November 30, 2008

School Kid’s Room

Once your child starts school, there are required several changes in his room’s layout. Now, a study place is a must, a place where the little scholar can prepare for school, learn and do his homework.

The study place has to be regularly near the window so that his arm will now place a shadow on the books in front of him. Accordingly to this rule, if we are talking about a right-handed child, the light must be on his left, and if talking about a left-handed child, the light must be on his right.

Due to the new born needs of the school-boy, the furniture must include a desk and some small cabinets or a small bookcase.

The study table or desk must have at least 60 X 90 cm and its height and inclination has to be adjustable. There must be some kind of drawers nest to it or in it to deposit books, paper, pens and other school stuff.

For this same purpose, the parents must consider buying a bookcase or a cabinet for books, which fits the room and the height of your child. For a optimal use of space, a desk with a study table and some shelves can be chosen.

Natural lighting has to be supplemented or maintained by a local light. This is why the desk must have on it a lamp with adjustable arm, placed in such a way that it can focalize the light precisely to the point it is needed.

The chair must have an adjustable height, fitting the one of the scholar.

Recently, the computer became a necessary object in the child’s room, even in the early student’s room. Used either for fun or study, it has to become a familiar instrument for the little one.

An “L” shaped desk allows a good position for the computer, with the monitor on one side in the corner. Be careful because the distance from the monitor and to the eyes of the person using the computer has to be of 50 – 70 cm. To better respect this distance, some desks are equipped with a special space for the monitor, positioned a little higher than the actual desk.

November 27, 2008

Harvard Application

The oldest higher learning establishment in the United States is Harvard. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it opened its doors in 1636 and is one of the most prestigious academic centers in the world. Harvard application, along with hard work of course, almost guarantees a path to career success. Such is its reputation, rivaled only by its traditional rivals of Yale and Princeton.

In addition to academic pursuits, the university is noted for its excellence in sporting and cultural achievements. Anyone accepted, following their Harvard application, is expected to work hard and play hard. There are many old traditions here, including college songs and the official school colors of crimson.

The latest figure for acceptance of undergraduates is almost 9% and there are slightly more female students than male. As part of the Ivy League, the Harvard application process does not recognize athletic scholarships. There have been recent steps taken to enable more young people from lower income groups to attend.

The 6,700 undergraduates and 12,400 graduate students can expect the best of facilities and teaching standards at the institution. There are approximately 2,400 professors across nine faculties, which include medicine, law, divinity and business schools. The library is said to be the largest academic library in the world with a collection of 15 million volumes. Rare books, manuscripts, maps and atlases are greatly prized.

Sporting facilities are second to none and many sports are represented by Harvard students, including volleyball, fencing, wrestling, squash, rowing, ice hockey and tennis. Football is also a big part of Harvard life and the annual game against Yale, dating from 1875, is fiercely contested. There are also facilities for athletics, an indoor cycling track, a multi purpose gymnasium and weight rooms. The indoor arena is used for basketball matches and there is an Olympic size swimming pool.

Students interested in the arts are encouraged here too and a Harvard application could lead to membership of one of several activity groups. The university has its own theatre group, college choir, symphony orchestra and literary magazine. Harvard is also responsible for numerous museums, including art collections and natural history and science museums.

This university opens up many possibilities for achievement in many areas and the opportunity to make friends for life. Past graduates have included US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt. World famous poet T.S. Eliot and composer, Leonard Bernstein also graduated from here. These illustrious names will be an inspiration to anyone considering a Harvard application.

November 23, 2008

Graduation Rings

There are plenty of things that people think to get kids when they graduate from high school. Some give money, and most kids love that, and others even give trips or even cars. However, if you want to do something special for your children, either above and beyond another gift or perhaps instead of, you can look into getting them graduation rings. These are not something most think about, but they can be great gifts. Most think of the class ring to be the gradation type rings, but that does not have to be the case for everyone.

Some kids get class rings, and those are great for remembering high school, but graduation rings can be something else if that is what you want. They are meant to symbolize the transition in life from high school (or college) into a different part of life. Graduation rings will be something that a child can wear that reminds them of the people who love them as they move on in the world. Sometimes, that little bit of reassurance of being loved and cherished can make a huge difference in their success.

Some consider the class ring and the graduation rings to be the same thing, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, many love these class rings in high school, but don’t like to wear them beyond that. You will notice very few people who actually have these on at all after they have left high school and moved on to something else. If you would like the class and graduation rings to be something that might be the same, but worn longer in life, look for the less traditional design when buying.

If you don’t want your graduation rings to resemble class rings, you can get just about anything you want. It doesn’t matter as long as the ring is something the child will love to wear. You can find them made very simply with a stone, name and year, or you can get something very ornate. Spend enough to be sure the ring will last though, no matter what you choose. You don’t want something that will turn green on the finger, or that might break within a few years. No matter which way you want to go, graduation rings are always fun, and they are certainly something that will be a welcome gift for most kids. Even if they don’t wear them, you can bet they will keep them for a very long time to come.

November 15, 2008

Graduate Degree Options

Many people find that in the courses of their careers they wish they had the ability to go back to school for even further education. Unfortunately, not everyone has the good fortune to live in the vicinity of a university that offers graduate level studies in the career they have chosen. Chances are that a good percentage of the population does not and if they do chances are even better that they have very busy personal and professional lives that make intensive graduate studies difficult to pursue at best.

If you are one of the many people that feel you have made your choice and are stuck with your undergraduate degree or that a post graduate degree is simply out of your reach, I hope you will read this article with great interest and learn that there options available to you no matter how far away from a university you live or how little time you have to devote to your graduate studies.

A graduate education is a very intensive course of study that is very narrow and specific. In other words, many students find that their graduate coursework is their favorite by far as it gets into the meat of the subject matter of their interest rather than merely hitting the highlights. Only a small percentage of the population at this point in time has a graduate education. Though this does not necessarily guarantee you any employability it can provide you with very specialized knowledge or skills that will help you perform your job better and qualify you for more interesting and specialized positions in your field of study.

If you would like to pursue a graduate education but feel you are too far from the nearest university that offers a comprehensive graduate education in your field, you might be surprised to find that the nearest graduate level curriculum is as far away as your living room or your favorite Internet café. Online courses give new hope to potential graduate students. Many of them will actually allow you to work around your work schedule and at your own pace while trying to achieve your dreams of higher education and life long learning.

Online courses are becoming more widely accepted across the nation and around the world. We live in the information age and it only makes sense that we are taking control of our educations by using services and demanding services like online courses in order to further our educational goals. At the moment there are only limited offerings for graduate studies, most of them centering on educational fields with only a few graduate degrees offered in other fields such as the medical industry. As demand grows so will the availability of graduate courses and degrees that are being offered online.

If you happen to be fortunate enough to live relatively close to a university that offers graduate studies in your field you might want to check with the university and see if they offer weekend graduate classes. This is a new trend that seems to be growing in popularity as a valid option for those who hope to return to college but can't afford to give up precious work or family time during the week. These courses are much more intense than your average once or twice a week night course but they allow you to pursue your graduate degree in a much quicker manner than traditional programs have allowed and are much more employer and family friendly. Of course you also have the option of taking one or two classes at a time at night in order to achieve your graduate degree as well. Masters degree students only need to take 9 hours a semester in order to be considered full time students and qualify for financial aid.

All in all, you do not need to sacrifice your goals of graduate studies in order to maintain your career or achieve some sort of balance between work, education, and family. Whether you choose online courses, night courses, or weekend courses for your studies you have many opportunities to achieve the degree you desire without sacrificing heavily in order to do so.

November 08, 2008

Advantages of Universities

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A degree from a university means many thing to many different people. Only you can define the importance of a degree such as this to you and only you can determine whether or not now is the time for you to pursue a university degree. If you are unsure about how advantageous a university degree could be to your life let's look at some of the advantages to a university education in relationship to a community college education.

Money. The first obvious advantage of a university education would be in future earning potential. A four-year degree trumps a two-year degree almost every time. There would have to be exceptional circumstances for someone with a two-year degree to earn more over the course of a lifetime than someone with a four-year degree in the same exact field. While a degree does not guarantee employability, it does improve the odds as well as the income potential that is associated with the field you are entering into. If you have a two-year degree the decision to continue your educational pursuits can be a tough one but it is well worth the effort in the end.

Housing. This is another distinct advantage that universities offer over community colleges. In fact, many universities are now offering housing opportunities to students with families in addition to those students who have no families. Colleges and universities are offering all kinds of value when it comes to housing and meal plans. A great deal of the college experience is missed when you do not live on campus. For this particular reason students wishing to enjoy the experience that dorm life provides often consider universities over community colleges.

Diversity. This is another key component that is often missing at the community college level. International students find no real price breaks between universities and community colleges so they tend to opt for the housing and cultural atmosphere that universities present rather than going with the limiting educational, residential, and cultural experience offered by many community colleges. You will find students of different races, religions, cultures, and nations on the university level-far more than will typically be seen in a community college unless you are attending community college in a very culturally diverse city such as New York.

Culture. This is something that is often lacking on the community college level, as they are largely commuter campuses. You will not see quite the opportunity to experience art, music, the theater, and other wonderful experiences that universities pride themselves in offering to their students. There is nothing quite like the cultural offerings of most large universities and if you get the opportunity I hope you will take the time to stop and experience some of the wonderful things that being in a university community present you with an opportunity to experience.

Research opportunities. On a university level you will have the opportunity to participate in research projects with certain professors if your prove yourself worthy and express an interest. This is something that isn't as likely on the community college level as most professors in a community college are dedicated to teaching rather than research. You will find that the experience of working on a large-scale research project is unlike anything you are likely to experience again if you ever get the chance.

Confidence. There is nothing quite like a college degree from a university to help you become a more confident person both personally and professionally. This is something that really can't be achieved on the community college level but can only be experienced by getting a degree from a university. If you lack confidence when dealing with others or in your career, I hope that you will find that your university education is just the thing to help you feel more confidence on all levels of your life.

These are just a small sampling of the many benefits of attending a university over a community college education. I hope you will carefully consider these when making your decision about which is best for your personal education needs.

November 05, 2008

Current fashion trends for teen girls

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Today is a great time to be a teen girl when it comes to the wide variety of fashions that are available. There’s such a dazzling display of colors, patterns, and styles that it’s easy to get turned around and not know what’s popular any more. It’s also easy to lose track of the fact that our teen girls are still young women and that not all styles are appropriate for them to wear. The key is balance being fashionable with still being a teen and having fun being young.

The deconstructed look that has taken over teen boys fashion has also found it’s way over to the girls but with a feminine twist. Instead of pairing a faded shirt with a graphic tee a girl may opt to instead mix it up with a colorful cami showing a hint of lace. It’s still a comfortable casual style but gives a little more of a girlish touch to the look. Or, going the opposite way she may pair the graphic tee with a vintage blouse for a look that’s slightly sharper and not quite as casual.

The low rise jeans craze has also hit the female gender and has in fact gone a little bit further as girls jeans become lower and tighter than their male counterparts. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing but can be taken to an extreme that is inappropriate for someone of that age. None really needs to see what underwear your teen daughter is wearing so care should always be taken to find jeans that fit well.

Capri's are also a popular look that lend themselves to wide range of possibilities. The nice thing about Capri is that they can go from being casual to being crisp and businesslike with just a change of top and accessory. Paired with a nice button down vest and sensible shoes they create a smart look that’s equally at home in both a classroom or at the mall for an afternoon shopping trip. On the other hand pair them with a tee or a halter top and a pair of wedge shoes and you have a comfortable casual look that she can wear hanging out with friends. The possibilities are only limited by the imagination and use of accessories.

Of course there is the ever popular skirt. Skirts never really go out of fashion they just change shape and size. This year the mini is yet again in fashion which has a lot of parents concerned. They just aren’t ready for their daughter to leave the house showing that much skin. Well, there’s a solution for the this problem that can keep both parents and daughters happy. That solution is the footless tights that are enjoying another year of popularity. These tights allow a teen girl to wear a skirt that by itself would be too short for modesty but with the tights it becomes both wearable and fashionable.

Dresses are also a very fashionable choice and there’s a wide range of dress styles to choose from. For casual wear the ever popular halter dress is always a good choice. Available in a variety of colors and lengths there’s sure to be one that will please even the most finicky teen girl. For more formal occasions the halter dress can be paired with a nice shirt or sweater giving it a more demure appearance that lends itself well to occasions where a halter dress by itself would not be appropriate.

One of the best things about fashion for teen girls is the variety and the color. The current trend of bright colors and bold prints makes for a more interesting fashion statement than in past seasons. Layers make for a moor versatile wardrobe that can be made up of less individual pieces so that it’s possible to go for quality instead of quantity. All of these things make is possible for a girl to really exercise her sense of individuality and create a look that is truly her own.

November 03, 2008

Balancing play and study time setting boundaries

One of the joys of being a child is having time to play. Playing is important in child development for a couple of reasons. It gives time for the body to decompress from the stress of an active schedule. It also reminds a child that all of life isn’t about work that there is fun to be had also and gives them something to look forward to for when their work is done. However, it’s important to find a balance between the work that needs to be done and the play that we want to do. As parents we can help our children learn how to balance the two and make sure that they are getting enough of both to have a healthy development.

The first thing we can do is sit them down and talk to them about priorities. Play is fun and important but getting our work done has to come first. The decisions that we make as children have consequences that can affect us for the rest of our lives and most of the time children don’t understand that unless we take the time to explain it to them. They don’t understand that a good education is the foundation to making a start in life and that they will need that education later on to do things in life.

We can also make studying more fun for them. Set up a reward system for grades where studying and doing good on their grades can help them achieve rewards. There are a couple of ways to do this the first is to set up a sticker board where each hour of study time and every good grade gets them a sticker and after so many stickers they can have a reward. Another way to set this up is to use a points system. In a points system studying and tests are both worth a certain amount of points those points can be used towards special privileges or rewards. Really there’s no limit to the number of things that can be set up with these systems. It’s all a matter of imagination and what the parent is trying to achieve.

Another method is the punishment and reward method. In this method if the child does not complete their work or get bad grades then things are taken away from them. The things taken away can be either physical things or loss of privileges. The reward is that they are allowed to do their normal play activities. This encourages the child to get their work done on time so that they can move on to more enjoyable activities. This effective for some children but not for others.

These are just a few of the many methods used for balancing play and study time. What works for one child may not work with another child and care should be taken to make sure that the plan used is tailored to the individual so that it actually works. Sometimes it’s even necessary to use different methods within the same family of children. As parents we should look at all the options before we decide what we want to use. If something doesn’t work then it’s time to look at another method because it’s a waste of time to continue using a method that is not effective.