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The Biggest Mistake Most People Make With Their Health

Americans are not the healthiest bunch. From cosmopolitan Washington, D.C., to the rural reaches of Wyoming and everywhere in between, Americans share the unfortunate trait of having (on average, anyway) unhealthy lifestyles. In some places (like D.C.), they drink way too much; in other places, they eat way too much. Almost everywhere, they don’t get enough exercise.

All of this has made Americans unhealthy. The typical American is overweight, and many are obese (it’s an epidemic, actually). Many Americans are suffering from mental illnesses, including addiction. That’s thanks in part to the country’s horrific opioid epidemic that average life expectancy in the United States has declined over recent years.

Most Americans struggle with all different aspects of their health. But there’s one mistake that is too common and all too severe. The biggest mistake that most people make with their health is failing to consider their mental health at all.

Stigma, ignorance, and mental health

Most Americans make it to the doctor on more or less the schedule that they ought to. Problems with our health care system aside, most Americans are also relatively conscientious about heading to their doctor or to a hospital when they are sick or severely injured. Most people understand that, without professional help, it’s next to impossible for broken bones to heal properly or serious illnesses to resolve positively.

When it comes to mental health, though, all of this common sense seems to fly out the window. Many Americans have mental health issues that go entirely untreated; some of them don’t even know that they have mental health issues.

Part of the problem is outdated stigma; we’re afraid to go to the psychologist or therapist because we think it makes us “crazy.” Part of the problem is ignorance. We don’t know how helpful therapy can be, even to those who do not have an ongoing mental health issues. Whatever the case, Americans are making a big mistake.

Mental health is not something you should try to manage on your own, explain the experts at therapygroupdc.com. Like physical health, mental health should be managed through regular healthy lifestyle choices and professional health care.

It’s all tied together

You can be thin and, to an extent, even physically healthy without having a clean bill of mental health. And you can be mentally healthy and still be physically ill or obese. But these are exceptions to the rule, which is this: Physical and mental health are closely related.

When you’re properly nourishing your body and releasing endorphins through exercise, you’re going to feel better and think more clearly. Eat nothing but junk and sit around all day, and you’re more likely than your active counterparts to deal with issues like anxiety and depression (studies prove it). The reverse is true, too: The healthier your mind, the easier you’re likely to find it to make the right decisions regarding diet, exercise, and other health essentials.

This isn’t to say that the obesity epidemic and other issues in America all come back to mental health care; obviously, that’s not the whole story. But it’s also undeniable that these things are related. The biggest mistake that most people make regarding their health — to ignore their mental health needs entirely — contributes to a host of other health problems that can further complicate anyone’s big-picture health. So don’t make this common mistake. Recognize that your health includes both physical and mental aspects. Get yourself the mental health care that you need, and live the healthy life you deserve to have.

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How to Help Your Teen Through Depression

Teenagers are struggling with depression in greater numbers, according to statistics reported from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. This was a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Rates, which revealed patterns of suicidality among high schoolers at the national, state, and school levels.

This study proved that while rates of teen suicide declined for a while in the 1990s, they’ve been steadily rising ever since, and today’s teens are at considerably high risk. Once viewed as one of society’s great taboos, suicide has become more widely discussed, and it’s the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10-24.

If you’re concerned about your teenager’s mental health, there are certain ways you can help.

The depressed brain

Often times, teens and young adults struggle with depression for months or years before anyone takes any notice. But parents and educators who know the signs of depression can reach out and provide assistance.

It is important to remember that this illness does not manifest in exactly the same way for everyone. Some people can present as functional and even very happy, while harboring shame about their recurrent feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and suicidality. Students with bipolar disorder are occasionally misdiagnosed with major depression.

Symptoms of depression can be much more than simple lethargy and low mood. This illness can lead to major sleep changes, decreased energy, executive dysfunction, difficulties with long-term planning, and psychomotor agitation. If a young person’s school attendance or grades begin to suffer, or they begin to socially withdraw, this could be a sign that something is wrong.

Understanding and awareness

Some adults remain fearful of depression and uncertain of how to handle it, due to misconceptions in media and the prevailing myth that it is a character flaw rather than a treatable illness. Young people who don’t feel supported by their family in the midst of their mental health struggles are likely to suffer at school, in the workplace, and in their social lives.

Fortunately, an increasing number of parents are beginning to understand the importance of teen mental health. Since the suicide of eighth grader Megan Meier gained international attention back in 2006, awareness has grown and stigma has actively eroded. This has allowed more teens to come forward about their experiences.

Plenty of resources are available for teens and young adults suffering from depression. Outpatient programs and psychotherapy are recommended for teens who aren’t in life-threatening situations, while inpatient groups or rehab for teenage depression are long-term solutions that allow young people to complete their education while pursuing recovery with a team of licensed professionals.

Causes and risk factors

Psychiatrists and psychologists remain uncertain of the exact reasons why young people are currently at such a great risk for mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder, but the statistics paint an alarming truth about the mental health crisis.

Likely, it is due to a constellation of factors. Social media is often blamed for causing teens to negatively compare their lives with that of their peers. The digital landscape has made teens more capable of self-imposed isolation during periods of depression.

Teens with a family history of mental illness, abuse, and trauma are at greater risk of developing mental health issues, often alongside substance abuse or self-harming behaviors that can be dangerous and even fatal. Similarly, teens experiencing disruptions in the family unit, such as an unexpected death or divorce, are particularly vulnerable.

When you know what to look for, you can begin to identify early signs of problems and help your teenager before the problem worsens.

 

A Party Planning Guide for Beginners

C:\Users\June\Downloads\christening-1499314_1920 (3).jpg Will you have a party soon? Have you planned for it? Party planning is not an easy task. It is not only time-consuming but also hectic to put everything in order. For starters, there is a need to plan a successful and memorable event. Here is a step by step guide to help you plan a perfect party.

Define your party

The first step is to know that party plans differ depending on the kind of party. Are you planning an anniversary, wedding or birthday party? You may also be planning a corporate party for your employees. The type of party will determine what to prepare for the day. The party should, therefore, aim at fulfilling the ultimate goal of the event.

Know the number of attendees

Party plans depend on the number of guests. The number determines the venue, amount of food, and the activities. You should have a list of guests before planning. In most cases, you need the number of attendees in order to know the budget for the party.

Plan for the venue and date

The site and date go hand in hand. There are several factors you have to consider when fixing a party date. They include the season, guest availability, and your work schedule. Choose a date that will be convenient for you and the guests. In most cases, parties are best planned in the holiday seasons. However, you may choose to host yours in the low season.

After determining the date, the next step is the venue. Although the venue may be affected by the date, other factors determine the best site for your party. They include venue capacity, location, available facilities, and entertainment space.

Have a budget

Always plan your party with a budget in mind. Unfortunately, this might be hard for a beginner. The budget should include the cost of hiring the venue, food, drinks, entertainment equipment, transport costs, and other miscellaneous costs. As a beginner, you should employ one of the many party planners Gloucestershire offers.

Hire a party planner

There are several party planners in Gloucester. These are professionals, trained, and experienced in planning all kinds of parties. The advantage of hiring a party planner is that they have past work to showcase. They will help you with the party theme and ideas. They are also available for advice regarding any of your queries.

Prepare early

The secret to a successful party is to prepare early. Make sure that you search and hire a party planner as soon as possible. You should also shop for items early. The venue booking should be on time. The invitations should be sent first so that guests can confirm their attendance. All these preparations can be overwhelming for a beginner. However, you can ensure everything is done timely by hiring the best party planner.

These are some of the main steps to a perfect party. The success of your event will be determined by your choice of planner. It is, therefore, recommended to involve a professional party planner in your event.

Image https://pixabay.com/photos/christening-event-room-balloon-1499314/

 

Your Guide to the Cabin Lifestyle

Living in a log cabin is a great option for people who want as much freedom as possible. Whether you’re buying a cabin or building your own, they have plenty of appeal. Living in a cabin is generally economical, and most who follow through with the idea find that it leads to less stress than the traditional rat race.

Building a cabin is also more environmentally friendly than other types of houses, and the lifestyle is a great way to go green in general. You’ll be closer to nature, have high energy efficiency, and potentially experience a lifetime sense of achievement from cabin living.

Regardless of your reasoning for your desired lifestyle change, the following are the essentials you’ll need to know for living in a cabin.

Floor plan

When thinking about a log cabin, you may be envisioning the days of old, where there was a single room dwelling with a stove and fireplace to keep everything warm. While you can still find those items in a modern cabin, today’s cabins generally come equipped with the advantages of the modern home.

This point applies more to those planning to build their own cabins, but it means that there is no “one size fits all” floor plans for cabins anymore. These days, a two story log cabin is a possibility, and they’re often reinforced with stone or other, more sturdy materials.

You can also consider adding a porch or deck for cooking or other recreational activities. Your cabin’s floor plan should be similar to that of a modern house, and a cabin in the North Carolina mountains won’t be missing anything that you would find down in Raleigh houses.

Location, location, location

As with pretty much any real estate endeavor, the location of your cabin is extremely important.

If you’re considering a cabin, then you’re probably already thinking about a rural landscape away from the hustle and stressors of cities and towns. There are several suitable states for a log home, and looking for cabins for sale in North Carolina or other mountainous states is a good first step.

You want to take the climate of the area into account as well. Depending on how the cabin is built, you might want to choose a more arid climate to prevent damage to the logs. At any rate, you’ll want generous roof covering to protect from the rain.

Décor

When it comes time to furnish and decorate a cabin, many owners decide to go with an overall theme.

It’s perfectly fine to go with a rustic look with some classic amish furniture, but you don’t have to let your imagination end there. You could go green with a nature theme or decorate based on your location. While wooden furniture is fine, you’ll likely want a softer couch that should match the wood of your cabin.

Speaking of furniture, you’ll need some outdoor stuff as well. This will let you enjoy the natural beauty of your location more and make it easy to relax outside. Rocking chairs and hammocks are good choices.

Outdoor living

As you would expect, you’ll be living much of your life outdoors when living in a cabin. Hunting and fishing are common activities among cabin owners, as is recreational shooting. Of course, if you aren’t a fan of these, you have plenty of other options depending on your location, like hiking or rafting.

These days, there are even plenty of social media options for those with outdoor lifestyles, so it’s easier than ever to find like minded people. The cabin lifestyle can be a bit of an adjustment, but if you’re looking for a change in life, it may just be the best thing you could do.

 

5 Reasons to Digitize Your Family Photos

The most common complaint that smartphone users have about their devices is the lack of space available. Users snap hundreds of pictures only to have to delete them a few months later. Whether it’s romantic trips to Disneyland or family vacations in Alabama, running out of space is a major concern. Both your battery and your storage space should never restrict you from having a good time, as you create new memories with friends and family members. Because of that, here are five reasons why you should digitize your photos.

Extending the lifespan of memories

All physical materials degrade over time, which is why it’s important to store photos digitally. You can extend the lifespan of your memories by storing them in a digital format. Sharing and printing these images becomes that much easier through cloud devices, which is why they’re rising in popularity.

While your elders may have moved on, you can preserve their legacy by storing their photos on your mobile and tablet devices. They’re always a click away, and you can carry them wherever you go. You can even show your own grandchildren these images decades from now, by preserving them digitally today.

Better organization of the pictures

Digitization allows you to organize your images in a more systematic manner. You can create multiple folders, synchronize images with the cloud, and print them out whenever you want to. You can also zoom in on particular people that you miss and have a high-quality digital print available to cherish at any time.

By using storage devices such as ibi, you can organize pictures however you want while storing them securely in your home. The entire album is accessible to the family to share with friends and loved ones.

Available 24/7 to everyone

Digitized images can be shared with everyone in the family, regardless of where they may be. They can be stored remotely or locally on a physical cloud storage device. These pictures can be pulled up anytime by simply searching for the family member, occasion, or date of the image.

The storage flexibility that digitization provides ensures that no family unit feels left out of the loop while sharing images with one another. Families can stay connected through the charm of sharing photos across geographical boundaries.

Digitization as a way of backing up

In the event of an emergency or when moving homes, you might forget to carry out old photographs with you. Because of their sentimental value, you should protect your memories as best as you can. That’s where digitization comes in and offers a great way to backup your prized possessions.

You can backup old home movies, pictures, paintings, scribbles and art forms through the process of digital scanning. Even if you have to toss out the physical paper or photograph, you can keep a copy of it in your drive through the power of cloud storage.

Bonding through technology

One of the main reasons why families opt for digitization is so that they can bond over important memories. From the birth of their child to their graduation ceremony, no memory needs to be deleted to make way for new ones.

Families can bond through technology by uploading memories to the cloud and sourcing different images from extended family members. Cousins, aunts, uncles and sisters can share their favourite memories of a loved one through the power of digital image sharing. With the simple click of a button, you can gain access to hundreds of images of family members received from extended members from around the world.

For more about technology from Live SV, check out these articles.

Top Trends for Bathroom Renovations in Adelaide

Bathroom renovations are one of the most popular renovations whether you’re building a new home, or just trying to remodel your home a little bit. Believe it or not, the bathroom is also one of the rooms in the house that is done first, and for good reason. It’s where you go for relaxation, privacy, and to keep yourself clean. In this guide, we’re going to give you some trends that have become popular in the Adelaide area so if you decide to remodel your home, you might want to consider some of these options.

Use Mirrors Wisely

Mirrors are a standard in most bathrooms, but if you use specially designed mirrors, this can help make the design overall more delicate and intricate. Also, using larger mirrors in your bathroom can actually help to make the room or area look bigger as well. Using intricately shaped mirrors is one of the first things that a designer will end up looking into getting if you’re having your bathroom remodeled, as it adds a unique element to your bathroom.

Marble or Granite Tile

No matter what the material is (ceramic, linoleum, vinyl tile), using a marble design is one of the most popular trends in 2019 as well. Even better is using actual marble slabs in order to incorporate designs to your home as well to give it a natural, but durable feel to it and you can usually use one color that suits the entire bathroom. Not only that, but with actual marble pieces, we’re talking about slabs of rock that are literally meant to last a long time without any issues.

Decorative Tiles

Using interesting patterns on your bathroom is a lot better and more stylish than just having colored or patterned wallpaper in your restroom. Not only this, but it also makes it about 10 times more durable when it is installed correctly in your home. Most tile is waterproof, so it also helps to keep your walls behind it safe.

Earth Tones

Using natural elements like bamboo and other hardwoods in your bathroom can bring a sense of relaxation and peace to it, adding to the overall warmth of the room. You’ll want your accessories to be plainly colored, or naturally colored to either go with it or clash, but this is one style that is very popular in homes now as they’re inspired by many saunas and spas that are all over the world.

Conclusion

There are so many more trends, you can see more here, but these have been the most popular when it comes to remodeling your bathroom that you may want to find. Always look into choosing the right interior decorator if you’re using one, or be sure your licensed contractor can help you when it comes to design. Bathroom design is an art, and everything in it should provide you with all of the comfort you would need, whether you’re trying to soak in a relaxing hot bath, or just taking some time to enjoy your kingdom on your throne.

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How Progressive Jackpot Slots Work

Over the years slots game producers have evolved their machines in a variety of ways, all in the hopes of creating a point of difference from other games in order to attract a larger number of players. They have achieved this in a multitude of ways which range from free spins to jackpots, you can play these games over at 666Casino today.

Many slot machines have begun to incorporate a progressive jackpot. This is essentially a grand prize which can be won and usually offers an incredibly large sum of money to the winner.

Casinos these days will often have a large group of different slot machines that will all contribute to the jackpot pool. This means that there are multiple machines on which players can play for the same progressive jackpot. Since the inception of jackpots casinos have been locked in an epic battle to claim the coveted title of who offers the biggest jackpot prize and have increased the number of games that contribute to a specific jackpot pool.

What is a Progressive Jackpot

Essentially, the progressive jackpot is a grand prize which is usually only offered by certain machines. Sometimes these machines can offer their own jackpot or they can be group together with multiple other machines.

The process is simple, every time the reels are spun and the jackpot is not won, the prize number increases by a factor determined by either the casino or the game developers. As you may have guessed, the more machines grouped into a progressive jackpot the faster the grand total will increase, obviously this is due to the fact that more players equals more spins, however, this also means that there are more players competing for the jackpot which basically lowers your odds of winning it. Should the progressive jackpot be won, it will be reset to a predetermined value and the process starts again.

What is a Jackpot Meter

This is the means by which players can keep an eye on the total value of the current jackpot. All machines will have this displayed in a highly visible part of the machine; this is not just a random placement. Jackpots will usually have an impressive pot and casinos know all too well that massive prizes undoubtedly attract players from far and wide in the hopes that they will be the lucky one. These numbers are displayed in bold and are highly lit in order for players to see this from anywhere in the casino, thereby attracting them with the novelty. The meter is usually kept ticking over at a steady pace as this has shown to peak the interests of the passerby.

Players should always be aware of the fact that not all machines will offer a progressive jackpot so it is essential to make sure you have chosen a machine that is either in the pool or offers its very own progressive jackpot. Some progressive jackpots will have a qualifying clause; these vary from casino to casino. Usually players will have to wager the maximum number in order to qualify for the progressive jackpot even though all wagers contribute to the total jackpot.

 

Gifts for Your Sister You’ll Want to Keep For Yourself

Big sister, little sister, twin sister, soul sister. … They come in all forms to light up our lives. True sisterly love is something you shouldn’t take for granted. A lifetime of bonding, silly arguments, and shared secrets should be celebrated. Life is now, so let your sister know she’s appreciated today. You don’t have to wait until her birthday.

Remember when you were kids, and you used to get some of her stuff for yourself? Well, you might be tempted to do just that with these gift ideas.

Matching sister bracelets

Sisters are known for their inseparable love. Even if you’re oceans away from each other, you’re always thinking about her, and she’s always thinking about you. And what better way to let her know that than getting matching sister bracelets for both of you? 

These bracelets can be customized in color, message, and you can choose between gold, silver, or rose gold. You can even have the simplest message such as “Always Sisters” written in Morse code. With so many beautiful options to make her happy, she won’t even want to argue about who gets to keep which bracelet.

Customized canvas prints

A picture of the two of you is always a good idea. Whether it’s a selfie or a portrait, it reminds you of the good times when you were together. But how about sprucing things up a little bit?

Memories should be kept in sight, and canvas prints are an affordable and sophisticated way to decorate your sister’s place with special moments. Don’t settle for the ordinary. You can customize your own prints with collages, wall displays, pop art canvases, and more. It’s easy and fun — simply upload any picture of the two of you from your computer or social media, select your preferred size, and voilà!

Aroma candles

Scented candles do more than just perfume the air around you. Truth is, they can be beneficial when made with essential oils, thanks to aromatherapeutic properties. 

Aroma candles are a thoughtful gift if your sister suffers from anxiety, insomnia, or chronic stress. Aromatherapy calms us down by letting a stressed out sense of smell breathe in a pleasant scent, like that of chamomile or lavender. On top of that, aroma candles improve sleep quality. This gift will make her dream about what an amazing sister you are.

Assorted chocolate gift boxes

Who doesn’t just love a good box of chocolates? It’s a delicious classic, and we’re sure your sister will savor every bite. 

White chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate … can’t choose? Get them all. We know how unpredictable and picky sisters can be, so you better not risk it. She might love it so much, she’ll even share it with you.

Mini perfume kits

Some people say buying perfumes is a matter of personal choice, and it is, indeed. That’s why you can’t go wrong with mini perfume kits. 

With a different scent for every mood and occasion, your sister will take her own pick every single day from a set that’ll probably last for months, or less time if she really loves it. If she doesn’t like one or two perfumes, you know what to do. Even if you keep some, she’ll still have a lot of scents to choose from.

Handcrafted journals 

It doesn’t matter if your sister isn’t much of a writer. Introducing her to the world of journaling is one of the best gifts you’ll ever give. 

It’s not just about the journal itself. The act of putting your mind to paper is a powerful mindfulness tool, which exercises creativity and sparks up new ideas and solutions we wouldn’t realize were in us if we didn’t stop for a while and worked with our chains of thought. 

As opposed to the ones we buy at stationery stores, handcrafted journals are unique, and will make her experience much more meaningful. 

You don’t have to say “I love you” to express this feeling towards your sister. These gifts will do the job. Don’t be jealous, she’ll return the favor soon enough.

What are the Benefits of a Viatical Settlement?

Facing terminal illness and your own mortality does not only affect your emotional, physical, and mental states but your financial capacity as well. It is one of the hardest aspects of life when someone becomes terminally ill. A terminal illness, such as cancer, will bore a hole through your pocket for chemotherapy, radiation, other treatments, hospitalization, and medications. Not included in these are your day-to-day expenses. People who have a limited time to live because of their illness can sell their life insurance policy, so they can use the money to settle their affairs before dying. Viatical settlement providers help insurance policyholders to benefit from their plans. They will pay a lump sum to the policy owner that is more than the surrender value but less than the policy’s death benefit. Here are some reasons why terminally ill patients will benefit from such a settlement.

Benefits

Viatical settlements are cases when policy buyers, called viatical providers, pay the insurance policyholder a sum of money that they can use to live comfortably for the remainder of their life. The provider will then assume the premium payments, and in the event of the original policy owner’s death, the insurance company will pay the death benefit to the provider.

  • The lump sum of the settlement is higher than the surrender value. This means that the policyholder will get more money from selling the policy than surrendering it.
  • The policyholder no longer needs to pay for the remaining premium payments. The viatical provider will take over the fees. The policyholder can then use the money used to pay the premiums for other things, such as medicines.
  • The policyholder can use the funds from the settlement to cover the costs of medication and long term care. They can also use it to settle debts, hire a lawyer, or to fulfil their bucket list.
  • There is more money to go around to spend on what matters most.

How much does a viatical settlement cost?

Viatical settlements do not cost the same. Viatical providers base their payments to the policyholder on several factors, including:

  • The face value of the policy. The higher the insured amount, the higher the settlement will be.
  • The life expectancy of the insured. The shorter the life expectancy of the original policyholder, the higher the amount that they will receive.
  • The remaining premium payments. If the premiums are high, the less the money the policyholder will get.

If you or someone in the family is terminally ill, and you are planning to sell your life insurance, you must first consider some things. These are:

  • Who will pay the medical bills and other debts in the event of death?
  • Will the intended beneficiaries no longer need the death benefit?
  • What if the patient recovers? They will become uninsurable, and they will no longer have life insurance.

These are just some of the considerations before deciding that a viatical settlement is the best course of action.

Image: https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/07/30/11/03/hallway-867226_960_720.jpg

 

Unsure If an MBA is Right for Your Future? Steps that Can Help the Decision-Making Process

When it comes to choosing your future career path, for many people, it isn’t an easy process. Often there are no right or wrong answers, rather it is about weighing your options and figuring out what will offer you the most pros for your life, your goals, and your expectations. If you’ve been on the fence as to whether or not an MBA is right or even necessary for you and your future, there are some steps and questions you can ask yourself. These are meant to make the path clearer, and help you to make a confident decision.

So, before you let the stress overwhelm you, and even worse yet, make a decision that you end up regretting later, here are some questions and steps you can use in the decision-making process.

What Type of Career Excites You?

One of the first things you’ll want to do is give thought as to what type of career excites you. What field or industry are you interested in, that you feel you could spend many years in without growing tired of it? If you haven’t given much thought about a career up to this point, you can even browse through job posting boards just to start reading about different positions and their responsibilities. This can help you narrow down your options.

What Skills, Experience, and Talents Do You Have?

Often, the career that a person ends up doing best in is one where they tend to have the skills, experience, and talents that mesh well with it. This doesn’t mean you need previous job experience; rather you just naturally match up with many of the talents and personality traits needed in that position. For example, if you are a people-person, have excellent communication skills, and love meeting new people, then perhaps a job in sales or even marketing could be ideal.

Research What Your Dream Job Requires

Now that you have narrowed it down to a dream job, or even a couple you have your eyes on, it’s time to research what it requires in terms of education and training. This is where it can become very clear whether that MBA is needed. Keep in mind that even if the job doesn’t specifically state that an MBA is necessary, it can still help to give you a leg up on the competition and make your resume stand out. There’s also the fact that those who get their MBA tend to make more during their working years.

Try an MBA Tour

Another rather enlightening step to take is to attend The MBA tour. What is The MBA tour, you may ask? The MBA Tour is meant to give prospective students a chance to meet up with admissions representatives in face-to-face small group settings. There are panels that discuss how you can improve your application and how to finance your degree. You will learn about the different programs and get a chance to network with, not just admissions representatives from various schools, but also fellow applicants and even alumni.

The more information you can gather, the better it will be for your decision-making process. Learning about these various schools and programs can help you to narrow down your options, and really pick the one that will guarantee you’re able to succeed in your goals.

Don’t Base Your Decision on What Others are Doing

One tip to keep in mind is that you should never base such a big decision as your future career on what everyone else is doing. Just because all your other friends or family members may have gotten their MBA and it was right for them, it doesn’t automatically make it right for you.

This needs to be a personal decision that is mulled over based on your individual thoughts, goals, and feelings. When you follow the crowd without listening to your own self, chances are you won’t end up happy or fulfilled in the end.

Ask Yourself If You’re Ready to Give the MBA All Your Time and Energy

Finally, you want to ask yourself if you’re ready to give the MBA program all of your time and energy. This isn’t just something you can give half effort to and cruise through, rather you’re going to have to pour everything into it. It is a huge time and financial commitment to make, so being honest about that will help guarantee more successful results. Remember, this is a drop in the bucket in terms of how much value the MBA can end up giving you in life.

A Decision You Feel Confident In

By asking these questions, taking these steps, and truly being honest with yourself, you’ll be able to make a decision you feel confident in when it comes to whether or not an MBA is right for you and your future.