Contributed Posts – Page 140 – The Big Words Blog Site

Creating the Perfect Educational Environment

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is General Education. There are a lot of moving parts to the actual learning process. A major part is environment. Creating the optimal educational environment for students can be the key them excelling or faltering. The following contributed post is entitled, Creating the Perfect Educational Environment.

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When you think about the classroom, everyone has pretty much the same image. There is the teacher’s desk, a whiteboard, coat hangers, and desks. All of these are important, but some might consider some more so than others.

There’s no such thing as a hierarchy of importance when it comes to education, though. Whether it’s kids venturing into academia for the first time or adults searching to improve their skills, everything matters as much as everything else. However, some things are often neglected or even downright ignored, but this is no way to create the perfect educational environment.

A Place to Sit and Think

An indisputable essential for the perfect classroom environment is having educational furniture that means students can sit and think in comfort. There are many ways to do this, from desks to tables to beanbags, but whatever it is, your students should be able to get on with their projects without discomfort.

Lousy posture can hinder productivity and affect concentration, while awkward seating arrangements make it near-impossible to fulfill potential. It’s a simple thing, but it’s also crucial to help create a positive school experience.

An Encouraging Atmosphere

You should also strive to create an encouraging atmosphere that celebrates achievements and helps pick people up when they’re down. Classrooms of the past may have chastised those for getting answers wrong, but this is something you must avoid.

From teachers to other students and parents or significant others, a culture of support is vital for ensuring everyone feels safe within the classroom, and once they get home. By creating this support network, you give everyone the chance to succeed and enjoy their time at the school.

A Willingness to Adapt

All teachers understand that sometimes things do not go to plan, so a willingness to adapt is an outstanding quality to have if you want to create the perfect educational environment. Things change, activities don’t go as planned, and all your preparation goes entirely out of the window.

It’s easy to panic when this occurs, but while you may be screaming on the inside, you’ve got to keep cool on the outside. Stay calm, and move onto the next thing if possible. It always helps to have a contingency plan just in case you encounter difficulties.

A Space Not For Learning

A space where students both old and young can embrace the creative side of education is another way to foster a superb environment. This allows them to take a break from the rigors of memorizing and critical thinking while still working on skills that are essential for real life.

You can make the space somewhere for musical instruments, painting, or even interpretive dance. It gives the students a chance to try something new and also prevents burnout from sitting down working throughout the day. Once they come back, you’ll find them more energized and ready to get back to learning.

The Perfect Place to Learn

Students should enjoy your lessons, so doing everything you can to make their time there as enjoyable as possible will only have positive effects and positive outcomes during their educational odyssey.

Your Worst Nightmare – What To Do If You Are Wrongly Accused Of Murder

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and two key focuses are Current Events and Health/Wellness. Unfortunately, throughout our history, people have been wrongly accused of crimes. If you find yourself in such a perilous position, it’s important understand how to navigate the situation. The following contributed post is entitled, Your Worst Nightmare – What To Do If You Are Wrongly Accused Of Murder.

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Image Credit: Pixabay, Free to Use Licence

Being wrongly accused of a murder you didn’t commit is perhaps everyone’s worst nightmare and can have a huge impact on a person life. If you or someone you know has been accused of murder, no matter how sure you are that you will be proven innocent, it’s vital that you find a defence attorney immediately to guide you through the process.

What are the different types of murder charges?

Murder also referred to as homicide, is often broken down into subcategories, although all are serious they can come with slightly different penalties and which you have been accused with matters greatly.

First-degree murder
First-degree murder is the most serious murder charge and is used when the accused is thought to have planned to kill the victim requiring malice and forethought. As one of the most heinous crimes first-degree murder often comes with the highest of penalties.
Second-degree murder
Second-degree murder is often used to describe a case when the individual intended to kill a person but did not have time to plan it, such as a crime of passion. In some states, second-degree murder is also applied to cases where a person’s actions are so reckless that they were likely to kill someone. Second-degree murder is still a very serious crime and the accused will still likely face some of the harshest sentences, although the death penalty is not an option.
Manslaughter
Manslaughter charges usually come from accidental circumstances where the accused did not mean to kill the other person. Sentences for manslaughter can vary greatly depending on the situation but are often far less severe than intentional murder.
Justifiable homicide
Justifiable homicide is not really a legal charge but more of a classification that can be used by law enforcement if a person kills another through actions such as self-defence.
Other homicide
Some countries and states have developed other homicide charges such as felony murder wherein the defendant did not cause the death of the other person but was participating in the crime which eventually caused the death.

What to do next

Call a lawyer
The very first thing you should do when accused of murder is to seek help from professionals such as murder defence attorneys. You are not obligated to answer police questions straight away and have the right to remain silent and plead The Fifth Amendment until your lawyer is present.
Avoid talking to family or friends
The only person you should call is your attorney, don’t speak to family or friends about the events of the crime as these are not protected by law and your family may be quizzed about what you have told them putting them under unnecessary stress.
Work to prove your innocence
With your defence attorney, the next step is to prove your innocence. Start by making a list of alibis and potential witnesses who can testify in your favour. If you were present at the crime but not involved then write down everything you can remember while it is fresh in your mind. Finally, work through the evidence you have with your lawyer who will be able to build a case for you.

4 Ways To Improve The Security Of Your Business

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. No matter how novel and exciting your business idea is, you must secure it. You must optimize the security of your business on numerous fronts. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Ways To Improve The Security Of Your Business.

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Regardless of the kind of business that you operate, you’ll want to keep all of your assets safe and sound. Whether it’s stock, technology, data, or money, there are several ways that you can enhance your security.

1 . Invest in CCTV

A good CCTV system is a must-have to keep your premises protected. CCTV cameras can function to deter criminals from targeting your property. As well as this, a CCTV monitoring system means that you’ll have evidence should a crime occur. The theft or damage of equipment or data will cost your business time and money both. CCTV can serve as a good damage control solution should the worst happen. Should extreme damages occur in the event of a break-in, it’s a good idea to call upon commercial restoration companies to provide help. Such companies can also assist in the event of high scale damages; from extreme weather to other structural disasters.

2 . Hire a security guard

To protect your business premises, a security guard can be a great call. Having a well-trained security professional will provide you with peace of mind that your building and employees are safe. A security guard will be able to monitor video surveillance around the building and ensure the correct access to the correct people. They can check ID and direct visitors as needed. Again, a security guard alone can be a great deterrent to potential thieves.

3. Cybersecurity

In the modern business world, cybersecurity is just as big an issue as physical security. It’s essential to put means in place to protect yourself online. When employees are accessing your network, ensure that you implement a multi-factor authentication system. Such a system involves several different checks to prove the identity of the employee. From biometric traits like fingerprints to codes sent via SMS; you can be sure that the right people have access. It can also be useful to hire an IT professional to perform a cybersecurity audit. An audit can identify and fix the weak points in your security system. When you implement new security solutions, ensure that you train your staff in terms of best practices. Using the internet to help your business can only be successful if you know how to stay safe online.

4. Install an alarm system

An effective alarm system is a great way to improve the security of your business. Such systems can alert the police quickly and efficiently should there be a break in. Regardless of an alarm system, it can be a good idea not to store all your valuables on-premises. Some businesses like to invest in storage solutions to have another place to keep valuable data or assets. Spreading your assets over multiple locations can be a good damage control solution.

Lastly, make sure that you backup your valuable documents and data and use the cloud as much as possible. If you’re concerned about cybersecurity, it can be beneficial to invest in a cybersecurity insurance policy. These policies can cover you in the event of a data breach, including any loss of revenue incurred as a result.

How To Make Money From Your Property

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Real estate is currently one of the most lucrative investment classes out there. There are numerous ways to make money by owning a property and the only limitation is the owner’s creativity. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Make Money From Your Property.

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Being able to make money from your property is something that many of us can likely do depending on a few factors. To make a bit of extra cash here and there can be very beneficial for our household savings, so here’s how to make money from your property.

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Start Growing And Selling Produce

If you’re a bit of a green thumb in the garden, then there might be a business in what you are successfully able to grow. In this world, where we’re trying to be more sustainable in order to help and support the environment, people will likely want to buy locally. This is because it’s more sustainable and kinder on the environment when you’re getting your fresh produce from a few doors down. First, you want to figure out exactly what you can sell and preferably, you want food and herbs that are going to be quick to grow and harvest. You may also have quite a bit of land to work with and so having somewhat of a farm might be a useful business to operate on the side of your full-time job. It’s important that if you start expanding beyond selling locally, then you may need to get clued up with some Agriculture lawyers who can give you advice on contracts, etc.

Rent Out A Room

You might have quite a big-sized property, so big in fact that you have too much to make use of. Renting out your space has now become very profitable after the creation of sites like Airbnb, which lets pretty much anyone put up a room or home as a holiday let. If you want though and have a freehold property, you could rent out a room. This can be done directly with yourself, or you might want to let a property agent sort it all out with no real effort needed from yourself. As long as you’re happy sharing or if it’s the whole property, coming to terms with it never being the same as how you had it, it’s worth doing. Some tenants might damage the property by accident, so there’s always that which needs thinking about in regard to the extra expenditures you might need to make further down the line.

Create A Side Hustle

A side hustle is something you do to make money on the side of your current job. And before long you can find yourself looking for further investments, checking out the best investment properties and even researching the best swiss bank account you can find. It’s an exciting prospect and worth thinking about. It might be from a hobby that you currently have and which you can transform into a money-making venture. Being able to create a side hustle is exciting because you end up having control over what you create or produce and you become a one-man band, doing everything that’s involved with running a business. Whether you’re selling handmade items on Etsy or running an online blog that works with brands, having something on the side can provide you with that little extra income that you or your household might need in emergencies. Side hustles can often also turn into full-time ventures if you work hard enough.

Sell It As An Event Space

Your home might be very functional in terms of a space to hold events. It could be unique enough to be the set of a film or television show. Or a place for fashion companies and brands to shoot their own content for business. So there are plenty of opportunities where your home can become an event space or an opportunity for a company to come in and use it to feature their services or products. As a homeowner, this can be a very interesting experience because you get to see your home being used in a different light while making money off others who require your space. There are plenty of people out there that might need your home for a day or two, so take advantage of what’s online so that you can benefit from using your home as a place for others to do business.

Making money from your property is one benefit that’s come from the modern-day world that we now live in. Now that we have access to so many more resources, we have the opportunity to be able to do more. We can create side hustles and businesses from the comfort of our home. We’re able to feature our homes as event spaces, filming opportunities and even to rent it out through online holiday accommodation sites. So if you need a little extra income, take a look at what your property might be able to offer you as an income.

Using the Internet to Help Your Business

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. In today’s digital age, using the internet is critical if you’re running a business. It can help make your operations known not only in your immediate location, but around the world as well. The following contributed post is entitled, Using the Internet to Help Your Business.

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No matter the size of the business that you work for, whether you work from home, have a small business, or work for (or are in charge of) a large corporation, there won’t be one day that goes by that you don’t use the internet for your business. It is a vital part of the day-to-day running of your business, but it can also be used as a really important tool to help promote your business and to grow your business. In fact, there are so many ways that you can use the internet for your business, that it can seem quite endless, and as a result, it can be a little overwhelming.

So if you want to know how to use the internet in the best way for your business, then starting small and staying simple will help you to use the internet in the best way to make the business more efficient. One of the last things that you want is to make sure that everything is used daily so that it can pack the biggest marketing and promotional punch. Here are some of the ways that can make a difference.

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Set up a business page on multiple sites

If you have an established business with some loyal customers already, then it is important to encourage them to leave some positive reviews on various sites that you can register with. It helps to validate your business. Use sites like Google to list your business, as well as sites like Yelp and other local business finding sites, like how Interstate Dry Wall is listed on local business finder pages. These sites are great to help you to advertise your business, and it allows you to list things like your location and business phone number so it can help potential customers.

Take advantage of email marketing

If you are able to keep your current and past business clients and customers informed about what your business has been doing or latest information and deals, then it can really pay off. It can help to create a good relationship with customers and clients, and it means that it is more likely that they will use your business again in the future. You could send out a weekly email, or perhaps less often like a monthly email. You can also really personalize what you send out, so that it can be personal for a customer’s birthday or deals over certain holidays, and so on. You can also track who opens emails and who doesn’t, if you use a newsletter subscriber, so you can measure the success of them.

Use Social Media

Social media has risen and grown over the past decade or so, and there is no sign of it slowing down. So are you making the most of sites like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter, for example. It is important to make sure that you don’t use too many sites, as you won’t be able to manage all of them to a good standard. So think about your ideal customers and the sites that they would use, and then you can go from there.

3 Commandments Of Successful Video Marketing

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is Video Content/Media Creation. Writing is not the only form of content creation. In our modern Digital Age, video content creation has become just as prominent as traditional written content. If done correctly, it can prove to be very lucrative and powerful. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Commandments Of Successful Video Marketing.

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Pixabay (CC0 Licence)

The importance of video content in marketing has been one of the most-discussed subjects in business over the last few years. Around the middle of the decade, you couldn’t go more than a few minutes without hearing the phrase “pivot to video”; and indeed, plenty of content providers went out of their way to leave behind text – only to later find out that this was a mistake when it actually led to declining page views. Slowly but surely, the message that seems to be filtering out of the content world is that video is important – but what’s really important is how it is used.

If you’re aiming to put content out there that people will want to use, and share, then – as well as not relying purely on video content – you also need to make sure that the videos you do make are engaging and memorable. So let’s take a look at the commandments of video content – the rules you’ll need to stick to for your content to be successful:

#1. Make it unique

As the decade draws to a close, we are seeing more and more people becoming celebrities purely off the back of video content – which draws more and more viewers to the platforms they use. That’s an opportunity for anyone creating video content to harness a potentially huge customer base – as long as your content doesn’t fade into the background. Make it visually arresting by working with the likes of Zaini Media to create memorable animations – and because even something as simple as the video thumbnail can make a difference to views, consider how you can make images that stand out from the crowd.

#2. Be an engaged creator

One of the internet’s unspoken commandments is “Don’t read the comments”. It’s an understandable rule, too – anyone online who so much as breathes a personal opinion into cyberspace can end up at the mercy of trolls – but it’s one you might need to break if you want your content to win people over. In fact, not only should you read the comments, you should reply. Before too long you’ll be able to filter out the useless comments, and engage with the people who are there for the right reason; this is how you build subscriptions and get more visibility. That is the kind of growth that can be self-sustaining.

#3. Be topical, but don’t be controversial

If your niche is in the news for whatever reason, this is the ideal time to make and release a quick video offering your informed take on the news story. If, for example, your niche happens to be in the “healthy eating” field, and a story emerges about a new “superfood”, you can make a video offering the benefits of your knowledge. The more topical the story, the better the possibility your video will go viral. Just one word of warning; step away from more controversial treatments of any subject, as these can cause videos to be downranked and demonetised. That may bring worthwhile attention if you’re a topical channel, but it’s the death-knell for marketing content.

These three commandments are among the most important things to remember when trying to make an impact with your video marketing content. Stick to these rules and you won’t go too far wrong!

Is Your Business Secure Enough Online?

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. No matter what kind of business you’re operating, cyber-attacks can threaten business at any time if the appropriate measures are not taken. The following contributed post is entitled, Is Your Business Secure Enough Online.

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It might sound obvious, but it’s important to keep your business safe. Anyone who runs their own business knows how important security can be. But the truth is, the day-to-day running of a business can make it easy to forget that simple fact. Security is often something that takes place behind the scenes which can make it easy to neglect. Making sure that doesn’t happen is of particular importance these days because of one simple thing: the internet. It used to be that you only had to worry about the physical security of your business. But now there is so much business conducted online that it has opened up whole new areas of risk. Without the proper security online, your business can be in real danger. Luckily, just as new threats arise, new services appear to combat them. Here are some ways to keep your business safe online.

Set up a secure firewall

You wouldn’t leave the doors to your business unlocked at night, would you? Then why do the same with your online presence? Malware is software that is designed to infiltrate and attack computers and networks. This can do untold damage to your business, even going so far as to destroy it. That’s why it’s so important to get your security up to scratch. Set up firewalls beyond the one’s that come with your router. There are plenty of firewall services that will kelp you to keep up with malware’s increasing complexity.

Back it all up

Few business owners would imagine a situation worse than logging on to see that an enormous amount of vital information has disappeared. The idea of files and data simply vanishing is the stuff of nightmares to most businesses. That’s what makes it even more surprising just how often companies neglect to back up their valuable data. Making sure that you’re backing up your data means that if the worst should happen then, you can easily retrieve it. There are plenty of backup services available and which one you choose will come down to your business.

Filter out spam emails

If you’re running a business online then it’s likely that you’re going to sending and receiving a lot of emails. The last thing you want is for spam to be cluttering up your inbox making it that much harder to find what you’re looking for. Antispam software is an excellent way to clean up your emails and reduce risk and distractions for yourself and employees. Running emails through verification to ensure that senders are who they say they are is a crucial step in upping your email security. It’s also a good idea to reach out to companies that can help you stop spam emails. And it’s always important to encrypt your emails. Unencrypted emails is basically a buffet for hackers and cyber criminals

Whether you’re working on your own or as part of a team the first step to improving security is improving your own practices. Making sure that you’re staying safe online will make keeping your business secure that much easier. Avoid accessing potentially dangerous sites at work. Keep your passwords updated regularly. Don’t click any suspicious looking emails. These simple things really will go a long way to protecting you and your business. Plus, if you’re showing safe online behavior, your employees are that much more likely to follow suit.

How to Improve the Ambience of Your Office

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success. A key focus is Professional Development and Skills. No matter what kind of organization you’re running, managing and operating your office space is key. Your office space can impact your employee’s productivity both positively and negatively. The following contributed post is entitled, How to Improve the Ambience of Your Office.

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Your office is more than just a space to get some work done. It’s an extension of your company and plays a direct role in how well your employees are able to work. As such, it’s in your interests to cultivate a positive working environment. Not only will it make going to work more enjoyable for you and your staff, but it’ll also help to boost productivity, and help to give your visitors a positive impression of your business, too. We take a look at a few tried and tested methods for doing this below.

Pexels – CC0 Licence

Set the Tone

The ambience of the office stems from you, the boss. When you walk into an office, you can normally tell pretty quickly whether it’s a happy office or not. Whichever it is, it’ll be because of the person in charge. If you want to create a positive environment, then you’ll need to bring the positivity. The best way to do this is to work on yourself and make sure that you’re a good boss. If you’re viewing your staff as people, not robots, then you’ll be on the right path.

Hire Pleasant Employees

Of course, while you can help to create a pleasant environment, it’s worth remembering that your staff is going to have a big role in the overall atmosphere, too. You might do all you can to push it in the right direction, but if you have staff members who are not interested in bringing the positivity, then you’ll run into trouble. So how do you get around this? By hiring pleasant employees. Talent and experience do count for a lot, but they’d have to be pretty special if they’re not going to bring a cheery attitude, too. When it comes to interviewing, consider their ‘pleasant factor’ before offering the job. It really will have an impact on how nice the office can be.

Tidy and Spacious

Of course, you could hire the nicest people in the world, but if the office is dark, dingy, and dirty, then it’s not going to be a pleasant atmosphere. The people are only one component of the ambience. So take a look at making your space more enjoyable to be in by making it spacious and clean. You can add more space by getting rid of any old documents and other belongings that you don’t need (you can throw them away, or put them into storage). To keep things clean and tidy, hire a company such as Southern Cross Cleaning. They’ll ensure that your space is neat and organized, without disturbing your staff or operations.

A Touch of Color

Finally, take a look at the decor of the office. There’s nothing wrong with the old, boring grey decor, but there’s not a whole lot right with it, either. You can liven things up by adding some color to proceedings, be it through the choice of paint for the walls, works of art, or by adding plants and flowers. It’ll help to make the space especially inspiring.

5 Quick Things You Can Do To Make Your Business More Successful

The first principle of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. As a business owner you should always be looking to improve. Your continual evolution will set you well above your competitors. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Quick Things You Can Do To Make Your Business More Successful.

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If you want to make your business more successful, there are a few things you can do to make this happen. Below, you’ll find 5 quick things you can do to make your business more successful – take a look:

Post More Content
If you don’t currently post enough content, then it goes without saying that this is the first thing you should work on. Content marketing is extremely powerful, and you can create it in a number of ways. You could make videos, write blog posts, and even start a podcast. Add value and share your expertise.
Start Conversations On Social Media
Start and get involved in important conversations on social media. The more conversations you start, the more people will get involved. People will likely remember you, too!
Run Competitions
Run competitions and make sure the prizes are awesome. People love entering competitions online and you will likely increase your audience tenfold.
Give Customers an Incentive To Come Back
Make sure your customers have a good incentive to come back. You can do this by providing unbeatable customer service, but also by giving them a discount code or deal exclusively for them. Make them an offer that they can’t refuse.
Give Away Branded Items
Branded items are an ideal item to give your customers. Branded bags, for example, are something that will come in handy many times while also letting people know that your business exists. The infographic below can tell you more:

credit to BagzDepot

Get Back to the Books

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success. Three key focuses are Career Discussions, General Education and Professional Development and Skills. Once starting a career, everyone has to eventually decide what their next steps will be. Is there the potential for promotion at your current position? Should you switch organizations? Should you go back to school? The following contributed post is entitled, Get Back to the Books.

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You might find yourself wondering from time to time what the next steps are when it comes to your career. Are you going to stick at your job and work your way up the corporate ladder or take a chance on a whole new job.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages and both carry a certain amount of risk. However, if neither of those options appeal there is a third way and that’s going back to school. We’re not talking about studying full time necessarily, there are a number of options but instead looking at ways to either boost the professional expertise of the field you’re already in or explore a new career.

In this blog we take a look at why training up might just be the right thing for you.

Professional Qualifications

If you’ve been waiting for promotion to come your way and it’s just not happening, now is the time to get proactive.

Take a look at some of the professional qualifications associated with your industry. Would taking a course and getting some more qualifications under your belt put you in a better position? Would gaining that Florida Contractors License pay off? If the answer is yes, it’s time to put yourself out there and back into the classroom.

Don’t waste your time doing qualifications just for the sake of them. Pick the ones that are recognised in your area and will allow you to leverage them for promotion or at the very least, better pay.

Image courtesy of Pixabay: CC0 licence

Distance Learning

One of the biggest dilemmas about studying is squeezing it in around your working life. This is made particularly hard if the qualification has nothing to do with your current job. One of the best options you can consider is a distance learning course from a reputable education facility.

These courses often offer part time study that fits around your schedule. While you may need to travel to an exam centre once a year or so, that should be the only time off that you’ll need to schedule. While it often takes a little while longer to complete the course, the pressure of trying to get it all done in a short amount of time is off of your shoulders.

Consider this option a long term investment into your future.

Evening Classes

The final study option is evening classes. Use these to access higher education courses later on down the track. If you’re struggling to pay for your training, consider asking the company you work for help. If your course can, in any way, help you in your current position you may be able to persuade them to subsidise your study.

If that isn’t an option for you, you may find that many education centres offer bursaries and grants for more mature students or those studying for specific industries – nursing or education for example.

When you want to change your working world, think about how education might help you achieve your next goal.