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11 Super-Fun Gift Ideas for the Gamers in Your Life

July 06, 2021 by Dustin Ramsdell

Photo by ELLA DON on Unsplash

It’s hard to choose a great gift for gamers because there are so many options and gamers have preferences. So even if you do know that your loved one likes games, the real question is which ones do they like? 

Do they prefer video, computing, arcade, or online games? And even when you do know the kind of games they like, making a choice can be difficult. Then, there’s the part of the “itch” –where a gamer is thinking of trying out new gaming platforms. 

Someone who liked video games can get bored with them and secretly desire a different platform or game type. It’s stressful, we know. But with this post on gift ideas, you should be able to comfortably get a fun gift that your gamer friend, brother, sister, or partner will love. 

Get Them a Great-Sounding Gaming Headset

Photo by Fausto Sandoval on Unsplash

If your favorite person plays a lot of online games, then a very comfortable gaming headset with an immersive sound is always a safe bet. This is because it’s a staple for all video gamers and is required for communication while they’re gaming. 

For instance, if they’re playing an MMORPG game, and a gamer needs to be away from the keyboard (AFK), they don’t need to interrupt the gameplay. They can simply tell their counterparts that they are away and others can fill in for them or pick up the slack until they’re back. 

If your gamer loved one has a gaming headset that they’ve been using forever, find out the brand they’ll like and get them one. They’ll appreciate it.   

An Ergonomic Gaming Chair Helps the Back

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Photo by Kadyn Pierce on Unsplash

Gamers spend hours playing their favorite games. This means that they are usually sitting down for the duration of that gaming session. Prolonged sitting can hurt the back. So they need a very comfortable chair to help them concentrate and stay comfortable. 

See if your gamer friend has a comfortable ergonomic chair specifically made for gamers. If they don’t have that and spend a lot of time gaming, there’s your gift idea right there.

A super-comfortable gaming chair that supports the buttocks and back is always a welcome gift to any gamer who loves their craft or hobby. Depending on your budget, you can get great gaming chairs with lots of features like vibration motors and forward-facing speakers for under $300.

A Sound Bar with Deep Bass For that Immersive Gaming Experience

What is gaming without that the auditory experience? Gaming is best enjoyed with great sound. And the more enhanced the sound is, the better the experience. Gamers always love soundbars or home theatre equipment with deep bass because of the immersive experience and surround sounds. 

You don’t have to get them a tricked-out home theatre system. A soundbar with lots of bass will do just fine. Thankfully, there are a ton of options in the market, and you can try them out at the electronics store before buying them. 

Most soundbars retail for under $400. So you should be able to get a great one. Remember: the deeper the bass, the better the experience ;).

Rechargeable Batteries to Ensure They Never Run Out of Power

Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash

Running out of juice while playing your favorite game sucks. Wireless controllers sometimes run out of juice; same for other battery-operated devices. When this happens, gamers often have to interrupt their gameplay to switch out the batteries. 

So when they can’t find batteries that work or are charged, this can lead to serious frustration –particularly when they’re about to have an epic moment during gameplay. 

This is why rechargeable batteries are always a good gift idea. This way, the gamers never have to run out of juice while enjoying the time of their lives. 

All they have to do is swap out the drained batteries and charge, replace them with a new one, and get back to their gaming sessions. All of these activities can be done in less than 30 seconds. 

Super-Fast Portable Storage Spaces and Backup Devices

Gaming consoles can fill up pretty quickly. This leads to limited space for saving game sessions or progress and slower loading times. A portable storage device like a microSDXC card or an external drive can solve this problem. 

MicroSDXCs are usually available in 128GB and 256GB formats. But if you want the 512GB and 1TB, you can get them –although they aren’t as popular or as common as the smaller sizes. 

As for backup storage devices, you can get external drives with 500GB to 2 TB storage capacity. Both of these storage options are great for prolonged and sustained gaming. They eliminate the need to download video games, thus allowing the gamer to focus on what they love doing: gaming.

Attend Video Gaming Events

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Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

If your loved one is a gaming enthusiast, chances are they may be interested in video gaming tournaments. If you have an idea of the games they like, you can simply look for live video gaming events and buy them the tickets so they can attend esports competitions. 

The thrill of watching some of their favorite gaming legends play will be an experience they won’t forget in a hurry. And if you think they’re good enough to compete, find ways to get them into the events. 

Also, you can buy them access to video game conventions where they can geek out on the latest gaming tech and possible future inventions. This is always great for gamers

Buy Them an Arcade Gaming Experience 

Most gamers have probably had an arcade gaming experience at some point. Find out if yours has played an arcade game before and if they liked it. 

If they’ve not had any experience and are having a party, you can always arrange to bring some arcade games to the party. And you don’t have to buy one either. You can simply rent the games for a fee. 

See if you can find gaming companies offering arcade rentals for events and get them to your party. Your loved ones and their friends will thoroughly enjoy the arcade gaming experience.

Get Them Membership Subscription For Their Favorite Gaming Platforms 

All gamers will appreciate membership subscriptions that will allow them to gain access to lots of games without paying extra. Think of this gift as Netflix for gamers. 

However, you’ll need to find out which gaming platforms or consoles they prefer –usually PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo. There’s no point in buying a Nintendo online 12-month membership for a PlayStation 5 gamer. 

Buy them exclusive multi-month membership passes based on their gaming preferences. Most services have membership subscriptions that they can enjoy.

For example, there’s PlayStation Plus 3-Month Membership plan, Xbox Game pass Ultimate 3-Month Membership, or Nintendo Switch Online 13-month pass –there are longer tenures if you prefer a 6-month or 12-month subscription. 

These memberships offer features like access to hundreds of games, multi-platform or cross-platform gaming, free gaming licenses, multiplayer capabilities, and occasional discounts on games. 

Get Them a 4k Ultra HD Gaming Monitor

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Photo by Sean Do on Unsplash

Gaming is better on an ultra-high-definition gaming monitor. If it’s a 4K monitor, that’s even better. The vividness of the colors, smoother frame rates, fast loading speed, and beauty of 4K monitors are often breathtaking. Plus, you never have to worry about sharing the TV anymore ;).

Gamers who transition from regular screens to 4K can’t often believe how vibrant the colors are. If you can afford one –usually costs $249+, get your loved one a 4K monitor setup. They’ll think of you every time they play their favorite games. 

The Best or Most Anticipated Games in Their Preferred Genre

Gamers are often super-excited about new and upcoming games. So, look up the newest most interesting games in their preferred categories, and buy them. 

Many people often underestimate how powerful this gesture is because the games aren’t typically expensive. However, we guarantee that if you get them a game that they’ve been talking about or waiting to get, they’ll love that game. 

Upgrade Their Controllers

Photo by lalesh aldarwish from Pexels

Many gamers typically stick to their controllers for years. It doesn’t matter that the controller looks worn and has probably broken down a few times. The reality is it’s hard to break the bond between a gamer and their controller. 

So your controller gift should be a major upgrade from the one they’re using. It should take their gaming to another level. Make sure that you get them a premium high-performance controller –preferably with buttons that can be customized to the recipient’s preferences. 

Another really good controller gift idea is limited edition controllers. These are rare, highly sought after, and coveted by gamers. They are like a badge of honor, plus they look cool too.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the truth: gamers are often the easiest group of people to get gifts for. They already tell you what they like and how they like it. All you gotta do is pay attention, and you’ll get them a gift that they will appreciate. The gaming gift ideas we’ve listed here are great and will make your gaming loved one very happy.

July 06, 2021 /Dustin Ramsdell
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What To Do Before Moving Into Your First Apartment

July 02, 2021 by Dustin Ramsdell

Moving into your first apartment can be daunting. Here are some easy tips to consider so you know what to expect and what to look forward to.

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July 02, 2021 /Dustin Ramsdell
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Are There Careers That Help You Give Back While Making You Happy?

July 01, 2021 by Dustin Ramsdell

Source Credit - CC0 Licence

If you are trying to choose a career, you might be looking for one that helps you to give back to the rest of the world. There is nothing wrong with this, and if you want to dedicate your life to helping others then this is commendable, as long as it is what you want to do. You should never feel as though you are being forced into one of these directions, as this defeats the entire purpose of it. Down below, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the careers that allow you to give back while also making you happy, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.


Doctor

The first thing that we are going to look at is becoming a doctor. We know that this is hard work and it takes years to do, but it is worth it in the end. If you enjoy learning about the human body, and working out puzzles, this could be the job for you. We say puzzles because working out what is wrong with someone based on their symptoms is like a big puzzle. It is full of little clues that will help you get to the answer in the end, but you have got to be patient to work it out.


There is a lot of stress that comes with being a doctor. You don’t get much time to sleep in the first few years and your social life is practically non-existent, but you are saving lives. There are even schemes such as Doctors Without Borders that you can become a part of if this appeals to you.


Teacher


Another thing that you can consider is becoming a teacher. Some people think that teachers aren’t giving back, but they are helping to shape the minds of tomorrow, which is an important task. Despite what some people think, education is extremely important and can open a lot of doors for people that would otherwise be closed to them. If you want to make a big difference in the lives of children, then you might want to look at Teach for America jobs or something similar. This scheme is set up for college graduates to work in low-income communities, giving these kids an education they wouldn’t be able to otherwise access.


Lawyer

Finally, and we know that this one might be controversial, but the majority of people practice law in order to help people. It is all about getting justice for the people who have been wronged, and ensuring that the people who are wronging others are punished accordingly. Being a lawyer might have a stigma attached to it, but if helping people makes you happy, it just might be the thing that you want to do.


We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see that there are some careers that help you to give back to the world, while also making you happy. You might not realize it now, but all those long hours of studying in order to get where you are headed are going to be a distant memory in the not too distant future. We wish you the very best of luck.

July 01, 2021 /Dustin Ramsdell
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Episode #130: Rohan Pasari on How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Higher Education

June 30, 2021 by Dustin Ramsdell in Podcast, Student Affairs

Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!


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


Support the show on Patreon to get exclusive perks!


Our guest for this week’s episode is Rohan Pasari, co-founder and CEO of Cialfo that helps universities and high schools work smarter through AI to support the higher education journeys of their students.

  • Masters of Scale Podcast

  • SaaStr Podcast


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

Music by pond5.com

Thanks for listening!

June 30, 2021 /Dustin Ramsdell
Life, Work, Podcast, Geek, Nerd, Higher Education, College, University, Campus
Podcast, Student Affairs
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6 Tips For Planning An Awesome Graduation Party

June 28, 2021 by Dustin Ramsdell

Unsplash


When your son or daughter graduates, you’ll be feeling super proud of them. After the hard work is over it’s high time to celebrate. Here are a few tips to help you plan an amazing graduation party.


1 . Start preparing early 


Planning a graduation party involves plenty of organization. To ensure that things run smoothly, start planning at least a few months in advance. Send out the invitations at least 8-10 weeks before, you’ll want to ensure that your guests save the date. Start making a list of chores and consider the practical elements of the party. These questions might come in handy:


  • Do I want to hire a venue, or host the party at home?

  • What kind of graduation gift would my son/daughter love?

  • Which date is the best for the party?

  • Do I need to hire a tent for the yard?


2 . Find the best caterers 


Some people prefer to prepare their own food, rather than hire caterers. However, if you’ve got a large number of guests coming, hiring a catering company can be much easier. What’s more, professional catering can make your party a little bit more special! To choose the right graduation catering service make sure that you do your research. Check out testimonials and reviews, choose a service that has a great reputation in your area.


Before you start looking for a company, think about what kind of foods you’d like. Perhaps you’re looking for BBQ grill-style food, traditional party food? You might like a few delicious junk food options, and some healthy food for kids?


3. Choose a decor theme


To make your home or venue look extra beautiful, you should think about the decor theme. Consider which color schemes are the most appropriate. Maybe you’d like to choose the brand colors of your son/daughter’s high school? Perhaps you’d like to go for a classic gold and silver decor theme?


Think about how to make the decor unique or special. You might use glitter, bunting, or decorative lights. You could hire a photo booth, with fun props. When you’re planning a party it’s all about creating ‘Instagrammable’ decor!


4. Organize the music


Music is one of the most important aspects of any party. You’ll want to put some thought into a suitable playlist. Choose music to cater to your son/daughter's taste and the other guests at the party. If you prefer, you could hire a DJ or even a local band? The choice really depends on your budget. To help you create the perfect playlist, ask your son or daughter’s friends to help out.


5. Make party favors


Give your guests a memorable experience with some awesome party favors. You don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money. A few sweet treats in a party bag will do just fine. You could bake some special graduation cupcakes? Alternatively, use a polaroid camera at the party, and let your guests take home their pictures.


6. Plan party games


No party is complete without a few party games, and there are so many options. To give you a few ideas check out these fun graduation party games. All of these games are suitable to play outdoors and easy to set up.


Throwing a graduation party is plenty of fun, it’s the chance to celebrate your grown-up child’s achievement, and create some amazing memories. It’s nice to have a big celebration before your teen prepares for life after college.

June 28, 2021 /Dustin Ramsdell
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BONUS Episode #129: Karan Raturi on upGrad and International Digital Education

June 23, 2021 by Dustin Ramsdell in Podcast, Student Affairs

Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!


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


Support the show on Patreon to get exclusive perks!


Our guest for this week’s bonus episode is Karan Raturi, General Manager for North America at upGrad who shares how his team is helping to expand their work in digital education internationally and what lessons they have learned along the way.

  • Clubhouse

  • Holon IQ

  • Coursera IPO


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

Music by pond5.com

Thanks for listening!

June 23, 2021 /Dustin Ramsdell
Life, Work, Podcast, Geek, Nerd, Higher Education, College, University, Campus
Podcast, Student Affairs
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Productive Note-Taking Tips for Students

June 22, 2021 by Dustin Ramsdell

Your notes are an invaluable resource when studying. How can you improve your note-taking skills and be more productive—and effective—in your coursework?

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June 22, 2021 /Dustin Ramsdell
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How To Prepare for Life After College

June 22, 2021 by Dustin Ramsdell

The end of college marks a huge milestone in a person’s life. There is a lot to prepare for. This blog will list out some of the more vital things for you.

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June 22, 2021 /Dustin Ramsdell
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Episode #128: Dr. Eva Lantsoght on Compassion Based Teaching

June 16, 2021 by Dustin Ramsdell in Podcast, Student Affairs

Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!


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


Support the show on Patreon to get exclusive perks!


Our guest for this week’s episode is Dr. Eva Lantsoght who teaches engineering at the university level across multiple different countries and reflects on her experience transitioning to remote learning as well as her focus on compassion based teaching with her students.

  • PhD Talk Podcast

  • Eva’s Blog

  • Insider Guides to Success in Academia


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

Music by pond5.com

Thanks for listening!

June 16, 2021 /Dustin Ramsdell
Life, Work, Podcast, Geek, Nerd, Higher Education, College, University, Campus
Podcast, Student Affairs
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Why Smartwatches Are Better Than Smartphones

June 11, 2021 by Dustin Ramsdell

Smartwatches have come a long way since their inception. In some ways, they’re even starting to outperform smartphones. Here’s our list on how they’re doing it.

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June 11, 2021 /Dustin Ramsdell
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