What Reading Reveals About Our Hidden Psyche

One of the best things about being a kid was getting read stories. Whether it was the teacher at school, or your parents that read to you, we first had out imagination switched into overdrive when we listened to novels. It was exciting as you put yourself into a completely different world and you went through the stories playing as the main characters. Trying to feel what their experiences could be like, interacting with their friends and hopefully wishing to make the right decisions. It's a shame then that as we get older, we stop reading novels in favor for magazines and online news articles. Little do we know what a disservice we’re doing to ourselves by not continuing to read books. Even if it's not fiction, we should be reading to keep our minds sharp and able to absorb and process complex information. However, novels do have the most philosophical impact in our lives, because of what they reveal about ourselves.

Source Beinecke Library

You’re not an angel

Horror, crime, drama and adventure genres often reveal our ruthless nature. In society, we like to think that we wouldn’t hurt someone almost in any case, least of all if it somehow only benefited us. This is because we have a sense of right and wrong but also a moral obligation to be fair. However, when we’re put into a situation where we have an option to make a harsh decision in our minds when reading a novel, we feel a little more free to be bad.

Treasure Island is one of the most famous books of all time. The Long John Silver character was pretty much made famous and some say born in the mind of the author Robert Louis Stevenson. He is kind on the surface but a ruthless murderer underneath. He has one leg so he garners sympathy from strangers. Yet, as we read through the plot, we begin to be more and more like him. We hope that his treachery is repaid in full, just the way he would act, with pure violence. We suddenly lose our ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude, and we want to see him shot by a musket or cut into pieces by the Cutlass of the captain. Just like John, we too reveal our bloodlust.

You’re not that tough

One of the great things about horror novels is that, we are challenged in a primal sense. Our fight or flight mechanism is activated, and we try to imagine what we would do when being attacked, haunted, hunted and being tortured. One of the most powerful books by Stephen King ‘The Shining’ does this is spades. We put ourselves in the shoes of little Danny and Wendy, the son and wife of Jack who goes insane. Secluded and far away from civilization and the rule of law, we are challenged by the notion that we must kill the people we love to survive. Haunted by the slaughter or thousands, the hotel reveals the dark side of humanity. We’re frightened by our own capabilities of savagery and murder of loved ones by our own hands.

Fiction novels take us on journeys of not just different worlds and lives, but into our own minds. We show parts of our psyche that we normally keep locked up. Reading such books can show us that we’re not that tough but we’re not that innocent and void of sin either.

Everything You Need To Know About Education Fee Planning

A very wise man once said that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” You’d be a very brave person to disagree with the late, great Nelson Mandela.

In the modern day, the importance of education is paramount. We all want our children to have the best opportunities possible in life. We want them to have the chance to be whatever they want to be. Unfortunately, without proper education, the probability of this is very slim. The only drawback is the fact that education can prove to be extremely expensive at present and this is where education fee planning proves to be pivotal.

It seems that the costs of college and university courses are increasing by the day. In order to be able to afford these, you need to plan in advance and plan effectively. This is exactly what education fee planning entails. It ensures that your child has the freedom of choosing a school of their desire and reaching the dreams they have in their mind.

But, why not just rely on government loans? Why save for something that may not even happen? After all, your child may not want to seek further education. Why set aside money for something so far into the future when you have more pressing matters? These are all fair concerns and so let’s look at why it is so important to start education fee planning today…

https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-writing-on-white-book-1043514/

There is no telling what your child may want to be when they grow up. They may have their heart set on something now, however, it’s usually not until they are 17 or 18 years of age that they really make up their mind. Don’t you want to ensure that they have the opportunity to become whatever they desire? By planning successfully you can be certain that your child is not limited in relation to their career aspirations.

The sooner you start planning the better. You will have more time at your disposal to locate ways of accumulating funds. Plus, you may have to pay for more than the course, like educational travel. In addition to this, you will also give your investments the opportunity to grow and develop. Therefore you will reap greater gains in the end.

Investing in education is something that is more than likely going to result in ROI (return on investment). After all, when your child bags an excellent job they are going to be making back much more money than their education cost. Just make sure they pass it in your direction!

It is also worth considering the benefits your child will gain as well. After all, a good education offers much more than mere money. They will gain from increased self-esteem, more extra-curricular opportunities, better teaching and learning resources, enhanced study and career opportunities.

Last but not least, if you embark on a strategy of effective education fee planning you can also ensure that less pressure and financial strain is put on yourself. You will be able to save for your child’s future without impacting your current quality of life or other financial commitments and goals you have ongoing.

Is The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme The Best Route Into Uni?

Image

You may have heard of the International Baccalaureate. This is a term that is becoming more and more common in schools all over the world. The International Baccalaureate Organisation offers four educational programmes for children between the age of three-years-old and 19. The International Baccalaureate Diploma programme is designed for those between 16 and 19-years-old. In this post, we will provide further information about this programme and the benefits that are to be gained by choosing it, so you can determine whether or not this is the best route for you to get into university.

How does the IB Diploma Programme work?

The IB Diploma Programme is split into six groups and you must select six subjects. You need to choose one subject from the first five groups. The last subject can be chosen from group six or you may be allowed to choose a substitute from one of the other groups. The groups are as follows…

• Group 1 – Studies in language and literature. This will typically be the native language of the student.

• Group 2 – An additional language. As well as choosing a second language, you could opt for Classical Greek or Latin.

• Group 3 – Humanities and social sciences. This includes everything from history and geography to psychology and philosophy.

• Group 4 – Experimental Sciences. Not only does this incorporate physics, biology, and chemistry, but also sport, exercise, and health science as well as design technology.

• Group 5 – Mathematics. There are various levels of difficulty to choose from.

• Group 6 – The arts, including film, visual arts, theatre, music, and dance.

In order to be awarded the diploma, there are three core requirements you must fulfill aside from passing the examinations for your subjects. These are as follows…

1. Creativity, action, service (CAS) – Requires students to become responsible members of their community by dedicating three to four hours of their time per week.

2. Theory of knowledge (TOK) – This is a critical thinking course. Students must complete an essay of 1,200 – 1,600 words.

3. Extended Essay (EE) – Students must complete a 4,000-word essay on a topic from one of the six subjects they are studying.

What are the benefits of the IB Diploma Programme?

• This programme is recognised in most countries, with recognition growing by the day. It is accepted by all universities in the UK. In fact, this, combined with the ease people have when they go to find student accommodation and the opportunities in the UK are why so many international students prefer to come here.

• The programme provides a balanced mix of different subjects. This opens the door to more opportunities for students in the future.

• Students aren’t only evaluated via examination, but also by essays and they can enhance their grade with the CAS portion of the programme.

• The programme prepares people well for university because it encourages critical thinking, which is often not the case with other curriculums.

• Students are evaluated over a two-year period.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is certainly worth considering. There are a lot of benefits to be gained by going for this course and a diploma is one that will be well respected and highly regarded. However, A Levels are still very much worth their salt too, so this is not a decision to be made lightly.

Is College The Right Choice For You?

College is a very traditional next step. You’ve finished high school (or your teen has!) and now you’ve got to make a big decision about your future. Most of all, you want to be qualified for the career of your choice, and you want to give yourself the best chance of getting hired in your chosen field - so a degree it is, and becoming a student for the next three, four, or five years seems completely natural in most people’s minds.

But it’s not the right choice for everyone out there. There’s a lot of things you can do in this world, and there’s all kinds of people with different tastes and goals that take full advantage of this. So if you’re feeling a lot of doubt over your college prospects, here’s a couple of questions to ask yourself.

To make it to graduation, you’ve got to be happy about your choices… and if college isn’t right for you, don’t force yourself! (Image)

What are Your Main Goals?

And how can you achieve them, if you don’t want to go to university? You can graft for years at different jobs, gaining all kinds of experience. You can go in for an apprenticeship or a traineeship, and get paid whilst you learn, which is something a college student would never be able to do. You could even turn your attention to the online world and all the ways it allows you to make money, if that’s one of your main motivations.

No matter what your goals are, you need to be sure that college isn’t the only way to achieve them, before you decide to give it a miss. We hear a lot about college graduates who can’t find jobs and are saddled with thousands in debt, and most likely will be for the rest of their lives, so be sure you’re in a position to earn more than them and proceed faster than they will. Because otherwise, it’s just another bad decision you might not have thought through properly.

Try to Find the College of Your Dreams

If the idea of heading to college is daunting only because of the logistics, then there’s a good chance you’re simply headed off to the wrong place, or you’ve chosen the wrong course. So now’s the time to put that right, and to make sure you’ve got a full ride of academic enjoyment ahead of you.

Using something like college consulting services can really help you out here, and they can help you to bulk out your college applications properly, to give you the best chance of getting into your top choice. We’re always worried about what our parents will think, but this is your life and your career - make sure you’re giving it the boost it needs on your own terms and conditions.

Just because college is all you hear about doesn’t mean you actually have to go to one. So making sure college is right for you before you commit to it.

How to Find Your Dream Career

Millions of people make a decision every year trying to find out what they would like to do for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, jobs for life are getting rarer every year, and industries change faster than any other time before, due to the speed of communication and computer technology, you can reduce your risks and make better decisions about your future if you test drive some of the programs and look through your strengths and weaknesses. Find a few tips below.

Image via Wikipedia

Consider Your Interests

The first thing you will need to take into consideration is your interest. If you love animals, a related course will make you happy and improve your work-life balance. In case you are a people person, you might consider studying at the best hospitality management school and finding your true calling dealing with customers and tourists.

Check Out Industry Growth

It is also crucial that you check out the industry statistics and predictions. If you don’t want to change your career in a couple of years and waste time and money on your education, you will need to know that there will be a demand for your skills and knowledge in the industry by the time you finish your education. There are plenty of great statistical sites and government publications that will tell you about your potential earnings after graduation and your long term prospects, too.

Focus On Jobs AI Can’t Replace

Many jobs are threatened by the development of artificial intelligence technology. If you are looking to make sure that robots will not replace you, it is important that you choose your future career accordingly. Nurses, doctors, or creative professionals, teachers are less in danger from technology. At the same time, you are going to have a job as a game developer for a long time to come.  

Test Drive Courses

In case you are still sitting on the fence and can’t decide which career path to go down on or which college or university to choose, you might want to test drive courses. There are plenty of opportunities online and at the campus to get insider information on open days and special events, so you can see what the institution has to offer.

Shadow People Already In the Job

Image via of Kadena Air Base

Sometimes you love the course, but you are not happy doing the job after you graduate, To avoid this problem, you might want to shadow people who are already working in the field, so you can make an informed decision before you would pay your college fees and spend years of your time. There are plenty of volunteering or apprenticeship programs that don’t require a degree, so you can see the potential jobs you will be doing after graduation.

If you waste time and money enrolling to the wrong course, you will find it hard to come to terms with the change and the disappointment. It is always better to plan ahead and do your research, so you can be sure that your chosen career path is in line with your personal mission.

Why PC Gaming Is The Best

Image

Gaming is a huge institution and a hobby which brings tougher people from all over the world from many different walks of life. Playing games is a great way to escape from real life for a short amount of time, make new friends and increase memory retention and spacial awareness. When gaming there is always a debate over whether PC or console is best, and today we are going to prove why PC gaming is the best of all.

You control the hardware

The first thing that a lot of PC gamers will say when asked why they love playing on their computer rather than a console is the control you gain over the hardware which you use for the games. When you have a computer for your gaming you can play around with the RAM, circuits and the processor to ensure you have the best possible machine to keep up with the graphics of the game and to stay responsive in game. With a console there is nothing you can do to improve the hardware and you get updates sent to you by the manufacturer.

You can make your own setup

The fun part of having a computer to play your games with rather than just a small console is the showmanship you can bring to it all. You can decorate your PC tower, play around with your setup and create a whole station in your home or gaming den which will make the whole experience of gaming feel that much more exciting and more real right from the start. It is way more fun than simply plugging in your console and pressing play!

There are so many amazing games out there

The beauty of gaming and its popularity all over the world is the fact that there are thousands of games out there which will suit any type of gamer you can imagine. When on the PC you have less regulations and therefore there is more scope for inventive and fun ideas than on the console. You can use more information to download games to your PC and it will open up a whole world of gaming opportunity for you.

You can enjoy the community

The sense of community between gamers is one which cannot be beaten when you play on a PC. It you have ever used Discord or Twitch alongside your gaming you will know that you can create really close knit friendships and communities out of your shared love for the gaming world. Just look at Pewdiepie: he is the most subscribed to YouTuber in the world and he started out playing games alongside his friends. He now has over 65 million people who watch his videos every day and follow along when he plays a game on his PC.Gaming has an ability to bring people together and feel as if they are taking part in something which is exclusive to them and the gamer. It can be wonderful and it is certainly worth getting into.

7 Smart Tips for Making Great Coffee to Study at Home

Coffee and school work often go hand in hand! Whether out of sheer pleasure or simply to stay alert, many students are big coffee drinkers. This is actually a good idea, since coffee does have some positive health effects asides from its obvious stimulating qualities. Just make sure to also eat right and remember that extensive sleep deprivation will deteriorate your health.

If you’re a student looking to get the most enjoyment and increased productivity from your coffee cups, this post will point out some useful tricks. You may be surprised at how simple some of these techniques are, but all details matter when you’re looking to brew the perfect coffee.

Buy good coffee beans

You can’t make something out of nothing, and you can’t make good coffee unless you have good coffee beans. Make sure you get some top quality coffee beans whose smell feels right to you, and you’ll be on the way to excelling at coffee making. Buying whole (rather than ground) coffee beans may not seem as practical as you’d like, but it’s more than worth the effort, all things considered!

Grind your coffee just before brewing

The reason why you want to always grind your coffee beans immediately before brewing your coffee is simply because this is how you get the best aroma and taste. Ground coffee beans will lose flavor and aroma in as little as one hour, so if you are serious about getting the best results… grinding coffee must become part of your act. By doing so, you can also adjust the fineness of the grind to match the ideal specification of your coffee machine.

Store your coffee properly

There’s no point in getting the best coffee beans and grinding them scrupulously unless you’re also very careful when it comes to proper storage. To preserve the full potential of your coffee beans, make sure to put then in an air-tight container (vacuum sealed is best), and keep them stored in a cool dry place, away from the sunlight. To learn more, check out our specialized articles on TheCoffeeMaven.com!

Use the right proportion of coffee to water

While the perfect concentration of coffee will change according to preference and mood, you may want to aim for the water-to-coffee ratio that is widely regarded as the golden ratio of coffee brewing. One part coffee to 20 parts water will typically yield the most universally pleasing coffee.

Control the temperature of your water

You’d think that automatic coffee makers would get this right by default, right? As a matter of fact, there is an ideal temperature for coffee brewing, and it’s actually a precise range that you want to lock into – aim to keep the water between 195-205ºF to get the best possible results.

Use quality tools

No matter which type of coffee maker you like, and regardless of whether you favor automatic machines or manual methods, having high quality tools with precise temperature control is a must. Even when using simple glass or metal tools, keep all parts thoroughly clean since it will make a big difference in the taste of your coffee.

Focus on technique

Even though brewing coffee seems like a very straightforward process, there are many details that will make a difference to the final outcome. Proper timing is one of the most powerful techniques to make superior coffee; you want to heat the water to the perfect temperature and steep the freshly ground coffee beans for the exact time.

Over time, your coffee making technique will evolve into a soothing ritual whose results will speak for themselves and get everyone’s taste buds dancing the fandango… just remember: great coffee is all about the small details.

Play The Game? Make The Game! Essential Skills In The Industry

(Image Source)

Growing up, geeks all over the world share a common dream. Having spent a huge portion of your life with your eyes glued to a screen and a controller in your hands, it would be selling it short to say that you like to play video games. When you enjoy something this much, it only makes sense that you would want to tie it into your career, but this is where a lot of people stop with their aspirations. Becoming a game developer doesn’t have to be as hard as you think, though. To help you out, this post will be exploring the sort of skills you’ll need to be able to make it in this industry, along with some of the ways to earn them.

Programming

Of course, any video game has to start with some code, and you will need to start working on programming skills as early as possible. There are loads of systems out there which are designed to make the process of learning something like this easier. In reality, though, this can often take longer than simply going in as deep as you can. Systems like Unity make it very easy to get started with professional-grade tools which will force you to learn to code in useful languages like C# and JavaScript.

Creativity

While a lot of people see the life of a programmer as one filled with mathematical problems and other logic-based issues, a lot of the solutions you come up with when you’re coding will be creative ones. A huge portion of the jobs you want your game to do simply won’t exist yet. This means that you have to be able to find ways to simulate events and other actions, and this isn’t a problem reserved for game developers; it’s found in all programming work. Small puzzles and games can help a lot with this.

Dedication

Development companies often have to run on incredibly tight schedules, producing games much faster than they should be able to. To achieve a goal like this, they often have to work their employees into the ground, and this means that you will spend a lot of time working when you shouldn’t have to. This will take a lot of dedication, but will be worth it once you are rewarded upon the game’s release.

What Will You Get?

As a gamer working in the gaming industry, it’s easy for most people to see what they would get from a role like this. Not only will you have the chance to focus your life around gaming, but you will also be able to start learning more about the games you play. While it may take away some of the magic, sitting down and figuring out how a game was built is very entertaining, and will open your eyes to the shortcomings of even the largest development companies in the world.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling excited about the prospect of working in an industry like this. It will take a lot of effort, but getting a job in video games is a dream come true for a lot of people, and you are probably one of them.

Best Career Ideas In Games

The image of the typical game lover has changed dramatically. Nowadays, more and more companies are looking for playful activities with their staff. It not only has become more acceptable to enjoy games, but it’s also a factor of success. After all, every strategy from fitness apps to team building workshops relies on gamification scenarios to create a positive experience. Consequently, if you are looking for a career change, embracing your inner gamer might be the best idea you’ve ever had. Abandon the typical cliché that is associated with video games. In our modern times, being able to sell a game to your clients is an essential growth strategy. 

Can you transform games into a business tool?

The transferable skills of games

Moving to the professional game sector doesn’t mean that you can’t repurpose the skills you’ve learned and used in your past career. Games, indeed, have reached out to a variety of industries where being a team player and a time management expert can make a great deal of difference. At the heart of it, a game is designed to tackle a problem – whether it is part of a collaborative team tool or a training application for seniors. Therefore your ability to provide a creative solution to everyday issues is crucial to the success of your game company.

Manage a creative team

The creative team behind a game requires expert management. Ultimately, the development of online games – even those that are used as part of a team building or task management asset – is highly technical. For the creative team who is responsible for the UX design, the testing and the fluidity of actions, it is often difficult to maintain a professional approach to day-to-day projects. Consequently, there is a need for leadership experience. You don’t need gaming knowledge to land in this position. However, you can study online at Deakin University to boost your IT profile. This can give you the keys to understand how each function interacts with each other and to manage the creative game team effectively.

Develop your business game

Burnout. Depression. Stress disorder. People in offices struggle more and more to release their tensions and to express their emotional discomfort. Consequently, more and more startup companies are looking to create a virtual platform to allow stressed-out employees to manage their situations. A well-being application that keeps the management team informs of stress levels, and pressure in a playful manner can help to avoid serious health issues. It would be beneficial to use a graphic design such as the 7 cups path to track emotional complaints within the workplace. This can also act as a self-improvement tool for employees.

Create a live game

Not all games happen online. Escape room games have gained strong popularity as a team building exercise. Consequently, you can develop your own live game to welcome teams and encourage them to work together. You will need to build custom-made puzzles. But more importantly, you need to provide a follow-up workshop that helps people to cooperate towards a single objective.

Ultimately, games are there to stay. They have now become part of the professional landscape. Therefore it is the ideal time to embrace the potential of gaming to build a new profitable and professional career.

Play That Pays: How to Earn Money From Your Love of Gaming

Earning money doing something you love- it sounds too good to be true but it is very possible. Thanks to the accessibility of the internet, more people than ever have been able to monetize their hobbies and passions and genuinely earn cash doing something they enjoy. If you love to game, did you know there were ways to gain money from doing so? Here are just a few ideas.

Credit to Pexels

Play games that pay

If you’re a bit of a risk taker and can afford to potentially lose money in your quest to win- how about playing betting or casino games? Thanks to sites like Onlinecasinocarnival.net there are plenty of options right at your fingertips, and it can be an exciting way to gain yourself some extra cash. Lots of survey sites actually offer points for playing the games they have on offer which you can then cash out once you’ve earned a certain amount. It’s something you could do from your phone or computer when you’re bored, and then at Christmas for example cash it out and you have a chunk of money to spend.

Start a gaming blog

If you’re a seasoned gamer with knowledge, passion and experience then why not share your thoughts and views by writing a blog? You could review games, talk about characters, share tips and pointers and so much more. While it can take time to get a blog established to the point that it’s earning money, it makes a great hobby and is a way to meet and speak to like minded people. In time, if you keep putting out good content you will be approached by sponsors and could earn a decent amount of money just by doing what you love. You can earn this from Google Adsense where you get money for anyone viewing or clicking on the ads on your site, or affiliate links where people click and buy from the links you have recommended. Most of your income as a blogger will come from sponsored posts where companies will pay you to include their link on your site. While the money you earn won’t come directly from gaming here, you’ll need to be playing games in order to stay up to date and in the loop with everything.

Earn sponsorship from game playing

This won’t be an option for everyone, but if you’re a top level games you might be able to secure a sponsorship from playing games. Upload videos to YouTube or play on Twitch and if you’re exceptionally good you might get noticed and just like how famous sports people get sponsorships, you could be sponsored by a game or brand. If you’re already gaming as a hobby then it’s something that could end up happening for you if you’re very good. Of course, you don’t want to give up your day job and play video games every day in the hopes of becoming a famous gamer, but if you’re playing as a hobby online and gaining interest then it could develop from there.