Author Archive

How to Stay Healthy in College by Craig Middleton

Sunday, November 14th, 2021

Things to do
How to Stay Healthy in College by Craig Middleton offers the kind of advice that EVERY college student needs to consider. If you know anyone in college or getting ready to go next fall, be sure to share this with them. It’s also good advice for all of us not in college. Good luck and thanks, Craig.

Introduction

Most college students arrive on campus in September feeling healthy and happy. After a month or two, lack of sleep, unhealthy food, and exposure to different viruses tend to make the end of the first semester a stressful and uncomfortable time. Here are ways to break that trend and feel great throughout the whole school year.

Sleep

Sleep is greatly underrated. Getting enough sleep repairs cells (including brain cells) and keeps your immune system in better working order.
Unfortunately, it’s hard for college students with roommates to fall asleep as easily as they did in their own beds at home. Add to that the temptation of going out to party until the pubs close and then dragging yourself out of bed at 8 am for class. Try to keep your late-night outings to a minimum and only on the weekends. If you have trouble falling asleep the other nights of the week, there are some things you can do about it.
Most college students are using a device right up until the time they go to bed. The blue light emitted from phones, tablets and laptops make your brain think it’s time to wake up. There are several remedies for this. The most obvious one is to do something else before bed. Stay off any devices and read a book or listen to music until you’re sleepy.
Think about what color light helps you sleep if blue keeps you awake. If you just can’t break the online habit, turn your screens to night mode. This will send amber light to your brain instead of blue light. You can also wear pink or red-tinted glasses while online at night. Another option is to invest in a red light device. It can establish a healthy circadian rhythm and can even be used in an ambient mode to put you to sleep.
As for “all-nighters” before tests, even if all of your friends decide to stay up all night studying before a test, it isn’t the best idea and you shouldn’t do it. Sleep will give you a better test-taking advantage and your brain can only remain in study mode for a certain amount of time. After that, it needs a rest and will stop retaining information. Doing some studying every day, taking regular study breaks, and getting enough sleep is the way to ace a test.

Food

College cafeteria food is improving although it will still probably need to be supplemented to help you stay your healthiest. Traditionally cafeteria food has been carb-heavy and contributes to the “freshman fifteen”, the number of pounds the average freshman gains during their first year at college.
After all, no one is encouraging you to eat your broccoli anymore. If you can’t find any healthy organic fruit and vegetable options on campus, there are three things you can do. The first is to get together some like-minded students and ask for more organic options. The second is to supplement on your own but this can be expensive. The third is to ask your parents to send you vitamin supplements.

Workout GIrls

Stress and Exercise

Some doctors maintain that there are no real illnesses, only stress. What they mean by this is that your body should be able to fight off whatever germs come your way. However, if you are stressed out, your body’s defenses won’t work as well as they should and you might get sick. Try getting rid of your stress and see how much better you feel. A lot of campuses offer therapy dog programs where you can sit and pet a dog for as long as you want. After a session, you will feel much more relaxed.
(Doug) Regular exercise will also help reduce stress. You probably know that you should exercise. Rather than waiting for time to exercise to show up, schedule your daily exercise and stick with it. I do it first thing in the morning prior to breakfast. Many college campuses require a lot of walking, which is good exercise. Use your phone to track your daily steps and check it every day to make sure you are reaching your goal. Mine is 10,000. Most colleges have first-rate workout facilities so be sure to use them. They should give you access to a trainer who can help you set up an exercise routine designed to fit your goals and abilities. Try running and look for opportunities to run with others and sign up for local fun runs.
Some campuses also offer yoga and meditation classes and might even supply massage therapists during especially stressful times of the year. Being sick and stressed out are not inevitable conditions at college. Also, since COVID is still around, get vaccinated and stay away from crowded situations like parties. This will also reduce the likelihood of binge drinking. Take care of yourself and you will be able to enjoy these years and graduate with no regrets.

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Medical Binder Printables to Keep Your Health Records Organized by Cristina Thorson

Sunday, November 7th, 2021

Basic Health Info
Medical Binder Printables to Keep Your Health Records Organized by Cristina Thorson offers forms you can use to keep track of your medical information so you can easily share it with your physicians rather than just talking about how you feel and neglecting what you can’t remember. Thanks, Cristina.

Introduction

Whether you’re suffering from a chronic condition, wanting to keep your health information in order, or are somewhere in between, keeping a medical binder on hand can be beneficial. Having a medical binder not only helps you stay more organized, but it can also act as the single source of truth in case of an emergency.
Thinking about possible “what-ifs” is never fun to do, but making sure you’re prepared for emergencies can make a worst-case scenario a little easier to manage. Use the medical binder printables to start putting together your own health binder. It might save your life one day.

Basic Health Information Sheet

On a basic health information sheet, you should include the standard information that you might need to receive medical treatment. Usually, when you go in for an appointment, the healthcare clinic will need to have this information on file before you receive treatment.
The information needed is your full name, emergency contact information, allergies, date of birth, blood type, and any immunization records. Keeping this information up to date and on file can save time if you decide to transfer doctors, or if you start going to a specialized healthcare professional.

Medication Tracker

According to WebMD, about half the American population takes an average of four prescription pills. Some medications have conflicting effects which can have deadly consequences. If you keep track of your own medications, it will make it easier for doctors to ensure that they won’t prescribe anything that will have adverse effects on your health.
Documenting your own medications can also help you and your doctor figure out what has worked in the past, and what hasn’t. It can help you avoid repeating medications, especially if you work with a new doctor or you haven’t been to a medical professional in a while.

Keeping track of your blood pressure can save you a world of problems. Hypertension (or high blood pressure) has damaging effects over time, and many are unaware that they even have it. To record your own blood pressure, you should purchase a home blood pressure monitor.
It’s best to avoid caffeine and exercise at least 30 minutes before you measure, and try to measure at the same time every day. Self-monitoring is actually recommended by the American Heart Association for people with high blood pressure treatments. Even though home monitoring isn’t an adequate substitute for visits, it can be helpful when healthcare professionals are trying to gauge the effectiveness of their treatments.

Blood Pressure Log

It’s useful to be aware of your own medical conditions before a big life transition, like moving homes, leaving for college, or even planning for retirement. The temporary instability during these time periods may cause medical conditions to flare up. These changes may also influence your healthcare provider or the access to healthcare that you receive.
Start surveying the information in advance of these changes so you’re not overwhelmed during the transitionary period. Make sure your information is up-to-date and easily understood. Many use their smartwatches or their phones to log health information, but you could also try an alternative tracking method, like our printable sheets.

Cristina Thorson

Cristina is a part-time content writing intern at Siege and a full-time student at Boston University. She enjoys exploring new pockets of cities, culture, and cat websites (as well as alliterative expressions). In her spare time, she can be found reading books, commenting on movies, and writing anything from advertising copy to feminist satire.

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Smart Tips for Using Student Loans to Pay for College by Craig Middleton

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021

Smart Tips for Using Student Loans to Pay for College by Craig Middleton offers the kind of advice that anyone seeking financial assistance for higher education needs to follow. While you need to spend a great of effort selecting a college and a major, don’t cut corners when it comes to researching your student loan options. Thanks, Craig.

Intoduction

Taking out loans is a common part of going to college. Many students are unable to meet the rising costs of higher education without this additional assistance. Before you apply for a loan, there are some things you should know. Educate yourself on your options so you can make an informed decision that is right for you and your future.

Choose Your School and Major Carefully

If you are going to take out student loans to pay for your education, you should be fairly certain that the risk of taking on the debt will be worthwhile. Not all colleges and career paths have equal opportunities. Before you obtain a loan that you will need to repay, you should do some research.
Find out what the placement rate is from the degree program you are considering. Are there plenty of jobs available? Does your school offer job placement assistance, help with securing internships, or other resources to make finding a good job more likely?
Also, take a look at the growth rate of the career you wish to train for. Are new jobs being created in this field? Is the career in high demand? Or is the market oversaturated and finding employment will be tough due to high levels of competition?
It’s best to find out the answers to these questions before you begin your studies. If you don’t like the answers that you find, you can adjust your plans and choose a different path before you invest time and money in a career that may not be as marketable as you think.

Calculate How Much You Need

Some lenders allow you to borrow more than the amount of tuition that you need. They consider expenses such as housing, meals, books, and supplies to be education-related and eligible for a loan. You can take advantage of this if you genuinely need the funds, but you should only ever borrow the amount of money that you need.
Did you receive any grants or have some money saved for college? Use that first and deduct the amount from the loan you will need to apply for. Can you find an apartment with several roommates to lower your housing and meal costs? Find other ways like these to reduce the money you borrow. You will end up saving on interest and can lower the expected monthly payment obligation.

College Debt

Determine Which Loan Type Is Best for You

There are many different types of loans available. Spend some time reading about them so you can choose the best option. You may qualify for federal loans backed by the government, or you could need to take out private loans. There are also options for parents to borrow the money, or you can take on the debt yourself as a student. Compare your choices and make the selection that works for you.

Know Your Repayment Terms

Before you sign a loan agreement, make sure you understand what the repayment terms are. These will differ for each lender. Find out when repayment will begin after graduation. Do you have a grace period or are you required to start payments immediately? Does your career offer any options for loan forgiveness?
You should also have an idea of what the interest rate will be and what repayment plans are available. It can be tough to predict what your income situation will be like, especially when you first enter into employment. A loan that has a variety of repayment plans could be the best choice. Ask your lender if it is possible to change your terms depending on your financial situation. Some servicers will allow you to extend the length of your loan, or even calculate your monthly payment based upon your income.
When you go about it in the correct way, student loans can be a huge help. They give you the opportunity to pursue the life that you desire by being able to afford the training you need to secure the job of your dreams.

Craig Middleton

Craig is a New York City-based retired business consultant, who is an expert in education and cultural trends. He has a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters in Education from St. Johns and loves sharing his knowledge on the side through his writing. If you have any questions or comments you can direct them to Craig at craigmiddleton18@gmail.com.

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How Teachers Should Educate Students About Vaccinations by Amanda Winstead

Saturday, October 30th, 2021

Teach About Vaccines
How Teachers Should Educate Students About Vaccinations by Amanda Winstead is a resource that all teachers can use as they work to build vaccine awareness and knowledge. Since this is such a hot topic, students will likely have a level of interest that you can leverage to help them learn and grow in many ways. Thanks, Amanda.

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various areas of education. The most prevalent is how to safeguard students’ and teachers’ health while maintaining in-school teaching. Thankfully, the rollout of vaccines is starting to provide a tool to support this. These are available at the moment to adults and as such are primarily keeping teachers and students over 12 from experiencing the worst effects of the virus. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing vaccines for children. These are likely to become a reality for all students soon.
All this means vaccines are a timely topic for discussion in schools. There is a toxic culture of misinformation surrounding the efficacy and safety of these important health tools. While current levels of cynicism have reached new heights, this is nothing new. The anti-vax movement has long cast unnecessary and inaccurate doubt on vaccines of all kinds. It’s vital, therefore, that teachers become reliable sources of factual and scientific information on vaccines in general.
Let’s look into a few of the approaches you can use to have a positive impact on students during this time.

Vaccine

Use the Curriculum

Students are being surrounded by all kinds of information outside of school. What they don’t need from educators is another opinion on the subject. They need facts to help inform their knowledge about the efficacy and usage of the vaccine. A good way to approach this is by framing it within the context of their usual curriculum.
Biology classes are an important forum to present the scientific case for vaccination. Talk about the basics of how vaccines work as a way to prepare the body for the presence of a virus. Introduce them to the range of vaccines provided as standard for most children. Explore the role vaccines have in addressing illnesses like measles, tetanus, and polio. For slightly older students, it can be interesting to introduce the process of vaccine development. Go through testing and approval. This not only gives them a scientific understanding of vaccines but also helps to dispel fears about any risks involved.
However, science-based classes are not the only area of curriculum you can provide vaccine information. History classes exploring the development of the first vaccines by Edward Jenner can provide both background knowledge and perspectives of the way vaccines have improved our society. This doesn’t require you to rely on opinions about efficacy. There are objective facts you can provide about mortality and illness rates before and after the introduction of vaccines. Consider not just how to provide better vaccine information to your students but also how to incorporate it as part of their wider learning.

Make It a Discussion

Let’s face it, students rarely like to be dictated to. It doesn’t matter whether this comes from teachers, parents, or other authority figures. In all cases, it can elicit a frustrating sense of belittlement. It’s no different when it comes to the subject of vaccines. Instead of approaching vaccine education as something simply to be lectured on, get them involved in a more collaborative discussion.
As with any debate, it’s important to set boundaries. Provide clarity on respecting viewpoints and giving one another chances to speak. Make it clear that you will be facilitating their thoughts and ideas while not offering opinions of your own. It can be a wise option to clarify that the discussion is about vaccines in general. This can ease the tension of contemporary issues and open the floor to a wider discussion. Alternatively, you can provide a platform for questions to be submitted anonymously. Use a physical question box or online collaborative classroom software. Use these as the grounds to start structured debates to provide purely fact-based responses.
One of the most important uses of this type of discussion is it can highlight where the problematic areas of their vaccine knowledge are. The types of questions, arguments, and opinions offered can pinpoint what the most important areas of educational focus are. It tells you where additional factual resources might be required to give students the data they need to make informed decisions. It also gives you insights into their fears and what types of reassurance they might need.

Give Them the Tools

At its most effective, education is about empowering students to be arbiters of their learning. Sometimes the best gift you can give your students is the resources to follow their curiosity. The same approach applies to vaccine education.
One of the most important resources you can provide here is access to experts. Invite local public health professionals into the classroom to participate in discussions. Epidemiologists, in particular, have expertise in the analysis of the state of public health events, communicate protocols and factual data clearly, and often choose to specialize in infectious diseases. They will have access to the latest data on various illnesses and current vaccine safety information. As they are committed to improving public health, they are likely keen to engage with your students in meaningful and scientifically supported ways.
Alongside introducing them to sources of information, you should teach them to treat the information they gather appropriately. Show them responsible research techniques. Introduce them to activities to help them recognize credible sources of news and information. Highlight the questions they should be asking before trusting an article, research paper, or a statement by a public figure. Make sure they don’t just apply these in the outside world but in the classroom. Encourage them to question you if they feel the scientific or factual information in lessons isn’t solid. In essence, help them to become more discerning citizens.

Conclusion

Vaccines are among our most important health tools, even aside from the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important to make sure students receive practical and accurate education on the topic. Work to make it a relevant part of the current curriculum and wherever possible encourage discussions on the matter. It is important to help your students to become more empowered researchers so they can make informed decisions going forward. As a teacher, you are uniquely positioned to make a positive difference in your students’ lives.

Amanda Winstead

Amanda is a freelance writer out of Portland focusing on many topics including educational technology. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on Twitter.

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An Interview with Super Math Teacher Jo Boaler – Listen and Share with Teachers You Know

Wednesday, October 27th, 2021

Free Resources for Busy Parents and Educators Who Don’t Have as Much Time to Read and Surf as I Do

Rather than posting my traditional eight links today, I’m posting a link to an interview with Jo Boaler from Stanford who is my favorite math(s) teacher. I’m also posting a link to my summary of her book, Mathematical Mindsets, and my notes from this interview.

While observing teachers yesterday at Chenango Forks Central Schools in Upstate New York, Ed Kozlowski, a special teacher working in math classes, told me about this interview. He warned that it was an hour and a half long but well worth it. He was correct. You can break it into segments or listen as you exercise. You might also want to check out other interviews by Lex Fridman including a two-parter with Elon Musk. Also, in honor of Jay Black of Jay and the Americans (1938-2021), I’ve also included two links below under Humor/Music/Cool Stuff.

Jo Boaler: How to Learn Math, an Interview on Lex Fridman’s Podcast – This is 1:30 long, but well worth it for math teachers and teachers of anything else. @joboaler @lexfridman

My Notes From the Interview

Parents who have math anxiety probably shouldn’t try to help their kids with math unless they can fake it.

When teaching math it’s important to make things visual when you can. When you see it visually or build it you will make more connections in your brain. We are all visual learners.

When you give feedback try to send the message that “I believe in you or I know that you can do this.”

A good way to study is to test yourself. Try to recall what you were doing in class. Try to see the main ideas. Engaging in recall does a better job of building brain connections than additional study.

Collaboration is important. Social thinking helps with brain development.

As a course moves on try to access students and give them feedback rather than a grade. Give them a rubric and have them access themselves. Have students write the questions.

Surround yourself with people who believe in you and vice versa. These will be your best mentors.

Humor, Music, Cool Stuff

Jay Black (1938-2021) – Cara Mia – It starts with a minute of humor. He is 62 here and can still sort of hit the notes. If you want to hear the younger Jay sing Cara Mia and a few more hits, click here.

Looking for a Teacher Job? Try Jooble

Recent Book Summaries & My Podcast

Suite Talk
180 Moving Forward past the Pandemic with Dr. Doug Green – On October 4, 2021, I was Kim Mattina’s guest on her weekly show. Please join us for a discussion on what we can gain from our pandemic experiences as educators.

The Future of Smart: How Our Education System Needs to Change to Help All Young People Thrive by Ulcca Joshi Hansen

Noise: A Flaw In Human Judgement by Daniel Kahneman, Oliver Sibony, & Cass Sunstein

Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher’s Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto

Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind by Judson Brewer

Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation by Steven Johnson

Listen to Dr. Doug on the “Cup of Joe” podcast. I recorded it last week. On it, I talk about the many good things I have seen in schools doing hybrid teaching. @PodcastCupOfJoe @DrDougGreen @BrainAwakes

Grasp: The Science of Transforming How We Learn by Sanjay Sarma with Luke Yoquinto

Back to School COVID Myths – It’s popular to say that hybrid learning is negatively impacting poor students who generally attend schools with lots of discipline issues. Is it possible that some poor kids who make a serious effort to learn aren’t the big winners? There may be stresses at home, but not many bullies. @DrDougGreen @mssackstein

This is my podcast on the Jabbedu Network. Please consider listening and buying my book Teaching Isn’t Rocket Science, It’s Way More Complex. Here’s a free executive summary. @jabbedu @DrDougGreen

Boys and Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity by Peggy Orenstein

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves (the book can be found here)

Upstream: How to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath

Be sure to try the bottom right translate button for your favorite language or one you are trying to learn. If you don’t see it check your adblocking software.

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