Standardized tests are an American formula for public exams. In a test such as this, every individual faces the same questions, they have the same amount of time to answer them and the criteria which are used to judge them are also the same. Everything is done in a very consistent manner to measure students based on a standard set.

Examples of standardized tests for the junior school level could be the- PSAT or NMSQ. The senior year students participate in SAT or ACT exams. While the graduates face exams such as-GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT, before applying for higher or postgraduate level.

The tests mainly check your skills and ability in English, analytics, and mathematics. They are engineered to be pressure tests. It’s very tough to finish all of the questions in time. You will have to go through a rigorous process of preparation and a lot of practice for this.

It can cause more stress if you haven’t been an A student in school.. When your grades are down for diploma and graduate courses, the pressure is more intense in doing better in these standardized tests.

There is no doubt these standardized tests can be intense and challenging. We are going to discuss today how you can prepare for standardized tests. We are going to discuss your preparation pattern in three stages-

Months left

When there are just months left before the exams, you will need to focus on some specific areas.

Setting your studying practice 

Before doing anything, you should set your agenda. How you are going to study and what are you going to study, and a system for you to manage your workflow.

It’s very crucial to have these strategies as they help you to guide yourself in an already set path. You will have to gather proper study materials such as flashcards, youtube videos, practice tests, guides and calculators like the ones from the old days.

Start studying already!

One of the biggest problems students face is procrastinating. You will not pass the test if you don’t start the prep studies and keep on top of it, with at least some months in your hand.

Pressure will be on you before the exam in one way or the other, but if you have studied less than you expected you would, it becomes a hell of a ride. So, start preparing months in advance.

Studying tactics

You need to follow some studying tactics.

You should read test preparation books and guides. Standardized tests are- increasingly vocabulary based tests. So building up your vocabulary is very important for these types of tests. You could do that by reading any book, even outside your syllabus.

For verbal parts of the test, you could try discussing your readings with your peers. Which could help you all to understand it better. It will also improve your communication skills.

One more thing, you should regularly take practice tests. Put yourself through the hurdle you will face in the test, repeatedly. It’ll make it easier to face the actual exams.

The day before the test

It’s crucial to stay calm the night before the test. Here’s what you should do the night before a standardized test.

Study

The thing about studying all on the night before the exam is, it’s never effective. We mentioned in the previous sections on the GRE, how you should start studying early. Your preparation should end way before the night before the exam.

You could do some light studying. Maybe check some of the stuff you are weak at. But nothing hardcore that will tire you out or frazzle your nerves. It is most important to keep a calm mind.

Food

Have a healthy dinner before you go to sleep. You shouldn’t eat something that will make you uncomfortable the day after. Try to avoid extra-spicy elements in your food, which could cause you digestion problems or cause heartburn. The nervousness you will feel will make your stomach more prone to producing excessive acid. So, eat light and healthy. 

Packing

Packing for your exam the night before is a very important part of your preparation for the exam. You should definitely take care of this, the night before and not in the morning of the exam. That way you may miss many of the important things you will need for the exam. Here’s a list of the things you should take with you to the exam hall-

• A print-out of your admissions ticket
• A valid government-issued or school ID with your full name and photo
• Two #2 pencils (no mechanical ones)
• An effective eraser
• An approved calculator (for the ACT, SAT, or an SAT Subject Test in Math Level I or II)
• An approved CD player, (for an SAT Subject Test with listening)
• Extra batteries
• A watch with the alarm on silent (suggested)
• A healthy snack (suggested)
• A water bottle (suggested)
• Extra clothing layers (suggested)

Sleep

You may have heard a lot in this department. A good night’s sleep is not just good for you, it is mandatory for you the night before your exam. A rested mind and nerves will help you perform well in the exam.

Without a good night’s sleep, you will not be able to focus and your mental acuity will suffer.. Less sleep makes you unsettled and makes you forget what you studied.

So it’s imperative to have a good night’s sleep before the standardized tests. You should go to sleep, sometimes after you finish your dinner and wake up early in the morning.

The morning of the exam

Very crucial time. You should do some last moment preparation here. Nothing big.

Breakfast

Eat a healthy breakfast in the morning. Like dinner, you should avoid the foods that make you uncomfortable. Also, keep your breakfast short and light. Heavy eating, some hours before the exam could be counterproductive by directing your blood flow to the stomach for digestion instead of the brain for energy to focus and concentrate.

Dress

Wear something you are comfortable in and something that will keep you cool – not too cold or too hot. Dress in layers so you can take off a cardigan or a sweater should you feel warm in the exam centre. You can also use the layers to keep you warm should you be seated in a seat where the A/C is blasting off too cold.

Arrive early

Arrive early at the exam hall. Keep the traffic and commute time to the exam centre in mind when heading out. Head out extra early. Plan to arrive at the exam hall about 30 minutes prior to exam time.

Relax

The key is not to panic before the exam. Try to relax and stay calm. Be sure to take a bathroom break to ensure you are not going to need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the exam.

Preparing for any exam is hard. If you wish to do well, you are going to have to work hard. Immediately before the exam, you are going to have to keep your calm and wits about yourself. If you prepare well ahead of time,  you will be confident and collected and will come out with great scores at the tests.

Meditation has become an exceptionally popular method of relieving stress and enhancing a sense of calm and wellbeing, although, when pairing meditation with nature, there is significant reason to believe that the overall benefits would be drastically enhanced. Whether you opt to take your meditation outdoors by heading to the local park, or finally achieving your backyard goals by landscaping and planting a few calming plants, meditating in nature will boost benefits of health and general wellbeing.

Creating The Perfect Outdoor Retreat For Meditation

If you are considering finally getting to work on your back yard, it would be wise to start by tending to your lawn as your lawn should be considered the blank canvas you will then decorate according to your chosen landscaping theme. Once your lawn is in top condition, you should move on to planting a few flowers, shrubs and plants; opting for evergreen solutions where possible as these types of plants are generally considered low-maintenance and easy to care for. You should avoid going overboard with flowers and stick to a few colour choices as well to maintain and compliment your chosen theme. Add in a few rocky pathways where it would suitable and include a seating plan with either patio furniture or charming natural and comfortable look floor cushions. Your seating plan should coordinate well with your space for meditation, which is why floor cushions would be a fantastic choice.

To enhance the calming effects of nature, you should also consider investing in a water fountain. Outdoor fountains are able to provide the soothing sounds of flowing water which is considered white noise that will help block out stress and anxiety during your meditation times. Therefore, water fountains don’t just look really great, but they also add magical health benefits for those who are feeling overwhelmed with the pressure of everyday life.

Connecting With Nature In Your Own Backyard

When you picture people meditating, there’s a massive change you see imagery of an individual sitting peacefully outside whilst surrounded by ample greenery and a soothing blue sky. This is probably because the most ideal space to meditate is within nature. For this reason, many who follow the calming practice often play nature sounds, such as crashing waves while meditating as the sounds of nature amplify the results of a 30-minute meditation session.

If you have not yet indulged in the practice of meditating, you could search for a few beginner guides on how to start your journey to a calmer you and consider investing some time in the practice of yoga as well as the two are often considered practices in the same category. The health benefits of meditation include a calmer sense of self and enhanced wellbeing while reduced stress, anxiety, and depression are also at the top of the list for those who practice meditating regularly for at least half an hour at a time.

The Benefits Of Nature Merged With Meditation

Spending time in nature will provide several alluring benefits, even if you aren’t practising meditation. From reduced signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, to enhanced blood circulation and improved respiratory function, our bodies greatly appreciate the ample fresh air and calming sounds found in natural spaces. What’s more, being able to take in the sights of nature, be it even a few green thriving plants or a running stream, will enhance inner peace and mend your mental state in a shockingly short space of time. There is absolutely no reason why anyone should avoid nature and when considering just how many people crave the outdoors and indulge in a weekend of camping to mend their internal clocks and reduce depression, you should consider how the benefits of spending time in nature could transform your life.

As meditating provides us with seemingly similar benefits to those of spending time within nature, it makes perfect sense that merging the two would amplify the results. Therefore, creating an outdoor space that boasts even a few plants and the sounds of running water to enjoy your meditation sessions will be a great choice that will provide notable benefits. If you don’t have a backyard, you could bring nature in and invest in a water wall or even a small indoor water feature to enjoy the benefits of the calming white noise even while you sleep. In addition to this, adding a few indoor plants to your home decor will provide you with similar benefits on a daily basis.

Sunglasses in the golf course are as important as any other necessary things, including your cleats or pants. Some golfers wear them only when they play a shot while others tent to wear sunglasses as long as they are on the golf course. Your eye doctor will advise you to wear a pair of right sunglasses while playing golf, especially if the sun is bright enough. On the other hand, your instructor may tell you to wear while playing shots.

But you need to wear a pair of blue blocker sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses that are polarized help you increase your performance in the golf course too. If the sun is very bright, you may not be able to pursue the game without wearing sunglasses because of the glare from the horizontal line. For all types of sunglasses, including for running, golfing, climbing hills, you can visit the Goodr store. They have a wide range of collection of sunglasses for all purposes.

If you want a great pair of sunglasses for your needs, you have to consider a few crucial things in your mind. You have to find the lenses, frames, and their build and materials, tints, and similar items. When you get your desired pair depending on the things mentioned here, you can go for the purchase. You need to invest in having a well-built pair of sunglasses. But it does not mean that you have to break your bank. Sunglasses are things that you may lose yourself anywhere. You will also find your pair on a budget too.

It would be best if you looked good

Yes, I want to tell you about the appearance after wearing a pair of sunglasses. Nobody likes to look silly, so neither you. It would help if you chose a well-designed pair of sunglasses that will look good. An elegant and sleek designed pair may best describe you. But appearance is not the last thing when it comes to the use of sunglasses. Instead, sunglasses are functional, and you should also use them to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun.

Sunglasses should be durable and sturdy

If you are golfer, you can understand how many impacts your sunglasses tolerate on the golf course. Sometimes, you throw the pair being disturbed because you did not make the perfect shot! Besides, taking the pair of sunglasses from the sand, you mistakenly wipe your sunglasses off, making some scratches on them. As your pair of sunglasses is to tolerate these types of unwanted things, you should bring a pair that is both durable and sturdy.

If a pair is not sturdy enough, they will break down after a few uses. Also, they can break or develop scratches if they are not well-built. So, make sure you are going to purchase a pair for you from a reliable store. 

Quality of your sunglasses’ lenses

It might be an essential thing to consider, and you should not compromise with the quality of the lenses. If you see the polarization is not good enough to prevent the glare from the sun, you should not buy them. Because they will make vision distortion while running or playing golf. It is also essential that your glasses have proper polarization to cut out the glare of the horizontal line. Otherwise, while making a shot, the glare may make you unstable, giving a perfect chance. If you are a golfer and want to purchase sunglasses for golfing, polarized sunglasses should be your best bet.

Even from the sand trap on the golf course, the reflected glare can be a cause of being unable to make a good shot. So, polarized sunglasses are needed, especially for those who are golfers. If you want to increase your performance, you must wear polarized sunglasses. Yes, you can put off and wear for several times while playing the game. At the time of a shot, if you wear a good pair of polarized sunglasses, chances are you will perform better.

Your pair needs to be comfortable

It is the last consideration, but not the least. It would help if you found comfort while wearing sunglasses for a long time while playing golf. Some players tend to put off their sunglasses after making a shot. But others like to wear to the end of the game. The material of the frame of your sunglasses must be comfortable as well to provide you the needed comfort.

While playing the game, your sunglasses may slip from your nose because you will sweat during the game. So, having a good grip on the frame is mandatory. Not only that, if the pair does not fit your skull snugly and comfortably, you will feel disturbed while playing golf. To avoid these distractions at the time of the game, you must purchase a pair that meets the criteria. You can try yourself before purchasing if you are buying from an offline store.

Pricey sunglasses do not mean that they are all you need to go for them. Instead, on your budget, you can end up buying the perfect pair for your needs. You need to have a closer look before you go to purchase a pair of sunglasses for you. Though I have tried to make you understood the things you need to consider, you still can evaluate your strategy depending on your needs.

An accident is not something that one would anticipate, it just happens and it disorganizes you. This is the time you need help the most. You may have insurance coverage but some companies may run away or reject your claim. At that point, you will need someone who understands the law around accidents and one who can navigate through the systems to deliver justice.

An accident attorney has the experience to pick up the case, present it in a court of law and ensure that justice is served in your favor. Most people think that the insurance company will help you out but statistics show otherwise.

Continue reading this article and see the reason why you need an accident attorney

The insurance agency will frustrate you

The fact that you have an insurance company that has given you coverage is not a guarantee that they will be on your side when in need. Remember they’re in business and one of the core objectives is to cut down on their costs. Thus they’ll be looking for the slightest excuse not to pay you. On the other hand, an accident attorney is motivated to handle your case because you pay them on commission. Therefore, they’ll take your case seriously and you can be sure of a win.

You pay the attorney when you win

The beauty of hiring an accident lawyer is that they will not ask for any money from you. Their pay depends on whether they win the case or not. Thus, if you get one, they will be working tirelessly for a win so that they get their commission. You’ll be surprised by the amount you could receive from the proceeds. You only need to get a reputable attorney like Naqvi Injury Law who has many years of experience in handling accident injury-related cases successfully.

You’ve limited time to put up a case

Immediately you are involved in an accident, the next thing you need to think of is a lawyer to represent you. Every state has its statute on how long one should present their case o the court. You are not a legal expert and thus you need an attorney, someone who knows the requirements of the law concerning such cases. The lawyer will do the right documentations and make their submissions as required. Your work will be to follow up with the lawyer to see the progress.

Litigation is complicated

Before your case is admitted to a court of law, there are so many demands that have to be met and only a lawyer can understand. For instance, in some places, you’ll be required to present a police notice, something you may not be aware of. There are also other documents that must be submitted and most of these are prepared by the lawyer. Thus, hiring an expert transfers the burden to them, yours is to wait for your compensation.

Determining liability is tricky

In any case especially where an accident is involved, it is difficult to determine who’s liable. The lawyer helps in constructing the case and convinces the court that you are not at fault but the other party.

Accidents will always occur and if in case you get involved in one, you don’t have to go it alone. It is only prudent for you to hire an attorney. Look for a law firm with a reputation, someone who will diligently work through your case and deliver justice in your favor.

Everywhere one looks it seems reports of new crises are popping up. Between wildfires in Australia, school shootings, floods, and earthquakes, crises are all around our world. Each of these crises can affect a large number of lives. Living through these types of experiences can have a lasting impact on the mental health of individuals and communities, leaving invisible wounds that can take years to heal.

Events such as these can leave the majority of us feeling helpless. If you aren’t trained to provide medical services, what options are there for helping in a crisis?

Caring for the mental health of those who have been in crisis situations is an overarching need, and one that all of these situations have in common. Here are just a few ways that crisis intervention counselors can help victims of crisis bridge the gap to their new normal.

Helping to meet immediate needs

In times of disaster, crisis intervention counselors can help those in need of assistance by helping them to get what they need. Whether that is a safe place to sleep, food, clothing, or all of the above, meeting physical needs must be done before emotional and psychological needs can be met.

Helping survivors decide what to do next

Crisis survivors may need help to know what to do next. Counselors can help them think through their options – what family members need to be contacted, what options there are for long-term housing, etc. Brains under stress have been proven to not function as well, so the addition of a counselor to help think through options is invaluable.

Providing grief and loss counseling

Many crises like the ones mentioned above mean loss. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one or even the loss of a pet, when combined with the trauma and suddenness of the situation itself the grief can be unbearable. Crisis intervention counselors can help support victims by helping them come to terms with their losses and allowing them to express their grief.

Helping to connect to long-term support systems

Crisis intervention counselors, by definition, are providing support for the short term in a crisis. But what happens when it is time for the counselor to return home, and the victim is still struggling? The counselor should refer the victim to local resources, such as a psychotherapist, who can work with the client long-term to ensure he or she is recovered.

Helping first responders

First responders, the boots on the ground in crisis, have been shown to be at a great risk of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as suicide. Crisis intervention counselors may find themselves providing counseling to these individuals as they work through the secondary trauma that they are experiencing as well.

Crisis intervention counseling is a rapidly growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is expected to grow by 13% in the coming years, must faster than the average growth of occupations.

Disasters are, unfortunately, a part of everyday life. They aren’t going to stop any time soon. But crisis intervention counselors can help make the process a little easier for the victims going through these terrible situations, by helping them meet their physical and mental needs and helping them get on the road to recovery.