6 Benefits of Being a Registered Nurse

Nursing is one of the oldest professions with a history dating back to the Middle Ages. Doctors need nurses to apply their medical knowledge to save patients’ lives and ensure they are in good health. Most healthcare systems can hardly implement their care and medical practices without nurses’ input. If you have already graduated or are still pursuing nursing as a career, here are some reasons why you need to ensure you become a registered nurse before you enter the job market.

  1. Getting registered as a nurse gives you access to a realm of opportunities

Part of why most hospitals and clinics are ready to hire registered nurses is that they want to be sure you have all the skills and experience needed to execute your duties. Nursing is an open field that provides many sub-specializations.

 As you build your experience, you get an opportunity into the realm of opportunities such as training budding nurses in schools, working in an industrial setting and nursing homes. As you keep scaling higher in your career, you get all the experience you need to work in healthcare facilities that rely on technologically advanced equipment to resolve challenging situations.

  1. Nursing is a real-life career path that keeps changing its way of doing things

If you have been keen on nursing practices that existed a century ago, you will realize how things are changing fast. Nurses are no longer the ones who do the donkey work. Nowadays, patients can consult nurses when they have healthcare issues, even without seeing a doctor. Nurses also take part in making critical decisions as far as the healthcare system is concerned. The only way to embrace nursing as a dynamic field is by getting registered.

  1. Registration clears any doubts about a person’s competence

Just like an architect needs to produce relevant documents to prove they are worthy to carry out architectural tasks, nurses also need certification to garner enough trust from doctors and patients alike. Doctors leave patients in the care of nurses as they attend to other patients. On the other hand, patients depend on nurses to get instant relief.

  1. Certification guarantees you satisfying job security

Entering the job market can be satisfying for any career person. However, the uncertainty that comes with not getting registered as a nurse is worrying. You do not know when you will lose your job because more people with relevant certifications apply for your position. In a setting where an employer has to choose between retaining an unregistered nurse and recruiting a registered one, it is obvious the unregistered nurse will have to go even if they have the necessary skills

  1. The nursing career pays extremely well

Due to the increase in demand for nursing services, it is evident that the government is creating more job opportunities for entrants. The median pay for a registered nurse ranges from $60,000-$80,000. That means you have higher chances of increasing your pay if you enter the job market as a registered nurse. Once you are in, it is easier to scale in your career and get better pay.

  1. Nursing allows you to work anywhere

Careers like being registered real estate agents require job seekers to stay in a specific place. A person who has worked in one place for a long time might not have the opportunity to travel to other places to see what the world can offer in terms of opportunities.

Nursing allows job seekers to work in any city, state or country. It allows you to work from high-end areas to rural areas. If your interest is in freelance consultation, you can travel to work in a city of your choice. To increase your job-seeking perks, ensure you fulfill all the requirements that make you worthy of certification.

Whether you are a budding nurse or have been in the nursing industry for more than a decade, getting registered comes with many perks. The nursing field is versatile, allowing you to be a consultant, teacher or researcher. The sooner you register as a nurse, the better your chances of enjoying limitless opportunities. If you want to land a lucrative job no matter where you are based, the time to learn how to become an RN is now.

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7 Careers You Can Explore With A Criminal Justice Degree

A career in law enforcement and criminal justice may be perfect for you, especially if you’re looking to make a change in your community. A criminal justice degree provides many fulfilling career opportunities in the field of law and order. With your degree, you’ll have the option to specialize in investigative work, crime prevention, and behavioral science. 

You found yourself at the right place if you’re looking to know more about the professions you can pursue with your criminal justice degree. Here are some of the top career opportunities you can take, including the usual responsibilities:

  1. Police Force 

The most usual career path for a criminal justice graduate is to be in the local police force. A criminal justice degree may help you maximize the possibility of getting a promotion and speeding up the climb to higher positions too.

The available rankings for the police force depend on the size of your department. Typically, most police departments have a ranking system similar to that of the military. If you aim for higher positions, you need to upgrade your level of education as well. Thus, you may want to check out the best online masters in criminal justice to help you advance your career.

Here, the rankings range from corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and chief. But, other departments, usually those with a modest size, also offer a position for detectives. 

Bigger departments, on the contrary, have more specialized positions, including but not limited to, canine and harbor patrols. 

Some officers are usually called troopers in other police forces. Although troopers share a similar job description to regular police officers, there’s the addition of state traffic law enforcement and monitoring of interstate highways. 

Troopers also help the local police department if assistance when dealing with emergency cases is needed. In some cases, the court calls on troopers to provide assistance and protection. In other instances, troopers are also promoted to fill the work of investigators. When police officers are called to take a federal level position, the title then changes to ‘agents.’ 

The minimum educational attainment to enter the police force may change, depending on the state you’re from. But, usually, most states look for a college degree. 

In addition to that, you must also complete the police training program or on-the-job training in a local department. On the other hand, federal agents go through supplementary training that’s necessary for the position. This is done through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. 

Once you pass all your required training, the federal or state jurisdiction you plan to serve will provide you with special certification and licensure.  

  1. Corrections Officer 

Another career you can take with a criminal justice degree is in the correctional institutions. Corrections officers are the ones who are responsible for supervising individuals who have been arrested. 

If you’re interested in being a correction officer, you can expect to work as a bailiff or a jailer. Either can be stationed locally or in state and federal governments. 

The minimum educational requirement for correctional officers is, at least, a high school diploma and a certification of a training academy. However, specific departments may require you to have, at least, a college degree in any criminal justice-related field. Such departments include federal prisons. In addition to that, many federal departments would also require you to have several years of work experience before you can get started.  

The work environment for correctional officers would require you to have strong decision-making and interpersonal skills. It would be best if you also had self-control and discipline. This is because correctional officers tend to work closely with criminals. 

  1. Legal Science 

If you’d much rather work behind the scenes, then you might want to consider a position in legal science. Paralegals comprise the legal support system.

As a paralegal, your responsibility is to assist lawyers in preparation for court trials, hearings, and other legal meetings. Your particular duty as a paralegal would depend largely on the firm you’re working with. 

However, most paralegals share a standard job description which includes: 

  • Collecting and analyzing facts and data to be used in a case 
  • Legal research 
  • Making report summaries 
  • Drafting of documents 
  • Assisting lawyers in court proceedings

As a paralegal, you have to be adaptable and remain composed and firm in times of complication. On top of that, you must also possess great knowledge about depositions, legal trials, and the preparation of witnesses for questioning.  

If you’re looking to pursue a legal science career, you’ll do well with an associate degree in paralegal studies. However, several firms require a bachelor’s degree. But, if you’re a criminal justice degree holder, you’d still need a specialized certification to start practicing.  

  1. Criminalist 

Another career is to be a criminalist. You’ll be doing crime scene investigations (CSI) which lets you collect, document, and preserve forensic evidence. 

As a CSI, you’re also responsible for recording observations, taking photographs, and drafting sketches. Typically, it’s your duty as a criminalist to conduct laboratory analysis from crime scenes. 

You can also expect to work closely with other law enforcement officers. However, once you earn more working experience, you can specialize in one aspect.  

  1. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Likewise, you can also become a (CISO) responsible for overseeing data security plans and cybersecurity management. You’ll be responsible for establishing protocols to detect security threats and maintain an up-to-date firewall. 

As an ISO, your duty will also include managing both hardware devices and software applications to prevent any unauthorized breach of data. In the case of data breaches, you’ll perform an investigation and security improvement to avoid further attacks. 

  1. University Professor  

Criminal justice degree holders like you can also enter the field of education. After all, without college professors, you’ll leave the next generation of college students without an educator. 

To be a criminal justice professor, you’d need a bachelor’s degree and another advanced degree such as a master’s in the field you’re teaching.  

  1. Fire Investigation Officer 

Like its police counterpart, as a fire investigation officer, you’d be expected to conduct investigations on incidents involving fire. 

You can also expect to work with several law enforcement officers in a fire accident, especially if it’s deemed to be arson. In such a case, fire and crime scene investigators come together to comprehend the nature of the crime and locate the perpetrator.  

Conclusion 

As mentioned, there are several career opportunities for you. A criminal justice degree also opens a lot of windows for employment growth and development. But, it’s important to note that the specialization you choose right now will largely influence which field in criminal justice you’ll end up in. Thus, you can start specializing in criminal justice programs that you want to have a career in.

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3 Ways to Prepare for a Career in Property Management

If you’re a young person with ambitions of starting a career in property management someday, naturally, you may have some questions regarding what steps you can take now to not only prepare for your eventual career, but also make the right impression on potential employers in the future.

No single blog entry could cover all the ways you can position yourself for success in this line of work. You should strongly consider reaching out to other property managers to ask if they’d be willing to offer their own advice or even become a mentor.

In the meantime, though, the following tips will help you generally understand what a young person should do to improve their chances of becoming a successful property manager. Be aware, while this list is written under the assumption that the average reader will either be a college student, a college graduate, or a young person who plans on attending college in the near future, it is technically possible to achieve your career goals in this industry without a college degree (though it may be more difficult).

If you’re considering becoming a property manager in the future, you should be taking such steps now:

Familiarize yourself with practical factors

You might not be entirely certain property management is the ideal career for someone with your goals and talents. A career in property management may be one of several options you’re considering.

If so, you can start to better determine whether this is a career you’d genuinely be interested in by researching certain practical factors. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, the median pay for a property manager was $59,660 per year. Depending on how much money you wish to earn in the future, this may make property management a more appealing or less appealing career option.

You should also review the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ general overview (linked to above) to learn more about what the day-to-day work of being a property manager typically involves. For instance, although most property managers have offices, they may also spend large portions of their time showing properties and performing other out-of-office tasks. Once more, this may appeal to some job-seekers, but not all.

Consider studying business

Some colleges and universities offer academic programs specifically focused on property management. If you truly aspire to this career, and you attend a college with this type of program, you should of course enroll in such programs. However, many property managers simply studied business administration in college.

Keep in mind that, even if you’re not a college student or graduate and don’t expect to attend college, you can still earn a certification in property management. This is another means of ensuring your resume stands out to employers if you don’t have a college degree. Research your options to determine if you should pursue a certification.

Be patient

Once you have the necessary qualifications, you should apply to jobs or internships at property management companies with the understanding that you’ll likely have to accept an entry-level position at first.

When describing how they achieved their career goals, successful property managers often explain how they started in temp positions or as low-level assistants. They were able to climb the ladder by not only consistently impressing their employers through the quality of their work, but also by openly expressing their desire to become a property manager, volunteering for new assignments, and pivoting to new roles at other companies when opportunities for advancement with their early employers were limited.

Again, this isn’t an exhaustive list of the steps you can take to become a property manager. It’s wise to actively research this topic in greater detail. That said, this brief guide hopefully provided you with a sense of what such a career entails, and how you can begin pursuing this career.

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Areas of Your Business You Can Easily Improve

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face as a business owner is how you can improve key areas of operations to grow your bottom line and increase profits. Interested to know how you can do just that with minimal effort? Here are a few simple tricks that might make your life a bit easier when it comes to business practices. 

Fleet Management

You do need to track your assets and, if that is in the form of a fleet of vehicles, you should invest in fleet management software. This will encompass things like GPS coordinates and vehicle telematics, both of which are essential if you want to improve the efficiency of operations and maximize your assets and the team you have working for you. It’s important to understand the benefits of telematics when choosing software. From improved safety and increased customer satisfaction to reducing operating costs and fuel consumption, there are so many reasons why businesses are investing in telematics. You have a Human Resource organization for your team, a facilities management setup for your property so why not give your vehicles the same level of protection?  

Interpersonal Communication

If you had mentioned the concept of Zoom to people in 2019, the majority would have asked what it was that you were talking about. Two years on and Zoom has taken over the world of communications. While there are various advantages of using video messenger services, they don’t always make sense for the structure of every business because sometimes in-person communication is essential. Is it essential in your business?  

Social Media Plugin Setups

Scheduling social media is usually the biggest hassle of any communications, marketing or digital marketing executive. One of the reasons is, in order to make sure you are in sight of your intended audience; you need to be posting at a specific time of day. If that’s in the same time zone as you you’re lucky. If not, and you need to post during the night your time, a social media scheduling suite will literally be your best friend. You can get trial versions of most of the big names, but if you are looking to schedule multiple platforms in multiple formats then you will need to invest some money into the management of those systems. 

In order to figure out a quick cost/benefit analysis you should figure out how much income your social media is bringing to you – directly, or indirectly – and compare it to the cost of one of those systems. Doing this will give you an approximate figure of how much capital you should invest in a scheduling app. This can also be dictated to by region and the type of campaign you are looking at starting, so if you are planning on sticking to simple text-based solutions, paying out of pocket for something designed to work at scheduling picture-based posts is redundant. Know what you want from your campaigns, research the different options that are available and make the smart move for your business.

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10 TIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES

While typically healthier than people in many other age groups, college students often battle headaches and migraines that are caused by stress, intense studying, lack of sleep, and other issues.

Although the occasional headache can be relatively harmless, intense episodes or persistent pains can interfere with day-to-day life. Certain headache disorders can be debilitating, to the point where some students need to seek immediate medical attention or collect long-term disability benefits.

Whether you’re looking to fight off the occasional mild headache or combat painful migraines, here are 10 tips for college students who suffer from headaches and migraines.

1. Reduce the strain on your eyes

Many headaches are caused by students putting too much strain on their eyes. This can be the result of poor lighting, blinding glares, excessively bright colors, or computer vision syndrome (CVS)—a condition caused when people stare at computer screens, tablets, or phones for extended periods.

Optimize your workspaces so that they put minimal strain on your eyes. Rather than working in the dark, turn on a few lights or remove the shutters from a few windows. Rather than positioning a bright light directly in front of your eyes, move it slightly out of your field of view.

As your school program already requires you to spend a significant amount of time in front of a computer screen, try to cut back on some of the more unnecessary screen time. Also, remember to take frequent breaks in between tasks!

2. Invest in an ergonomic chair

Bad posture can also be a cause for certain headaches. Unfortunately for college students, they are often required to sit in rigid classroom and library chairs for long periods.

To improve your posture, consider investing in an ergonomic chair for your own personal study time. Not only will an ergonomic chair help you correct some of the minor postural issues that go undetected but it will also provide a greater level of comfort.

3. Monitor your caffeine intake

While caffeine certainly has its benefits—improving memory, increasing alertness, temporarily decreasing fatigue, and even relieving certain headaches—it can also be the cause of headaches when not used in moderation.

When you consume caffeine, the blood vessels surrounding your brain narrow. When you stop consuming caffeine, those same blood vessels expand and put pressure on the surrounding nerves. This can cause what is often referred to as a “withdrawal” headache.

Rather than relying so heavily on caffeine to stay awake and be productive, carefully monitor your caffeine consumption to avoid painful withdrawals.

4. Stay hydrated

For many students, headaches are simply the result of dehydration. Even during simple tasks that involve very little physical activity, your body is constantly losing fluids that need to be replenished.

After a few glasses of water, most dehydration-related headaches are resolved within three hours. While you may choose to drink coffee, tea, soda, and other beverages throughout any given day, be sure to drink plenty of water in between.

5. Maintain a routine

One of the most effective ways to manage stress is to create a daily routine and stick to it. A routine provides you with a complete picture of what needs to be achieved, and subsequently, gives you the confidence to achieve it.

Besides potentially eradicating headaches and migraines, lower stress levels can also improve both your mental and physical health across the board—putting you at lower risk for certain conditions and illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and heart disease.

6. Create a sleep schedule

It’s not unlike university students to study well into the night when completing an assignment or preparing for an exam—forfeiting much-needed rest in pursuit of a good grade.

Unfortunately, sleep deprivation can be the source of headaches and migraines. Not to mention, it can actually have a negative impact on academic performance. Instead, create a sleep schedule that allows you to get 7 – 9 hours of rest at a consistent time each night.

7. Improve your diet

Sticking to a healthy diet can also eliminate certain headaches and migraines. According to one study, 42% of adults reported that eating a vegan diet or removing certain dietary triggers helped with their migraines.

Even if you’re unwilling to adopt a vegan diet at this time, most students can improve their diets significantly by preferring fresh foods—such as fruits and vegetables—to foods that are packed with preservatives and unhealthy sugars.

If you live in an apartment or suite, consider preparing your own healthy meals rather than resorting to takeout and fast food. If you’re on your college’s meal plan, consider selecting the healthiest options that are being offered whenever possible.

A healthy diet also requires you to refuel at the right times. Avoid the temptation of skipping meals when you’re studying for a test or using conventional meal times to catch up on sleep.

8. Exercise often

For students whose headaches and migraines are related to stress or lack of sleep, physical activity can often be the solution.

Exercise not only improves blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body, including the brain, but it also allows individuals to fall asleep more easily at night. Additionally, physical activity causes the body to release endorphins—hormones that are known to relieve both pain and stress.

9. Make your school aware of your condition

If your experience with headaches or migraines has become a legitimate disability, it’s wise to make your college or university aware by filing disability accommodation paperwork.

Although not required, it might also be worth discussing your condition with your professors directly. If severe, debilitating pain ever causes you to miss a lecture or assignment, a professor might be more understanding than if he or she had no knowledge of your disability.

10. Reevaluate your workload

Particularly for those who are working jobs while attending college, headaches and migraines can be the result of extreme stress.

Consider whether or not your heavy course load is contributing to your condition. There’s no shame in curbing the amount of work you take on each semester. In fact, doing so could even improve your academic performance.

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4 Tips For Great Employee-Manager Relations

It’s no secret that not every employee gets on with their boss.

There can be a wide range of reasons for this, from overbearing managers who don’t listen to employees to inefficient leadership structures leaving those lower down the ladder unsure about their job roles and responsibilities.

Forbes reports that 58% of managers never even received training on how to carry out their role, so it’s no wonder there are issues.

However, for your business to flourish it’s crucial that your workforce is united and everyone can work together, from the most senior member of staff to the most junior. To help you achieve this goal, we’ve come up with four ways to make your employee-manager relationships and communication levels as good as possible.

1. Smooth Management Transitions

There’s nothing worse as an employee than a manager who clearly doesn’t know what they’re doing. To prevent this, you must provide new managers with an appropriate level of training and support as they start their role. This will help employees to trust their managers, and help the managers to feel more confident in their position and less likely to be overbearing or timid.

For an in-depth investigation of this topic, you can read a report by UConn MBA Jasdeep Singh which explains exactly how to best carry out this crucial task.

2. Regular Feedback Surveys

One of the best ways to find out what employees and managers think about their relationship is to regularly survey them. This will allow you to quickly discover any issues and remedy them before they cause a more serious rift.

If you’re worried that employees may not feel comfortable responding honestly if they have problems, a great idea is to make the surveys anonymous. This way staff can reveal how they really feel about relationships between employees and management without fear that it will harm their job prospects or relationships with colleagues.

3. Take A Training Course

Although there are many things that you can personally do to improve relationships between management and employees, sometimes contacting a professional is the best way to remedy a serious issue.

You don’t need to work out thousands of dollars to find an effective service. There are plenty of free human relations and communications courses offered online by Ivy League universities and important organizations, helping you and your term to learn for free.

4. Try Teamwork Activities

Sometimes the best way to help your team bond is to take them out of the office completely. Allowing them to work as a team of equals in a situation that isn’t work-related can help them to wind down and have fun, as well as improving team relationships.

You don’t have to pick a traditional team activity like outdoor pursuits for this to work. Sometimes simply sitting down to have a meal as a team can help employees and managers to get to know each other as people and build respect.

See Your Team Growing Stronger

If you want your company to work efficiently, it’s always best to ensure that employees’ needs are being met and relationships between general staff and managers are strong.

International consultancy firm KPMG has reported that as of 2019, only34% of HR leaders are confident in their ability to transform the workforce in the digital era, so prioritizing this will help you to stand out from the crowd and improve your chances of business success.

By using these four simple tips you can help to build a strong and successful team, and see your company flourish.

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5 Tips for Finding That Perfect Internship Match

Internships aren’t just resumé fodder.

They’re opportunities to get hands-on experience in your desired field. They’re chances for growth, exploration, and connection within your expertise and beyond.

That’s why you should seek your perfect internship match — and that’s not necessarily with a Fortune 500 company.

As UConn MBA student Jasdeep Singh advises, you shouldn’t let your perceived “perfect” internship interfere with finding the right one. Therefore, we’ve written a list of tips on sourcing the internship that’ll boost your future to new heights.

1. Understand Full Scope of Your Career Interests

Construct an idea of what you want, but don’t fret over the specifics. Take time to consider all your interests and how they could broaden your career options.

Are you a finance major, but love film and TV? Consider a business internship with a production company. Maybe you’re in an artistic field, but have a passion for mental health care. Try interning at a health facility or outreach program that emphasizes arts rehabilitation.

The world is your oyster; there’s no need to limit yourself.

2. Use Your Network

Discuss your career interests with college advisors, career counselors, faculty, friends, and even family. 70% of opportunities remain unlisted, and about 85% of jobs are secured through networking. It’s in your best interest to utilize your circle, you may discover opportunities no one else has access to.

Don’t forget your network also includes alumni, even if you haven’t met them personally. Just be sure to send a thank you to anyone who’s helped you along the way.

3. Start Early

Minimize stress by starting your search and application process early. Grant yourself wiggle room to check out your options, talk to people, research companies, and apply.

Companies don’t always offer internships year-round, so keep your deadline dates organized. Research every opportunity, but know what time-sensitive material to prioritize.

For the standard summer or winter internships, applications can open several months in advance. Applications surge a few weeks leading up to a deadline, so stand out by getting your materials in early.

The most important takeaway here is don’t procrastinate, or you risk missing out.

4. Hone Your Interview Skills

No matter the internship, you’ll face an interview process. You can prep by:

  • Researching interview questions
  • Staging mock interviews for practice
  • Learning all you can about the company
  • Preparing questions for your interviewer about the position

Interviews give the chance to discuss your qualification in-depth and to see if the company is the right fit for you. Preparing for the process will help you communicate your points effectively (and communication is one of the top values employers seek).

5. Consider Immediate Needs Alongside Future Goals

You may run into the dilemma of finding a fantastic internship that promises future success but doesn’t consider your immediate needs.

If money is crucial right now, don’t opt for an unpaid internship that drains your savings. The opportunity cost of unpaid internships is about $13,000. Narrow your search to paid opportunities to remain on a steady track forward.

And if finances aren’t a concern? Carefully comb through prospects for what provides the best learning opportunity and helps you gain professional skills.

Final Thoughts — Take These Tips with You

Keep your prospects open, use your network for personalized help, and give yourself the time you need.

Keep these tips, and your best interests, in mind during your search. It’ll take some hustle, but we’re confident you’ll find the internship that’s tailored completely to you.

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What Is Academic Writing? Do’s and Don’ts for Students

Academic writing is a formal style of writing that is used by the academic community. For example, academic writing is used by universities and academic journals. If you want to publish your article in a peer-reviewed journal, you should stick with the academic style. Students need to use the academic style when writing research papers, dissertations, literature reviews, essays, and other types of academic assignments.

In the opinion of betterwritingservices.com, the vast majority of American students avoid the stress of writing academic papers and prefer to buy them online from legitimate essay writing companies.

In this article, we will consider some specific features of academic writing in more detail and take a look at the main dos and don’ts of formal writing.

The Key Features of Academic Writing

First of all, academic writing should be unbiased and formal. All your claims must be based on evidence, and you cannot build your arguments around your personal opinions or assumptions. You can make your writing unbiased by presenting research results accurately, acknowledging the limitations of your own research, and addressing opposite viewpoints. The formal style of writing requires you to make your paper consistent in terms of logic and structure. Besides, you should avoid colloquialisms, clichés, and contractions.

Academic writing should also be precise and clear, which means that you must avoid vague phrases and statements that can be interpreted in different ways. Besides, you should avoid words like “perhaps” or “likely” because your arguments should be specific, and you should present them with confidence. We recommend that you read academic journals to familiarize yourself with the writing style and vocabulary.

Last but not least, academic writing must be well-structured and well-focused. Your arguments and all the information that you provide must be perfectly relevant to your general topic. The overall structure may vary depending on the type of paper and word count, but the structure of the content should meet some common requirements so that your paper will be easy to comprehend. For instance, each of your paragraphs should focus on a specific idea expressed in a topic sentence. Use transitional phrases to connect different paragraphs and include transitional words in sentences to indicate the connection between different ideas.

As you can see, academic writing is all about precision, clarity, and credibility. Therefore, you should also select reputable sources. While you might feel tempted to use any sources that support your opinion, you must make sure that your sources are actually credible and relevant. Use your university library and academic databases. Don’t forget to cite your sources according to the necessary citation format.

The Do’s

 

  • Write clearly
    Even though your academic papers might be dedicated to complex topics, you should make sure that they are easy to read. Your readers should understand exactly what you’re saying. Always start paragraphs with topic sentences and keep your sentences brief. Avoid complex terms if you can deliver the same information in a simpler way.

 

 

  • Stay objective
    Academic writing must be based on facts and logic. It should also be precise and not influenced by emotions. You need to present information in an objective and impersonal way. To stay objective, you must only use reliable academic sources and support all of your arguments with data. Avoid clichés because they will damage the overall clarity and make your writing less specific. Besides, you should only write in the third person.

 

 

  • Use various sentence structures
    Academic writing can easily become boring, especially when your audience needs to read the same long sentences over and over again. Moreover, long, overcomplicated sentences may make your audience think that you’re unable to formulate your ideas in an easy-to-understand way. In contrast, if you use short sentences only, you won’t let your readers reflect on the overall meaning, creating a sense of a rush. We recommend that you choose a well-balanced approach, using both long and short sentences.

 

 

  • Use technical vocabulary
    All academic subjects have a certain jargon, and you can use it to communicate your thoughts precisely. However, you should only use specific terms when you actually need them. Don’t try to impress your readers with complex words because this way, you will just make your text difficult to read.

 

The Don’ts

 

  • Avoid a personal language
    Although you may use the first person when writing admission and narrative essays, the use of the first person is generally prohibited in academic writing. Besides, one of your main goals is to stay objective so there’s no place for your personal perspective.

 

 

  • Avoid colloquialisms
    When writing academic papers, you should be especially careful with your word choice. While conversational English enables you to use some slang words and informal phrases, you should never use them in academic writing. We recommend that you read your paper once you’ve finished writing, and replace any colloquial language with appropriate forms.

 

 

  • Don’t use the wrong verb tense
    Students often change the verb tense by mistake, switching from one tense to another, even though different actions may take place within the same timeframe. You should always be careful with the verb tense because it indicates whether something happened in the past, present, or future. We recommend that you always check the verb tense when editing your papers.

 

 

  • Avoid inappropriate fonts and formatting
    When it comes to formatting, you should follow clear guidelines. There are different formatting styles used in academic writing, such as APA, Chicago, MLA, Harvard, and others. Every style has certain requirements regarding margins, fonts, and other details of formatting. Before you start to write your academic paper, make sure to check the rules of the required citation style and determine what fonts you can use, as well as what your headings, citations, and main content should look like.

 

Final Thoughts

Academic writing requires you to stick with the formal writing style and to express your thoughts in the most precise and objective way. All students have to be familiar with academic writing and use it when writing assignments. Even though academic writing is much more difficult than informal conversational English, it’s easy to master once you’ve familiarized yourself with some clear rules. We hope that this guide will help you avoid some common mistakes and write academic papers that will be appreciated by professors.

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How Elevations RTC Encourages Every Student To Remain Healthy and Active

Going off to a troubled teen program for any reason can be a bit of a scary situation for teenagers. A lot of the time, students are stepping away from home for the first time, and they are trying to get their life on track to be a better person overall.

While education and rehabilitation are often stressed early on, there are hidden benefits to living full-time on campus. For instance, Elevations RTC feels very strongly about making sure that every student has the chance to stay healthy and active while on campus. Offering countless opportunities makes it so much easier to follow and stick to a plan that works, which leads to numerous benefits.

Whether it is team sports in the gym or weekend outings in the winter to the mountains nearby in the greater Salt Lake City area, the options are there for students to decide how they want to get physical activity. A step inside the cafeteria and a view of food choices also showcase healthy opportunities for food. Why such a focus on healthy living? The benefits are endless.

Fighting against physical struggles

No matter what someone is facing before heading to the Elevations RTC school, staying busy is a perfect way to take the mind off of lingering issues. There is less time to think about troubles when staying active and doing something exciting. A lot of people end up finding an activity or two that truly stands out, and that can make a huge difference.

Staying active can cut back on the chance of depression or anxiety seeping in and becoming an issue. Less idle time reduces those bad thoughts and keeps more focus on why a teenager is at Elevations in the first place.

Learning new passions for life

If every student who comes through the doors at Elevations RTC can leave with just one new passion in life, it can be viewed as a successful run. Healthy passions can have so many different benefits for people of all ages, and it is conducive for those who are attempting to get their life on track.

Developing healthy habits in a controlled setting can go so well that they continue away from Elevations. In some scenarios, students will find work opportunities later on in life that relates to their passion. A few examples include working in the arts, finding a job in sports, or landing a tech job. Even if it is as simple as understanding the difference routine workouts can make, it pays to stick with it.

There is every opportunity for students to pursue whatever passion they are into at Elevations RTC. There are extracurricular activities, and even ways to learn more on certain school subjects. Even if there is currently no group or any other students interested in something, the Elevations RTC staff will work with each individual to ensure that they are getting an opportunity to do what they want.

A boost in self-esteem

Even if a person already feels like they are in good shape, there is something to be said for staying active and getting in even better shape. Some leave Elevations RTC in the best condition of their life because they are actually using the time for physical activity the way teens should use it. With smaller class sizes and more opportunities than a traditional classroom,

Just a little bit of added self-esteem can affect a person’s entire life. They feel more confident when they are around others, and they start to feel what a difference it can make to live a healthier life. Eating healthy and exercising keeps the body fresher than ever, and many students at Elevations RTC surprise their family back home after being away for a while. The majority of families notice a positive change in appearance and mood after spending time on campus.

Eating for success

The saying goes that a person can never outwork a terrible diet. Nutrition is just as big of a part of physical goals as working out and staying active. That is why it is taken so seriously on campus, as students have resources that just are not available in traditional school systems.

The biggest positive at Elevations RTC is that students have a nutritionist on campus to turn to when staying on the right track. The nutritionist runs a specialty healthy eating group to support students on campus. They also are available for individual meetings for anyone who needs additional support in regard to eating issues and diet.

Eating healthy has even turned into a group activity, as there are specific gardening and food clubs on campus. Students have the opportunity to learn how to grow particular things and eventually incorporate them into their diet. This is a skill that can last a lifetime, as many students realize for the first time just how easy it is to start and maintain a garden with a decent amount of space to work with.

Strength in numbers at Elevations RTC

Students have the opportunity to work out every day with their peers. They have a physical education teacher who helps create workouts and structure regarding their time in the gym.  Having strength in numbers and all the support one could ask for is the perfect opportunity for anyone to start with healthy habits.

It is a challenge to eat healthily and work out multiple times a week, but it is doable with the right support. Once students taste positive changes, it can even make matters that much better in the end.

IISTE News

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Three Ways Governments and Institutions Are Restricting Foreign Students

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world were closing borders and increasing controls over foreigners within them. Throughout Europe and the United States, the mass movements of migrants from war-torn regions or in search of better economic conditions provoked reactions and closures that led to restrictions on movement and closer monitoring of identities and credentials, especially for non-citizens. As the pandemic spread globally, those closures, lockdowns and curtailments of free movements for foreigners have increased. We’ll consider ways in which governments and educational institutions have been cracking down on foreign students.

  • Governments and institutions requiring certified translations of documentation

The last decade has seen a massive increase in the amount of documentation required to cross borders and on the ability of foreigners to enter the educational and other institutions of a nation not their own. Visas now are harder to come by, restricted both in terms of numbers and in terms of the difficulty to obtain them. In addition, foreign language documents must be accompanied by certified translations, compelling applicants for visas or foreign educational programs to pay for often pricey certified translation services. The costs of translation certification can represent a significant deterrent which may discourage applications altogether.

The reasons for requiring certification of document translation are easily justified by the institutions themselves, backed by government policies on immigration and movement of foreigners. For sure, educational visas have long been a loophole that have been used to enter foreign countries and secure otherwise difficult to obtain visas. In many cases, educational visas have served as the easiest way for foreigners to gain entry to a country, even if their real intention is not to study but work. A recognized translation authority must verify the authenticity of a diploma or certificate. This adds a hurdle for the would-be applicant for a visa or for entry into an educational program.

An additional loophole for foreign applicants’ education has been the ability to fake employment credentials, claiming or exaggerating work experience. Thousands of fraudulent student visas have been uncovered. A particular vulnerability has been revealed in the F1 visa program, which allows foreign students to remain in the United States to work after they obtain their degrees. In some cases, the educational institutions facilitated this deception by accepting bogus documentation. 

Requiring certified translations will deter fraudulent uses. And the requirements of certified translation can easily be solved by certified translation services, which verifies the authenticity and originality of translated documents by expert linguists from accredited authorities. The extra expense of certified translation services shifts the burden onto the student visa seeker, but it also reduces the likelihood of fraud on the part of sketchy institutions. 

  • Stringent medical requirements and strict quarantines keeping foreigners out

The global pandemic has brought the travel and tourism industry to a virtual standstill. But it has also put a damper on foreign exchange educational programs. In addition to the additional documents and certified translations required of foreign students, many countries have imposed medical requirements which serve to deter academics from moving between countries. 

Thailand was the first country after China to record a COVID-19 infection, but the southeast Asian “land of smiles” was quick to limit the spread of the outbreak by slamming shut its external borders, canceling visas, and basically placing a “no foreigners admitted” sign on its frontiers. The move was successful in limiting the viral spread, but it also had a devastating effect on a tourism industry that annually was greeting nearly forty million visitors. 

Less reported but also profoundly affected were Thai educational institutions, which typically earned a substantial portion of their income from foreign students, many from the Middle East, Africa, and neighboring nations. All entrants to the nations were required to undergo a draconian 16-day quarantine, something only a small trickle of tourists and students have been willing to endure. Only Hong Kong, with a 21-day quarantine, is stricter.

  • As education goes online, entry denials and deportations of students are on the rise

In July 2020, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency issued strict new rules to the country’s education institutions with online-only programs. The institutions were charged with informing students, either still in their home countries or already in the US, that they will be deported or denied entry unless they can secure admission at a program with in-person classes. Potentially this could affect many if not most of international students, representing about 5.5% of the nation’s student body.

This policy poses a problem not only for students but for educational institutions as well. Foreign students pay tuition on average three times greater than American students. In 2018, they accounted for some $45 billion income for US colleges and universities, effectively subsidizing the tuition of domestic students. It remains to be seen how the Biden administration’s policies will deal with the issue, though there are some promising signs.

The bottom line is that 2021 promises to be another trying year for foreign students across the world. It remains to be seen whether the restrictions on educational pursuits will prove additional side effects of the global pandemic and draconian government controls.

IISTE News

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