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Do Writers Really Need To Study Writing At University?

May 13, 2022 By Administrator

Guest Post By Lucy Wyndham

There are an estimated 281,300 people employed as writers, editors, and authors, according to Student Scholarships. The organization also predicts that this number will grow by more than 12% over the next decade. While it’s impossible to know how many of these individuals have a writing degree under their belts, there are plenty of respected writers who never went to university, including H.G Wells and Charles Dickens. So, just how crucial is a university degree when you’re an aspiring writer?

Benefits of a writing degree

The truth is that bagging a writing degree at university isn’t going to guarantee you a job, but it does come with many advantages. The beauty of studying writing is that you’ll constantly be surrounded by like-minded people that you can bounce ideas off. You’re also likely to build up a network of people within the writing industry, including publishers or content marketers, who you may be able to call upon during your career. Having a writing degree may also help you get noticed when applying for writing gigs and may mean you won’t have to start off taking free or low-paid posts. However, to get work you’ll need a solid portfolio behind you regardless of whether you’ve got a degree or not.

But you can also do it without a degree

Writing isn’t an easy job and you’ll need to possess multiple skills, including good grammar, effective communication, the ability to conduct deep research, and be able to self-edit your work. But these skills can all be learned without having to commit to a four-year year university course and $26,900 of debt on average. Alternative options to help you build the skills you’ll need to succeed as a writer include signing up for creative writing courses, enrolling in online training, joining writers’ forums, and starting a blog. You can even further your writing career without the GRE as there are plenty of accelerated online courses that allow you to study for a degree from the comfort of your own home. This is beneficial if you want to avoid uni life, fast track your career, and start professionally writing as soon as possible.

Feedback could be the persuading factor

All writers will receive rejection throughout their careers. J K Rowling was famously rejected by 12 different publishers before her Harry Potter series was picked up, while Stephen King’s Carrie was turned down by 30 publishers. Feedback is an important thing for any writer, but how you process feedback, including negative criticism, could help you decide whether studying writing at university is for you or not. If you’re keen on feedback on every single thing you write and want a hand-holding experience then university could be perfect for you. On the other hand, if having your work compared to your peers’ sends a shudder down your spine and you’d much rather learn as you go, then skipping university might be the better option.

There’s no denying that there are benefits for writers that wish to study for a writing degree at university. However, university doesn’t guarantee success and there are plenty of options for writers to succeed in the industry without having to go uni every day for years.

6 Creative Tips for Designing the Perfect Home Office

February 10, 2021 By Administrator

By Andrew Chu

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, big companies encouraged their employees to work from home. This includes Twitter, Microsoft, and Amazon.

Such corporate action also renewed the emphasis on working from home.

But whether it is due to the pandemic or not, working remotely can be challenging. More so if you are new to this concept. Luckily, having a dedicated workspace at home can help you get past the hurdles.

Thus, follow these x tips in designing the perfect home office if you want to be a productive remote employee:

Have a Functional Desk

Of course, a proper work desk is integral for a home office. This means having an office table and chair of the right size and height.

The goal here is to look for office furniture that can house your home office without compromising your comfort. Otherwise, poor ergonomics can lead to issues later on. We are talking about shoulder and back pain, lethargy, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Should you go for a standing desk? You can if you want to.

Still, it would be best to get out of your home office and take a walk from time to time. Walking is a fantastic way to add some movement to your routine, and a change of scenery can help you recharge.

Make Room for Essentials

Once you have the right office desk and chair, the next step is to place your work essentials. Whatever you put on your office table will depend on the nature of your work.

For a graphics design, that would mean having a space for his drawing tablet. If you are a virtual assistant, you might want an area where you can place your phone.

For someone who is into data analytics, he might need dual monitors. But if you are a web content writer, you might only need your laptop and extra space for pen and paper when jotting down content ideas.

Whatever it is, only place items on your desk that are essential for your work. According to Cleaning Exec Home Cleaning Services NYC, doing so is the first step to making your home office clutter-free.

Have Proper Lighting

Other than your desk and work essentials, your home office should also have proper lighting.

According to Cornell University professor Alan Hedge‘s study, natural light can decrease the following symptoms by 84%:

Headaches
Blurred vision
Eyestrain

And these symptoms can hinder you from being productive.

But what if you have a windowless home office? Then, you must use adequate lighting.

And when we say “adequate,” it means your light is neither dim nor harsh.

Dim lights force your eyes to work harder to see things clearly, leading to eyestrain. This can result in drowsiness and lack of focus. On the other hand, harsh lights are believed to trigger migraines.

So, what can you install for your home office? We recommend LED lights.

According to the researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, short-wavelength (blue) light can help you perk up and be productive. And LED lights are abundant in short-wavelength light, which mimics daylight.

However, there is an on-going debate on how blue light affects our sleep. Until smart lighting technology can catch up with such nuances, it would be best to turn off your devices one hour before sleeping.

Get a Bit of Green

According to a 2014 study, adding house plants in the office makes employees 15% more productive. But living in a city apartment means you are out of luck.

Just adding a small pot of plant somewhere on your desk can work wonders in your productivity. Mind you, there are small plants that can thrive in a small windowless room.

But if you are not fond of tending a plant, consider hanging a poster or painting of a lush garden.

Pick an Inspiring Color

Speaking of a windowless room, you can repaint the walls of your home office with something inspiring.

Some say painting the walls blue can give you a productivity boost. That’s because it is a soothing color that helps you increase your concentration.

You can also opt for any hues of green since it does not strain the eyes. If you are the kind who faces your computer for eight hours a day, green might be the paint color that suits you.

Meanwhile, if you want a color that uplifts your mood without being too loud, consider repainting your walls with orange. It combines red and yellow, which are ideal if you have a physically-demanding job and want your creative juices flowing.

Keep it Clean and Clutter-Free

Lastly, you should maintain your home office’s cleanliness. This could mean cleaning your work essentials before or after working.

Another way to do it is to clean your home office regularly. But if you are pressed for time, consider hiring a professional home office cleaner.

Having a dedicated workspace does not mean you need to occupy a room. Placing a desk at a quiet corner should suffice. What’s important is that you are free of distraction and clutter, you can work in peace, and you know when to call it a day.

Ways Photography Helps You To Manage Stress And Anxiety

December 17, 2020 By Administrator

By Lucy Wyndham

Amateur photographers David Crook & Judy Crook Vorfeld@ Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix

3 Ways Photography Helps You To Manage Stress And Anxiety

Over 70% of individuals who experience stress and anxiety every day say it affects their lives moderately, according to ADAA. Everyone deals with mental and emotional stress at some point in their lives. It could be work-related stress or life stresses like getting married, divorce, financial problems, and chronic illness. Luckily, you can overcome stress and anxiety if you take time out to refocus and gain a new perspective about life. And there is no better way to do so than engaging in photography.

Photography acts as a distraction that eliminates negative thoughts and helps you change your way of thinking. The moment you stop to capture an image can significantly transform your life because you begin to evaluate your surroundings through a new lens. Besides, you don’t need expert guidance on stress management using a camera. Here’s how photography helps you manage stress and anxiety.

Allows You To Reframe The World

The simple act of taking photographs helps you relieve stress because you can re-imagine your surroundings. This means you can place personal values, interests, and thoughts to reframe the world with what you want to see and feel through photography. In short, you have the freedom to choose what you pay attention to and what you eliminate from the frame. The satisfaction that comes with reframing the world around you creates self-awareness, mindfulness, and positive insights. Nurturing mindfulness improves your mental wellbeing as you’ll start viewing things objectively, instead of jumping to conclusions.

Photos Trigger Emotions

Images have the power to evoke positive and negative emotions. For example, looking at photos that depict happiness makes you cheerful, just like inhaling warm scents reduces cravings for unhealthy snacking. On the other hand, viewing photographs that display sadness triggers negative thoughts and stress. This is because the repetition of the same photos affects how you feel. That’s why you should always focus on photography practices that trigger positive feelings in your mind. Taking pictures of nature, architecture, and anything that uplifts your moods lowers anxiety levels, reduces stress, and makes you feel relaxed, peaceful, love, and compassionate.

Improves Focus And Life Experiences

While therapeutic photography does not require you to take perfect shots, you still need to put your attention outside the mind. Doing so distracts you from thinking about unpleasant events or situations that trigger anxiety. Instead, you focus on viewing things deeply, from a different angle, and connect more with what you hear, feel, and think. Embracing photography as a self-therapy tool also helps enhance life experiences, which evokes happiness. Elements that once seemed ordinary become more meaningful. For instance, a simple rose flower can transform into a breathtaking gift of nature when you capture it on camera as it begins to bloom.

Therapeutic photography entails capturing, evaluating, and using photographs for self-healing, expression, growth, and understanding. Whether you do it consciously or unconsciously, photography enables you to reframe your environment. It also evokes emotions and helps improve focus and everyday experiences. When viewed from different angles, the simple things in life become meaningful.

Complete guide to stress management and time management for students

October 9, 2020 By Administrator

Discovered an excellent document and placed a link on Webgrammar’s Health page. It has applications for many people in addition to students. Take time to read it and I believe you’ll see the value. The Complete guide to stress management and time management for students was written by Emma Carlile:

Emma Carlile has worked in international education for nearly twenty years, working in a variety of roles from teacher to academic manager, managing a range of programmes and academic subjects. She has also worked in welfare, student experience and safeguarding roles. Emma has worked in higher education institutions in France, Russia and the UK and has over a decade of UCAS Counselling experience. Her teaching has ranged from GCSEs to postgraduate level – helping students to develop the necessary skills to thrive at the next stage of learning. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in French and Russian from the University of Exeter, a Master’s degree from the Institute of Education, a PGCE from Canterbury Christchurch University and an MBA from Plymouth University. She is a member of the Society of Education and Training and has presented at various English UK teaching and academic management conferences.

This is a link worth passing on – the wisdom is quite special. Pass it on!

Judy Vorfeld