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How To Talk To Your Kids And Teenagers About Death?

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The demise of Her Majesty the Queen has made every Briton stare in the eye of the eventual reality: that of death. That’s how every life is destined to end, whether a pauper’s or of royalty.

Processing emotions is hard, even for adults.

Scenes like these weren’t uncommon in the 11 days that followed, from the demise of the Queen to her funeral.

mourning-queens-death

Possibly, this is the time your children or teenagers are processing so many thoughts about death.

They might not even have the vocabulary to fully express how they’re feeling. For younger children, this is even more stifling.

Because it’s not easy to talk to your kids and teenagers about death, we have put together some background information, suggestions, and ideas that may help you deal with such difficult and emotional situations and boost everyone’s mental health.

Let’s look at how children process grief in different stages of development first.

How do Kids perceive Death?

helping-grieving-children-and-teenagersHow do children understand death at different stages of their development? Depending on the age of your child/student, death is processed in different ways. Find out more below.

Infants (birth to 2 years)

  • Talking to kids about death can be tricky, especially if they’re infants. Infants have no understanding or concept of death yet.
  • Even if the topic invokes some sort of fear in them, they might express it by crying.
  • This stage is all about carefully explaining terms related to death when this is appropriate as this will help the child to make the right associations.

Preschool-age children (3-6 years)

  • Preschoolers think that death is reversible and/or temporary due to their limited concept of time.
  • They may also believe that it is limited. As in, death is like sleeping. So, the person may continue to carry out regular activities after death.
  • They may even feel they’re responsible for the death of someone, even if they did not personally know the person.

School-age children (6-12 years)

  • At this stage, they realize that death is final; not limited, like sleeping.
  • They may even think that death is a spirit, a ghost, or an angel.
  • Around the time when they’re 10, they understand that everyone dies. And it’s something that can’t be avoided.
  • You can expect questions revolving around what happens to the body after death.
  • It is at this stage that they may question their own mortality too. In fact, they may wonder how they’ll die so much that they may withdraw from friends and family too. This is why talking to kids about death must be handled with caution and sensitivity.

Teenagers (13-18 years)

  • Talking to teens about death might seem easier since they’ve mostly grasped the concept of death. But it could also be difficult since they do tend to respond rashly.
  • Since teenagers are already at that stage in life where they’re more vulnerable and on edge, they’re more susceptible to depression too.
  • That’s why it’s best to tread lightly when you talk to them about complex topics like death.
  • Because they’re not as emotionally mature as a healthy adult, they may shut down.
  • The event might cause them to question their understanding of the world and their faith.

5 reflected Ways to explain Death to your Children

talking-to-teens-about-death

  1. Don’t confuse your child by saying the person has gone to sleep or has gone away. Use the actual word “died”. Don’t give them false hope of the person returning. Psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour says that being honest in this way, without using euphemisms, is the best way to talk about death with kids.

2. Do encourage them to ask you questions if they have any. No matter how it sounds, don’t neglect them.

3. You could use books, role-play games, or drawings to further explain the concept to them. Here’s a list of books that can assist in explaining death to children, as compiled by the Huffington Post and you can also find children’s books about philosophical topics such as “Philosocats“.

Philosocats author Judith Millecker has this exclusive tip:

“Adults tend to avoid the subject of death based on the assumption that it’s too scary for children or too morbid to talk about. A major reason why death is scary is that it’s largely a taboo in our society. But once the ice is broken, most children are very susceptible to this subject. Talking about death, be it in an abstract way or by telling one’s own experience, can be liberating and a good opportunity for bonding.”

“At the beginning of a philosophy session with a class, a 7-year-old boy asked me recently if they could now take off the badges they had gotten for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. His argument was that the Queen had died and wasn’t around anymore, so that badge should go as well. It was a great opportunity for me and the class to talk about what the end of life means, about the concepts of legacy and the value of memory.”

4. Express freely how you yourself feel about death, so your child feels free to express themself too.

5. If you or your family shares any religious or spiritual beliefs about death, share them with your child and explain why.

how-to-talk-about-death-with-children

Whether it’s about talking to kids about death or talking to teens about death, it’s always best that you’re honest with them.

Note: Child Bereavement UK has helpful resources for you.

How to talk to Kids about Death?

talking-to-kids-about-deathThe recent death of Queen Elizabeth might be the best time to talk to kids about death. This is an opportunity to explain ‘death’ to them when their sense of personal loss isn’t as massive as it would be when a dear pet or an ailing grandparent dies.

Explain it briefly, and simply

The best way to approach this topic with kids is to explain it briefly, and in simple terms. For instance, you can tell them how death is the absence of familiar life functions.

Here’s what you could tell them:

“When we’re alive, we breathe, eat, sleep, talk, and feel. But, when we’re dead, we can’t do any of these things.

“For instance, when a dog dies, it doesn’t run or bark anymore. And when flowers die, they don’t bloom anymore.”

Repeat it

Young ones may have to go over this concept several times before fully understanding it. That’s why talking to kids about death can be tough. You may have to revisit the concept at an appropriate time to check their understanding.

Explain others’ reactions

The emotional implications of death may be hard to grasp for kids. They ask why people are crying. You, then, will have to be patient with them and say “they are crying because they are sad that the person has died. We feel sad when someone dies.”

Prepare for and answer their Questions

You mentioning the death of someone to your child might make your child ask you questions like “when will you die?”. They ask this, probably assuming that death is temporary or is something that you’re in control of.

Even though they might not understand it clearly, they may think that it means separation. They may fear being ‘abandoned’ by you, or not being cared for. The best way to address this worry is to reassure them that you don’t expect to die any time soon. And that they’ll still have many people to take care of them even if you do.

Before you explain, know this…

Choose your words carefully while talking to kids about death.

We’ve heard of cases where people have died in their sleep. This may confuse your child and make them fear sleeping! They might think that they’ll die if they go to sleep.

Another instance would be ailments. Often, people die due to severe sickness. This might invoke fear in your child and make them worry if they’re dying. Let them know that only very severe illnesses may cause death.

When you explain to your child that someone has died due to old age like the Queen, make sure they know that young people can die too. They may think that everyone dies only at a specific age, or a specific stage. However, as real as you’re being with them, be gentle as well.

Reassure them that you expect yourself and them to live for a long time.

Balancing Religion and Science with Tact

how-to-talk-about-death-with-childrenYou may tell your child that the person who died is now with God. This statement may comfort you but could actually scare your child. Your child may think that God will take them away as well. So, before you decide to use religious references, check if they are well attuned to these references.

Another example could be a statement where you say the person who died is now happy with the angels. This could confuse your child. They will wonder why everyone is sad when the person who died is happy.

Ensure your kids know the realities of death without making confusing statements. Only then can they clearly understand your expressions of religious faith. Only then can talking to kids about death become less daunting for you too.

How to talk to Teens about Death?

Teenagers can get very emotional and may find themselves confused. That’s not only the general perception but also supported by research published by The American Psychological Association.

talking-to-children-and-teens-about-death
Source: https://www.developmentalscience.com/blog/2019/5/7/our-teens-are-more-stressed-than-ever

So, naturally, they may experience more complex emotions after learning about someone’s death. These could be:

  • Numbness
  • Anger
  • Depression

Your teenage child would hate to be treated like a kid. They’re at this stage where they fully understand what death means. So, you can talk to them the same way you would talk to an adult about death. Be honest with them, and don’t try to sugarcoat anything.

However, a teenager’s emotions are far more volatile. So, cognitively, they may process death the same way as adults do. But emotionally, they respond like adolescents. They may link the death of the person to the death of another person that happened in the past. This may awaken some repressed emotions. If they resurface, acknowledge them, but help your child not dwell on them.

How to help Kids and Teenagers get mentally stronger?

talking-to-children-and-teens-about-deathGrief is a strong emotion and needs to be expressed fully.

It’s healthy to feel every emotion and express it, but it’s unhealthy for the mind if these feelings stay for a prolonged period of time. These can come in the way of your child’s day-to-day activities and exhaust them mentally.

When you strengthen your child mentally, you prepare them for every unanticipated challenge.

The first step to raising mentally strong kids is to teach them to control their emotions. This way, they don’t let their emotions control them.

The next step is to teach them how to replace those negative thoughts with realistic, practical ones. This way, they can take positive action to move forward in life.

Grief will be more intense after the loss of a loved one…

helping-grieving-children-and-teenagersCoping with the loss of a loved one is far more difficult. This is someone you’ve known personally; someone with whom you’ve shared an emotional connection.

So, how can you help your child cope with the death of a loved one?

1. Mourn

Mourning helps your child accept what has happened. When you mourn, you’re telling your child that you’re celebrating the life of the person who died and saying goodbye to them while dealing with missing them.

2. Listen and comfort them

Talking to kids about death comes with reassuring and comforting them. Whether they need lots of affection or simply need to sit with you in silence, do what you feel they need. The goal is to check in on them regularly.

3. Label feelings

If your child is finding some difficulty expressing their emotions, ensure they don’t keep them bottled up. First, label your emotion to them, so they can do the same. Once they label it, they can express themselves fully. Make sure to validate their emotions too.

4. Help your child remember the person

Shutting down is a common response to a loved one’s death. But make sure you yourself don’t shut down, so your child doesn’t do the same. Encourage your child to write stories about them or draw pictures of them so that their memories are fresh. When happy memories are shared, the grief is shared too. This helps heal grief and makes the heart less heavy.

5. Help your child connect with other bereaved children

This would let them know that they’re not alone. It could be a support group, an online group, or a camp for kids dealing with grief.

Talking to kids about death might lead to feelings of anxiety, confusion, and melancholy; both, in yourself, and your children. But with some patience, honesty, and sensitivity, it should be less daunting.

And remember, the key is to reassure them, especially the little ones and to just be there for them.

4 Habits to Adopt to Become the most Organised Teacher

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Whether you’ve dedicated your life to molding children’s minds in primary or secondary education, being a teacher is no easy feat.

What individuals in this profession tackle daily is enough to make anyone’s head spin, from planning homework tasks to devising lesson plans, classroom presentations, and marking exercise books to keeping the classroom tidy – a lot of time management and organisational skills go into being a successful educator.

However, if you regularly find yourself rooting through your desk, the filing cabinet, the storage compartments, the bookcase, and anywhere else you might stash items in your classroom to find that one piece of paper – it might be time to rethink your organisational strategy.

It’s only natural that your classroom will also be cluttered if you’re a messier individual – as it’s a reflection of yourself. Yet, our brains are hardwired to like order, and without it, you can find yourself in a more troublesome situation than you were to begin with.

Therefore, it’s essential that you analyse how you can bring a degree of order to the chaos of your classroom to have a more satisfying teaching experience and increase your professionalism. Yet if you’re not a naturally organised person, it can be tricky knowing where to begin, which is why we’ve created this article outlining a few pointers.

From keeping digital files and records orderly with the help of a PDF converter or Google Forms to sorting out your desk – here are several habits to adopt if you want to become a super organised teacher.

1. Declutter Your Desk 

habits-to-adopt-to-become-organised-teacherInstead of wasting energy fretting over which corner of the classroom to tackle first, your own workstation is an excellent place to start. As a teacher, your desk is the mission control center, as this is where you will carry out most of your daily duties, so it needs to be organised in a way that will allow you to carry out these tasks as efficiently as possible.

Start by looking at the positioning of your desk and determining whether it’s in the most optimal place. Can you see the whole classroom from where you’re sitting? Even in the very back of the classroom, where the most opportunist of students likes to sneak their phones out under the shelter of their desks?

If this is not the case, reposition your desk so you can see the entirety of your classroom and keep the visual clutter to a minimum, so it doesn’t infringe on your view. Once you’ve done this, you can move on to the contents of your desk and shift through what you need and don’t need so that you have adequate space to sit with students, grade papers, or just a place to rest your tea or coffee.

2. Keep PC Files Organised

habits-of-an-effective-teacherAlthough teaching is traditionally done face-to-face, your computer or laptop is one of the essential tools in your teaching arsenal as many teachers now also teach online. Whether you’re creating presentations for your next lesson or sending emails to other colleagues, your computer is in constant use; therefore, it is essential that you extend your organisational skills towards the digital aspects of teaching as well as the physical.

Navigating a laptop with a swarm of documents, presentations, and downloads on the desktop can become tedious since it makes it much more challenging to refer to items when required. Time is of the utmost importance when you are limited to sixty minutes per lesson, and the last thing you want to do is search for worksheets and waste valuable learning time.

Avoid this by organising your files into folders and sub-folders; you could even go one step further and arrange them by date, making them easier to find under time constraints. Better yet, if you are working with a laptop that has limited storage space, you could consider using an online PDF converter tool that will enable you to convert your digital files into different formats.

As well as offering better security and organisational options, PDF conversion tools boast many advantages, one of the most significant is that they can reduce the size of a file, giving you more space on your PC or laptop. You could consider switching to Word, an Excel spreadsheet, or any other choice of format available online.

Whether you want to convert from PDF, convert to PDF, edit a PDF, or sign and protect a PDF, they have a range of online office tools designed to help you with every task imaginable. Learn more about their online office tools by visiting their website, reading customer testimonials, how-to guides, and much more to see how they could help you become more organised today.

3. Don’t Forget To Delegate

successful-teachersIf you happen to lead a team of teachers or have support staff working alongside you in your classroom, it’s vital that you make the most out of their abilities by delegating tasks to them. Not only does this take a load off your plate, but it also allows your colleagues to put their best foot forward and produce some of their best work.

Ultimately, your colleagues will all possess a diverse set of abilities and skills that you can use to your advantage to get tasks done quicker and more efficiently. Whether you have a colleague who is good with computers, so you delegate all technology-related functions to them, or a colleague who can communicate well with struggling children, all members of your team can help in one way or another. Yet, it’s up to you to delegate skill-specific tasks so that you can reap the benefits them.

We understand that, at times, it can be hard to relinquish control or even admit to your colleagues that you are struggling with your workload, especially if you’re in a management position, as we often have a mentality that we can do everything by ourselves. Yet there is no shame in asking for help, as that is what your colleagues are there for and will ultimately help you become more organised and less prone to burnout.

4. Jog Your Memory

top-qualities-of-an-effective-teacherIt’s not surprising, given the sheer workload teachers must juggle daily if you occasionally let a task or two slip between the cracks. But if this is a regular occurrence, it can reap havoc on your organisational skills. Fortunately, there are many ways that teachers can give their brains a nudge to ensure that tasks don’t get forgotten.

From printing out a to-do list, using a calendar to organise your day, using Siri to set reminders, or even a simple post-It note can serve as a gentle nudge when it feels like time is running away from you. As well as helping you organise your day a little better and reminding you of small tasks, you can also use these reminders to communicate with your fellow teachers via Outlook or Microsoft Teams with note taking and sharing in OneNote for example.

Whether you nominate a student to run a post-it note to another teacher’s classroom or use Siri to send messages at a scheduled time, these little ways of jogging your memory will soon become your best friend and help you out in those times of need. Ultimately, these will make it easier to plan your day so that the risk of forgetting tasks is minimised.

Newly released Children’s Book “The PhilosoCats” invites you to discuss Philosophy daily with Children

Many teachers and parents feel their children are behind in personal, emotional, and social development, as a result of the Covid restrictions. Trying to catch up isn’t easy on top of the critical learning gap that exists as well. As the new school year starts, it still remains a challenge to provide children with good quality opportunities to understand their emotions, practice social interaction, and train their use of language.

Children’s book author Judith Millecker is convinced that doing philosophy with children is a great way to tackle those issues jointly while keeping it fun. Her new book series “The PhilosoCats” combines a picture book story with a philosophical activity book for children from ages 4 to 9+. The first episode, “I thought we were friends!”, is a story about anger, trust, and forgiveness. These concepts are introduced in the story and will be further explored in the included activity book which contains 20 pages of varied and skillfully chosen activities, from philosophical questions and mindfulness exercises to games, creative activities, and brainteasers. This variety will inspire and challenge the mind and critical thinking of children as well as adults in multiple ways.

Lukasz Krzywon, who is an educator, author, and experienced Philosophy for Children practitioner from Creative Together in Ireland, says:

“The PhilosoCats “I thought we were friends” is a simple story exploring a rich terrain of anger, trust, and forgiveness. Resources supporting the story skillfully connect philosophical reflection with mindfulness exercises and embodiment. It will be useful for anyone wanting to explore these topics with children at home as well as in the classroom. A wonderful addition to the philosophy for children toolkit.”

Exploring and discussing philosophy has many benefits for children. It engages and trains:

  • critical thinking & logical reasoning
  • verbal expression & communication
  • personal & emotional development
  • social development
  • creative thinking & imagination
  • understanding of the world
  • being aware of one’s place in the world & critical citizenship

The goal of the PhilosoCats series is to support adults and children in having meaningful conversations, connecting with one another, and spending quality time together. The activity book is supplemented by guidance and tips for adults on how to do philosophy with children and some background information about the lives of important philosophers.

The PhilosoCats series is suitable for any setting, be it in the classroom or living room, for bedtime, or during after-school club.

Here’s what the author, Judith Millecker, says about her inspiration for “The PhilosoCats”:

“When reading stories to my young nephews, I often felt there was something missing. Most books stop at “The End” without giving children a chance to reflect on the story and the message they take away. As a philosopher and storyteller, I wanted to change that. That’s why I set out to inspire children to reflect, think deeply, and gain a new perspective.”

children’s-book-the-philosocats

The first PhilosoCats episode “I thought we were friends!” is available worldwide as a paperback and e-book on Amazon, which you can find here: https://amzn.eu/d/alXHL70. The 20 pages of the activity book are also available as a free pdf on the website www.philosoworld.org, where you will find more philosophical activity sheets on other popular books, such as The Gruffalo and Stickman.

7 Best Online Tutoring Platforms in the UK

Online tutoring, unlike traditional face-to-face tutoring, proved to be most effective during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, even after the pandemic, online tutoring is the preferred tutoring method of many parents as well as teachers and tutors, and working online in education is growing in demand.

Along with this growing trend, it gets harder to choose the best tutors online as we find increasingly more providers on the internet. It is therefore important to know all the options to narrow down the most suitable options.

So, here are 7 of the best-rated online tutors in the UK for you to explore.

1. GoStudent

best-online-tutoring-platformsOne of the top online tutors in the UK whom the UK Education Blog recently interviewed at the EdTechX summit in London, has taken the UK market by storm, especially during the pandemic. GoStudent offer customised online tutoring classes and is beginning to implement AI for more individualised learning.

Website: https://www.gostudent.org/

Best features of GoStudent:

Students are different in their IQ and grasping power. GoStudent tutors accept that and treat everyone accordingly. They are available when and wherever you need them. Not only this, but they also acknowledge the child’s progress to their parents. They provide affordable classes and make it easy for everyone to have one. Replacement of tutors has also been managed if a student doesn’t find their tutors suitable for them. GoStudent is a kind of flexible Online Tuition that goes around according to students.

Subjects covered:

There are several subjects included in these courses like Math, Physics, English, and many more. The levels include A Level Tutoring, GCSE Tutoring, 11 plus exam Tutoring, KS4, Tutoring, etc.

  • Primary school tutoring
  • Secondary school tutoring
  • Long-term academic support
  • Homework help
  • Exam revision
  • Preparation for re-sits

Pricing

The price of tutoring starts from £21.60 per lesson, depending on the package you choose.

Reviews and Ratings:

With 4.5 stars out of 5 stars and 5800+ reviews on Trustpilot, GoStudent is clearly among the best online tutoring platform in the UK.

2. FirstTutors

online-training-platformFirst Tutors have thousands of tutors nationwide, covering a wide variety of subjects. There are no minimum or maximum limits on the number of hours you can book a tutor for. The services can be accessed 24/7.

Website: https://www.firsttutors.com/

Best features of First Tutors:

Students and Teachers working remotely are the new normal. As this is international home tuition, it gives access to many other countries in the UK. They allow students to choose a home tutor for any subject they need help with. Apart from learning, tutors of this organization make sure to introduce a student to adult life as well, which is so rare in a simple tuition class.

Subjects covered:

First Tutors helps in finding a tutor for any subject and level. Many courses including the classes are of:

  • Academic
  • IT
  • Business
  • Dance
  • Language
  • Arts & Crafts

Pricing:

  • First Tutors – £9.99 – £34.99
  • 10 hours of tuition – £180
  • Additional Agency fees (10 hrs) – £0
  • Total – £185

The fees can vary according to the tutor’s price per hour which makes the service affordable. Tutors’ average fee is £18 per hour tutors charge upwards of £9 per hour)

The courses available are available for all age groups who require tutoring.

Reviews and Ratings:

With 5 stars ratings across most websites, FirstTutors have the best rating so far. It has got 4.8 stars out of 5 stars with 4100+ reviews submitted on Trustpilot.

Awards and Accreditations:

First tutors have always been in the media coverage for their great services. Moreover, they have won many awards such as,

  • Education Investor Supplementary Education Provider of the Year (we’ve won and been nominated as a finalist several times in this category).
  • Dedipower Sunday Telegraph Digital Awards (national finalists)
  • Working Mum Awards – Best SME (national finalists)
  • Big Chip Awards – Best eBusiness (winners)

3. Tutorful

tutoring-servicesTutorful was born out of the belief that by bringing all the best tutors together in one place you could help anyone find the perfect tutor for them. They are now also providing one-to-one tuition.

Website: https://tutorful.co.uk/

Best features Tutorful:

This is a wholesome platform in itself. From chemistry tuitions to learning different languages it has all of it in them. They also offer special teaching for anyone preparing for any specific exam like GCSE. Tutorful has been an excellent help in reaching educational and social goals. This platform helps to groom completely. Here, you can compare thousands of tutors and then choose the one you want to go forward with your learning.

Subjects covered:

Here is the list of the most popular subjects in which they offer tuition. These are just courses under which many subjects still come so you may get the widest range possible.

  • Math
  • English
  • Science
  • Language
  • Music
  • Humanities and Arts
  • SATs
  • Computing
  • Special Educational Needs

Pricing

Lessons with our tutors will vary in price depending on the level of study, the subject selected, and the experience of the tutor.

  • Sessions generally cost between £15 and £35 per hour.

The courses available are available for all age groups in need of tutoring.

Reviews and Ratings

This online tutoring platform has got a solid rating of 4.6 out of 5 from a total of 3000+ reviews. Moreover, most of the customers strongly recommend joining here in their reviews about this online platform.

Awards and accreditations:

In the year 2017, Tutorful won the “Northern stars award”, UK’s most exciting pitch competition despite tough competition.

4. SuperProf

online-teaching-resources-ukSuperProf is a teaching community of more than 20 million teachers from across the globe. It is spread across 42 different countries and imparts knowledge in 14 different languages.

Website: https://www.superprof.co.uk/

Best features of Superprof:

This is one of the most popular teacher marketplaces in the world with the involvement of 40 countries. Here, after the student is enrolled, the fees will vary according to tutors. It is not the same for all tutors and it is different for all 40 countries. There are over 1,000 subjects available on Superprof, which eases the way for students to learn different subjects from a single platform. For learning, they are trusted by many students and their parents.

Subjects covered:

  • Languages
  • Musical Instruments
  • Academics
  • Personal development and many more.

Pricing:

  • In the UK, it’s £29 per month; it is roughly equivalent in other countries, allowing for exchange rates.

Reviews and Ratings:

Most of the reviews of super prof are positive. On the website Trustpilot, Superprof has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 amongst 1000+ reviews.

5. MyTutor

best-tutoring-websites-in-ukMyTutor is the UK’s most trusted tutoring platform by parents with a rating of 4.7/5 on Trustpilot. The tutors are experts in over 30 subjects from KS2 up to GCSE and A Level, so the schools use them to support their teaching.

Website: https://www.mytutor.co.uk

Best features of MyTutor:

Bookish knowledge can be attained by anyone. But the thing that makes a tutor a “good tutor” are the ways he/she explains the subjects. This makes a huge difference. Tutors who can empathize with their students and help them build confidence help teens unleash their potential, My tutor hires their teachers after seeing all these qualities explained above. Comparing this to other Home tuitions, this is affordable for a maximum number of people.

Subjects covered:

The courses offered are of both School Subjects and Career Related. The courses include:-

FOR SCHOOL

  • GCSE English
  • GCSE Physics
  • A level French
  • A Level Biology and many more

CAREER-RELATED

  • Communication Skills
  • University Prep

Pricing:

Tutors set their prices based on their experience and qualifications.

  • Starting from £20/hour at GCSE level.
  • Most of the tutors charge between £20 and £30/hour.

Age 15-18 Children can be enrolled in Career Related Courses.

Reviews and Ratings:

MyTutor has received 4.1 out of 5-star ratings on Trustpilot. Similarly, it shows 4 stars out of 5 on Google My Business reviews.

Awards and Accreditations

My tutor has been the finalist and award winner in various competitions. Some of which are mentioned below.

  • MyTutor is a finalist in the Bett Awards 2018
  • Education Investor Awards has given the Best private tutoring company award to my tutors in the year 2018

6. TutorHouse

best-online-tutoring-platforms-in-the-ukTutorHouse is one of the leading tutoring platforms in the UK. They offer tuition for both online and in-person students from across the country and the globe. Their goal is to make learning accessible to everyone, no matter their age, level, or budget.

Website: https://tutorhouse.co.uk/

Best Features of Tutor House:

Providing the best and quality education to a student just by sitting in their home is what Tutor House does. As this is online, it eases a student’s work to decide on their Tutors. They provide 30-minute free trials as well for students’ opinions about them. Apart from this, you will get the recorded classes in case you have missed any. They provide the best and never disappoint their users.

Subject covered:

TutorHouse has an expert teaching faculty who teach subjects like Spanish, English, Physics, Law, French, Chemistry, Math, etc in their courses. The courses include

  • Common Entrance
  • UCAS & University
  • A – level Retake courses
  • Homeschooling

TutorHouse provides tuition from the age of homeschooling to adulthood. They tutor for Common Entrance Examinations for ages 11 to age 13 as well.

Pricing

The teachers, once selected and interviewed, are allowed to set their prices based on their experience. The payment style is flexible, and the deals come in a pay-as-you-go, bulk bookings, or package deals.

Private online tuitions start from €20/hr.

New Tutors

  • €20-€40
  • Experience = Less than 3 years

Intermediate Tutors

  • €40-€60
  • Experience = 3+ Years

Expert Tutors

  • €60-€90
  • Experience= 5+ Years

Reviews and Ratings:

On the most trusted website Trustpilot, TutorHouse has got a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from the learners.

7. FleetTutors

best-online-tutoring-platformsFleet Tutors has helped over 100,000 students across London, the UK, and internationally, achieve the results they need in entrance exams, public exams, or catching up with their peers. Tutors come to your home or the location of your choice, and they also tutor online.

Website: https://www.fleet-tutors.co.uk/

Best features of fleet tutors:

FleetTutors has helped over 100,000 students across London, the UK, and internationally as well. They have a great network of private tutors and education experts who instill confidence and fast-track educational attainment by tailoring their teaching to the needs of your child. Their tutors come to your home or the location of your choice, and many can also tutor online. FleetTutors is giving both options for a student to learn. This is one of the well-reputed classes in the UK.

Subjects covered:

A wide variety of courses is offered which include several subjects.

  • Under 10s
  • 7+11+13+Common Entrance
  • GCSE/IGCSE
  • A Level
  • IB Tutors
  • Special Needs Education

Pricing:

  • £75.00 / per-pupil tooltip icon.

Reviews and Ratings:

FleetTutors have received ratings of 3.5 stars out of 5 on indeed.com and 4.5 stars out of 5 on Facebook It has also been rated 4.4 stars out of 5 on the famous job website Glassdoor.

Conclusion

After considering all the available online tutoring options, you should be able to pick and choose the providers most suitable for your student’s or child’s needs. Analyzing and planning our moves even if they are for the basic level ultimately shapes our future.

Choosing from the best tutors in the UK we can now decide for ourselves which suits the best for us. Select the best and learn from the best today!

6 Best Soft Skills Training Courses in the UK

In these modern times, each skill you acquire helps you to move one step closer to that dream job or the dream business that you want to attain. One such skill that is more important than any other skill that helps immensely in the corporate and business world is the soft skill.

Soft skills can be defined as specific character traits and interpersonal skills that relate to a person’s relationships with other people. Soft skills help with the smooth functioning of any organization. Effective communication is a good example of a soft skill.

Each member of an organization needs to learn at least some of the basic soft skills like effective communication and listening, stress management, people, and relationship management, etc. so that they can handle their work life as best as possible. Individuals can use the internet as a resource or businesses can mandatorily provide training to their employees to improve soft skills.

There are many platforms that offer the best soft skills training courses and to help you with comparing the best, we have listed the 6 top-rated providers to make your search easier.

6 Best Soft Skills Training Courses In the UK

Here is the list of 6 best Soft skill Training Courses that are popular and rated at the top by the users.

1. STL Training

soft-skills-training-courses-in-the-ukSTL training offers both face-to-face and virtual classes. They offer varied courses from Application training to professional and management development.

This reliable training class has more than 80k reviews from customers with 4.8 stars out of 5 on the website Trustpilot.

In case you are looking for flexible classes with great soft skills coaches, STL training is the one you are looking for.

Website: https://www.stl-training.co.uk/professional-skills.php

Soft skills taught:

Some of the soft skill training offered are,

  • Time Management
  • Organizational Skills Training
  • Influencing Skills Training
  • Negotiation Training
  • Stress management etc.

Cost and duration of the courses:

Costs of the course vary according to the courses offered. For example,

  • Time Management Courses start from £275
  • Negotiation Training Courses, Stress management, Influencing Skills, Organizational Skills Training from £359

The prices vary as per the method of class chosen. Visit their website to know more about the rates.

Most of the classes are done and dusted within a single day. Course handbooks are also given to the learners.

Eligibility:

Although these soft skills courses will be more effective for working professionals, anybody who wants to develop their interpersonal skills can enroll in this program.

Contact:

Phone no: 0207 987 3777. Either you can directly call them or there is also an option to request a callback.

Socials:

Twitter: Twitter

Facebook: Facebook

2. Ihasco

remote-soft-skill-trainingNo matter which position a person holds, somewhere they lack a skill that restricts their growth. Ihasco got their back through the soft skills courses they offer. As an organization, they have benefited other companies in a great manner by enhancing the skills of their employees.

The soft skills courses by them are cost-effective and match the level of an organization by providing their best. These ways of reaching your staff are a perfect way to boost their confidence and come across the problems they have while working.

With this, they will be open up and the environment of the workplace will also remain friendly and healthy. Ihasco has got  4.7 stars out of 5 stars of the trusted website Trustpilot among 2150 reviews from the users.

Website: https://www.ihasco.co.uk/courses/type/soft-skills-training

Soft skills taught:

Some of the courses offered by iHasco are

  • Anger management course
  • Assertiveness and self-confidence
  • Creative problem-solving and decision making
  • Critical thinking training
  • Emotional intelligence training

Cost and duration of the courses:

You need to request a quote to know the price of single courses. But they also offer packages whose costs are as follows:

For one year,

  • Access to 5 courses, and 5 Staff at £108 per user
  • Access to 10 courses, 100 stuff at £35.20 per user
  • Access to all courses, 500 staff at £21.80 per user

For two years,

  • Access to 5 courses, and 5 Staff at £102.6 per user per annum
  • Access to 10 courses, 100 stuff at £33.44 per user per annum
  • Access to all courses, 500 staff at £20.71 per user per annum

For two years,

  • Access to 5 courses, and 5 Staff at £97.20 per user per annum
  • Access to 10 courses, 100 stuff at £31.68 per user per annum
  • Access to all courses, 500 staff at £19.62 per user per annum

Similarly, the duration of courses ranges from 4 hours to 24 hours. The recorded modulus will be provided as you buy the course. It is self-paced learning according to your convenience.

Eligibility:

There are no restrictions based on the qualifications of the persons. Anybody can buy the courses and start learning.

Awards and Accreditations:

iHasco has many awards and accreditations such as

  • CPD registered presenter
  • Investor in people’s award
  • iHASCO is a Skills for Care Endorsed Learning and Development Provider
  • Cyber essentials scheme certification

Contact:

  • You can call them at 01344 867 088  or
  • Send a mail at hello@ihasco.co.uk

Socials:

Facebook: Facebook

Twitter: Twitter

Youtube: Youtube

3. Skillsme Academy

communication-skills-trainingSkillsme academy is famous for its fun and interactive online soft skill training. The training is often done in groups so that the classes are more interesting to attend.

Although new, the supportive staff with friendly class members makes this academy stand out from others. Along with the recorded classes, frequent online webinars are also taken by the coaches.

With 4.6 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot, Skillsme can surely keep up with the best online soft skills training classes out there.

Website: https://skillsme.co.uk/

Soft skills taught:

As of now, they offer two courses which are in demand.

  • Impromptu Speaking for Success
  • Connect with Anyone

Cost and duration of the courses:

The classes are divided on the basis of the level. Impromptu speaking for success has three levels in it. They are,

  • Impromptu Basic at £149
  • Master of Impromptu at £199
  • Impromptu Pro at £299

Similarly, Connect with anyone also has three levels

  • Hello Storyteller at £149
  • Master of Stories at £199
  • Storytelling Pro at £299

Generally, all the course videos are given to the customer once they are bought. The courses can be learned at the learner’s own pace.

For Advanced masterclasses, in addition to the video classes, online practice sessions are conducted at particular timings. The practice sessions are run online on alternate Wednesdays and Saturdays at selected timings on the platform Zoom. In case you miss any practice classes, you can always catch up in the next session.

Eligibility:

The courses offered by skillsme academy are best suited for the following persons:

  • Professionals
  • Leaders and Entrepreneurs
  • Students and Job Seekers
  • Presenters, Teachers & Public Figures

Anybody who wants to improve themselves is welcome to join this course.

Contact:

  • You can call them at +44 7742 148 255 or
  • You can Email them at info@skillsme.co.uk

Socials:

Facebook: Facebook

Instagram: Instagram

4. Flexbee

best-soft-skills-coursesFlexbee offers a wide variety of courses specially designed to improve the soft skills of employees. The main aim of Flexbee is to upskill the workforce so that an organization can work to its utmost potential.

They provide recorded classes to learn at your own pace or you can take scheduled online webinars. There is also an option to blend these two together so you are always on schedule.

Being in the business for more than 5 years, Flexbee has helped many businesses to improve their performance, promote the work culture, and have skilled and happy employees. At the end of the course, certifications are also provided to learners.

Flexbee is highly rated as a soft skill training provider with 4.8 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot amongst 4479 reviews from its customers.

Website: https://www.flexebee.co.uk/soft-skills

Soft skills taught:

Flexbee offers courses such as,

  • Complaints Handling
  • Customer service awareness
  • Cyber security awareness
  • Effective Call management
  • Interview skills
  • Managing people
  • Managing your digital profile
  • Staff appraisal skills
  • Professional boundaries awareness
  • Time management awareness
  • Stress Awareness

Cost and duration of the courses:

Flexbee offers two types of payment methods. The Unlimited subscription and pay-as-you-go basis. Both methods require you to create an account with their website. The cost of these two are

  • Unlimited subscription starts from £0.40 per month per user
  • Pay as you go basis starts from £0.99 per course

Eligibility:

Usually, Businesses buy these courses for the betterment of their staff. However, Individuals can also buy these courses to better themselves.

Awards and Accreditations:

Flexbee has accreditations like,

  • Rospa assured qualifications
  • Cyber essentials certified
  • CPD standards office accreditation

Contact:

  • You can call them at 0330 041 6006 or
  • You can Email them at info@flexebee.co.uk

Socials:

Facebook: Facebook

Instagram: Instagram

Twitter : Twitter

5. Mandatory Training

business-soft-skills-training-coursesMandatory Training works as learning for individuals to enhance their personality and as a stepping stone for their career. For a workplace, there are some protocols and ethics that need to be followed. But not every employee may know ethics.

Mandatory Training has introduced numerous online courses where employees can get registered for enhancing such skills and ethics. The prices are also affordable and the courses provided include skills related to Management, Negotiation, and Public fear as well. They have tried to align all those topics which trouble the workplace so that an individual can select the course in which they want to improve.

This training provider has been rated with 4.9 stars out of 5 amongst 400+ reviews on Trustpilot.

Website: https://www.mandatorytraining.co.uk/

Soft skills taught:

  • Assertiveness and Self-Confidence
  • Risk Assessment and Management
  • Presentation Skills
  • Leadership and Influence
  • Negotiation Skills
  • Public Speaking
  • Business Etiquette

Cost and duration of the courses:

These courses are value packed and the most affordable of them all. The basic cost of these courses starts from £14.99 per course.

One-year validity is offered for every course. And the time period to complete the course varies according to each course.

Eligibility:

This online Understanding Leadership training course is suitable for all levels of leadership and managerial personnel and for those who aspire to listen and learn.

Awards and Accreditations:

  • CPD certified
  • CPDUK Accredited
  • Training qualifications UK-approved center
  • MTG awarded

Contact:

  • You can reach them at +44 24 7610 0090

Socials:

Facebook: Facebook

Instagram: Instagram

Twitter : Twitter

6. Reed

soft-skills-training-coursesHaving more than 97000 courses, Reed’s website offers courses in a variety of subjects with soft skills being their most sorted out course. Various organizations offer their soft skills courses and you can buy them as per your choice. There are more than 2000 soft skills available on this website which you can use to develop your skills.

Both online and In Class sessions are available at your convenience. The courses are filtered as on-demand, online courses, and offline classes and also on the basis of the price for which they are offered. Reeds received 4.1 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot.

Website: https://www.reed.co.uk/courses/soft-skills

Soft skills taught:

The courses are offered on three levels

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

Various soft skills like

  • Effective Time Management
  • Using Assertiveness to Boost Your Self Esteem
  • Building great relationships
  • Effective Communication Skills are offered.

Cost and duration of the courses:

The cost of these courses ranges from £10 to £1000+ based on the curse structures and the seller. Some sellers offer free courses also. There is an option to filter out the price range according to your requirements so that you can find the best and most affordable courses.

Eligibility:

No formal eligibility criteria are set for these courses. All you need to have is a spirit to learn the skills and the time to master those skills.

Contact:

24/7 customer service is available with reed. Once you create an account with the reed’s website, you can chat with them or contact them via the query form provided by them.

Socials:

Twitter: Twitter

Facebook: Facebook

Conclusion:

There is no limit to lifelong learning. Whatever profession you are in and whichever level you are on, when you have an open mind there are millions of possibilities for you to grow. Online training providers like the ones listed above offer truly useful and flexible opportunities to hone your soft skills and add these to your CV. Plus, soft skills will equally be beneficial in your personal life.

Spending A Year Abroad for University? – 3 Factors to Consider Before You Move

The university experience can be the most exciting time in a young person’s life.

New friends, new opportunities, living away from home for the first time, it’s a truly transitional period between life stages, a bridge between childhood and adulthood.

Many universities offer students the chance to spend a year studying abroad, which can be a fantastic opportunity to make new, international friends and gain invaluable life experience.

However, it is a big step and can be a significant undertaking for a young person. We’ve put together a list of three factors you should consider before deciding to spend a year abroad.

1. Money

choosing-to-study-abroadIf you’re spending a year studying in another country, you’re obviously going to need money to survive. Don’t count on securing a part-time job as soon as you arrive, jobs can be hard to come by and many businesses may think twice before hiring a foreign student who may not even speak the native language.

Student loans and grants can give you financial support, but make sure you budget accurately to ensure you can afford all the basic living expenses while leaving some spare cash for you to enjoy yourself.

Setting up an online bank account can make it easy to manage your finances abroad. Finally, make sure to inform your existing bank that you will be moving.

2. Accommodation

things-to-know-before-studying-abroadFinding somewhere suitable to live is crucial. While the university might arrange this for you with dorms that you can get cheap dorm essentials for, it’s still worth familiarising yourself with the local areas in preparation for your move. Some areas may be less safe than others, so always ensure you’re aware of your surroundings.

Consider your current accommodation too. What are you going to do with all your things? You won’t be able to take everything, and if you’re having to give up your accommodation for the move, you’ll need somewhere to keep your possessions. Family and friends could be an option; however, this might not be viable if you’ve moved away for your studies.

Most major cities will have spaces you can rent, Safestore is one of the best London storage options, offering a range of unit types and sizes.

3. Language & Culture

moving-abroad-checklistWhile it’s not totally necessary to speak the language of your destination country, knowing a handful of common words and phrases prior to your arrival will make the transition much smoother and more stress-free. You’re likely to pick up more of the language the more time you spend there, but it can’t hurt to have some prior knowledge, and it will endear you to locals by showing you’ve made an effort. You can use some language learning apps to make a start.

Culture is an important consideration too. Always ensure you are adhering to the country’s social norms and customs; show respect and you’ll get respect in return. Researching your destination beforehand can allow you to brief yourself on what to expect and how to behave, preventing you from committing any social faux pas.

Conclusion

There can be a lot involved in preparing to move abroad, and for a young person balancing studying simultaneously, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the planning and organization required. Drawing up budgets, researching cultures and customs, and familiarising yourself with the language and local areas can help ease your transition while securing adequate accommodation will ensure a comfortable arrival.

Don’t forget about what you’re leaving behind. Make sure you have somewhere to store your possessions while you’re away, if family or friends aren’t an option, consider renting a personal storage unit for a secure space to keep your things while you enjoy your year abroad.

How To Start A Blog And Make Money Blogging As A Student (5 Step Guide)

Blogging can be a very rewarding gig for students.

It does not take much time. Once you have set up the blog, you perhaps need to spend 3-6 hours a week writing new content.

If the blog becomes popular, an income of £1,000 every month is very achievable. In fact, Britain’s top bloggers such as Joe Wicks and Louise Pentlan lead almost celebrity-like lifestyles thanks to their passionate blogging.

But how do you learn to blog and what tools do you need, especially if you’re still a student?

We guide you through the process of setting up a student blog that will have maximum reach with minimum investment of time and money.

Check out our featured student bloggers here to get inspired:

14 Top Student Finance Blogs in the UK

Top 15 Education and Student Blogs accepting your Guest Post

Rising Cost Of Living – A Problem For Students Across the UK

The National Student Money Survey has revealed startling facts. Students, the future of the nation, are really struggling to get by.

Key facts from the study:

  • Over 75% have considered dropping out of their university course.
  • The amount received for maintenance is short by £340.
  • 40% of the students have a side hustle to make ends meet.
  • A startling number of them are making risky investments in cryptocurrency.
  • 34%, or just over a third, worry that their grades suffer due to money issues.
  • 65%, or almost two-thirds, say that their mental health suffers.

The savethestudent.org student money survey 2021 also revealed that most students get money from their parents (66%), part-time jobs (66%), loans (65%) and savings (50%). However, interestingly 6% get money from self-employment and 3% from social media.

A clear indicator that some utilise the internet to earn.

How To Setup A Student Blog Using WordPress And Web Host SeekaHost?

To start a student blog, you need a domain and hosting as well as a platform or web builder. It is known as a CMS or content management system.

You could code a blog from the ground up using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

But CMS platforms, e.g., WordPress, have made it easier to manage your content. They provide ready-made software that lets you set up a blog in a jiffy.

The best CMS platform is WordPress. Why is it better than others?

  • WordPress is open source and free. It is written in PHP and uses MongoDB.
  • You (and everyone else) have access to the source code and can change it entirely.
  • WordPress offers thousands of themes, many of which are available for free and others at very little cost.
  • WordPress has thousands of plugins that improve and increase the functionality of the core software.
  • WordPress is one of the safest CMS platforms. That is why over 40% of the web is hosted on WordPress sites.
  • You can choose your hosting provider or buy your own server. You can even configure it to run off your desktop at home (if you keep it running 24×7).

student-blog How to Make a Start with a WordPress Blog

1. Plan the site

You must understand the objective of the website to find an effective domain name and web host SeekaHost offers a domain checker tool to search for available domain names. For a personal student blog, you could use your own name for example.

You then need to research who your target audience is and which niche you favor? Some might want to write about fashion, others about photography techniques, and so on.

You also need to zero in on the website design. What do you want the site to look like? Usually, beginners choose to use a basic and free WordPress Theme to get started easily and quickly without investing much.

In general, you must keep four things in mind:

  • Niche
  • Content
  • User experience
  • Website design

2. Find a domain name

Netflix, Google, Amazon, TikTok.

What is common among these web properties (besides being multi-billion-dollar brands)?

They have names that are easy to remember.

You need a catchy name for your site.

You also need to determine the top-level domain. By default, most go with .COM but of late new top-level domains have become popular, such as .IO, .INFO, .BIZ, .ME etc.

Let’s say you choose the name www.vanessabakes.biz

In the next step, head over to SeekaHost and find if the domain is available.

If it is, you must first register that URL in your name.

SeekaHost is ahead of its competitors when it comes to offering discounts.

You can buy domain names from SeekaHost for $4.99/year ($12 on renewal).

3. Find a host for web hosting

A website is nothing but a folder full of HTML, CSS, and image files. Just like any other folder, it needs to reside on a hard drive.

But a site is also up 24/7 and thousands might need simultaneous access to it.

That is why instead of your desktop you must host it on a server.

No need to buy one – a single server that contains hundreds of terabytes is overkill for a single blog site. You rent space from a hosting service provider.

SeekaHost is ahead of everyone else and offers the best features:

  • Managed WordPress hosting for bloggers
  • Easy 1 click WordPress install
  • Manage multiple sites from the same dashboard
  • 24/7 support from experts through live chat
  • Automated updates and backup to ensure smooth operation
  • Competitive pricing starting $1.35 per blog per month.
  • You get hosting that has an uptime of 99.9% for less than the price of a cup of coffee.

student4. Install WordPress

SeekaHost supports a one-click install. The site already provides WordPress software. You simply install it and add the URL, admin username, password, and email.

You can also import a website you have designed on your PC.

5. Design the site

The next step is to design the site. You must select a theme. Some are free with WordPress and others come with plugins such as Divi and Elementor.

After you install the theme, you need to customize it with images and content. The page layout takes time.

You would also need to choose plugins. Constant Contact, WPForms, and WP Rocket are some of the most popular plugins for bloggers.

You could also explore SEO plugins and image managers. There is no need to hurry. Many plugins come and go over the lifetime of a site.

If you want to engage your readers more with interactive elements on your blog such as QR codes for downloads or additional information, you can use a QR code generator.

Go through this detailed tutorial to follow all the important steps to set up your blog with WordPress:

 

How to Create a Blog on WordPress step by step

Now the site is ready. Hit Publish and the job is done. Your blog is now live.

writingThe Best Blogging Categories

What are you going to blog about?

To find the niche, follow your passion. In the world of blogging and content generation, you cannot fake your knowledge and enthusiasm.

Let’s look at a few niches that have traditionally generated huge traffic.

Fashion

An evergreen niche that is always important and never stale. Dress up and flaunt a few dresses. Get your friends to act as models. Have advice about makeup. You could earn by hosting affiliate links and doing reviews of apparel lines. Special sections about dressing for a casual date, finding your personal style, and recreating celebrity looks can draw thousands of views.

Finance

Readers are always in need of good financial advice. There is nothing better than learning to save and invest. Advice on how to manage finances and make good financial decisions is always popular. Add in a few financial calculators with a plugin such as Formidable Forms and your site would be cool and professional looking. Maybe you’ll become the next Money Saving Expert Influencer!

Health

The great thing about health sites is that they never run out of new topics. “7 Health Benefits Of Chia Seeds” to “10 Calisthenics Exercise To Build Upper Body” the possibilities are endless. Google loves more articles, and this is the exact niche that provides endless content. Add in affiliate links and sponsors from the booming supplement market and you are looking at a six-figure income in two years.

Food

Reviews of restaurants and recipes for delicious food are a brilliant combination. You require a DSLR camera for brilliant images but think of it as a one-time investment. Food blogs can easily have a tie-up with a YouTube channel you co-produce. Together they will drive SEO, traffic, and engagement through the roof.

Best Student Bloggers in Different Niches

We all need inspiration. Are you hesitating a little bit? Worry not since your peers have created the best student blog examples for your inspiration.

http://www.highstreetbeautyjunkie.com

Charlie is a 24-year-old doctoral student in psychology based in Cardiff, Wales.

Her blog has a vast range – beauty, fashion, food, and mental health.

https://theuniversityblog.co.uk/

Martin runs The University Blog. He is also active on Twitter. He mostly writes about study tips, job and career advice, and personal development. The blog site also offers two free eBooks for students.

https://www.thejackexperience.co.uk/

Jack Edwards is an undergrad student from Durham where he studies English Literature. He loves travel and photography. Jack is also an avid YouTuber.

You can see from these brilliant blog examples for students that a little bit of enterprise and elbow grease are all that it takes to launch your blogging career. Discover more finance student blogs that will inspire you for both blogging and finance management.

Last words…

Go on and take the plunge and launch your student blog for fun.

There is no upfront investment except time and effort, although you might want to pay for things like low-cost SEO for small businesses so your blog can be found more easily, or designer templates so your blog looks even better. Who knows, perhaps you might take up blogging as a full-time profession in the future as so many have.

3 Critical Steps For Starting Your Career In The IT Industry

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Arguably one of the industries with the most variety today is the IT industry.

There are countless jobs available for someone looking to start a career in IT, and finding something to suit you should be fairly straightforward.

In fact, there will likely be a number of different IT roles that you’d be happy with, and the good news is that many of them pay very well.

Whether you want to get into an IT research role, a tech support role, or one in which you spend your days discovering innovative tech solutions for large corporations, there are a few important steps you’ll have to take.

1. Research Potential Roles

how-to-start-a-career-in-itYour first step is to identify the types of roles you’d be interested in pursuing. Because of the sheer number of different roles, it’s important to know what things are available to you based on your skills and qualifications and to then narrow that search down based on your interests.

For example, if you’re more skilled when it comes to working with hardware, a job related to coding probably won’t be something you really want to pursue. Visit job websites to find a list of possible roles in your area. This will give you a better idea of what sorts of things you could try your hand at and will also allow you to apply easily to any that catch your eye.

2. Start Your Own Tech Business

build-a-successful-career-in-it-industryYou could take the more complex route of starting your own business if you’re struggling to find a role you really want to do. It’s worth noting that starting a small tech business is easier than ever due to the amount of external support you can receive, including external IT support from a business like Totality Services.

Suppose your expertise lies predominantly in innovation and development within the IT industry. In that case, there’s a strong chance that you won’t necessarily be as skilled in fixing IT-related problems as an IT support service would be. And if you are a business owner, you won’t want to be spending all of your time handling your own company’s IT support, as you’ll have many more tasks to focus on.

3. Continue To Develop Your Skills

tips-for-getting-into-itWhen it comes to IT, progress and development are fairly quick, with new technology and software being released regularly, as well as new methods of doing things. New coding languages are created, new platforms are developed, and innovative new technologies are created. Because of this, it’s so important to constantly seek to learn new and useful skills within this industry to ensure you remain indispensable to your company.

As well as this, these new digital skills will continue to improve your career prospects, opening up new doors and pathways for you to pursue. It’s also worth remembering that some soft skills will always help you land most jobs, no matter what your specialisation is, including teamworking, communication, and problem-solving skills. It’s all well and good if you’re a dab hand at tech support, but if you have awful communication skills and low emotional intelligence, then a business may see you as more of a hindrance than a help, especially if you’re applying for a managerial position.

So, go and get started with your research and implementation of these 3 steps to land your dream IT job soon.

90% of A Level Grades Rise after Retakes: Should You Consider Resitting?

If you think that your Level grades may not get you into your chosen university, you can go through a so-called “clearing”, which might allow you to enter a university with lower requirements for entry.

You can look for another university from your second and third options list. Your other choice is to resit some of your Level modules and retake A level exams.

Things to consider

retake-a-level-examYou should not make your final decision right away. First, check with the university you like to see if they can accept you or if you have extenuating circumstances. The university might have some requirements that will qualify you for acceptance.

For example, they may have an opening on a different course or allow you to enter their Foundation year, which will give you a firm A-Level base in the university setting.

If one module got a significantly lower grade than the rest, you could consider getting it remarked if you think you worked hard and performed well in the exam.

Should you retake your A Levels?

retaking-my-A-levelsIf resitting is the only option left for you, it is vital to study your A-Level results first. The common reason people want to retake A Levels is to get higher grades than the ones they got. But you should think about why you did not do well in some modules.

For example, you might have worked hard but still failed the exams or did not work hard enough because there were too many distractions.

However, if you know you worked hard but did not do well in some subjects, you may do the following:

  • Consider lowering your university sights and investigating applying to another university with lower entry grades.
  • If a particular subject does not work for you, investigate doing a crash course in another subject.
  • Consider applying for a degree that does not have particular entry requirements.
  • Consider a degree where your Level scores fit all the entry requirements.
  • Think about changing the course you want to take.

For example, if you want to take medicine but failed chemistry or biology at A Levels, resitting might not be an option. If you fail it at A Levels, you will still have difficulty keeping it up at university.

The goal in resitting for A Levels is to improve your score. Otherwise, it will only be a waste of money and time. However, if you are confident that you can do better, then resetting is a good option.

Choosing the subjects to retake

can-you-resit-A-levelsRetake only the subjects that you think will boost your overall grade significantly. It is vital to determine which subject/s pulled down your overall grade. Another thing you should consider is time.

Do you have enough time to revise your score? Do you think you can improve your grade?

Not all universities accept applicants with retakes at A Levels. Before you start your resit, call the university you want to enter and ensure they will accept you. Know their specific requirements to understand if a resit will help.

4 Top Tips To Help Your Child Boost Their School Grades

Grades are a good indicator of your child’s learning and abilities in the subjects they learn at school.

Children can often feel stressed and anxious about their grades, and this can impact their performance in class and on tests.

If your child’s grades have dropped, or you are struggling to get their grades up to meet the learning curve, here are some top tips that can help you out.

1. Take Away the Fear

help-child-improve-gradesWhen children are struggling at school, they often begin to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to perform from parents, teachers, and their grades. This can be counterproductive, as the added pressure can exasperate the problems they are having and negatively impact their grades.

Their school grades are important, but they are not more important than the health and mental wellbeing of your child. Talk to them about their grades and ease their fears. It helps if you learn more about their education and how they are graded.

This guide to average GPA and what it means in the American grading system, in case your child attends an international or US school for example, could be an invaluable resource to help you educate yourself and your child about their grades and how they can improve them.

Read this post if you want to learn more about the Scottish and English national curriculum and grading system.

2. Make Homework a Habit

ways-to-improve-your-child-gradesThe worst thing you can do for a child is to start doing their homework for them. Educating someone is difficult, especially if it is your own child. It can be far too tempting to give them the answer or make it too easy for them to solve the problem. Instead, help your child develop positive homework habits.

Make sure they have a suitable space in their home environment to do their homework and a scheduled time to do it. Homework needs to be a routine part of their evening. Remove the distraction of electronic devices like smartphones and tablets, unless they are going to be used to help them complete the work.

3. Review Their Homework with Them

how-to-help-your-child-succeedWhen your child is getting ready to sit down and do their homework, go through their tasks with them. This lets you know what they have to do, so you can make sure they finish their work, but also gives your child the opportunity to ask you questions that might help them understand things better.

If they are preparing for an exam or test, your experience of being in school can help them prepare. Though curriculums can change and evolve, getting ready for a test or pop quiz at school remains the same.

4. Work with their Teacher

help-child-improve-gradesYou are not the only person invested in your child’s future; their teacher is too. They may have similar concerns about your child’s grades or their performance on school tests. By contacting their teacher and having a few informal discussions, you should be able to create a plan of action for your child’s learning both at home and at school.

Teachers are always happy to improve the parent teacher communication and hear that the children in their class are being supported at home and are often eager to share tips and tricks to help your child develop their skills and knowledge.

Your child’s grades should improve with the above top tips and your support. It takes a little extra work and some discipline, but any child can begin to excel at school with help from their parents and teachers and a healthy mindset.

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