Notepad Corner

Days pass so swiftly and now we’re on the tail end of 2012. Notepad Corner is already running on its third year come 2013 and as 2012 closes its doors to give way for a new year ahead, I would like to thank you – my readers for your continued support. Rest assured, this blog will constantly provide interesting and worthy topics and articles for you to read on.

The jubilation of Christmas is felt everywhere as most families greet the season with festive atmosphere.   The Yuletide fever as my youngest son called it, is a perfect moment for family affairs. It is the most special time of the year for unique family bonding. School break for two long weeks for the kids to enjoy best the holidays can give us more time to schedule fun activities for the whole family.   Attending family reunions, watching movies, strolling and wandering in parks and places with Christmas activities for entertainment and leisure or a week vacation such as an out of town trip to unwind and relax are just among the recreational activities families take pleasure in during this season.

photo credits:  freedigitalphotos.net Living on a student budget can be stressful so it’s wise to do some financial planning prior to starting a college or university course, whether or not this will be undertaken close to home or abroad.  A financial plan does not have to be sophisticated but it does need to be honest about everyday expenditure, and it’s a good idea to build in a few ways in which income can be stretched a little more.  Here are some basic tips for watching your budget while studying. Creating a budget Begin with an honest analysis of typical monthly expenditure.  Track every single item on a spreadsheet, or in a notebook or smartphone app.  From the total available to spend, first set aside funds for the major bills – tuition fees, books, accommodation costs, meal tickets, etc.  If there are large amounts to be spent once or twice per year – for example, on travel if studying abroad – make sure to include these.  What money is left after these entries rep

After students graduate from college, they must decide what to do with their lives. There are often three options: find a job, take post graduate courses or travel abroad. Depending upon your budget, the economy and your stress levels, you may choose one of these three options as the next stage in life. Let’s take a look how these options can be incorporated and integrated into our lives as learning opportunities: Enrol in Postgraduate Courses Many college graduates want to immediately enrol into postgraduate courses. Some people may choose to get their Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Masters of Science (MS) or Masters of Education (MEd) immediately after finishing a bachelor’s degree. Going to school to be a doctor is another option. To enrol in these programs, college graduates must usually show their proficiency by taking a MCAT test to prove their ability to perform at a certain level. You can find MCAT practice tests online to help you study for this important