Yearly Archives: 2021

Encouraging sustainability in schools and on campus is always a worthy cause. After all, even if we could fix all of the world’s environmental problems with the snap of a finger, making sure we don’t unnecessarily waste our drinking water or any other resources throughout our lives would still be the downright polite thing to do. Not to mention the moral thing to do.

That said, just because “sustainable” has become a buzzword in the last couple of decades, that doesn’t mean that educators should assume students know why sustainability is important. Or even what it means to try and live a sustainable lifestyle. With that in mind, let’s go over some of the simplest and most effective arguments that can be used when discussing sustainability in a classroom.

The moral argument

While there are many ways to define what constitutes a “sustainable lifestyle”, for this text we’ll be defining it as “A sustainable lifestyle that involves doing your best to reduce your use of Earth’s natural resources, paying particular attention to how much you waste intentionally or unintentionally.”

There are many good arguments in favor of attempting to be more sustainable. One of them is that Earth’s resources are limited, and we should do our best to preserve them. Not only for ourselves, but also for future generations.

And kids may argue — as adults do — that the conscientious actions of one person may not make a big difference in the long run. Whether or not that’s true isn’t relevant here, because the best argument against that notion is simply personal responsibility. Because whether or not it makes a difference, by not engaging in wasteful behavior you can at least make sure you’re not responsible for actively making things worse.

The financial argument

One good thing to point out in classroom environments is that becoming sustainable is not only getting easier and more affordable year after year but there are many areas in which sustainability can help you save money. Of course, most students in high school and even in college are not in a position where they get to make major purchasing decisions. But bringing this up is important because the public discourse on going green and being sustainable often frames these concepts as some sort of major personal sacrifice.

It can be hard to have a more sustainable lifestyle. And at times it will mean not getting something shiny, new, and cool because buying used goods is the more sustainable thing to do. But there are also situations where people get a financial incentive in favor of being sustainable. Sometimes those incentives are due to how technology is evolving, and sometimes they’re straight up a rebate or tax cut mandated by law. But no matter the case, it doesn’t change the fact that some sustainable options are becoming popular even among people who don’t particularly care for the environment. Popular examples of this include solar panels, LED lamps, electric cars, and more.

Talk to students. Tell them that even if they don’t want to make personal sacrifices to be sustainable, they can still make a difference just by keeping an eye out for sustainable solutions and technology that can also help them save money. The list of solutions that fit this description is long, and it’s only getting longer year after year.

Spending the last year with the COVID-19 pandemic has brought us a tide of new experiences. When the pandemic lockdowns first started and we were sent home from our classrooms and offices, we had to face the sudden adjustment to remote learning and working. Confined within four walls, our living arrangements and the associated lifestyle choices were magnified ten-fold. For some, the pandemic provided a much cherished opportunity to spend time with loved ones. For others, it created a stressful and oppressive situation. One thing for certain is that our lifestyle goals have changed in recent months, leading many Americans to consider moving to a different neighborhood, state, or even coast.

Sea Change, Tree Change, or City Change?

A marked shift in lifestyle that has happened since the onset of the pandemic is that many people are moving from the bright lights and big cities to the small towns and sprawling countryside. The obvious reason for this is to leave behind the dense nature of urban living and escape to the wide, open spaces where it is easier to social distance and avoid contracting the virus. But there are many other reasons for Americans to make the rural change as well. With many people furloughed and facing economic uncertainty, some individuals, or whole families, are unable to meet rent or mortgage payments and have to move in with their relatives. For families with children who would otherwise be stuck in city apartments, the suburbs and rural towns also offer much-needed space to play.

As the proverbial rat race ground to a halt during the pandemic, many people reevaluated their working lifestyles and chose to slow down and enjoy the important things in life. The proliferation of remote work and the growing online hustle economy have allowed people with remote income the freedom to live anywhere they choose. Suburban areas and rural towns are becoming increasingly attractive as they boast lower property prices and a range of natural and active lifestyle choices. Some popular lifestyle towns include Hood River, Oregon, which features plenty of on-water activities and an abundance of orchards and breweries, and Mill Valley, California, with its rustic charm and outstanding hiking trails.

While it may seem that the pandemic has exacerbated the exodus from the cities, many people are moving into urban centers as well. Interestingly, Baby Boomers make up a significant percentage of people moving back into the cities. These seniors are leaving the suburbs and heading to walkable cities with quality healthcare, upscale restaurants, and enriching cultural venues. Similarly, young Americans who are career-driven and not looking to start a family enjoy the energy of the big cities. One example is San Francisco which has a thriving technology economy, diverse and colorful neighborhoods, and more restaurants per capita than any other city in the US. The city also has 80,000 more dogs than children, go figure!

Moving On Out, Moving On Up

Regardless of whether you are moving from the country to the city or vice versa, packing your life up into boxes and getting it to a whole new place can present a considerable challenge. Moving requires a large amount of planning and can be a huge task to undertake without external assistance. While some people can make split-second decisions and move within weeks, most of us will take several months to prepare for the big move. Even before packing, crucial items to check off the moving list include organizing your current home for sale or return to the landlord, securing a place to live at your destination, and deciding how to transport your belongings safely from here to there.

Those with a small number of possessions who can do the heavy lifting on their own may choose to rent a van and do the move themselves, while others who have more things or less inclination for manual labor may prefer to leave the hard work to someone else and hire a reliable moving company. The best benefit to hiring a moving company is the (literal and metaphorical) weight that it takes off your shoulders. Various cross country moving companies provide a range of services from professional packing of fragile items to arranging storage units for your surplus stuff. Because professional movers are experienced in transporting all manner of items and executing complicated maneuvers like getting a large couch up a narrow flight of stairs, they can take away a lot of the stress of relocation.

Human beings are naturally nomadic people. We love to explore and will travel across the country to seek out the habitat of our dreams. Whether you are being called by the big waves in California, the homesteads of Texas, or the galleries in New York, there is a place that is perfect for you. A change in scenery can help to awaken an otherwise stagnant soul so why not relocate and start an exciting new chapter in your life?

Throughout history, humans have invented different ways to communicate that have constantly evolved over time. The most common form of communication was transmitted via what we now term “snail mail”. Writing letters was once the most efficient and accurate method of getting a message across for both work and leisure. For example, carrier pigeons were used by the military during World War I and II to transport important notes that eventually helped to save lives and win battles.

Technology has revolutionized the ways we communicate with one another. Although mail still exists as a form of communication and serves a crucial role in today’s society, the main methods in which we use to interact with each other have drastically changed with time.

Telephones

First invented in 1849, the telephone was the first communication device that allowed us to send voice signals over wire. Over the next 60 odd years, telephones were widely used in homes and offices in the US, with 5.8 million telephone users registered by 1910. Making calls became the most effective method of communication, and relaying messages no longer took days or weeks as you could connect with friends and businesses simply by dialling a number.

The first telephone models, however, were bulky and could not be transported. The subsequent invention of the mobile phone in 1873 once again changed the landscape of communication. Having a mobile phone meant that you did not have to schedule a call or rush home to wait for a call — you could be contacted anytime, anywhere. This definitely made things more convenient, but the first mobile phone was still a rather bulky device that weighed almost 5 pounds.

Smartphones nowadays weigh less than 0.5 pounds, and can do much more than making and receiving calls since the creation of the internet. We can now make video calls, send an instant text, surf the internet, catch up on TV series, check out social media, or send emails using only our smartphones! Communicating and connecting with people are at the touch of our fingertips.

Emails

Emails, also known as electronic mail, were first used by academics and the military to send instant messages to one another within their organization’s internal network. Emails as we now know them were invented by Ray Tomlinson, who conceived the idea of sending instant messages to people outside of an internal network. It was not possible, prior to Tomlinson’s invention, to send an email to a specific person at a specific address. As the use of computers became more widespread, companies and individuals alike quickly adopted emails as a form of communication, and is now an invaluable communication tool in today’s world.

The rise of workplace instant messaging tools has reduced some need for email usage. Emails, however, remain as one of our main communication tools, especially for relaying messages to people outside of our network or in a more official capacity. This has in turn led to the development of an entire ecosystem around communication network technology. Nowadays, SD-WAN technology allows enterprises to use software to define and manage their networks creating an additional layer of reliability and flexibility.

But email is not all about communication. Email addresses are utilized as an identifier. For example, whenever you create an online account for a streaming service, you typically enter your email address as an identifier. You can only access the content that you paid for when you login to your account. If you are unable to remember your password to your account, you would have to request for a password reset typically via your email address. Emails are no longer only used as a form of communication, but as an identifier in much of our online activities.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality gaming has been garnering interest in recent years. The idea of it is exciting: Strap on a pair of virtual reality goggles and gaming accessories, and you are instantly immersed in a virtual world in which you can interact with your gaming partners, see each other’s movements and hear one another’s voices with almost zero distractions from the outside world. Virtual reality is currently being used for military and medical training, and therapy, but its application does not end there.

Virtual reality can also help us facilitate better communication with one another without having to be in the same physical location. Most of our non-verbal communication is lost when we interact via text, phone or email. Hesitations, gestures, and body posture are some examples of what we do not see when we interact with communication tools. These non-verbal communication can be transcribed in virtual reality, which can in turn help us better understand one’s intentions and emotions in a discussion. Instead of catching up with friends over a video call, there is a possibility that we would be able to “meet” in the same virtual space and conduct a conversation face-to-face without being present in the same physical location. The world of virtual reality is full of potential to improve our standard of communication!

Technology has revolutionized the way we connect with the world. Our communication tools have evolved to make communication more efficient, convenient, and realistic, and it is thrilling to think about how technology will further shape the future of communication.

Starting a business can be very rewarding. You get to be your own boss, skip the 9-to-5 grind, bring a business solution to fruition, and have career security. This has never been so relevant considering the current COVID pandemic’s impact on businesses.

Imagine having the ability to maximize earning potential without worrying about being furloughed or laid off when economic uncertainty happens. But what home business ideas are worth considering for college students at Yale University?

The good news is that there are a ton of viable home business ideas for college students. And with little risk, since most businesses are operating remotely, keeping overhead to a minimum for your future startup.

From social media influencer to ecommerce website builder, the opportunities are endless. Let’s take a closer look at a few profitable home business ideas for college students like you.

Social Media Influencer

This may seem like a fantasy for the budding college student entrepreneur, since most influencers on social media appear to have millions of followers. But the truth is, you can make serious money as a social media influencer with only a few thousand followers.

Brands like MAC Cosmetics, IKEA, Dove, and Dyson are all seeking influencers with small followings. For instance, nano-influencers are social media influencers with less than 5,000 followers. And brands want to work with them because they have very loyal fans.

Why? Engagement. The amount of followers you have no longer matters to brands. Brands now want to see powerful engagement rates before hiring influencers. Nano-influencers have the highest engagement rates among all influencers.

Ecommerce Store Entrepreneur

The next profitable home business idea for college students is ecommerce. Ecommerce is hot right now, because going to get products in-store is proving difficult during the current COVID pandemic.

But COVID aside, ecommerce continues to be a massive industry. Online retail sales are expected to hit over $6.5 trillion by 2023. This estimate could be even higher now due to the need for more ecommerce during the pandemic.

It is actually pretty easy to create an ecommerce store with website building platforms. You can easily source products online and start selling them via your own ecommerce store within a week. And growth is definitely possible for ecommerce store entrepreneurs.

Freelance Writer For Hire

Freelance work is a powerful asset, especially during these times of professional uncertainty. Freelance writing is one of the top careers that you can easily start from home as a college student.

In university, you have gone through grueling editing and proofreading stages with your professors. Chances are, you have honed your skills as a writer and not even known it. This can prove useful for a profitable business idea.

First, get some of your writing out there. Just be sure your articles are optimized for online consumption. You may need to learn a bit about search engine optimization (SEO) designed for writers before getting your first paid gig.

Once you have a few writing examples ready, set up an UpWork and Fiverr account to land clients. You may even find setting up your own blog and website useful for landing clients, generating leads, and showcasing your work.

Business Consulting

You are a college student, which means you have learned a bit about a subject you wish to pursue in the future. Why wait? You can begin consulting from home now. Especially if you have skills like computer science, literature, marketing, or business development.

How do you start your home consulting business? Begin with LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for consultants. This is because you have access to business owners and company leadership.

You will want to opt-in for the paid LinkedIn membership in order to get full potential out of your efforts. Having a website and some real world examples can also serve useful before landing your first consulting client.

Social media can be impactful when starting a consulting business too. For instance, you can post actionable best practices business leaders will find useful and be more than willing to contact you to learn more.

Consulting is actually pretty simple. “A consultant’s job is to consult. Nothing more, nothing less,” according to Entrepreneur Press. “It’s that simple. There’s no magic formula or secret that makes one consultant more successful than another one.”

Online Tutor For Kids

Remote learning is not going away anytime soon during the COVID pandemic. Even if schools open back up, many parents may be reluctant to send their children back to the classroom. This opens up a profitable home business idea for college students.

As an online tutor for kids, you can connect with students from anywhere in the U.S. via computer. And kids are now used to learning via computer, since in-school learning shut down once before.

All you need is a computer and a bit of marketing savvy to land a few students. How do you find students? Start in your community first. You can put tutor ads on craigslist in your city, as well as set up an Upwork account and list your tutoring prowess in Math, Science, Literature, and more.

Wrapping Up . . .

The above profitable home business ideas for college students are just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty other ways to start a business from home during, or after, university. The above are among the easiest to get going. What does your future home business look like?