author-img

Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

Internship Programs

Benefits of Internship Programs

After graduation when you are ready to apply to your first job, do you think having prior work experience would be helpful in choosing the right career for you? Are you thinking about the best way to gain proper career experience before you have to start job searching? If so, it is probably the best route for you to look into an internship program that will give you real-life experience in the career-world within a particular industry you choose as well as serve as an eye-opener for the type of career you may want to plan for. Even if an internship turns out to not be the career choice for you, you are at least able to narrow-down your career options while boosting your resume in the process. To learn more about how an internship can prepare you for your future, we have taken a deeper look in this article to understand how beneficial internship programs are to students. Adds Value to Resume: Getting a good job in this competitive world is becoming increasingly difficult with each passing day. With how competitive the job search is today, employers are likely to give preference to a candidate that has more experience, either in that particular industry or even just the real-world in general if you are just starting out in an entry-level role. When they see experience listed on your resume, it improves your market value. An internship on your CV provides a good way to demonstrate not only work experience, but that you have developed real-life career skills as well. If you are interested in gaining internship experience while also giving back to your community, you can look into non profit internships from local charities who are also more than willing to give students a chance to broaden their educational horizons. Further, nonprofit internships allow you documented proof that displays all the skills that you have gained during the internship. Adding these skills in your resume helps in sharing your work exposure during an interview. Build Industry Connections: While working in a company during your internship programs, you interact with numerous people that let you network and establish contacts with co-workers. Working in a professional network sometimes also helps in securing a job upon completion of your internship there. You also get an opportunity to attend official meetings that give you an idea about essential career skills as well as office culture. All this experience, along with your degree, helps in reaching the pinnacle of success. When you finish your internship in a company, you will hopefully gain a reference, which acts as an invaluable help when you are looking for a job. Try to be on good terms with your fellow interns and the company in which you are attending internship program. You never know how good networking with in past career experiences can help you with a future job you apply to down the road. Develop Skills and boosts Confidence: Good skills are always preferred for a job. While attending internships, you gain skills and become more presentable. You get exposure before starting your career, and it adds as a benefit. Your confidence level is boosted when you make projects, presentations during your internships. With real-world work experience, you understand your abilities, and that makes you more confident in your job interviews. Career Exploration: You join your college with a career goal. There is a possibility that when you attend the internship, during the period your interest moves on to the subject for which you are taking an internship. So, ensure that the programs that you chose for the internships are relevant to your career interests. These programs also help you in narrowing down your career perspective. As these acts as a deciding factor for you to understand what type of job you like.  If you don’t like your program, still you are in a win-win situation. This provides you an opportunity to explore the fields that you like. Financial Help: While undergoing an internship from a company, many industries offer you stipend for your valuable work. This also helps the students who are not financially strong to use the money for their college tuition fee. So it’s the best way of gaining experience and making money at the same time. Moreover, many companies offer the job to the deserving candidates, by the end of the internship. Doesn’t it seem great to have a job before your college ends? Your classroom learning is also enhanced with your work experience from these internships. So, grab a program now to brush up your skills and add value to your CV. Read Also: 4 Ways To Keep Your Top Talent At Work Best MBA Colleges In India Attracting The Best Of Best Among Students

READ MOREDetails
Lego

How to store your Lego

Lego is very beautiful playing items to engage a child while parents are busy with their home works. Additionally, Lego gives mental refreshment to your child and it will also improve your child mental health. Children play with Lego and work to make some beautiful playing items then this child’s efficiency and effectiveness of works also improve. So, Lego is very important to engage our child. But after playing if we fail to arrange and organize it properly, we may lose the valuable parts of the Lego. So, you need to buy Lego storage systems to store your Lego properly. There are different types of storage systems available in the market. Among all types of Lego storage systems, you need to purchase the right one to fit your needs.  Now I am going to show you different l Lego storage systems for. How to store your Lego: 1. storage bags: Lego storage bags are the most common Lego storage system because Lego storage bags are easy to carry and handle. You can easily store your Lego on this bag. And you can easily keep this bag in a safe place. The Lego storage bags will not take a large storage space. If you have a bed with free underground storage, you can easily keep your Lego storage bags under the bed. 2. Lego storage Table: Lego Storage Table is also a popular form of Lego storage ideas. Your child can play with this on this table. After ending the playing, your child can store the Lego in the drawer of the Lego storage table.  So, these types of storage Tables will serve both purposes. 3.  storage Open bin: You can also buy the Lego storage Open bin from the market. It will allow you to store and display your Lego. It is best for storing built Lego sets. You can also store non-built set here. But the problem is that you have to give some space to place this storage Open bin. 4.  storage Container: Lego storage Container is the easiest ways to store your Lego. But it is very difficult to sort and store the Lego here as you cannot separate and store your Lego. 5.  storage brick: Lego storage brick is one of the best Lego storage products that Lego storage manufacturer ever made. This product is designed like a brick but has a good storage capacity with a removable cover. You can easily buy this item storage brick to store the Lego. 6.  storage Shelves: Storage Shelves is used mainly to store toys. But you cannot store non-built of this item to set here. You can store and display the Lego-built set here. 7.  storage Drawers: Its storage drawers are also popular forms of storage ideas. You need to build some drawers on the side of the wall or you should go to purchase a cabinet with storage drawers. Conclusion: In a nutshell, you have to choose the best storage ideas for you from here based on your personal choice and your home condition. So, hopefully, you and your child will be happy with your Legos. Read Also: 8 Best Shopping Apps For 2019 DIY: How To Clean A Leather Handbag

READ MOREDetails
Basement

4 Tips for Finishing a Basement

Some homeowners are completely content to keep their basement relatively out of sight and mind. They don’t really mind that there’s an unfinished or partially finished space right underneath them, because, frankly, they don’t have much use for it. That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. With the scarcity of great real estate in modern urban centers and the skyrocketing price of homes, you would think that a homeowner would want to squeeze some life out of every little, liveable corner of their home. That’s why many experts recommend you consider finishing your basement, making it either liveable (in which case you could rent it to help pay the mortgage, or offer it to a family member), or recreational (in which case it functions as a rec room). To help you on your way toward a finished basement, this article will discuss four key tips to bear in mind. Plan the Layout for Usability: Planning the layout of a basement is often the most consequential part of the process – it creates a blueprint for everything to come. Have utility and functionality in mind when planning the layout: if it is meant to be liveable, how can you make it more liveable? If it is meant to be recreational, what would you like the basement’s centerpieces to be? In either case, plan the main areas around natural light and open space. Give thought to the flow of rooms, starting with when you walk downstairs. Protect Your Basement from Water: The single greatest threat to a finished basement is water. Being the lowest space in a house, a basement is also the most susceptible. Hire a professional to consult on waterproofing, and get yourself two sump pumps, including a battery backup for your existing sump pump – you’ll need a plumber to aid in installation, but it’s worth it for sheer risk management. Budget for the Use of Professionals: Working off that last point, here’s an important, broad tip that homeowners should keep in mind: budget for bringing in pros. So many homeowners convince themselves that DIY construction, electrical, plumbing, etc. is going to be easy, only to find that it is incredibly complicated and that incorrect execution can have big consequences for the final product. There’s no shame in calling in pros, and, in fact, it might save you money in the long run. Don’t Discount Looks: As discussed, functionality is a crucial part of putting together a finished basement… but so is aesthetics. Consider trim for the walls, wainscoting, good flooring, and pleasing light fixtures. Put thought into the color and brightness of the room, as well as the arrangement of its furniture and components. Install and maintain good windows and, as a final touch, add some art to the walls. Don’t be afraid to head to the internet for inspiration. This collection of 50 basements remodels in a great place to start! Don’t leave a whole floor of your home unfinished –start thinking about your dream basement today! Read Also: Inspiring Window Treatment Ideas 4 Tips For A Successful Home Renovation Turn Your Basement Into A Useful Space With These Tips

READ MOREDetails
Mazda

Get a Mazda Today, For Less

It always pays to be a savvy shopper, especially when you’re investing in something expensive like a car. Driving requires taking on additional expenses, such as fuel, insurance and parking — it’s important to take every step possible to make driving more affordable, starting with the price of the car itself. Here are a few ways you can find yourself driving a Mazda today, for less. Dealership Deals: Your local dealership often has a few key ways to save, so be sure to check out the Mazda pick of the month when looking for deals on a new car. It’s not uncommon to find a dealership offering savings for used vehicles, but if they’re offering special lease and financing rates, it’s definitely worth checking out. It may be helpful to narrow down the models and trims you’re considering, as each car for sale has several variables that need to be weighed, and coming in with a clearly defined idea of what you’re looking for will simplify the purchase and save you time. Special Qualifying Rates: When you go to the dealership, see if you qualify for special discounts. For example, there may be loyalty reward programs, first-time owner programs, and graduate programs. If you’re a repeat Mazda customer, or it’s your very first time buying from the car manufacturer, you may get some money back on your purchase. New graduates from college may also get a preferred rate, as some dealerships have a mechanism in place to assist car buyers who haven’t had enough time in the workplace to build up sufficient capital. Buy a Used Car, Wisely: Everybody knows that buying a used car is cheaper than buying one new. But you need to make certain that the car you’re buying is in great shape under the hood, so it’ll drive well today and for years down the road. Mazda has a Certified Pre-Owned program in which every car undergoes a thorough 160-point inspection by factory-trained Mazda technicians. They also come with 7-year/140,000 kilometre limited Powertrain warranties, to give you more peace of mind and confidence that you’re likely to find elsewhere. This is a long warranty for a new car, never mind an old one. Even more, it comes with 24-hour emergency roadside assistance — sometimes you encounter setbacks on the road, like a flat tire or dead battery, for which neither the driver nor the manufacturer is to blame. When you buy from the Mazda Certified Pre-Owned program, you’re covered even then. It feels today like the cost of everything is going up, from housing to the price of food. People need to travel, whether it’s to commute to school, work, pick up groceries or see family and friends. Remember to look out for special rates that the dealership offers, on both new and used cars. Being a discerning customer by availing yourself of all the deals out there is the best way you can own a Mazda today, for less. Read Also: 10 Reasons To Purchase A Used Car Get Cheap Car Insurance For Young Drivers What Is Car Leasing Anyways, And How Does It Work?

READ MOREDetails
Collaborative Divorce

A Civil Way of Separating: 6 Questions and Answers About Collaborative Divorce

A collaborative divorce is one in which spouses work together, with their lawyers, to reach a divorce agreement instead of taking the case to court. This process can help reduce stress, enable the couple to get divorced faster and help the couple save as much money as possible through the divorce process. While this is a relatively new way to get a divorce, this is one many couple are choosing because it can make the divorce process easier on everyone involved. How Does Collaborative Divorce Work? During the collaborative law process, both spouses hire a collaborative divorce lawyer to protect their interests and help them through the divorce process. The lawyers and spouses will then have a series of meetings to identify the issues that need to be resolved and work on coming up with a solution that’s good for everyone. Other professionals may be called in to help facilitate these discussions and help the spouses find a good solution. How Expensive is a Collaborative Divorce? A collaborative divorce can be expensive, depending on how long it takes and how many professionals need to be brought in to help work out any issues. Traditional divorces will end with couples spending more than $20,000 for divorces that go through a trial. A collaborative divorce, on the other hand, doesn’t involve going to trial so, even with the added cost of help from professionals, the collaborative divorce is far less expensive. Can Anyone Seek a Collaborative Divorce? Any couple can seek a collaborative divorce, so long as both spouses are available and willing to work through the process. High-conflict divorce cases can be solved through the collaborative divorce process without the divorce needing to go through a trial. A collaborative divorce won’t be available if one spouse cannot be found or if one spouse does not wish to try this process. Is it Possible to Switch from a Standard Divorce to a Collaborative Divorce? Yes, but only if both spouses are willing to give a collaborative divorce a try. If the spouse who has already filed does not have an attorney trained in the collaborative divorce process, they must be willing to end the current divorce case and start over with a new lawyer. What Happens if One Side is Dishonest? While a collaborative divorce depends on honesty between spouses, it’s possible that one side will be dishonest during the process. If any dishonesty is found, the lawyer for that side is required to let the other side know and to withdraw from representing their client. What Happens if an Agreement Can’t be Reached? A collaborative divorce will work out well in most cases, but there is always the chance that spouses cannot come to an agreement. If this happens, the spouses can decide to quit the collaborative divorce and start over with a divorce that goes to trial. In this case, they will both be required to find new attorneys to help them through a traditional divorce. If you are planning on getting a divorce, a collaborative divorce might be worth a try. Speak with a collaborative divorce attorney today to learn more about whether this is right in your situation, how you can get started, and how you can talk to your spouse and encourage them to start the collaborative divorce process. Read Also: How To Avoid A Toxic Divorce Benefits Of Using Divorce Lawyers Top 7 Reasons To Hire A Private Detective Agency During Divorce Cases Divorce Lawyers In Houston Texas: A Short Guide On Saving Your Marriage

READ MOREDetails
Savings Goals

Make Your Savings Goals Come True with Gold

What are your investment goals? Some of the most common savings and investment goals people have are retirement, education funds for children, saving to buy a home, starting a business, switching to a more satisfying but lower paying career, getting married, or even going on a vacation. These are all great reasons to save and invest, and they all come with different investment strategies, timelines, and risk tolerance. None of them are mutually exclusive. In fact, you should probably be balancing a few of these investment goals at the same time. Whatever your other savings goals, retirement should always be on your mind, and that means long-term growth with a balanced portfolio. While goals such as buying a house or going on vacation may have much shorter timelines, retirement offers an opportunity to grow your savings to new heights through compound interest and balancing high-growth, high-risk investments with low-risk alternatives. Invest in Low-Risk Assets like Gold: One low-risk asset you should consider buying is gold. Many investors consider it superior to other low-risk assets like treasury deposits or money market deposit accounts. There are a few qualities that make gold a better investment: Inflation-proof; since 1971, the value of a dollar has gone from 1/40 of an ounce to 1/1300 of an ounce, while the gold-housing ratio (the relative value between gold and real estate) is about the same. Highly desirable when inflation is higher than interest rates. Performs well when stocks do poorly, helping you offset losses. Highly liquid and you can sell easily even when stocks are considered toxic. Here’s how you can get started investing in gold today. Buy Gold Online: Buy gold online for a cost-efficient way to add it to your portfolio. The prices will be lower than a physical shop, and shops today are often in the business of selling more collectible coins. Get straight to the punch by buying coins and bars that were made for the modern investor – straightforward, predictable costs and no-nonsense products. Bullion vs. Paper: Gold bullion is your safest bet for investing. You have maximum control and minimum third-party risks. Paper or ETFs place your money and your trust in management and trading practices that aren’t easy to understand, such as lending and futures trading. Gold bullion is by far the more secure option. Buy Gold Bars or Coins: Now that you’ve limited your options to physical gold bullion, there is still a lot to choose from. Gold bars and coins are more cost-effective products. All forms will have premiums over spot prices. It costs mints labor and machining to create bars and coins, and companies face expenses such as shipping, storage, and insurance, which they recoup through premiums. Gold bars have less production value than coins, so they are an excellent way to save and buy at something closer to spot prices. Gold can help you meet your investment goals. Allocating a portion of your portfolio to gold means you have a highly liquid, inflation proof asset you can depend on whenever you need it, whatever the market looks like. Read Also: Investors Agree: Gold And Silver Is The Way To Go Cut Risks And Guarantee Gains: Why Real Gold Is Attractive

READ MOREDetails
360 Degree Performance Review

How To Make 360 Degree Performance Review Work For You!

Many organizations have different methods for assessing employees' performance. 360 Degree Performance Review is essential for your company. Are you considering if you should ditch the annual review model and use another type of performance review model? One concept to consider is a 360 degree performance review. This performance review allows extensive feedback and not just the managers’ feedback. If done correctly, it can render insightful results, thus improving overall employee engagement. It's an intensive type of assessment which involves collating a lot of data, which is purely subjective. This performance review allows employees to receive performance feedback not only from their managers but also from colleagues, vendor customers, among other people in the organization. If they are shying away from using 360 performance due to post about mangled performance reviews, here are a few tips on how to make it work for you. Different Ways 360 Degree Performance Review Can Work Well For You  1. Don’t evaluate jobs, evaluate how it’s done: To make 360 reviews work for you, you need to assess staff based on how they make their career within the organization and not based on the outcome. Assessing how jobs get done reflects the amount of effort used to get work done. You need to identify the core skills and competencies that you would like the employees to own and access them accordingly. 2. Constructive criticism is key: The purpose of 360 reviews is to aid staff members to grow in their career. Criticism is a vital part of a performance review which shouldn't be taken lightly. If poorly handled it’s one of the places where performance review tends to go wrong. Each employee is entitled to their own opinion. However, before beginning the review process, lay down the ground rules on what counts as fair criticism and what doesn’t. 3. Review regularly: To make 360-degree performance reviews work, you need to review your employees’ work often. Considering staff less frequently makes them assume that their work doesn't need improvement or the organization is happy with the current productivity. This review enables you to where things are not as per with organizational goals and objectives often. 4. Give supportive end review: Performance reviews can lead to the achievement of the organizational goals. However, it possesses a potential danger of disengagement in staff members. It's your duty as a manager to become supportive and helpful despite the result of the performance review. For this review to become effective in your organization, you need to come together with your employees to hash out a plan on an agreement that's beneficial and motivating. This will make the employees work better as it will make them not feel demoralized or hurt 5. Managers shouldn’t be exempted from the review: Nobody is exempt from the analysis. High-level executives, managers, and CEOs are part of the organization. They offer their input and work towards achieving the organizational goals and objectives. If they don't get a performance review, it’s had to know they understand how to lead people better. Conclusion: While using this review model, be aware that it has potential risks. It's basically about gathering opinions which doesn't equate to reliable data. It's less detailed than the supervisor's feedback and its gamed-the more consequential the input the more a problem is likely to arise. However, it can help people become more aware of undesirable behavior patterns if grievances are that have nothing to do with work performance don't enter the process. Despite the downsize, there are some upsides to consider. The tips stated above one can make 360-degree performance reviews work for their organization. Read Also: Employee Monitoring Linked To Business Growth Is Your Company Offering Enough To Potential Employees?

READ MOREDetails
Magento vs. Shopify

Magento vs. Shopify: Which Is Best For Your E-commerce Store?

The first quarter of 2019 has almost passed, and it has been predicted that 18% of the purchases will be made online by 2040. Further, 95% of the orders will be facilitated by e-commerce store. Considering the above statistics, it comes as no surprise that the fate of your online business is dependent on how your website works. But did you know that all your website operations rely on the choice of your e-commerce platform? Now, as the online store owners narrow down the choices, they are only left with two main platforms as the contenders- Magento and Shopify. While both platforms can create a one-of-kind e-commerce store, they differ in many areas. To start with, Shopify works best for smaller businesses. On the flip side, Magento is aimed at enterprise businesses. This post is going will give you an in-depth insight on Magento and Shopify and help you decide which is an ideal platform for your e-commerce store. Magento and Shopify in a Nutshell: e-commerce store Magento: Launched in 2007, Magento is a self-hosted e-commerce platform that powers a number of web stores. The platform is open source and comes with two versions including community (suitable for developers and small businesses) and enterprise edition (best suited for mid-sized and large e-commerce stores). The usage of the platform is free, but you’ll have to pay an amount for premium apps, themes, and hosting. Irrespective of the price you have to pay, this platform is best known for its flexibility, ability to customize, and scalability. Shopify: Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform that allows single-step order fulfillment and lets you set up a store with a custom domain and a theme. This platform comes with an easy-to-use interface and is more for beginner developers. Moreover, it comes with a 14-day free trial, allows integration with over 70 payment gateways, and is available in almost every language. Although there are numerous Shopify alternatives available across the web, what sets this platform apart from others is its ability to set up a dynamic store in no time. You will have to pay for the platform after the free trial, but the Shopify team takes care of all the technical tasks. Magento and Shopify: What Numbers Say! Description Shopify Magento Number of Websites 600,000 250,000 Number of Extensions 2,400+ 3,000+ Number of Themes 60 (external purchase is allowed) 12 (external purchase is allowed)   Now when you are aware of what these platforms are, here is a feature comparison of Magneto and Shopify. 1. Basic Functionality and Ease of Usage: Both the e-commerce platforms have all the basic store functionalities that are easy to use and maintain. But if we compare both the platforms, Shopify is a drag and drop website builder. Magento has a steep learning curve, and you will have to learn some technical terms to get through the e-commerce store development process. With Shopify, the developer can add the products; customize the look and feel of your store and set up the payment process in no time. The best part is you can make the entire e-commerce store without any technical knowledge. In Magento, you have to learn some code to develop an entire e-commerce store. Not to forget, they have comprehensive user guides that walk you step-by-step through various processes. They also have a forum from where you can learn some tricks of the trade. 2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) When it comes to SEO, both have great search engine optimization capabilities. However, you’ll have to leverage extra plug-ins in the cases for both platforms. But in the case of Shopify, SEO features are automatically built into the website, even in the product pages. 3. Themes and Templates Availability: In terms of themes and templates, both platforms offer highly-functional customization capabilities. They let you edit the raw code directly and give you full control over the design and appeal of your e-commerce store. Coming to the differences, Shopify offers a wide variation of mobile-optimized themes. Although many of them are free, if you go for the paid ones, your store gets a professional look and gets equipped with great sales potential. You also get the option to add new pages, change the color palette, move or resize the elements, and integrate the social media feeds. When it comes to Magento, it has 12 themes. Out of 12, 10 of them are fully responsive. This platform does have free themes, and the paid ones also start at just $1. With this platform, you can also create your theme or template from scratch. You have the option to add a slide, newsletter, and animation to the website. 4. Inventory Management: All Shopify plans allow unlimited products in the store. Magento also allows you to add or create an unlimited number of products on the website. But Shopify is one step ahead in this point due to its integration with drop shipping inventory apps such as Oberlo. Further, in Magento, you have the risk of slowing down your website. 5. Hosting Features: Your website's performance, storage, security, and speed are dependent on the hosting you choose. Did you know that 40% of people will abandon a website if it takes more than three seconds to load? This will result in a loss of customers as well as revenue. As Shopify is a hosted platform, it takes care of your entire domain and hosting needs; offers you 24*7 support, and let you concentrate on your business. Magento comes with two hosting options, including Open Source and Cloud. In Open Source hosting, you have to buy your domain and hosting. But in the case of Cloud, your e-commerce store is hosted and maintained by Magento. 6. Payment Processing: Shopify platform is already equipped with a payment processor, which is known by the name of Shopify Payments. If you use Shopify Payments for your e-commerce store, you won’t be charged any transaction fee. Moreover, it comes with the support of 60 external payment processors. For Magento, you will have to download the extension of the payment processor that you want in your e-commerce store. You can look for these extensions in Magento’s marketplace. However, some factors that make Magento worth the consideration are international market coverage and support for multiple languages. Summing Up: When it comes to choosing an ideal e-commerce platform, there are lots of factors to consider including interface, scalability, number of themes, templates, speed, load time, cost, search engine optimization, and more. Is Shopify worth it? If your considerations are ease of usage, availability of themes, not wanting to pay the transaction fee, and having the hosting and bandwidth taken care of, look no further than Shopify. It is user-friendly, has a payment processor, and comes with an array of themes to help you get started. But if you are technically savvy and want to build an e-commerce store for a large enterprise, go for Magento. With this platform, you will also have to find your hosting provider, which can become expensive, as your business scale. Moreover, there is a chance that you might have to invest some time as well. If you are still stuck on the decision, skim again through the comparison of features, weigh their pros and cons, and make the best choice for your business. Read Also: What Are the Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries? Top 5 Sites Like Solarmovie To Watch Movies Online Do I Have To Pay Out Of Pocket For Wisdom Teeth Removal?

READ MOREDetails
Jacksonville

A Local’s Guide to Jacksonville, FL

Situated on Florida's northeastern coast, Jacksonville has been moving in the right direction for years. Although many people use this place as a jumping off point for nearby beach attractions, this city is worthy of a weekend vacation in its own right. Whether you're into fine dining, museums, or wildlife, you'll find something to keep you entertained on a trip through this mega city. Let's take a closer look at how to best enjoy a weekend vacation in the "River City." Where To Stay In Jacksonville: Anyone planning on staying in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville should look for hotels along the St James River. Not only will these hotels give you easy access to most of the city's top tourist draws, but they also have fantastic views and exceptional amenities. One such hotel is the four-star Omni Jacksonville Hotel at 245 Water Street. Another luxury hotel to consider is the four-star Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, which is located at 225 E Coastline Drive. Expect to pay around $130 per night at either of these hotels. People who want more of a budget-friendly option might want to consider the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson at 5945 Youngerman Circle East. This three-star hotel is not directly on the St James River, but it is close to many restaurants and has high ratings from online reviewers. Rates for rooms at the Country Inn & Suites typically hovers around $90 per night. What To Do In Jacksonville: The main attractions in Jacksonville, of course, are the surrounding beaches. The most popular of these beaches include Ponte Vedra Beach, Amelia Island, and Jacksonville Beach, all of which are within a 40-minute drive of central Jacksonville. By the way, if you're a golfing fanatic, then you must check out the exceptional PGA golf range at the Ponte Vedra Beach Resorts. One of the most fascinating historical attractions in Jacksonville proper is the Kingsley Plantation. Built in the 18th century, this 32,000-acre plantation once housed 200 slaves who were forced to pick cotton, cut sugar cane, and pick various citrus fruits. On a tour of this facility, you'll gain a better understanding of northeastern Florida's past in a pristine natural setting. Adults traveling to Jacksonville with kids should schedule a few hours at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens. This top-rated tourist attraction measures almost 120 acres and contains well over 2,000 exotic mammals, birds, reptiles, and more! You can visit the Jacksonville Zoo between 9 AM – 5 PM on weekdays and on the weekends from 9 AM – 6 PM. Tickets for adults cost just under $20 per person and kids between 3 – 12-years-old could enter for $14.95 each. If you're in the mood to see a live show while in Jacksonville, then be sure to check out what's going on at St Johns River State College's Thrasher-Horne Center. The Thrasher-Horne Center frequently produces professional Broadway musicals as well as live music, kid-friendly entertainment, and special events. To pre-order tickets, you could visit the Thrasher-Horne Center's main website at www.thcenter.org. Where To Eat There: Unsurprisingly, seafood is Jacksonville's main culinary specialty. One dive in southern Jacksonville that's earned quite the reputation for its seafood selection is Clark's Fish Camp. In addition to this restaurant's crab cakes and crawfish, Clark's Fish Camp has earned quite the reputation for its colorful taxidermies and its proximity to a few Florida alligators. For fine dining in Jacksonville, take a look at the menu at Restaurant Orsay. Modeled on a Parisian bistro, the Restaurant Orsay mainly serves French-inspired seafood dishes with a Southern flair. A few of the most famous entrées at Restaurant Orsay include the lobster pot pie, Carolina trout, and bouillabaisse. Restaurant Orsay also has an extensive wine and cocktail menu as well as a raw bar. In the mood for some Southern BBQ? If so, then look no further than Jacksonville's Southern Charm. There's nothing fancy about this restaurant; here you'll find huge portions of finger-licking good Southern specialties like fried chicken, BBQ ribs, and fried shrimp served buffet style. Just be sure to bring a big appetite if you're planning on visiting this restaurant.= Lastly, no list of Jacksonville restaurants is complete without mentioning the highly-reviewed Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse. As the name suggests, this chain restaurant is best known for its Latin-inspired steaks, but waiters will also bring plenty of other fire-roasted meats and seafood straight to your table. Customers at Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse also enjoy unlimited access to a gourmet salad and hot bar. Read Also: The Best Vacation Destinations For Couples Reasons To Stay In A Vacation Home Rather Than A Hotel Fun Things To Do When Residing In A Vacation Rental House In Anna Maria Island

READ MOREDetails
Online Education

7 Reasons why Online Education is Very Popular

Since its inception, online education has been growing faster and faster. While the benefits of receiving an education in person are obvious, what reason do thousands of students have for getting degrees online? Teaches Aid Training Adapt Education put together this list of seven reasons why online education is so very popular. 7 Reasons why Online Education is Very Popular: Flexible Scheduling: Regardless of a student's age, flexible scheduling is a huge factor in seeking education online. Since students are not expected to attend class in person, coursework can be done while the kids are at school, during breaks at work, on the weekends, or whenever coursework is convenient. This allows students who work full time to advance their education in their free time without struggling to cram classes into a work week. It is also great for parents who balance their own schedule with the schedules their children keep. Students who find that they have a difficult time making it to classes can also benefit from a more freeform schedule, taking assignments and lessons at any hour of the day that is convenient. Affordability: Many online programs also offer a much more affordable alternative to traditional "brick and mortar" institutions. Online colleges only need to pay for instructors, software, and support staff rather than spending money on maintaining buildings and internal technology like computers and printers. This cost reduction is passed on to the student in the form of reduced tuition. Indirect costs to the student such as transportation and room and board in a dorm are also reduced. According to My College Board students at a traditional university can expect to pay an average of $10,089 (USD) to live on campus. This also means a lower initial investment for students who are considering changing fields or just want to take classes to expand their knowledge of a subject. Many students change degree programs after taking a few classes, and online education makes for a financially lower risk way to try out a topic before committing. A Variety of Topics and Modes: Often, students will visit a nearby educational institution and be disappointed by the degrees or topics offered. An added benefit of online classes is that students have a world of choices and opportunities at their fingertips. If a specific topic is not available at one institution, the student can find another from a myriad of online degree programs. Just about any class, a student might want is available online through some college or another. Because the educational institution does not have to bother with physical facilities, it is also much easier to offer a wider variety of topics for students to study. Schools can draft professionals from all over the world to teach classes as well, without having to convince them to relocate. The formats of the classes are also highly varied, with classes that are completely self-paced and automated, or with weekly assignments. Some faculty also offer video chat consultations and discussions for students who benefit from live interaction, which leads to the next benefit. Adaptability to a Students Personality: Not all students thrive in the environment of a classroom. For students who are particularly shy, an online environment may seem more comfortable. Many online classes are structured so that students interact with one another mainly through discussion boards rather than meeting face to face. Those who are more outgoing are also thrilled by the premise of making acquaintances and friends from far away, especially if their educational alternative is in a small town nearby where they may already know many of their classmates. Improving Technology: In the early days of online education, many thought it was more of a hat trick than an effective learning tool. These days, everyone knows that online education comprises a huge portion of the degrees offered around the world. Improving technology has largely facilitated this change. Thanks to the increased availability of high-speed internet, better computers, online archives and catalogs, and learning management systems, online learning has become incredibly easy to use. Many online classes also have excellent accessibility for students who have disabilities thanks to improved and widespread technology. This progress is not stopping any time soon either, and each year educators improve their online curriculum and pick up new pedagogical tips on making use of the great tech most people have at home. Pacing: In traditional education, the plan for a students coursework follows a traditional path. Each student takes a certain number of classes each semester and moves on. If the student fails at a topic, the course has to be repeated causing delays that can be costly for them. Since online coursework can be done whenever a student likes, there is less pressure to rush through difficult topics. If a student knows that he or she struggles with a topic or needs extra time due to a learning disability or other problem, they can opt for completely self-paced classes with no set start or end date. This removes the pressure to pass with a minimum grade and instead promotes deep learning of topics. Building Discipline: While students who meet weekly in person are constantly reminded of deadlines and assignments, online students are usually expected to be more self-sufficient. Although online classes typically have a system of reminders, there is no assigned time for students to work. This means that students become self-disciplined and are very motivated learners. According to this list by the University of Minnesota Mankato, self-motivation and time management are requirements of online learners. When looking for job opportunities after completing their education, these traits are highly valued in almost every field. Regardless of the subject studied, online education inherently comes packaged with relevant job skills. Conclusion: While each student has his or her own reason for seeking education online, these seven reasons are a great start. If you are still interested in what online education has to offer, take a look at the programs offered by Adapt Education. Read Also: Effective Contribution Of Educational Apps Why Are More People Heading To Online Colleges? 7 Reasons Why Your Child Is Underperforming In School Academic Writing For UK Students – Why It’s Important?

READ MOREDetails
Underperforming

7 Reasons why your Child is Underperforming in School

Underperforming at school has been a problem for many parents across the United States. While it does cause stress and raise issues, thankfully there are ways in which this problem can be alleviated. The cause of this problem can be either internal or external and it is best for parents to keep a positive outlook for their children instead of doling out punishments. A proactive attitude has shown to be the most beneficial way to tackle this underperformance. Typically, there are 7 factors that contribute to underperformance in school. 7 Reasons why your Child is Underperforming in School: 1. Permissive Attitude at Home: This is one of the most obvious core issues of underperformance in international primary school Singapore. Some parents simply are not strict and do not offer enough guidance to their children at home when it comes to completing school work and taking it seriously. Most children will not take the initiative to do their homework or do projects without some guidance from their parents. It has also been found that parents who use technology to skirt their responsibilities at home cause negative consequences regarding their children’s motivation to get important tasks done. Children need constant attention to develop good habits that'll help them perform academically, letting them have too much screen time will not help them develop much-needed discipline. 2. Student Lacks Motivation: Some parents may notice that their child seems very unmotivated when it comes to their school work. Sometimes they come home and simply refuse to do their homework or talk about their days. Parents may also be getting emails from the teachers saying that they are having a hard time getting the student to participate and complete classwork. Some important steps parents can take in order to alleviate this problem include meeting with their child’s teacher, creating a better sense of structure at home, and breaking up assignments into manageable pieces. Sometimes children feel overwhelmed, taking these steps can help to show them that you are there to support them during tough times. If the student is not interested or lacks motivation, part responsibility for the same lies in the school itself. Children have highly inquisitive minds, which need to be fed information and education in an exciting and engaging manner. Once they start perceiving it as boring, their mind starts getting distracted. In the Lorna Whiston preschool, teachers use puzzles, activities, group games, and other fun elements to make the kids grasp the learning in a way, which is attractive to them. 3. Stress: There are many factors a child may experience both at school and at home that cause them stress which results in poor grades. Think about their home life, is there a lot of fighting going on between family members? Do they have too many responsibilities that make them tired? Are you as a parent experiencing a high amount of stress? Children pick up on their parent’s moods and it can affect their well-being. Managing your child’s stress level is important if you want to see their grades improve. If there is fighting going on between parents or siblings you should consider going to couples or family therapy. It is important for children to feel like their home is a safe space and it is impossible to foster that feeling when there is tension among family members. Stress can also come from external factors such as the child having a hard time making friends. Parents can help their children by enrolling them in extracurricular activities that are of interest to them so they can meet like-minded peers and cultivate new friendships. 4. Bullying: UCLA psychologists assert that children who are bullied have significantly lower grades than their peers who do not experience bullying. The reason bullying may cause underperformance in school is that students who experience it are less likely to participate in class discussion and are less likely to seek help and ask questions due to fear of being singled out by other students. Bullying also causes low self-esteem and raises stress significantly. If you believe your child is experiencing bullying it is important to talk to them, but understand that some children are ashamed and will not admit to being bullied. It is important for parents to keep in contact with their child’s teacher and express their concerns about bullying to see if the problem can be fixed. Reducing bullying tends to be a collective change where parents, students, and the administration must work together. With the change in technology and wide-spread use of social media, cyberbullying has become a large problem in schools. Parents should be sure to monitor their children's electronic devices and social media accounts. 5. The Material is Too Challenging: Sometimes students may not be able to keep up with the pace the rest of the class has set. The problem can even be as simple as the student needing the material explained to them in a different way. If this is the case, consider getting your child a tutoring service such as A-Team Tuition Gold Coast. Sometimes all a student needs is a little extra attention on the subject matter. 6. Test Anxiety: This is a common problem among students today. Even though your child knows the material and can do their homework with ease, they still do poorly on their exams. This is called test anxiety, and it causes an overwhelming feeling of stress while they take exams making them unable to focus on the material. If your child is experiencing test anxiety talk to their teacher and see if any accommodations can be made. Ways in which test anxiety can be relieved include preparing thoroughly for the material, taking the test alone or with a divider up, and focusing on breathing with positive thoughts. According to experts at the best prep school in Singapore, teachers often fail to acclimatize the kids as far as tests and examinations are concerned. Without prior practice and exposure, they get scared when they are graded and have to adhere to strict rules and regulations during the examinations. A good way to overcome test anxiety is to make sure that the kids are familiar with the overall models of assessments. Starting early will help them get the familiarity and build confidence. This can be done through a series of practice tests done in an informal manner. 7. Poor Organization: Every student must prepare good organizational habits if they wish to be successful academically. If your child has a hard time dividing their time, preparing for exams, and keeping track of their assignments, then it may result in poor grades. Come up with a routine for them and help them keep a planner. If they have one place such as a binder to keep all their work, it will be much easier for them to be successful in class. Children getting low grades in school is a concern for all parents but luckily you can take initiative to help your child be successful. Sometimes all it takes is a little extra attention and devotion to bring their grades and self-esteem back up. Read Also: 5 Golden Rules of Children Language Learning How to Select the Best Investment Plan for Your Child? How Education Powers A Better World? Effective Contribution Of Educational Apps Children Are Citizens: What Are The Civil Rights Of Children In Public Schools?

READ MOREDetails
Art Galleries

Fancy Arts from Renowned Artists in Florida Art Galleries

Individuals who advocate or practice minimalism in the art will, for the most part, opt for minimal decors in their home to look increasingly exquisite and cheeky. Furniture might not be on top of their priority in furnishing their homes, yet normally, dashing arts are utilized for streamers. As such, blank walls can become increasingly advanced and brilliant. All things considered, on the off chance that you are not fond of using arts as beautifications in your home or office, the artists listed in this article might change your mind. Knowing the best smart abilities that may suit your standard in home decoration can give your place another focal point to see. But, don’t stress about getting artists to create your masterpiece. There are plenty of art-related websites, such as the macfine art, that offers a plethora of options that might suit your home. Nevertheless, if you want custom-made paintings, these high-end and multi-awarded artists that are featured in many Florida Art Galleries will inspire you. Melanie Giguere of Foldart: Melanie Giguere initially originated from Quebec, Canada. She’s a passionate craftsman who sought after photography, style, and painting. Her initial phase in the field of art began after completing her diploma in fine arts. After her scholarly diligence, she turns into a style creator in a famous retail chain for quite a long while until she became one of the most famous names in the world of art. Her ideas in her field lean toward the special method, which is known as the Foldart. This unique art technique involves the control and a strategy of folding the paintings’ canvas while actually making art. Melanie Giguere included a sculptural component that enables a 3D viewpoint to what is basically a 2D medium. This undertaking turns out to be increasingly conceivable through her consistent exploration of desires and volume to control crude materials. For this reason, it makes her built up a one of a kind method of a masterpiece. The Foldart system she made breathes new life to the subject. Included into it is a dynamic component that endeavors to break free from the grip of an intermittent casing. Vicente Dopico Lerner of Yellow Garden: Vicente Dopico Lerner lived in Miami but born in Havana. Since 1965, he had traveled and explored the Caribbean. Lerner accomplished various affiliations beginning in 1974. The model Dopico-Lerner is the writer of a few articles on Cuban and Latin American in the Dominican Encyclopedia of Fine Arts. As far as historical center expressions, his works become charming, which enamored the public’s eye for a considerable length of time. He has won a few awards as well. Lerner likewise took an interest in more 50 gathering and individual astounding workmanship exposition that carried him to the spotlight of this vocation. In his gem, his oil on canvas artworks and watercolors on paper have given expressive and representative pieces of information to the inward soul. The eager spirals lose. In any case, it received clearness as the craftsman suddenly made a condition of feeling. The faces and figures which are etched in the workmanship become a figment since it passes on both human and creature qualities which are available to the entire universe. Furthermore, there are bodies, some are divided, but then some are full, these have no evident physical constraint. In his masterpiece, there are unpretentious ideas that appear to happen or reoccur. Theresa Girard of Safe in My Garden: Theresa Girard is conceded that she doesn’t fit into a customary job. She is a local of Providence, RI. Girard’s inclusion in the world of art began at an early age. After studying in the mid-twentieth Century for contemporary specialists, she had created her style of present-day workmanship and theoretical expressionism. Furthermore, she is a teacher and a shading master for an enormous assembling organization. Inside the accreditations she had constructed, she turns into the originator and the previous Art Director of Access to Art – a network-based remarkable workmanship program. In her perfect works of art, she painted more with insignificant plans. Serenity and revival can be gathered with expressions of the human experience she had aced. As she uncovered, upon her methodology in the canvas, she is uncertain if the procedure of the artful culmination would turn out to be intensely stamped, finished, or calm since she is scanning for the nearness of paint. In the meantime, struggle in either strong or shading is repressed. These works of expressions have been highlighted in a few national productions previously including Palette Magazine, Florida Design, Architectural Digest, The Artist Magazine, Gulfshore Life, Elle Décor, and Art Collector. Takeaway: The given work of arts along with the renowned artists become progressively refined with their arts. A lot of individuals have concentrated on the utilization of their abilities in their particular spots since it gives more fascination. Allowing yourself to snatch one of these arts may satisfy your craving to have a wonderful place to live. Read Also: How Easy It Is Hiring A Story Board Artist? Album Art And The Vinyl Record Renaissance

READ MOREDetails