Should You Be Twitching In Your Free Time?

As much as students might need to focus up and hit those books, it’s easy to spend a little too much time working and not enough playing, which can lead to burnout much more easily than you might think. One of the hobbies that have recently taken the online world by storm is that of streaming online. If you’ve been watching streamers and thinking you could do that, here are a few ideas on what you need.

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Stream what interests you most

Streaming used to be a thing done predominantly by and for gamers. That’s still true to an extent, but people have found audiences streaming a lot more, whether it’s talking about all manner of topics, art forms including visual art and music, travel, and much more. If you’re going to stream games, know what kind of games you should focus on and, in general, make sure that you have a huge interest in what you’re getting into. Otherwise, it’s going to become a slog real soon.

Find a unique approach

You don’t have to entirely reinvent the wheel, but you should make sure that people have a reason to come to you aside from others. Take a look at some of the most popular streamers online and it becomes easy to see that they have a distinct brand or focus set-up that allows viewers to get what they’re about more easily. Your personality can be your niche, as can your community. But if you’re not confident in the strength of either of them just yet, think about what fun or unexpected elements you could incorporate.

Be visually engaging

Your video game or the subject of the stream might take up most of the screen, but you need visuals beyond that. If you’re using a webcam, try to make sure that your background is visually interesting. Show off merch or decor related to your hobbies, learn how to install LED strip lights yourself to add a flash of color, and so on. Otherwise, think about what overlays can be added to your stream and try to come up with a consistent and attractive visual style.

Be interactive and communicative

Your audience is going to do a lot of the legwork of helping you grow. The better you are at keeping them active and engaged, the more that tends to draw a buzz and more people alongside that. Taking the time to talk to them, get to know them, and remember details beyond just their name helps. However, there is also a host of fun intractable widgets and point rewards you can use in-stream to keep them even more engaged. Remember, they’re not just there to watch you, they could see a YouTube video for that. They’re there for the community feeling.

Before you start streaming, make sure you have some realistic expectations. It’s extremely unlikely that you’re going to be making even four figures from it by the end of the year if you are lucky to start getting paid at all. Treat it as a hobby and have fun.

4 Steps To Help You Choose The Right College

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Does the idea of choosing a college make you feel old? Has it been a while since you were enrolled in formal education? Don’t worry if the answers to these questions are “yes” and “yes” because there isn’t a time limit on wanting to be better. If anything, going back to school is an excellent decision for anyone who plans on boosting their career.

Whether it’s learning a new skill to enable you to launch a startup, such as leadership, or taking your current expertise to the next level to climb the corporate ladder, the collegiate system welcomes you with open arms.

However, deciding that you want to enroll is only the beginning of the journey. Before you can experience lectures and classes online and in-person, you have to pick an establishment. Choosing a place to educate yourself is imperative as not all universities are created equally. Some are better than others regarding specific subjects and departments, for instance.

Therefore, you should think about your options carefully before applying. After all, it’s a long and expensive process if you get it wrong. For those who don’t know where to begin, please read the advice below. Here are the four main steps to consider to choose the most suitable college.

The Endgame

Hopefully, you have thought about where you want to be in the next five years. A plan is imperative as it’s a type of career roadmap that lets you avoid the pitfalls and follow the path of least resistance. Sadly, far too many students fail to recognize their planned endgame when evaluating their options.

There are several factors to consider, including price (more on that later), yet the crucial factor in your future is what you want to be and how your college can help you get there. If you take a look at the top nurse practitioner programs in the country, you’ll notice the courses are with specialist organizations, such as Walden and Creighton University.

While Yale or Harvard are among the most prestigious schools in the world, let alone the US, their resources might not give you the boost you are searching for as there isn’t a strong focus on nursing. As a result, even if you are lucky enough to attend, it could be a waste of time and money.

Always keep your career goals and targets in the forefront of your mind to avoid venturing off track.

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The Affordability

It is naive to pick a college without factoring in the price. Your education shouldn’t come at a cost, but it does for many students, even older ones who have incomes. Remember that any pay bump will be offset against your loans, so the entire point of attending university again could be negated if tuition rates are high.

However, it’s about picking the cheapest college with the lowest “sticker price”. Think of your education like clothes. The biggest brands are less affordable upfront, yet they save money in the long-term due to their greater quality. You need to strike a balance between affordable now and further down the road.

There are three options - private, public (out-of-state), and public (in-state). The former is the most expensive, but it also has grants and bursaries that make it cheaper for the less wealthy. Then, there are full and part scholarships for brilliant students. You might get your tuition subsidized due to your circumstances.

Financial aid is available. Unfortunately, the sticker prices of affordable universities indicate the costs regardless of your circumstances. As always, it’s wise to crunch the numbers to figure what you can and can’t afford.

In-Person Viewings

Once you have a ranked list of your top choices, you’ll find it tough to split them because they all have pros and cons. Sometimes, the attributes on paper are misleading, or they are understated. Plus, there is one feature you might not consider - the atmosphere. The environment in which you will study is essential because it should challenge you to strive for more.

The only way to get a feel for the vibe is to visit a college. When you are on-campus, you can gauge how happy people are and how much they enjoy their education. You can talk to the teachers and understand their philosophies. You can even ensure the rooms are light and bright and not dungeon-like!

Wherever possible, you should visit your shortlist of colleges at least once. However, the more the merrier as you will miss things during the excitement of your first viewing. Of course, online universities are different as everything is done virtually. In this case, a virtual open day is a smart move.

Whether it’s remote or face-to-face, don’t forget to ask powerful, open-ended questions that will give you an insight into the teaching and social culture. For instance, “Do your professors hold office hours?” highlights how far teachers are willing to go for the sake of their students.

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Your Commitments

The process is simpler for younger generations. With fewer responsibilities, they don’t have to worry about how much the course will take out of them and whether it will be worth the hassle. They invest in the experience from the outset and take stock when the three years are over.

You’re different. With a significant other and kids, you can’t disappear for hours on end and not take their feelings into account. Sure, your family wants you to follow your dreams, yet they also need a partner and a parent to help them through challenging periods.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go back to school. Instead, it means you might need to make compromises. Choosing an online course is a prime example since the virtual nature of the classes provides you with extra spare time. When you don’t need to travel to attend, you don’t have to worry about lengthy commutes on top of a full-time job.

Once you find a college that can balance your commitments, you shouldn’t procrastinate. Finalizing your application early gives you the best chance of being accepted!

Only you can decide, so which establishment will you choose to further your career?

Episode #112: George Moore on Cengage, Learning Content, and Embracing Change

Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!

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We have a merch shop! Go find tons of cool gear and support the show at our storefront.

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Our guest for this week’s episode is George Moore, CTO at Cengage where he helps support millions of students with their learning content. George speaks to his unique professional journey and how he has leveraged his experience to make a positive impact in real estate, pharmaceuticals, and now in education.

• Cengage Unlimited

• In the World of Virtual Learning, CIOs Play a Vital Role in Maintaining Academic Freedom

• EDUCAUSE

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Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify.

Music by pond5.com

Thanks for listening!

Episode #111: Season 5 Premiere!

Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!

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We have a merch shop! Go find tons of cool gear and support the show at our storefront.

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A quick episode to start the new season with a few brief announcements. New full episodes start next week on January 13th.

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Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify.

Music by pond5.com

Thanks for listening!

You Must Always Keep These Things In Mind As A Gamer

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When you are a gamer, there are certain games that you’re going to enjoy more than others, and this on its own is not a bad thing. The problem comes when this gets coupled with bad behaviors and can even become obsessive. It’s for this reason that you must keep your eye on certain things to ensure that nothing is getting out of hand. In this article, we’re going to be looking at what some of these things are, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.

How Much You Spend

The first thing that you are going to need to keep your eye on is how much you are spending when you’re gaming. Games add up when you purchase them on their own, but when you add in the fact that you may want a new console, a new PC, a new controller, and in-app purchases, the amount that you spend can quickly add up. It’s for this reason that we highly recommend you set yourself a budget for how much you can spend gaming per month or so, and then make sure you stick to it. If you think that you’re going to be too tempted, then have a completely separate bank account for it. Ensure that you only ever transfer the right amount over, and that it’s reasonable to how much you have on the whole to spend on gaming.

It can be really easy to get too into a game and spend far more than you ever intended. As such, you should make sure that you’re only playing games that you really enjoy, and if you’re going to be looking at playing gambling games online, you only use the best online casino to do so.

How Much Time You’re Gaming

Another thing that you’ve got to be careful of is how much time you are spending gaming. Gaming addictions are a real thing, and it’s not something that you want to experience so it’s best for you if you limit how much you actually game. Come up with a reasonable amount of time that you will allow yourself to game each day, each week or each month depending on how you want to do it, and then stick to it. This way, you still get to play the games that you love, but you’re also not in danger of developing an unhealthy obsession with them.

What You Play

You also want to keep in mind what you are playing. Some games have certain content in them that is triggering for some people, and you need to be wary of this. Games are supposed to be fun, and if you don’t feel like you’re having fun, then you shouldn’t be playing that specific game anymore. You are in control of what you play, so don’t put yourself in a position where you aren’t happy doing so.

We hope that you have found this article helpful and now see some of the things that you must always keep in mind as a gamer. Gaming can be a super fun way to pass the time and get some enjoyment out of life, but you need to be careful then your behavior doesn’t cross over into dangerous territory.

A Great Home Buying Resource

My wife and I are in the midst of a search for our first home. As first time home buyers, there is a lot of information for us to process about mortgages, interest rates, closing costs, and a bunch of other stuff. It can be overwhelming at times, I won’t lie, but it is also an experience that can be exciting as you look to find a space that will be a positive influence on you, your family, and your future.

As I’ve tried to learn as much as I can about this whole process, I found this mortgage calculator to be super helpful, especially the monthly payment calculator since a big priority for us to make sure our monthly household budget can either stay the same or be lower since our rent is currently fairly high. This tool can help easily tinker around with the numbers to see what is going to work for our family.

There is an abundance of information on the site that also helps spell out all of the complexities of home buying, and can be a great place to start if you’re thinking about this next big life step. I know this has helped me to feel a little less anxious about it all, and a lot more excited about being able to have a space where I can work, play, and relax with my family.

Buying a home is a big investment, and you need to be knowledgeable about as much as you can so that you’re making an informed decision about what to buy, where, and for how much.

Episode #110: Season 4 Finale!

Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!

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We have a merch shop! Go find tons of cool gear and support the show at our storefront.

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A quick episode to wrap up the season, reflect on the past year, and look ahead at what is to come. Thanks for listening!

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Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify.

Music by pond5.com

Thanks for listening!

5 Proven Reasons Why Playing Games is Good for Your Brain

Playing games is often viewed as a leisure activity, while others dismiss it as unsophisticated and a waste of time. What they don't know is that playing games has numerous benefits. It helps stimulate the brain, relieves stress, and increases the ability to solve problems.

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For both the young and the old, games have a wealth of additional benefits to offer. They include:

Improving memory

Games improve your memory by building up cognitive reserves. Cognitive reserves act as storage for your brain where you can use in times of quick thinking. Staying physically active through regular exercise can help in building cognitive reserves. However, you can also engage in brain games and physical games such as tennis to provide mental stimulus.

When you have an exam or an impromptu presentation at work, you can think fast if you are a regular at playing games. Your reserve also provides resilience against dementia and age-related memory loss.

Improving vision and perception

When you're in a complex environment where there are competing stimuli, your brain assists you in determining what is important against what isn't by creating a perceptual template and improving your vision. Playing games improves your ability to create these perceptual templates, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America in 2014.

Enable quick decision-making

Fast-paced games, whether online or physical, keep you on your toes and require that you make decisions quickly. A study conducted in 2010 by the University of Rochester revealed that gamers who participated in action games were able to make more accurate decisions than gamers who participated in slow-paced video games. Quick decision-making in games is beneficial in your daily life whether in class, the street, or at work, therefore accomplishing more.

Improving social interaction skills

Playing games has extensive social benefits. It’s one of the reasons why people come together. While people may argue that video games lead to isolation, there are advanced ways where people play together online. Games such as chess, darts, and other physically engaging games such as football reduce stress and improve your social skills. This translates to healthy brain development.

Quick learning and curiosity

When playing an online game like Domino99, you’re not only having fun, but your brain is also working and growing. As you figure out where to make a move and how to complete the puzzle up to master level, your mind is creating connections. Games enhance curiosity as you try to win, hence stimulating you and keeping your brain focused. As you age, continued learning keeps your brain healthy.

Some games have been set in ways that boost knowledge on different learning topics that impart you with knowledge, as you enjoy playing them. For young people dealing with learning disorders such as Dyslexia, fast-paced games have been proven to help develop their reading skills.

Bottom line

Playing games is beneficial to your brain's development. It improves memory by building cognitive reserves, enhances vision and perception, and improves your social interaction skills. Also, games enhance curiosity and quick learning where players work hard to attain a particular level or beat other players. Whether it’s physical games like chess or video games such as Fifa,gift gaming fanatics in your life to help them grow as they have fun.

Christmas Gift Ideas For The Gaming Fanatics In Your Life

Christmas is just around the corner and if you haven’t already started, you might be thinking about beginning your Christmas shopping. Buying the perfect gift for your loved ones can be a challenge for even the most experienced shopper, and when you’re trying to buy for gaming fanatics, you can be left wondering what to buy them. After all, gamers are well known for saving their money to buy the latest consoles and games, so what could you buy them that they haven’t already got? We’ve got some fantastic Christmas gift ideas for the gaming fanatic in your life.

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Make their gaming experience more comfortable

Anyone that’s ever found themselves immersed in a game will tell you how easy it is to lose track of time. Minutes turn into hours at the blink of an eye, and even the more experienced gamer can begin to feel the aches and pains of sitting still for so long. Make their gaming experience more comfortable buy choosing gifts such as:

• Gaming chair with built in surround sound

• Cosy slippers and dressing gown - comfort is essential when gaming!

• A mini fridge to keep refreshments to avoid timely trips to the kitchen

Introduce some nostalgia

There’s nothing better than switching on a game from your past that you’ve enjoyed and feeling that wave of nostalgia as you race through levels and complete missions. A great gift this year would be the latest Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1&2 remastered for those that loved the original game all those years ago. If you’re buying a gift for someone in the 25+ bracket, you may look at GBC Roms to really take them on a nostalgia ride.

Kit them out with their favourite merchandise

If you’re not sure what kind of game to buy or whether or not they already own a particular game, you could turn to merchandise instead. Many games have an array of merchandise that you can buy straight from the website such as mugs, tshirts, posters, caps and even car accessories! All you have to do is discreetly ask your loved one what their favourite games are.

Pre purchase their next expansion

As mentioned earlier, many gamers are pretty well known for staying up to date with the latest game releases or expansions. While you may not be able to beat them to it and buy it as a gift in time for Christmas, you could still pay for the new release or expansion for them! Many gaming outlets sell gift cards, or you could simply give your loved one some money for Christmas with a note. Alternatively, you could find other ways to prepay for their games. World of Warcraft, for example, allows users to pre purchase their next expansion after the press release, giving players months to save for the expansion.

Buying gifts for those who love gaming doesn’t have to be difficult, and with these ideas and some discreet investigative work, you’ll find the perfect gift for sure.

How To Help Your Child Choose The Right School

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Choosing a school is an important decision. It’s possible that there could be many schools in your area to choose from - you need to work out which is the best for your child’s development and ultimately their future. Below are some things to consider when helping your child to choose a school. 

Do your online research

You can find out a lot of information about schools in your area online. Go to each school’s website and you should be able to find an online high school learning guide that answers FAQs about that particular school. There may also be information on the resources available.

It’s worth also researching into each school’s reputation by checking out local parent forums, local news sites and grades rankings sites. If there’s a lot of negativity about a school online, it could be a red flag not to send your child there. Meanwhile, if people have lots of positive things to say, it could be a sign that it’s a good school worthy of your trust.

Attend open days

Open days can allow you to get a better feel for the school and see what it is like in action. Some schools may host open evenings when there aren’t actually any students around - these events may not be the best opportunity to judge how good a school is as you won’t be able to see how teachers interact with students.

You can usually find information on open days online. If you’ve missed the open days, don’t worry - many schools may still allow you to organise private tours providing that you warn them in advance.  

Ask the right questions

It’s important to ask the school staff and students any questions you may have. Don’t be afraid to address any concerns you may have to staff such as how they deal with bullying or how much homework is given out. You may want to write down a list of questions to ask or for your child to ask so that you don’t forget any important questions. 

Consider your child’s individual needs

Some children may have disabilities or learning difficulties that need to be accommodated to. In these cases, you may want to weigh up a mainstream school with a school specifically catered to those with disabilities - which will benefit your child the most? Similarly, if your child is particularly gifted at a certain subject, you may want to consider which schools can help your child to excel. A school for gifted children may be better suited than a mainstream school in some cases. Obviously, specialist schools may cost more - which is also something to weight up. 

Other needs to consider could include how your child gets to school. The school will need to be close enough that they can travel to it easily. If it’s not in walking distance, make sure that there is at least a bus route with stops nearby (unless you are prepared to drive them to and from school every day). It is likely certain schools will not accept you if you are located a certain distance away. This is particularly the case with popular schools.