SAT season is coming up and if you are a student, then you are probably dreading the next couple of months. SATS can be stressful and you are constantly under the pressure of whether or not you are doing well or being successful.

Something that a lot of people tend to forget is that the scores that you get during your SATs can essentially determine your future college, your future career and your future wealth. You only really get one shot at your SATs and so you want to make sure that you are doing the best that you possibly can.

You are probably doing everything in your power to prepare for your SATs, from test prep before your LSAT exams to regularly seeing a tutor. However, something that you may not know is that what you eat can actually influence just how well you do in your SATs and there are certain foods that you can eat that will actually help you do well in your next exams.

If you want to do your best, you might as well try everything that you can and so here are just some of the foods that you can eat that will support your studying.

Berries

If you really want to boost your brain power ahead of a big exam, I would definitely recommend that you try incorporating more berries into your diet. There are a number of different berries that you can try such as blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries. These berries are full of antioxidants that can help improve your memory which is fantastic when trying to cram for exams. Berries are also incredibly healthy and good for you.

Nuts and Seeds

Not only are nuts and seeds nutritious and healthy snacks, but they are also great for exam season. Nuts and seeds give the body fatty acids that our bodies do not naturally produce in large quantities, and so having nuts and seeds is a great way to get this nutrient into our bodies. Fatty acids have been proven to boost your memory. If you are sitting down for a lengthy studying session, something that you can do is have a handful of nuts before you start and this will help you retain information much faster.

Dark Chocolate

People tend to think that chocolate is bad for you and should be avoided at all costs. This may be the case for some chocolate, but dark chocolate is actually great for you. Not only is it low in calories, but it is also a great tool for studying. Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and natural stimulants, which means that it can help to improve the blood flow to your brain. Having a better blood flow in your brain can help you focus a lot better and it can also improve the production of endorphins, which will put you in a much better mood when you are studying.

Eggs

By now, you are probably well aware that eggs have a lot of health benefits that make them very good for your body. Eggs provide several nutrients tied to the health of your brain, these include B6 and B12 vitamins. Eating eggs can really improve your brain power, as well as improve the overall health of your body.

Cheese

There are a lot of people that believe that cheese is really bad for you and is not great to eat. It is true that cheese has a lot of fat in it, but the fat that is used in this food is great for healthy brain activity. Cheese is also rich in omega-3 and fatty acids, which makes it a brilliant source of healthy fats. Cheese is also packed with protein, which is great for improving the overall strength of your body and muscle.

The next few months are going to be incredibly hectic for you and you are going to spend a lot of time revising and working hard. Something that you have to remember is that you have to find a good balance between your studying time and your everyday life.

If you spend your entire day studying and you do not give yourself a break, then you are just going to feel overwhelmed which means that you will not be able to concentrate on anything that you are doing. Make sure that you are spending time with friends as isolating yourself may lead to you feeling extremely upset and overwhelmed, which are emotions that you should not be experiencing when you have exams.

After the unpredictable nature of the last year reaches a welcome end over the next few months we cannot forget the lessons that we have learned over time, mental health is very important and it should remain as important for a very long time in the future. As people have had more time on their hands over the last year as a country we have had to find new ways to use our time and avoid falling into the clutches of mental health issues and illnesses. Playing video games is a great way to boost mental health and avoid sitting and doing nothing as this can be very detrimental to how you are feeling.  

Distraction  

One of the biggest ways that video games can boost your mental health is by providing a welcome distraction away from whatever is making you feel bad and sink back into the darkness of your mental health issues. It is very common for you to begin to think in a negative way when you are left to your own devices with nothing to do, filling some of your free time with playing video games is a great way to distract yourself and enjoy yourself without having to be stressed.  

The great thing about video games is that there is a game available to suit anyone’s preference and skill level, as long as you are having fun while playing it really doesn’t matter how well you do as it is better than the alternative of getting in your head and thinking negative thoughts. Video games are very often used by people who find it hard to socialize and lead an active lifestyle, although gaming is a very useful tool against mental health it should be noted that playing them too much can also have a negative effect on your mental health so you should proceed with some caution. 

Meeting New People 

Another way that playing video games can boost your mental health is the online functionality that so many of us now have access to within our homes, being able to play online adds a new social aspect to gaming that can be used to meet new people. This can be great for someone whose mental health issues stem from feelings of loneliness as you can speak to players who enjoy the same games as you and invite them to play.  

Thanks to this new development in the gaming world people who suffer from mental health issues that prevent them from living a normal life and meeting people out in the real world have a solution that can provide relief. Many people feel less pressure when playing online as the other players can generally only hear your voice making social interactions much easier.

If you are worried about your gaming skills not being up to scratch and want to avoid any awkwardness online then I would recommend using cheat codes to take away any stress, some games benefit from using these codes like how cheats make team fortress 2 a lot more fun and you are now free to enjoy yourself while getting some social interaction to boost your day.  

Simulation Games 

Another way that gaming can help with improving your mental health would be the immersive nature of some of the new simulation games that are available, in times where you are struggling with your mental health it can do you the world of good to become fully immersed in a new game that you are enjoying. This provides a great distraction and can really make you feel better if you are having negative thoughts and feelings.  

As winter approaches many people are already dreaming of getting away from the cold and visiting some warm and exotic locales. While some of the most well-known locations for warm weather and nice beaches can be found in Mexico or even Miami the reality is that your options are much more diverse especially if you are looking for something special like an island getaway. The problem with island getaways is that there are so many islands and it can be somewhat difficult to choose which one is the best for what you want to do. So let’s take a look at some of the best islands to escape to in 2023 and what kind of travel they offer.

Zanzibar

Let’s start with something extremely exotic and somewhat unusual for those who are in the mood for an exceptional and adventurous getaway. Known for its wonderful beaches and being the birthplace of Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury, Zanzibar will offer you great warm weather beautiful turquoise water, and wildly varied fauna. Some of the most well-known activities in Zanzibar is of course swimming with turtles. For those who prefer something a little bit more classy, you can find several great restaurants with rooftop terraces that offer you a great view of the island and the ocean. Although Zanzibar might require you to make a few pit stops during your flight it is different and word the detour.

Santorini

Now for something completely different. Santorini is an island in Greece of volcanic origin that will offer a little bit of everything for everyone. While it is extremely popular for newlyweds it is also the paradise for history buffs and those who are fans of ancient Greece and its history. Not only does it offer a familiar Greek aesthetic of white and blue buildings but it also harbors some of the most impressive and unique beaches in the world. With its black and red volcanic sand beaches Santorini will make a lasting impression on even the most well-traveled tourist. You will be able to not only taste some of Greece’s best cuisine but also admire wonderfully beautiful natural panoramas from impressive cliffsides. While Greece might not be your idea of an island getaway we are sure that Santorini has much more to offer than you can imagine.

The Galapagos Islands

While not exactly known for its cool and relaxing beaches this island is one of the most historically significant islands of the past century. Hundreds of miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador and once considered an island full of mystery it is now well known for its preservation efforts and the pioneering of Charles Darwin on its land. The result of a volcanic activity of centuries these islands offer you some of the most stunning and unusual sights from all around the globe. Whether you are interested in visiting one of the largest volcanic craters of the world or whether you are interested in meeting one of the famed Komodo Dragons these islands will offer you a trill that is unmatched by any other islands.

Borneo

Borneo is one of the most intriguing places in the world. Not only is it one of the biggest islands in the world but it is also shared by three different countries. If you visit the Indonesian, Malaysian, or the part that belongs to Brunei you will have the opportunity to see one of the most biodiverse natural habitats in the world. Not only is it home to some of the most diverse flora it also hides many secrets still in its dense forests. Despite decades of clearing and logging the island still preserves 50% of its rainforest and works to better the care of its natural habitat that makes its beauty. Who can say no to a natural beauty that allows you to visit three countries all at once? It is no wonder that Borneo has been one of the most prized tourist destinations for decades.

Bermuda

While for long-time travelers all around the world feared the terrifyingly mysterious Bermuda Triangle nowadays Bermuda is known as one of the prime locations for travel and island getaways. Well known for its welcoming population and ideal ambience for relaxation Bermuda is populated by tourists all year round. Whether you decide to explore the hidden coves and incredible natural sights of the island or prefer to lounge and sunbathe on the pink beaches Bermuda has a little bit of everything for everyone. Not only is this destination ideal for those who love colonial architecture it is also an ideal spot for golfers. Those who have a more adventurous spirit might find their pleasure in the many snorkeling locations situated all around the island. It is also very well known for its high fashion stores and its greatly varied offer of top-tier restaurants.

There are so many beautiful places on the planet. But very few are as stylish or as trendy as Gangnam. Most people in the western world will know about Gangnam from the popular song ‘Gangnam Style.’ But very few of these people actually know where it is, or what it is all about.

Gangnam is a district in Seoul, South Korea. And Gangnam is most famous for being one of the most affluent and stylish districts in, not only South Korea, but the world. It is filled to the brim with trendy restaurants and bars. It has a number of beautiful museums and tourist attractions. But the main draw, in our mind, is the amazing shopping scene. Gangnam is filled to the brim with shops and salons for every taste and style. Today we are going to be looking at the best Salons in Gangnam.

Jenny House

Founded back in 2002, Jenny House is one of the most popular hair salons in Gangnam. Located not too far from the river, the salon is extremely popular amongst some of the biggest stars in South Korea, including people like Park Shinhye and the popular K-pop band PENTAGON. The salon’s staff are experts at their trade. Able to work wonders on your hair and have you leaving feeling like a brand new person.

Jenny House is also a popular cosmetics brand. In the salon they use and sell all of their own products, which are all eco-friendly. So you can take home some of the magic with you when you leave. And don’t worry about language barriers either. Jenny House has translators on site at all times.

Gangnam Play Shirt Room

Located in the heart of the district, Gangnam Play Shirt Room is one of the most popular shirt rooms. If you aren’t aware, a Gangnam shirt room is an adult only entertainment salon. The services offered by shirt rooms does vary from location to location, but the goal is always to provide a relaxing entertainment experience for individuals or business parties.

The Play Shirt Room is one of the more elite shirt rooms in the city. Offering a wide range of packages including amazing food selections, private shopping experiences, car show room tours, and so much more. Staffed by a small army of some of the most stylish women in Gangnam, guests are guaranteed friendly service from start to finish.

The Play Shirt Room is only available to business parties, so if you’re looking for your next big business outing, this might be the palace for you.

Juno Hair

First opened way back in 1982, Juno Hair has become one of the most recognisable salon brands in Seoul. Over the years it has worked on a number of high-end clients, including some of the most popular K-pop stars in the world. The staff are knowledgeable and experts of their craft. And with so many locations around Seoul and South Korea, you are sure to be able to book a slot without any issues. If you really want a high-end experience, they have a premium location in Cheongdam, which is one of the neighborhoods within Gangnam.

Overmars

If you have spent any time on TikTok in recent years, you may have seen a lot of influencers going to a particular salon in Gangnam named Overmars. Run by a prestigious London hair stylist, Overmars salon is one of the hottest locations in the city right now.

Overmars is a hair and make-up salon that offers a huge range of services to anyone and everyone. Having worked on a number of k-pop stars and celebrities over the years has earned Overmars a reputation for flair and style. So if you are looking for a lively and authentic Seoul look, this is the palace to go.

Boboris

Another of the most popular salons in the city, Boboris is a salon and spa that offers its clients a relaxing salon experience that is second to none. Like many salons on this list, Boboris has a clientele list that includes some of Seoul’s biggest celebs. There are a huge range of services on offer, including full dye jobs and perms. And the price isn’t too eye watering considering the high quality service they provide.

A vape is a type of electronic cigarette that was created to feel like smoking without having as many negative health impacts. A vape is made up of a power source, usually, a battery, an atomizer, and a container like a small tank. It was called a vape as instead of inhaling smoke the user would be inhaling the vapor. How it works is that you pour liquid into the small tank and the atomizer heats this liquid up turning it into a vapor, there is usually a button on a vape and when you press this the liquid will heat up and you can smoke it. As the vape was only invented in 2003 the history of vaping isn’t a long one, when the product was invented back in 2003 they were not widely used or known about but the marketing of vapes has led to a rapid increase in how many people are using them, in 2011 there were 7 million people using e-cigs and by 2020 this had massively increased to 68 million and every day this number is growing. In 2008 the World Health Organisation released a statement saying that vaping was not a legitimate way to quit smoking and that anyone selling these products must remove anything that claims the WHO are in support of them, but this didn’t deter people from taking up vaping. Since this statement from the WHO many states and countries have tried to prevent people from using vapes but the marketing of vapes has been so successful that even this did not prevent them from becoming popular. 

The health impacts

One of the reasons why marketing for vaping has been so successful is because a vape really is a product that sells itself. Smoking cigarettes is one of the most harmful things that people can do to their bodies and their health. Smoking is associated with many health issues including increasing your blood pressure, increasing your risk of a stroke, and increasing your risk of heart disease. Over 30% of deaths from heart disease can be traced back to either smoking or second-hand smoke. There are hundreds of dangerous chemicals in tobacco that wreak havoc on your body and your health as they cause damage to almost all of your organs. Smokers are aware of this but as nicotine is one of the most addictive substances there is, studies have revealed that it is just as addictive as cocaine which makes it hard for smokers to quit. 7 out of 10 people who smoke want to quit smoking but can’t, this is what makes marketing for the vape so easy as all of these smokers are looking for a way to quit, and vaping instead of smoking is a great step in the right direction. It gives the same feeling as smoking without being as damaging and it allows you to lower the amount of nicotine you’re inhaling gradually until you’re no longer dependent on it. 

Social Media

Like many other products, social media has been a fantastic tool to help companies market their products. Social media allows marketing campaigns to reach more people than has ever been possible before, Instagram has millions of active accounts that will be engaging and spreading things that you post, helping them to reach more people and promote your product further. The popular vape brand Juul has massive success by marketing on social media sites like Instagram and Facebook. Their marketing plan heavily relied on social media as they were aware this is the new best way to reach people, a recent study on how vaping became so popular claims that Juul spent over $1 million on online marketing. They also used Twitter and YouTube to make their products look like they were cool and to try and associate Juul vapes with fun, freedom, and sex appeal. This was a really successful marketing tactic which many people will likely follow, a study revealed that the more Juul-related tweets there were, the more sales Juul were making. Before the campaign, there were on average around 700 tweets a month mentioning Juul products but after the campaign, this increased to over 30,000 tweets a month in 2017. As this campaign spread so much awareness, by the end of 2017 Juul was taking at least half of the e-cigarette market share and they are still the most well-known vaping brand. 

Fun Flavors

To try and deter people from smoking, flavored cigarettes and menthol were banned as many smokers only smoke menthol. This gives e-cigarettes a unique selling point as e-cigarettes can be any flavor. E-cigarette companies use this laxation in regulations to target the youth by creating youth-friendly flavors like bubblegum and candy floss. A study revealed that over 40% of young vapers took up vaping as they were interested in trying all of the different flavors. As there were many high school students involved in this study, following this, regulations were tightened but this was mainly aimed at the packaging and any flavor e-liquid is still allowed. With so many different flavors to promote this is a great marketing technique, there are tasty flavors like strawberry and to keep people interested there are also less appealing flavors like crab and roast chicken which are more of a novelty but the variety helps to keep people vaping. 

When it comes to playing video games there are many skills you can learn from them and that much has been proven by science years ago. Video games are also a very good educational tool when it comes to learning particular skills that require more studies and practice overall. This is why over the years we have seen many games be developed to help the learning of second languages or math for example. One trend that has become more and more popular though is the arrival of games that teach you a code and out to understand computers in general. So let’s take a look at some of the best games that exist that can help you learn computing and all that you need to know about programming machines. Let’s jump into it and see all the options available.

Minecraft

While many people play Minecraft to build small houses or fight zombies and Dragons the reality is that the possibilities within this game are near unlimited. Whether you choose to play around with Redstone or code one of the many SMP Minecraft servers you will be faced with a learning curve that can be quite difficult but very rewarding. To learn how to truly set up a Minecraft server you will need to learn how to code plugins as well as server text docs that are needed to run the server itself. While in the game you can use Redstone to build complex machines that are even akin to computers that run on binary systems in real life it only goes to show that Minecraft has a lot to offer especially as a learning tool. If you are looking to start your learning experience within video games Minecraft is the place to start.

Hacknet

Putting you in the shoes of a hacker in a cyberpunk kind of world this game will ask you to learn the basics of code to be able to resolve mysteries as well as break down the defenses of your enemies. While it won’t teach you to code exactly it will introduce you to the basics and force you to understand how computer programs and cyber security work which a great way is to learn about these aspects of computer science. While still more of a game than a learning tool it is a great way to introduce yourself to coding while following an interesting narrative and feeling immersed into a wild story filled with twists and turns that can be art to predict. It will please both your sense of curiosity and learning as well as your gamer side. So definitely do not overlook this game.

Baba is you

Now for something a little bit more lighthearted and completely different from the other two games mentioned. This game is going to appeal to you for computing skills not in the same way or practical way that you might expect. While it does not teach you to code or to understand machines itself it will train you to understand things from different perspectives and work on your logic skills. The game is all about tackling puzzles in different ways and changing your perspective to resolve sequences of actions with the tools available which is something that is often the case when dealing with computers and coding. It’s all about understanding the puzzles and taking them apart piece by piece to make sense of them. It is also a very fun game that is available on many platforms so even if you are playing on mobile devices you will have access to it.

Code monkey

This game is all about working with functions that are constructed the same way coding is. The game is all about helping a little monkey reach his banana. This might seem silly but the idea is to build a challenge by making it more and more difficult for you to build the path required for this monkey to reach its banana. The game is well built in a way that will allow you to learn everything that you need to achieve those goals. The end game of this game is to introduce you to pseudocode to eventually teach you the basics and the basics of the real language of Python. Python is a coding language that is used currently in many industries and is very useful for learning to code. So as you can see games can be useful for your introduction to computing.

Untrusted

Now for something a little bit more challenging let’s talk about untrusted. The way untrusted works is that you have to create a path between two rectangles. On one side you have the visual representation and on the other side, you have access to the old code that presents the screen that you can see. Part of the code is locked which means that you cannot change it but you can use it as a reference to change the other parts that are open to modification. This pushes you to look for patterns and learn to understand what terms mean and what they create so that you can change the faulty code to fit what you need. What’s great about this is that this game does not use pseudocode instead it uses real JavaScript. While it can be a challenging exercise it will help you understand the basics of JavaScript and eventually build your knowledge as you progress to the levels that get increasingly difficult.

As you can imagine these are not the only games that are available on the market to help you learn about computing as there are a large number of them that are always growing. If you want to learn coding for gaming you should keep looking for the best game that is suited to your needs as there are plenty out there that do all sorts of things for all sorts of coding languages. Learning code is the same thing as learning Spanish or French. Code is a way to be used as a real language because it works the same way with grammar and vocabulary. So definitely explore in game your way into learning new skills with the games we mentioned and so many more.