How to Deal with Financial Difficulties as a Student

Financial difficulties can be extremely worrying as a student. They may affect your ability to focus on your studies and continue your time at the university or college of your choice. In order to prevent financial difficulties from overwhelming you halfway into your studies, here are some of the steps that you can take toward dealing with and overcoming them in the 2021 academic year. 

Look Into Hardship Funds

However, most universities and colleges have financial advisors and finance departments that can help you organize your finances and give you a variety of options that can help you stay at the university regardless of your financial situation. For instance, many universities offer students facing financial difficulties a hardship fund. This fund can help to keep you going when you are far into your overdraft and will allow you to keep your finances afloat for longer. To get this fund, you should schedule an appointment with the finance team at your university as soon as possible. If you predict that you will find yourself in financial difficulty before you go to university or college, you may be able to apply for certain grants before you even leave home. 

Get a Part-Time Job

If you need some extra cash to help you pay your bills and fund your nights out, you should consider applying for part-time jobs in your area. As you progress through your studies, it is unlikely that you will have more than a few contact hours per week, especially if your course is currently focused on your dissertation or independent study. This gives you plenty of time between your lectures and seminars to head to a part-time job, where you can earn the money that you need to support yourself. SavetheStudent has collated some of the best part-time jobs that students can find at the start of the new term. However, you should make sure that this job does not distract you from your studies and that you still have enough time to complete all of your assignments. Some courses may even recommend that you avoid taking on a part-time job, where possible. 

Apply for Grants

You might be able to apply for grants, even if you are halfway through your studies. Grants are given by the university itself and give extra funding to people who meet certain criteria. These criteria could be anything, from coming from a low-income background, having a parent who works in a certain field, being a mature student, or taking a certain course, such as healthcare or teaching. 

Speak to Your Landlord

One of the main issues when you run out of money as a student is being able to afford your rent, especially if you are staying in private accommodation. While it may be easy to contact your university’s accommodation provider about any late payments, and these usually come out of your student loan directly, it can be harder to speak to your landlord about any problems you are having in getting the money you need together. However, in most cases, student landlords will be lenient or will allow you to pay your rent when you receive your next loan installment. This is not always the case, though. So, before you speak to your landlord, you should plan exactly what you are going to say and make sure that you know your rights while renting out their property. 

Short Term Loans

If you are struggling with financial difficulties as a student, you might consider taking out a short-term loan. This is a possibility as long as you have some sort of income (e.g. from a part time job) but this should be a last resort and you would need to be confident you can and will meet all of the loan repayments, as failure to repay a loan can lead to further financial difficulties. If you do decide to go down this route, it may be a good idea to use an FCA regulated loan broker to try and get the best APR available to you and your personal financial circumstances.

Cut Your Costs

As a student, although it is unlikely that you will be making a large income, you will not have as many fixed costs as other people living independently. For instance, you will be splitting your bills between multiple people and will usually not have a vehicle to run. So, once you have paid your rent and your student loan, the majority of your costs may be spent on fun and luxuries. It can be difficult to manage your money in the first years of being a student, especially if you have never had to do so before. So, you should find ways to better manage your money and cut your unnecessary expenditure. For instance, you should cook at home more often, attend free events or societies, and consider walking or taking the transport put on by your university rather than public transport or taxis. If you are struggling to cut down on your costs, you should consider downloading a finance tracking app that will allow you to see and manage what you are spending at all times. 

Many students deal with money problems before they leave university or college, especially if your student loan covers less than you imagined. You may encounter these issues even if you previously believe that you were financially savvy. However, these issues do not mean that you will have to return back to your hometown and abandon your degree. Although being in financial difficulty can be stressful for students, it is not usually the end of the world, and there are plenty of steps that you can take to get you back on your feet and which can ensure that you stay financially afloat enough to pour most of your energy into your studies and achieve academic success, and with that success carve a great career for yourself. 

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5 Tips For A First-Generation IT College Student

As a first-gen student, you face expectations unlike any other. You’re trying to figure out how to make your parents proud, how to make new friends, how to live on your own for the first time. There’s no denying it’s tough, so we want to make it a little easier. 

Get ready for campus life by reading our five tips for being a first-generation college student below.

1. Apply for Scholarships 

If you’re a first-generation college student, you may have additional financial stressors others don’t. Thankfully, there are great scholarships out there specifically for you — and plenty are offered by former first-gen students. 

Jasdeep Singh created a scholarship in honor of his parents, who valued education and helped their son through secondary schooling. Apply to as many of these opportunities as you can to help alleviate the financial burden college places on you. 

2. Get Involved 

College isn’t just about locking yourself in your dorm and studying — it’s a time to have fun and discover yourself. 

Joining clubs, attending school events, and participating in campus activities will help you feel more at home. Fostering your social life is almost as important as handling the academic side of things (just ensure you find a nice balance). 

3. Understand Your Limits

Chances are, you’re on your own for the first time. You’re away from your routine and juggling a schedule that revolves solely around you. There’s no denying it’s difficult figuring out what and who to prioritize. 

The trick is to prioritize your physical and mental well-being. This may mean saying no, denying an extra project, or opting out of a social situation. Burnout is very, very real, and taking on too much puts you at risk. 

4. Assess Your Study Habits

Don’t base your study habits on those around you. Your roommate may be able to absorb all their info from the lecture alone, leaving him plenty of time to party. But that doesn’t mean your brain works the same way. 

In your first semester especially, take the time to determine what method of studying works best. You may have solidified certain habits in high school, but as college coursework is more involved and requires advanced understanding, your study sessions will need to keep up. 

5. Network

Some people with connections — they’re legacies, their parents were in a particular sorority or frat, etc. — and some don’t. If you’re a first-gen student, there’s a high chance you’re in the latter group. But don’t panic; college is the perfect way to make the connections you need. 

Picture-perfect academics isn’t the only way to jumpstart your career. A 2016 survey concluded 85% of jobs are filled because of networking. 

So, don’t be afraid to attending dedicated networking events. Have that elevator pitch in your back pocket. And, for the love of all things good, take advantage of your professor’s office hours! Before you know it, these foundational relationships may present you with a career path. 

Final Thoughts & A Bonus Tip

It’s time to let go of the expectations you think others have of you. College is a time to discover your interests and explore potential career fields you’ve never thought possible. So, meet new people, join fun clubs, and explore your hobbies in full. 

It’s challenging to decide what you want to do at 18, even more so when you feel the pressure to make your family proud. But chances are, they already are. Use this opportunity for yourself and see what the future holds. 

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How to Choose the Right College for You

There are so many choices to make when selecting a college, it is a wonder anyone does it at all. Analysis paralysis can really be a hindrance to moving forward. You are not just looking for a good college, but the perfect college for you. This can be hard for 18 year olds with no life experience to guide them. They really don’t know what they want. When you don’t know what you want, it can be really hard to find. One should also remember that perfect is the enemy of the good. There are plenty of good colleges you might overlook because you are set on finding the perfect. That merry chase is more of a fool’s errand. Perfect doesn’t exist.

What you need is a clear understanding of your needs. Make a list of priorities in the order of importance. There are a lot of things you think you need at first. But later, you realize you can live without them. Give yourself enough time to change your mind a few times. Get input from people who have been to college and can help you know what to look for. Some priorities are obvious. The following items might not have made your first draft:

Access to Charging Stations

If you are thinking about getting an electric car, you are not going to be able to park that thing in your dorm room and charge it from an outlet. You are going to have to make sure there is at least one charging station nearby so you can juice up before heading out. There doesn’t need to be a charging station on campus. It is not like most campuses have their own gas station. But you do need one or two nearby, and in route to places you normally go. Fortunately, the charging station infrastructure is really starting to fill out. So that is much less of an issue than it was 10 years ago. 

While you’re at it, check the parking situation. Not all campuses have ample parking spots for students. Some might charge a high fee for parking. The same is true for a lot of cities. One of the biggest downsides to owning a car is parking. Many places are simply not car-friendly. Again, this is just one of those things you need to ask about and not take for granted. If you have a car, or plan to, be sure the infrastructure on and near campus is right for you.

Job Placement

You definitely have to make sure you choose the right college for your major. What you also have to know is if the college has a successful job placement program for the kind of job you want to do. Every college likes to boast about their job placement successes. But general numbers don’t mean a thing if they are not good at placing people in the type of job you want to do. 

The best business school from 2015 might not represent the best you can do today. So be sure your recommendations are current. Again, there is a difference between the best business school and the school that is best at getting their graduates into good jobs. That’s a big difference. Don’t get a degree that will not get you hired. 

Tech Ecosystem

If you are a Mac user and your school only does Windows, you are in trouble. You are going to hate every minute. And the transition is not automatic. You are also probably looking at a school that is technologically regressive if all major platforms aren’t supported. If you Use ecosystems from Microsoft, Apple, or Google and it is not supported, look elsewhere. While you’re at it, be sure that the WiFi is plentiful, fast, ubiquitous, and reliable. Your college career will depend on the internet even if you are taking all of your classes on campus. Bad internet services equals a bad college. Even if everything else is perfect, that school is a big pass. Don’t ignore technological red flags.

While it is not impossible to transfer to a different college, there is a reason it seldom happens. The place you land at first is more than likely the place you will graduate. So be sure to choose wisely. Be sure it has the right infrastructure in place for the car. Be sure the job placement program is right for your major. And check the tech before signing the dotted line.

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Save Your Struggling Business With a Bar Graph Maker

Myriam Jessier / Unsplash

Businesses, in one way or another, undergo the inevitable phase of struggle. They may struggle to garner popularity and patronization over their competitors, struggle to keep up with the growing public demand, or struggle to stay in the competitive industry. 

When talking about saving a struggling business, data visualization can do so many wonders. A struggling business could boost its image to its potential clients or customers through the help of a comprehensive and meticulously done graph. Graphs and other data visuals aren’t just pretty pictures, but they actually bode well for your business.

What Is a Graph?

Time and time again, graphs prove to be one of the most effective tools for visual presentation. Graphs, along with charts, are often used to demonstrate relationships between different sets of data. It has many types: line graph, bar graph, pie graph to name a few.

If you want to avoid dealing with confusing and dreadful numbers, then graphing your idea is the way to go! It helps you better understand information that is too complex to be put into words.

Why Should Businesses Create Graphs?

Graphs aren’t just about the aesthetics of presenting information to a particular target audience. It is also about highlighting important details from a drowning pool of information gathered through the years of service that your business has been continuously contributing to society.

Here are some reasons why businesses like yours should exert effort into creating graphs.

Graphs make your data easier to digest.

Goumbik / Pixabay

Not everyone likes to look at large numbers or, worse, comprehending what those numbers mean. Data, when too broad and too complex, tend to be really overwhelming for a lot of people. Thankfully, graphs were invented to help average people comprehend information that only math wizards understand.

With easier-to-digest data presentations, the audience would be quick to understand. Engagement with the audience will transpire naturally as data was already converted into more comprehensible forms such as graphs. Audience engagement then becomes beneficial for you to achieve your established goal. This goal can be to attain suggestions, ideas, and solutions from the audience.

Graphs can identify areas for improvement.

LTD EHU / Pixabay

Day by day, the world gets more and more analytical and data-driven. With this in mind, businesses should note that understanding and knowing how to work with graphs is as essential as coming up with an excellent financial management plan or an outstanding marketing, sales, and customer service strategy.

Like a pattern, data tells a story that is too complicated to be reiterated through words. Businesses may use graphs to represent their revenues, profit margins, and practically everything numerical that is relevant to its success and, at times, the lack thereof. Through the use of data presented in graphs and in order to get rid of the obstacles hindering its success, businesses may utilize visual representations to come up with an informed and important decision on the next step that it should take.

Graphs can determine which data is relevant.

Mohamed Hassan / Pixabay

As your business grows, so does the information that your data bank holds. You may end up getting drowned with too much information, so better wear your life vest aka graphs, charts, and other diagrams to help you swim through the pool of confusing figures. Visualization techniques such as bar graphs can help you discover some hidden or unnoticeable anomalies and malicious patterns from your pool of information. And from there, you can come up with a conclusion and proceed to taking necessary steps in order to save your struggling company.

Because of the load of information that they have, businesses tend to miss some information that could be found when graph makers are used: unusual distributions of data, gaps, missing values, outliers, etc. If you can’t understand the data presented to you, then sure as hell you aren’t gonna learn anything from it too.

How Important Are Graph Makers?

Isaac Smith / Unsplash

Generally speaking, every business across sectors benefits when the information presented to them is easy to read and interpret as this helps them avoid misinterpretation. Visualization is very important especially when dealing with a large volume of information. When effectively presented through graphs or any visual technique, you will be able to grasp the meaning behind any data and you can quickly draw conclusions with the image of the graph in mind.

It is good to know that there exist websites such as Venngage that provide businesses a tool to create visually impactful graphs, reports, charts, and infographics. Bar graph makers help struggling businesses see and understand the patterns, trends, and most especially, the outliers in their existing data. They allow you to determine the meaning behind the numbers — where you went wrong, where you can improve on, etc.

Little by little, graphs continue to prove its contribution and essence to every industry one could think of. Graphs are used in the government, in marketing, in real estate, in finance, in sales, in science and technology, in consumer goods, in sports, and in education to name a few. Students use graphs to better understand their lessons, electrical engineers use graphs to better represent networks and circuits, businessmen use graphs to present their business’s revenues and outliers too. 

I could go on and on. But one thing is for sure: graphs make lives better. It’s time to bid adieu to the dull and boring world of complex data and say hello to the era of powerful insights as expressed through informative yet stunningly formatted graphs.

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What Makes E-Signatures Safe and Trustworthy?

Most businesses and organizations will distribute and receive documents that must be signed or have been signed. This has been the case for at least a century, and probably longer.

However, the way in which these documents may be signed has changed in recent years. For example, it’s become increasingly common for companies to resort to and accept e-signatures instead of traditional pen-and-ink signatures.

An e-signature serves the same purpose as a traditional autograph. It’s simply a digital alternative. Though many have embraced this solution, some have remained reluctant to do so.

This is often the case because someone worries that an e-signature may not be secure. This is an understandable concern, but not a justifiable one.

E-signatures are actually highly secure, and arguably more secure to a substantial degree than ink signatures. The following points illustrate why.

E-Signatures Are Difficult to Forge

Forging a traditional ink signature isn’t terribly difficult. Someone might not have the skills necessary to forge a signature on his own, but with a little effort, he could probably find someone who does.

Or the aspiring forger could develop the necessary skill over time. In addition, a range of tech tools can make the task of forging a traditional signature much easier.

Forging an e-signature is far more challenging. It requires access to your computer. The forger must also have your signing certificate password.

It’s crucial to understand that an e-signature isn’t just an image that resembles a traditional ink signature. It’s actually more of an algorithm that creates a “digital footprint” unique to the signer.

E-Signatures Offer Greater Control Over Documents

E-signatures are also convenient for many reasons. One is the simple fact that they allow organizations and individuals to process documents much more quickly than they used to.

For example, instead of mailing a new client a contract and waiting for them to return it–again, through the postal service–with their signature before work on a lucrative project can begin, you could send the contract as an attachment to an email, obtain the e-signature, and start work in a matter of minutes.

This also increases the safety and security of critical documents. Although it may be fairly rare for the postal service to lose mail, it does happen. Sending a physical document by mail also increases the chance of it falling into the hands of someone you’d prefer would not see it.

That’s going to be far less of a concern when you send it by email. Unless you’re the target of a cyberattack at precisely the wrong time, it’s highly unlikely the wrong person would intercept an email you just sent.

This is another reason e-signatures are secure. They allow you to send and receive documents that must be signed in a manner that’s much safer than traditional mail.

E-Signatures Have Electronic Records

When transactions involve signing multiple documents, perhaps over a somewhat long span of time, disputes can arise. Luckily, e-signatures provide an electronic record of a transaction.

They establish an “audit trail” that can be used to solve disputes more readily. Because such disputes often overlap with security concerns or issues, this is one more way in which e-signatures are more secure than you might have recognized.

Having concerns about security issues when new technologies become available is entirely rational. If you’ve relied on traditional signatures for years, you might wonder why you should switch to a new solution if you don’t know it’s just as safe.

Nevertheless, it’s become increasingly accepted by industry observers that if security is a concern, using e-signatures is likely the wisest option.

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Easy ways to finance your education in 2021

As we move into a new decade, it is important to consider what your education will cost you. There are many reasons for this and can vary from person to person. Some people may be looking at getting their degree because they want to advance in their current career, while others may be looking at the long-term opportunity to get an advanced degree or certificate that could potentially exponentially increase their earning power. Whatever the reason, it’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to finance your education in 2021.

This post covers easy ways to finance your education in 2021, which include;

1. Getting a scholarship

Getting a scholarship is one of the most popular ways to finance your education, as it doesn’t usually require repayment. Some examples are academic scholarships, which may be based on GPA or SAT scores, and athletic scholarships for athletes who showcase their skills at various universities during recruiting events.

Scholarships are determined by the college, which means that you should be proactive about applying for them. The best way to do this is to research scholarship opportunities and find ones that match your academic interests or lifestyle preferences to increase your odds of getting one. In addition, there are also scholarships available through private organizations.

2. Student prizes

If you’re a student looking for easy ways to finance your education, consider entering some of the many competitions geared towards students. These could range from beauty pageants and academic contests.

Students can also enter essay or photography competitions sponsored by companies such as Microsoft.

Some companies offer a scholarship to the top three finalists in their essay or photography contest. The only requirement is that you are currently enrolled as an undergraduate student and at least 18 years old. One of these scholarships may be enough for your entire education, so it’s worth entering if you’re eligible.

3. Getting an online loan instead of a student loan

One of the easiest ways to finance your education in 2021 is by taking out an online loan. This type of loan should be taken as a last resort, but some people may find that they’re unable to get any other form of financial aid because their credit score isn’t high enough or they don’t have any assets (for example).

The good news is that some loan providers like CashFlex offer online loans for students without a credit score requirement and can be applied through an easy process in just under five minutes. No paperwork or faxing is required.

Online lenders don’t rely on your credit rating to approve the loan application, so it’s worth considering.

However, there are some downsides to taking out an online loan for your education as well; the APR rates can be much higher than what you would pay with a student-loan provider, and they may also require collateral such as a car or house to ensure that the person takes out payments on time.

4. Part-time jobs

If you don’t want to take out an online loan to finance your education, there are other ways that you can earn some money. One of these is getting a part-time job on-campus or off-campus during the school year and summer break.

This could be anything from being a peer tutor for students who need help working in the campus cafeteria.

The bottom line with part-time jobs is that you need to do your research beforehand without letting any opportunity slip away.

5. Student grants

There are also some student grants available for students to apply for that can help with tuition or living expenses. These could be either merit-based, need-based, or a combination of both.

The first step in applying for these grants is to fill out the form and see if you’re eligible. You’ll know that you are once your financial aid award letter arrives with a list of scholarships, loans, or other types of student-aid available to you. This can take some time, so it’s important not to wait until the last minute.

Conclusion

Financing your education in 2021 is easy. With different ways available, it’s a good idea to get started early and figure out which one is best for you. To do this, we recommend researching scholarship opportunities and what other types of financial aid may be offered to you.

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6 Things You Need to Rock Your Next Interview

Changing jobs to advance your career or getting your first professional job after college can leave people overwhelmed with anxiety. There are so many things to consider in the process, it’s hard to know where to start. If you’ve been holed up in your house working remotely for the past year and a half, the added stress can make the thought of change even more unbearable. The good thing is that you can walk into your next interview with confidence when you do these things.

Professional Resume

Spruce up your resume. Those Microsoft Office templates might provide a good start, but if you really want to stand out in a sea of applicants, have a professional resume writer offer you suggestions to improve. You’d be surprised at the difference they can make. It’s not just about putting information on paper, it’s about the look and feel of the resume as well. For people in creative industries, the layout can make or break your chances of even getting invited for an interview.

Along with your professional resume, a good cover letter tailored to the job you’re applying for is critical. No “Dear Sir or Madam” greetings will do. Take the time to research the company and the names of the people who you want to get in front of. It’s not as hard as you think to find out who the HR director or Marketing VP is at a company. A good resume and cover letter will set you up for success once you get the interview.

LinkedIn Profile

A lot of companies do some sleuthing online to learn more about potential candidates. A professional photo and complete LinkedIn profile is a great way to stand out. Leverage this powerful social media tool to network, connect with thought leaders, and others in your industry. Share valuable content on occasion to help you stand out when recruiters come looking. With a good first impression online, you’ll be able to rock your interview.

Confidence

Human resources professionals don’t pick the worst candidates, they choose the best. Wear confidence that you were one of the best of all the applicants. You don’t need to feel self-conscious, you can walk with confidence that you have the skills they need and you are one of the best options. Too many professionals think they might not be good enough for a role, but the truth is, if you were selected to interview, you passed the first test.

Clothes

Unfortunately, what you wear matters. You can be the most brilliant mind, but if you walk into an interview looking sloppy and dirty, it’s unlikely you’ll get the job. Wear something stylish but subdued. You don’t want to be distracting, but there is no need to wear outdated pant suits when you can wear a pair of cute bottoms with a simple button-up shirt. Use accessories sparingly, but don’t feel like what you wear must be devoid of fashion.

Preparation

Learn about the company you want to work for. There is no reason you need to walk into a company blind. You can find out gross revenue for the previous year, read annual reports, and check out their social media profiles to discover their voice. Interviews are as much for you as they are for them. Be prepared with good questions about company culture, corporate policies, and job-related questions.

Find out about how they approach advancement, bonuses, and other career building opportunities. You’ll want to discover how supportive they are of further education and families. What is their take on work/life balance? All of these are important ways you can prepare for your interview.

For the technical interviews, you may also experience tests like brainteasers and IQ tests.  You can test you Edgar Allan Poe knowledge here with this fun quiz.

Don’t Share Too Many Personal Details

Your interviewer doesn’t need to know that you were out late drinking last night or any of your personal financial problems. It’s important to keep your interview focused and professional. If they try to dig in to anything that’s outside the scope of the job interview, it’s up to you to redirect the conversation. An interview should be a back and forth, give and take between the parties. But it should not be a juicy tell-all. Hold back on anything related to home, family, or personal life. You don’t want to give the impression that you aren’t planning to be committed to the job. 

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How to Make Safety an Integral Part of your Outdoor Cooking Experience

Outdoor cooking has become a fresh idea again. Lots of restaurants have had to move their dining facilities outside to accommodate COVID concerns. Many restaurants have been discovering the joys and headaches of serving people outside. It is easy to do on a nice day. Add cold and rain into the mix, and you have a recipe for disaster. The solution is expensive. Big restaurants have adopted tent-like structures with integrated heating. The entire system still has to have access to open air for safety. But the heaters have to run hot and constantly to fight the chill of the air. It is not without a hint of danger.

The threat of fire is real and present. Do you know what to do if your building catches fire? What about the outdoor space where you are cooking or eating? Fire safety is one of the big reasons why smaller restaurants are having a hard time setting up appropriate facilities. When you add outdoor cooking to the mix, you have a situation that is even more fraught. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. It just means that you have to do it with safety built into the process. Here are a few things to consider:

Safe Equipment

When setting up your U shaped outdoor kitchen, the first detail you should consider is the components of that kitchen. Will you be using a gas, charcoal, or electric grill? You have to be as concerned about fire with an outdoor setup as you do an inside setup. Some people just love the ritual that involves charcoal, lighter fluid, and a long match to get it all started. Others find a gas grill much safer, and something with an electric start even more safe. The key is to start with safety and figure out flavor later. You can always make food more flavorful. Adding safety after the fact is a lot harder.

The physical arrangement of the kitchen might also contribute to safety. A cramped space is likely going to be less safe than a larger space where there is room to spread out. A larger space will also make it safer for more than one person to be in the kitchen at the same time. When too many people are in too small of a space, accidents happen. To reduce the chances of fire, start with quality equipment chosen for the setting in which it will be used.

Safety Gear

A lot of people have a fire extinguisher inside the house. But do you have one outside as well? If you have an outside fire that blocks your entry to the house, you are in trouble. This is one of the most important safety tips that people forget when it comes to outdoor cooking. 

A lot of outdoor fires start because people don’t build campfires the right way. But even those fires could be stopped before they become news with the simple expediency of having a fire extinguisher near to hand. When cooking outdoors, your fire extinguisher needs to always be near to hand. You should not consider it safe to start the heat until you have the fire extinguisher nearby. 

Insects 

Cooking outdoors means giving insects more access to you and your food. Some insects carry disease. Some cause allergic reactions. And you never want to accidentally bite into one. That is the kind of thing that can easily put you off your lunch. 

While nothing will completely eliminate pests, you should have your pest control service spray outside. They have chemicals that can greatly reduce pests. You can also use bug zappers and those torches that have insect repellent in them. These measures can help. What you don’t want to do is use any type of aerosol around your cooking area. It might kill the bugs. But it will also ruin your food and endanger your guests. It might seem like a small problem. But for a mostly insect-free outdoor cooking and dining experience, you should call in the professionals. It doesn’t cost as much as you think, and will help more than you think.

To enjoy your outdoor cooking experiences, start with safety. Only use quality products installed by professionals. Keep the fire extinguisher near to hand. And let the professionals deal with the insects before you set up your kitchen. 

 

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Here’s How to Use Giveaway Bottled Water to Promote your Brand

Whether it’s for your conference, launch, or a daily on-site promo, supplying people with customized bottled water is a great way to boost your brand. Giveaway items are a super way for guests to remember you, but a gift like water goes a step further: it promotes your values and shows you care about your customers’ health.

But how do you give out bottled water in an effective way? Here’s a complete guide on how to make this strategy work for your business.

How Does the Promotional Bottled Water Giveaway Work?

Giving customized, promotional bottled water to your guests is quite simple. The idea is to hand out water bottles with your own branding rather than corporate labels.

But won’t people throw them away when they’re done using them?

Not if you invest in aluminum bottles they can reuse and take wherever they go. This makes your giveaway much more memorable and usable long-term.

To create this giveaway, you usually have to customize your own labels or aluminum bottles through a professional service, which give you full creative control. For example, https://myownwater.com/ lets you choose the material of your bottles, like recyclable plastic, glass, or aluminum.

You should include items on your bottle label such as:

  • Your logo, branding, company colors
  • Company name and or slogan
  • Address
  • Contact details
  • Website

How to Present Your Giveaway

1. Reception Area Promo

Offering free water at reception is a lovely way to make guests feel comfortable. You will remind customers of your branding throughout the day and much longer if you go with aluminum.

Ask your receptionist to offer water to anyone who comes by.

2. In Meetings

Having water readily available helps people for more comfortable in board meetings, presentations, conferences, or team-building events. It is a small touch that goes a long way to creating a good impression.

3. At Charity Walks/Runs/Golf Days etc.

Whether your company is hosting, collaborating on, or participating in a charity day, handing out branded water to participants is a great way to gain visibility. You can have them at the finish line and/or at hydration stations.

By having employees get involved, your team will interact with the local community and establish new relationships.

4. In Swag or Tote Bags

Everyone loves getting a bag of goodies to take home after a conference, launch, or any event, really! If you are collaborating with other companies, tell them you’ll supply the water with your branding.

Make sure to have your branding on the swag bag itself and the other items in it if it’s an in-house affair.

5. At Markets or Trade Shows

Wherever you go to showcase your company, take your promotional water along. Chatting with all the traders and looking at what they offer is draining work. Visitors to your stall will be grateful to get that free bottle of water when they really needed it.

Make sure the water is clearly visible at your stand to draw people in.

6. Sponsorships

If your company doesn’t sponsor any local school programs and sporting, arts, literacy, or theater clubs, consider doing so immediately. It’s a wonderful way to give back to the people who support your business and reach new potential customers. As part of your sponsorship of projects and events, you can include promotional water. Parents will respect you for being a part of these youth development programs and are bound to support you in return.

7. Community Events

There’s always something going on in a thriving community — craft fairs, ladies high teas, sporting days, you name it. Having a stall handing out water alongside company pamphlets is another way to connect with your community and get your name out there. It’s also loads of fun to be a part of these community gatherings!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, handing out bottled water to employees, clients, and community members shows your company cares. It’s an effective way to market your company and thereby generate more business leads. So next time you’re considering buttons or pens, try your hand at designing water bottles instead!

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Forrest Walker Conner: Choosing the Right College Major

Everyone finds their purpose in different ways and at different times in their lives. Some instinctively know what they are called to do at a young age and plan their whole academic career around that. Others test out various things to discover their passion and talents.

Picking your college major is a big decision, and, frankly, some heading to college aren’t certain of which direction to go. Nashville rising businessman Forrest Walker Conner said it was a trip in the summer after his eighth-grade year at Montgomery Bell Academy that set him on his path. 

A Program That Changed His Life

That was the summer Forrest Walker Conner studied Lithuania and the Baltic countries during World War II. The fortitude of these smaller countries to remain free impressed Forrest Walker Conner and prompted him to participate in any exchange program available. 

His family hosted German and Lithuanian students, and Walker traveled to Australia to study in between his junior and senior years in high school. After high school, Forrest Walker’s travels and experiences led him to enroll in University of the South, Sewanee.

Picking a Major in College

A rising junior, Forrest Conner is majoring in economics and minoring in business. Forrest Walker is also a paid intern in Washington, D.C., while participating in an economic and public policy program called the Fund for American Studies.

He said the toughest decision of his college career was picking a major. 

“I know it doesn’t sound like that crucial of a choice,” Forrest Walker Conner said, “however, understanding that it will affect my life further down the road definitely adds more pressure to the decision.”

Learning from Experiences

Forrest Walker said he enjoys new places, people, and experiences, which led to many opportunities. He pays attention to relationships and listens to mentors. He said he tries to learn from every experience. All of that has helped him come to decisions about his major. 

Those who are having trouble deciding which major is the right one can do some of the things Forrest Conner did to help you decide. 

Forrest Walker Conner participated in extracurricular study programs, like the one in the Baltic States, which piqued his interest in foreign countries, the economy, and freedom.

He also started seeking out foreign exchange programs to learn more about the world, which ultimately led him to the nation’s capital. Learning about different topics can put you in a direction that you wouldn’t have expected. 

Expand Social Circles

Forrest Walker Conner also expanded his circle of relationships. That can be beneficial in multiple ways because, as he stated, it opens up opportunities. More opportunities mean you could find something you really enjoy that you hadn’t pursued before. 

Most of all, he listened to those he respected. Forrest Walker Conner said that included family, friends, teachers, those at church.

Forrest Walker said he knows he still has much to learn and is eager to continue learning both in the classroom and in life. 

Find Your Interests

Those who are having a challenging time deciding what interests them should take an interest inventory test. This is offered through guidance counselors’ offices, and some are even online. 

Answering simple and fun questions can clue you in on parts of personality you haven’t thought about before. After calculating your answers, the inventory test will list several possible jobs that you may have the skills and interest in pursuing. 

It doesn’t hurt to do some part-time or temporary work or even volunteer in different industries to see if you’re a fit for that job. You can earn some money, gain some skills, meet new people who can help you advance your career, and find out if you truly like a job before you pursue it as a career.

That is what Forrest Walker Conner is doing in participating in a paid internship. He said he is learning that public policy and business often work together, and the experience is teaching him how government policies affect the economy and business environments.

Take on Challenges

He advises young people to try as many new things as possible, even if it appears to be challenging.

Forrest Walker said trying new things may seem intimidating, but they can be some of the best experiences of your life.

He said the more you challenge yourself, the less scary things become. Then you can face the next challenge with confidence. 

“Then before you know it, there isn’t much that will intimidate you anymore,” Forrest Walker said.

Picking a college major doesn’t have to happen the moment you hit the college doors.

You can take some basic courses while you think about it. Just don’t put it off. Search different avenues and make the most of every opportunity so you can move ahead when you figure out which major you want to pursue.

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