kinds of theories, testing the hypothesis and changing the perspectives whenever things do not move as per the plan. Hence, these kinds of skills can be easily transferred to work which can make the people highly innovative because they will be based upon critical thinking, better adaptive skills and several other kinds of associated things.

8. People will always have a good mood:

Solving puzzles is considered to be a great way of ensuring that people will be able to have a good mood because it is directly linked with increasing dopamine production. This particular hormone is very much responsible for regulating the mood and optimism among people and it will also affect the learning and memory of the people. This particular hormone will be released whenever people will solve a puzzle which will further make sure that it will encourage people to deal with challenges in life very well and ensure that they are always successful.

9. It will help in decreasing the stress levels:

Another very important point associated with the solving of puzzles is that people will be having a lot of relaxation and in this way, they will be reducing their stress levels because this is directly linked with increasing self-confidence, relieving the stress, lowering down the BP and they will also have the best possible ability to make deeper connections with themselves. The whole process of solving the puzzles comes with different kinds of cognitive and physical benefits for the children.

Conclusion:

If you’re finding it challenging to keep your child focused in his studies, then jigsaw is a sure-shot way to keep them meaningfully engaged and focused. Doing jigsaw puzzles help to keep kids away from screens and to stay focused on their studies. Giving short breaks for doing a puzzle can reset their brain to perform better in studies. Many online math classes use puzzles and similar games in their curriculum to develop kids’ math skills. It is also a great way to make studies enjoyable. By playing with puzzles, kids feel refreshed to start with studies.

Academic Assignments As Easy As ABC: 2021 Top Educational Tools for Students

Published on February 21, 2021March 21, 2021

Education/Technology

The world has never been more competitive than it is at the moment. The one field that has been significantly impacted by the revolution in technology is education. While the internet took over libraries and tablets replaced notebooks, students right from their school days are constantly under pressure to achieve the best.

While parents and teachers often express their worries that technology might be killing creativity, there are many ways in which they could be an aid in education. These educational tools are aimed to make students be free from stress and concentrate more on improving their skill in every element, at the same time working on aspects like time management and organizational skills.

Every day new accessories for schools and students are sprouting up everywhere. So here let us see which educational tools are the best for students in 2021, as approved by educational specialists.

1. EssayPro

One of the areas where students and teachers find wearying alike is when it comes to writing long essays. With such abundant information available at your fingertips, it is challenging to create authentic content that is not plagiarised.

EssayPro is a writing platform that offers valued assistance to students and professionals, not only to create excellent content but also to ensure that your essays are grammatically devoid of any errors. Whether you are in urgent need for an assignment or need a quick essay writer assistance, EssayPro is the best service currently available that guarantees that your academic writing and school works are top-notch. You can always depend on the tool to provide you with an outcome that exceeds your expectations and is delivered on time.

2. Thinglink

Today with most of the learning done with digital devices, it is essential to make it interactive and get the best out of it. With Thinglink, now all the visual aids like images and videos could be made even better.

Thinglink lets you annotate images and videos easily. With this tool, you no longer have to wait to get the image printed to annotate it. It is effortless to jot down your thoughts at the exact moment it comes to you, on a particular point in the video or a portion of an image.

3. Seesaw

Img source: http://www.edutechchick.com/seesaw-makes-digital-learning-journals-a-snap/

Seesaw is an online platform that emphasizes on student engagement. Students can share their works with their peers and parents with this single tool. It is free for students and teachers and is an encouraging program that lets parents see their children’s work displayed. Schools can also avail this with a minimal fee.

Seesaw also has an activity library from which students and teachers can find inspiration for learning. With this portfolio, students are urged to be more creative and take pride in the projects they do.

4. Flipgrid

Img source: https://braveintheattempt.com/2017/08/18/20-ways-to-catch-flipgridfever/

Flipgrid is changing the way students communicate over digital platforms most effectively. It is available for both students and teachers. The site has features t raise discussion topics, post video recordings and showcase other creative crafts.

It brings together students from different countries and encourages them to develop both their communication and learning skills. It is used not only at the school level but even by college and HD students to communicate and network with diverse choices to verbalize and share their thoughts.

5. AdmitHub

Finding the right college for you is one of the most difficult times that students face as they approach their high school graduation. AdmitHub makes the whole process of choosing the college and admissions effortless. Partnering up with schools and colleges, the platform provides efficient communication between both the parties.

Students can chat to find any information they need from finishing their admission essays to finding the dorms. The site hopes to bring more features to make the journey to colleges smoother in the following years.

In Conclusion

Technology is transforming the way learning is being perceived. These tools are focused on relieving students, teachers, and families of the constant weight of academical pressure and make education fun and inspiring instead. Keep in mind these amazing platforms and encourage kids to make use of them. You are only a few clicks away from revamping the way we learn.

If you need to know more about how technology can alter and affect students, check out the other articles on this website.

Student Financial Goals For 2021

Published on January 14, 2021April 12, 2021

Business

Being a student is perhaps one of the most financially pressing times in your life, but that doesn’t mean that things have to be all doom and gloom. Before beginning your educational journey, it is important to take some time to plan out your finances and ensure that once your time at university is over, you are not left in so much debt that your newfound career is simply a way of paying this back. If you want to learn how to get a lower interest rate on student loans, you should check out Purefy and consider all your options carefully.

In this article, we are going to share some handy tips for staying on top of your finances during your time as a student and how using tools such as NowLoan.co.uk can be of huge benefit.

Stay On Top Of Your Credit Score

We have all been guilty, at one time or another of letting our credit score get away from us, but this can prove very detrimental to your finances. By staying aware of your credit score and everything on your credit report, no matter how bad it may be, you can work towards maintaining or improving it. If you bury your head in the sand when it comes to your credit rating, you will never be able to better it.

There are plenty of useful tools and even mobile phone apps for the student of 2021 meaning that monitoring your credit score has never been easier. All it takes is checking your report once a month and implementing any changes, you will soon see your score skyrocket and this will put you in an advantageous place once your studies are over.

Set A Monthly Budget

Most people are familiar with the image of the student eating noodles out of a tub with plastic cutlery because they don’t have enough money for a decent meal-but this certainly does not have to be the case. The problem is that a lot of students, who are just starting out in the adult world, find it difficult to manage their money and make it last. The addition of a simple budget can put you in full control of your money and give you the peace of mind that you will have enough to last each month.

Think about what things are essential for each month-food, utility bills, clothing, etc and make these a priority. It is wise to pay for these at the start of each month so that you know they are dealt with. Whatever money you have left can then be split and a certain amount allocated for each week to be spent on ‘luxuries’ such as nights out, cinema trips, etc.

Keep Track Of Your Spending

One great way of staying in a superior financial position is to keep track of EVERYTHING that you are spending, and this couldn’t be more important than in 2021. With easy access to internet shopping and the use of the contactless card, it is easier than ever to overspend without realising. This is why keeping a record of every penny you spend can help you to stay out of debt and in control.

You can use a system as simple as a notebook and pen, and write down, to the penny, what you have spent each day. This is not only great for avoiding overspending but is also excellent in helping you to assess what unnecessary items you are purchasing.

Save For A Rainy Day

In the case of most students, there isn’t a lot of room for huge savings but as the saying goes ‘every little bit of help.’ Putting away even the smallest amount of money each month can prove extremely useful if you ever find yourself in an emergency.

There are two great options for saving, you could put away a set amount each month and tie this in with your monthly budget, or you might simply put away your spare change. It may not sound a lot but over time, pocket change can build up into a substantial sum. The most important thing is to be disciplined and keep your savings somewhere that you do not have easy access to either a bank account for which you do not have the card for or a locked safe for which you do not have the key or code. Consolidate Debts

It’s not uncommon for students to find themselves in debt, besides student loans there might be credit cards, car finance, and payday loans. If you are struggling with a large number of outgoings each month, why not consider getting a loan to consolidate all your debts into one? You can find guaranteed loans, which are a great option for students, especially those with bad credit, over on the NowLoan website. This super handy tool can assist you in comparing loans to find the best option for your personal needs, putting you in a much healthier financial position, not to mention helping boost your credit rating.

Set A Long Term Financial Goal

At this moment in time, you are likely focusing on your education and enjoying your life, however, the future will come around sooner than you think. Coupled in with saving, a long term financial goal can give you a clearer idea of what you are aiming for. It doesn’t need to be over-ambitious like owning your own home with no mortgage (although there’s no reason not to reach for the stars) but it could be something as simple as “I will boost my credit score by 100 points in the next 12 months.) This will give you something to aim for and will motivate you to stick to your more short term goals.

Conclusion

If you are becoming a student in 2021, it is so important to enter into this phase of your life with a healthy attitude towards your finances. There are plenty of financial goals that you can set as a way of ensuring you keep on top of your cash-flow and stay out of debt. Whilst these short term goals such as the use of Nowloan to help with making an informed decision on the right loan or you or saving can be very beneficial, it is also important to think about your long term goals as well.

How Smartphones Have Transformed Our Lives

Published on January 12, 2021

Technology

We live in an era where it is nearly impossible to imagine our lives with our smartphones. They store everything that is relevant to us, give us access to information at all times, and help us connect with anyone with just a tap on the screen.

While most of the changes that have been brought upon us because of a smartphone are quite evident, the major emergence is of the multitasking culture. Could you have imagined a few decades ago that you can have an important business meeting from the comfort of your home through a video-conferencing application in your phone?

When we start examining the impact of a smartphone on our daily lives, it obviously sheds light on the drawbacks related to smartphone addiction and the mental pressure for constant connectivity. But considering how this invention has made our lives so convenient it would be wrong to discredit it and call it a negative impact on an average user’s life.

We have listed below the positive impacts of smartphones and how they have transformed our lives.

Enhanced tracking:

Imagine losing your phone in the 90’s. There was absolutely no way to retrieve a lost CDMA phone back in the day. With smartphones, it became easy to track a stolen or lost phone with the help of enhanced tracking through IMEI number.

The IMEI number of a smartphone is a 15-digit unique code that shows its current location. It is also very beneficial for those buying pre-owned and refurbished phones. Through an IMEI checker, you can verify if the phone you are buying was stolen or blacklisted in the past.

Visit the website to check the IMEI for free.

Better communication:

The biggest advantage of a smartphone has been the ability to connect more deeply with others. With the shift to video calling, it’s become easier to have seamless conversations with a person without feeling the distance.

Considering how handy smartphones are, connecting with anyone has never been easier. Add to that the ease that comes with the instant messaging options and we have a way to convey things without the need to make a call.

Easier Socialisation:

Most smartphones today have ready access to every social media platform out there. These platforms, that emerged as a popular way to connect with existing friends and make new ones, have made socialisation incredibly easier now that they are available on smartphones.

Not to forget, the access to social media platforms on smartphones, combined with other smartphone features like the camera, have enabled many of us to boost our influence on social media.

This particular feature has completely transformed the way social media marketing is done. Marketing with the help of micro-influencers is a popular and effective marketing strategy that is currently being employed by some of the most well known brands in the world.

The socialisation aspect is not limited to these social media platforms. These days, one can even find romantic interests online through one of the many dating apps that are now available.

Education:

With the introduction of eLearning, learning new things has become a cakewalk. With the ability to pick up the phone and log into an online course at literally any hour of the day, it is now possible to learn the most complex as well as the most basic things at your own pace.

The eLearning courses can be accessed from any device from anywhere in the world which enhances the entire learning experience. A working student can quickly study in between office hours during breaks by just opening an elearning module in their phone.

Information:

Modern smartphones are being increasingly used to settle debates. Whenever there is a debate between friends, it can be settled by looking up authentic and verifiable information on the web.

With access to the web on our smartphones, we are practically carrying the entirety of human knowledge in our pockets. This information is easily accessible and readily available. The best part is, most of the information available on the web is absolutely free to access.

Entertainment:

Smartphones are currently the biggest source of entertainment. You can read books on your smartphone, watch live sports and get access to news from anywhere across the globe. You can even spend time watching an episode of your favourite TV series while traveling to work.

With the introduction of interactive multiplayer games on smartphones, it has become a favourite way to unwind after a stressful day at work.

Smooth planning:

Smartphones have allowed us to save valuable time by providing options to organize important information. With the option to store and access important documents, it has become possible to stay on top of things without feeling stressed.

There is no mental energy or time wasted in maintaining a mental checklist of everything that you need to do in a day as you can just make a to-do list on your smartphone and carry it along with you. This has ultimately made it possible to be productive throughout the day.

Navigation:

Most modern smartphones are GPS enabled with a map application pre-installed in them. Thanks to this, anyone that has a smartphone never has to get lost. Moreover, the need of asking for directions from complete strangers has diminished.

Thanks to modern smartphones, one can find their way even if they are in a place or city that they have never been to in the past. This is especially advantageous for those who routinely travel to different cities and countries for work and for vacations.

Conclusion:

Smartphones are undoubtedly a major asset as they bring us closer to our loved ones and store everything we can think of — from the contact numbers, to the images & videos, as well as reminders about important events. Not only do they make our lives more organized but also are big time-savers.

Life without smartphones is almost impossible to imagine for most of us. Which areas of your lives have smartphones made easier? How do you use them to your advantage? Tell us in the comment section below.

7 Study Tips and Tricks to Pass Exams without Studying

Published on December 22, 2020

Education

The best way to pass an exam is to sit down and study hard. However, sometimes life gets in the way. Students feel completely overwhelmed by stress and anxiety during the exam week, so they choose to procrastinate until the last minute. If that sounds all too familiar to you, then this article is for you!

We’re going to provide you with our top 7 study tips and tricks to pass your exams with minimal effort!

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

1. Do not panic

Okay, this one can be hard to pull off, especially before an important exam. Still, going panic-mode will only make things worse, so it’s important to find a way to calm yourself down. Drink a warm cup of tea, and stretch your muscles with some light exercise to keep anxiety at bay. You can also try giving yourself a pep talk, or go take a short walk outside. Whatever you do, remember that even if you end up failing, it’s not the end of the world. You’ll have a chance to fix your mistakes, and you’re probably not even going to remember the exam in a couple of years.

Overall, remember to keep your cool since it’s what’s crucial to passing your exams. Everyone has their own way of staying calm in a stressful situation, so make sure to find what works for you.

2. Time yourself

Determine how long you’ll spend on every question. Don’t take too much time thinking about it, but rather do a quick estimate. Try skipping those difficult questions and focus on things you recognize. Don’t try to copy other people’s answers, since you’ll just end up wasting time. While we’re on the topic of cheating, we advise you to stay away from it completely. Of course, if you’ve already decided you want to cheat, make sure to do it smartly. You can get your “cheating gear” on websites such as micro-casti.ro. Be careful not to get caught though, and leave it as your last resort.

All in all, do everything you can not to waste time while you’re taking your exam, and try to stay away from cheating if you can.

3. Read your notes

Let’s be realistic: learning the entire syllabus the night before an exam is next to impossible. Instead, take that little time you have left to read your notes. Focus on the most important topics, and try to find keywords that can help you remember what you’re reading. Don’t stress over learning every word you’ve written, just keep on reading until you feel like it’s time to go to sleep.

Make sure to reread those keywords before you head out to where your exam takes place. Again, remember not to stress over it too much, as your goal is to pass the exam, not to get an A.

4. Read the questions carefully

Once you’re there make sure to read the questions carefully. You might recognize some of those keywords you’ve written! Skip through the difficult questions and try to answer the easier ones first. Listen to what the instructor is saying, and, above all, don’t panic! You’ll certainly be able to remember something from your lessons if you concentrate hard enough!

Look if there are any multiple-choice questions and try to answer them to the best of your ability. If you’re unsure of the right answer, choose C or B. They’re the most common answers on multiple-choice exams. Focus on the Cs and only choose B if you’re sure C isn’t the correct answer.

5. Take care of yourself before the exam

While eating a healthy meal won’t magically make you pass an exam, it can certainly help! Your brain needs quality food and a lot of water to function! So, have a light, nutritious meal before you go to take the exam, and don’t forget to bring a water bottle with you!

Also, you’ll need at least 8 hours of sleep to be at your best. Even though you might feel like cramming is your only option, it’s everything but effective. Your brain needs time to digest the information, and it also needs to rest. So, staying up all night to study is a giant no-no!

6. Remember to review your answers when you’re done

Once you’re done with the exam, check whether there’s enough time to review your work. You might suddenly remember to add something, you never know! So even if you probably want to get it over with at that point, don’t forget to reread your work.

If there are some questions you skipped, use the extra time to reread them. If there are no penalty points for those questions, answer your first best guess. You don’t have anything to lose by trying your luck!

7. Don’t be too hard on yourself

Hopefully, you’ll be able to pass the exam by using the tricks and tips provided in this article. However, if the worst happens, try not to dwell on it for too long. As we already mentioned, failing an exam is not the end of the world. You’ll be able to retry it, so start preparing right away! You’ll know what kinds of questions to expect, so it will be easier the next time you take it!

Of course, with a bit of luck, you might as well pass it. If you do, take it as a lesson to never leave everything for the last minute again. Just because you’ve had some luck the first time, it doesn’t mean it will work again. Besides, education is about gaining knowledge, not just passing exams, so studying is in your best interest.

The bottom line

Passing an exam without proper preparation might be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Read through the summaries in your textbooks, and don’t forget to take a look at your notes. Keep your calm and give your brain some time to rest. Pay attention to the clock, and don’t forget to review your work before you hand it in. You’ll need some luck and some deep concentrating, but you can succeed if you try hard enough.slee

At the end of the day, even if you fail the exam, don’t beat yourself up over it. Almost everyone experiences it at one point in their education, so it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Make sure to prepare harder for the next exam, and everything will be all right.

How to Choose an Online Training Course for Professional Development

Published on November 16, 2020February 11, 2021

Business

In a highly competitive business world, every person craves professional growth to climb the corporate ladder. Some people want to enjoy working in managerial roles, while others thrive for lucrative opportunities. Unfortunately, a college degree is not enough to achieve professional growth because you have to earn your way up there. Alongside exhibiting your expertise, it is imperative to advance your skill set and knowledge to keep up with the changing world. Are you wondering how?

Amid digital transformation, there are plenty of options to grow professionally. You can attend webinars, participate in industry conferences, enroll yourself in short courses, or join some training programs. It broadens your areas of expertise, expands your skill set, and boosts professional reputation. From educational training to fintech technology and cybersecurity courses – you are able to choose from a plethora of options. However, defining which choice is right for you can be tricky, but let us help you out.

Here are some tips you have to consider while choosing an online training course for professional development.

1. Choose the Right Format

Technology is transforming the educational environment with e-learning opportunities. It is proving to be quite impactful since it makes education accessible to people of different age groups. Whether you are pursuing an intensive training program or short course – determine the format. Professional development classes follow various platforms to fit varying academic standards, personal schedules, and learning styles.

Some programs are highly regulated with preset class timings. Professors teach these programs through pre-recorded videos, and interactions are limited to only emails. Similarly, you can look out for online short courses as it follows a flexible approach, allowing you to learn at your own pace. You will also be able to attend classes online from the comfort of your home, which will still include proper participation and interaction.

In this format, you will listen to lectures and submit assignments online with feasibility. Hence, before delving into courses and training programs, figure out which design works the best for you.

2. Determine Your Goals

Next up, you have to straighten out your expectations from a training course. Do you want to broaden your knowledge in a particular topic? Or do you want to specialize in a particular skill set? Some already have an idea about the topic they wish to study, but others prefer exploring their options. Before you start looking into a course, determine your professional career goals to ensure the training course aligns with it. If you see yourself as becoming a chief financial officer, taking courses relating to the latest financial innovations can help.

Or perhaps, you’re looking to pursue a career in nursing, which means you’ll probably want to check out some ACLS and PALS courses that will make you qualified for the position. You can check these out at Advanced Medical Certification and start your journey right away.

3. Select a Reputable Institute

These days, every educational institute is moving towards e-learning, and almost every college offers an online training program. However, it doesn’t mean you should settle for any institute. Once you are well-versed with your future ambitions, look for a school that can take you one step closer towards your goal.

Similarly, if you want to flourish as a finance manager, search for business schools offering courses on cybersecurity, gene-editing, or fintech.

4. Learning Styles & Technology

Fortunately, educational institutes are recognizing the importance of individual differences in learning. Thus, they are focusing on embedding Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. This gives equal opportunity to every student on the concept that every person learns differently. Therefore, when choosing an online course, make sure it is pertinent to your learning style. From audio, visuals and engagement to interactive conversations – the training course must accommodate different learning needs.

In addition to this, determine how technology is influencing the educational experience. If possible, take a demo class to assess video quality, graphics, and design, as this is the key to student retention. Likewise, see if the website and course materials are accessible on your device. Remember, competent programs offer captions and transcription reports for every online lecture to improve the student experience. Hence, keep an eye on these features before you call the shots.

5. Opportunities for Peer Interaction

Are group projects part of the course? Believe it or not, but professional development is incomplete without collaborative group work. Although e-learning has minimal peer interaction, group assignments can foster a sense of community. Alongside the course material, it will teach you how to network and build relationships with people from different backgrounds. A course with peer-interaction allows you to learn from like-minded peers and widens your horizons. Besides, you never know which virtual group activities bring out the leader inside you, opening doors to professional development.

6. Assess Learning Outcomes

Although you know what you want to achieve from training courses, it is time to consider what they have to offer. Start assessing the learning outcomes of the training courses to determine what skill sets you would learn. Go through the course description and see if the subject matter and practical application aligns with your goals. Likewise, it is crucial to assess the grading criterion. If the course material is highly technical, it should be using self-check quizzes such as a formative assessment, as this puts more focus on learning and practical implementation and not just the results.

7. Narrow Down Your Choices & Start Learning!

Amongst hundreds of courses, now it is time to start shortlisting a few. Since you are familiar with what the courses cover, check your schedule and see how many you can manage at a time. Nevertheless, don’t overburden yourself by taking numerous training courses altogether because you can always add them to your wish list. As per the eLearning industry, for every $1500 an employer spends on training, they achieve a 24% increase in profit margins.

Most importantly, don’t forget to consider the cost of online courses to see if it fits within your budget. If the program seems expensive, consider saving up as this is an investment in your professional development journey.

To Conclude

These days there are infinite distant learning opportunities. Stay at-home parents are getting higher degrees, while professionals are pursuing short courses for career development. It diversifies their skill set, enhances knowledge, and builds expertise. Therefore, it is vital to do your research before you start a program. After all, these are an investment of your time and money.