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Jennifer Mann

New Tech Devices To Improve Health And Hygiene In College Campuses

New Tech Devices To Improve Health And Hygiene In College Campuses

n-campus classes are back in session, and universities and colleges across America are taking steps to create a safe and healthy environment for their students. Lately there has been a rise in the use of new-tech devices and innovations to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus in campuses. New technology can help schools provide students with a healthy environment and enable them to have proper hygiene. This is how technology is helping to keep US campuses safe and germ-free.

Disinfection Technology

Germs can be found everywhere on campus, from the water fountain to high-touch areas such as light switches and door knobs. Research shows that college campuses have higher levels of bacteria than other places in a city. This is why schools are starting to invest in new disinfection UVC tech devices to keep campuses clean and germ-free. Having a properly sanitized campus not only improves an institution’s reputation, but it also increases student productivity while keeping viruses at bay.

Produced by high voltage discharge in a low-pressure mercury arc lamp, UV-C light has been used in disinfection and food preservation for over 100 years. UV-C light is almost entirely absorbed by organic material, the only exception being carbon black pigments that absorb approximately half of it, making it an effective way to disinfect fabrics, books, and even wooden seats and desks. College campuses such as East Central College have been implementing best prevention practices, including UV-C technology, in adherence to CDC recommendations.

Occupancy Monitoring

Motion, temperature, and lighting sensors can all be used to monitor and record the movement of people in an enclosed space. Knowing when an area is fully occupied or not is essential for things like social distancing and preventing accidents. Tech solutions such as Safecount, Pressac, and Safespace occupancy monitoring platforms have seen rapid adoption in institutions, such as college campuses, and they’re being utilized to count people discreetly to prevent crowding and maintain social distancing.

Hydration apps

Keeping hydrated is essential to stay healthy, and it also helps to keep one focused and alert. This is why there has been an uptick in the sales of reusable water bottles, as well as a marked increase in downloads of hydration apps. Some of these apps include Hydro Coach, WaterMinder, and Aqualert, and they’re used to measure health indicators to ensure that an individual is not dehydrated. Students can get instant information on their hydration levels via an app on their smartphone, and they are reminded to drink more fluids throughout the day.

Wearables to keep track of oxygen levels

Oximeters are medical devices that are starting to take over college campuses They determine the level of oxygen in someone’s blood by sending an electric current through their bloodstream. Pulse Oximeters also allow users to observe the heart rate and blood pressure of other people. An example of massive adoption of this device is Delhi Campus. In July, the institution procured 500 pulse oximeters as part of the measures to stem the third wave of the coronavirus.

From UVC cleaning devices to occupancy monitoring and oxygen testing devices, campus colleges seem to have switched up their gears for the safety and health of the students and instructors. These innovations drive improved hygiene and empower students and administrators to stay ahead of their collective and individual health needs. In the future, experts predict more innovation and increased adoption of these and other health and wellness gadgets.

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Thriving at College When You Have a Disability

Thriving at College When You Have a Disability

Around 19% of all enrolled undergraduates report having a disability, as do 23% of all undergraduates aged 30 and over. Those who do can face a series of challenges—including being unaware of available campus disability resources, lack of accessibility in the design of university buildings and open spaces, and the stigma of disability. If you have a disability and would like to commence your undergraduate degree, what considerations should you keep in mind?

Discover What Accommodations Different Colleges Offer

Most colleges have dedicated departments or qualified staff that can point disabled students in the right direction in terms of resources and accommodations. The latter range from undertaking exams to completing work in a way that best suits the student. Accommodations that can make one’s learning experience significantly more positive include adaptive software and technology, accessible seating, or quiet learning spaces. Assistive technology ranging from speech-to-text processors to digital recorders can also make learning a more positive and time-efficient experience. There is a bevy of online information on colleges that make an excellent effort to provide disability-friendly services. These include the American International College, Adelphi University, DePaul University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California-Irvine, and University of Connecticut. The latter, for instance, has the Strategic Education for Students with Autism Disorder (SEAD), which helps students enjoy an easy transition to college life.

Boosting Safety at Home

Disabled students living alone for the first time off-campus should take specific steps to boost their safety. People with disabilities may be particularly vulnerable to crimes, with statistics showing, for instance, that a large percentage of women with disabilities have faced sexual assault. For disabled people home safety advice to follow includes asking for medical guidance regarding useful home changes, using strong encryption like WPA2 to set up network access to home automation systems, and relying on medical alert systems that can be worn as a bracelet or pendant if necessary.

Checking Out Available Grants

In order to make college life more affordable, disabled students can check online to see if they are eligible for grants such as the Pell Grant, which gives students up to $4,000 annually if they are in financial need. Grants are offered on a local, regional, state, and federal basis so spend time finding out what is available. Just a few associations and programs that may be of interest include the National Federation for the Blind, the Billy Barty Foundation, and the Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship Program. Also check out the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO Programs, which provide education grants to people from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with serious disabilities. Students need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to avail of federal financial aid programs.

Students with disabilities can take many steps to make college life more positive. Steps to take include researching available grants and taking time to choose a college with the right accommodations if necessary. Students should also ensure their home is safe by opting for tools like home automation, security cameras, and other technologies that can help them feel safer.

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Why College Is The Right Time To Explore The Great Outdoors

Why College Is The Right Time To Explore The Great Outdoors

Two-thirds of people with a bachelor degree say they have at least one major regret about their time at college, according to VOA News. College should be about having fun, exploring the world, and discovering new outdoor pursuits. So, why is it best to do this in college rather than later in life?

Plenty of spare time 

The average summer college break is three months long. You can expect several other weeks off too, including one at thanksgiving and a winter break of between three and four weeks at Christmas. In contrast, the average worker gets just 10 paid days off per year, which doesn’t leave much time for hobbies and adventure. If you want to go traveling, then your summer break is the perfect time to do this. To make the most of your trip, head to an off-season location, such as a ski resort, as it will be quieter and more affordable during this time as most people will be soaking up the sun at the beach.

Few commitments

Students spend around 15 hours per week studying, according to Forbes. This is a big commitment but is typically less to focus on than the average citizen. For example, students are less likely to have a mortgage or dependents. It’s, therefore, a great time to explore the great outdoors. You could spend time camping on your own or with mates in the wild or hike up a mountain. You can then practise some essential survival skills, such as fire building, administering first aid, and building a suitable outdoor shelter; all of which may come in handy when you’ve got your own family in the future. Knowing how to build a fire is something everyone should learn. Being able to get to grips with the many different types of campfire there are, including a teepee and star fire, is a great way to develop new skills that you’ll benefit from for life.

More affordable  

One of the biggest advantages of college is the student discount. Dealnews states that the average student discount is 10%, but this can rise to as much as 60% at certain times of the year and on specific products. Student discounts can be used to get reduced flight tickets, which is ideal if you want to travel around Europe during your summer break. Or you could take up paddlesports, such as canoeing or kayaking. These are great sports to keep you physically healthy during your time in college as they are low impact and help to strengthen your muscles. Getting into these sports can be costly, but when you use your student discount to purchase the equipment you need, you’ll save a small fortune. Water Sports Whiz advises that a kayak costs between $300 and $1000 which means you could save up to $100 on just this one item if the student discount offered is 10%.

Stress buster 

As a college student you’re sure to feel stressed at least some of the time.  One in four students say they feel stressed on a daily basis at college, according to Love to Know. Exploring the great outdoors is the ideal stress buster as one study found that 95% of people felt less stress when they spent time outdoors. Other research has found that spending time outdoors reduces the amount of stress hormones in your body.

College is a time for improving your skills and knowledge both in and out of the classroom. You should therefore utilize the time you have at college by getting outdoors and taking part in new and exciting adventures and recreational activities.

SEE ALSO: U.S. Colleges Go Vegan – Here’s How You Can Too

Is Your State Splurge-y Or Stingy?

Is Your State Splurge-y Or Stingy?

What Do Your Spending Habits Say About You?

The things people spend money on can reveal their personality traits — as found in research undertaken at University College London. The study was based on over two million electronic spending transactions undertaken online or via credit or debit cards. The participants completed surveys that measured aspects such as neuroticism, conscientiousness, introversion/extraversion, and interest in experiencing new things. The researchers found that there was a clear connection between what people spent their money on and the personality traits they possessed.

Shopping Choices and Personality

The researchers found that spending on specific categories was linked to specific personality traits. For instance, people who save more are usually conscientious; people who are open-minded enjoy spending on travel, expenditure on dining out and drinking often is correlated to extraversion, and those who give less to charity (and spend more on jewelry and other luxuries) are often more materialistic. Moreover, people who have greater self-control tend to spend less on charges and those who are more neurotic spend less on mortgage payments.

Spending Can Vary from State to State

Although the study showed that there is an observable link between spending and personality, companies seeking to capitalize from these findings should also take other factors into account — including the fact that expenditure on some items can vary depending on the geographical area. For instance, research has shown that spending on wedding jewelry varies statewide, with states like Vermont, Washington, D.C., and Nevada having the highest expenditure, and Wyoming, Alaska, and Nebraska having the lowest. Spending can also be affected by trends, since the penchant for specific materials, styles, and stones can significantly affect the price of jewelry. Age is another relevant factor, with research by Engaging Data showing that people under 25 tend to spend a higher percentage of their income on everything from housing to fashion and jewelry, than those who are older.

Materialism, Depression, and Impulse Buying

Whether or not you shop in a planned or last-minute fashion can also tell plenty about you as a person. Studies have shown, for instance, that materialism is closely related to depression and impulse buying. People who work to improve their confidence, on the other hand, can curb both depression and impulse buying, thus improving their financial stability. Those who find that they shop impulsively without needing or using many of the items they buy can consider professional therapy as a way to curb their urges to shop. As found by Dittmar and colleagues, individuals who buy material items sometimes do so to make up for self-perceived ‘deficiencies’. Brands often capitalize on marketing campaigns that suggest that buying a specific product will raise someone’s status or re-establish a positive sense of self.

Research has shown that although there are always exceptions, what you spend your money on reveals your personality traits. The latter include materialism, extraversion, and openness. It also shows that impulse buying and depression and related — which suggests that people who cannot control their spending should seek professional aid to find positive ways to build their confidence without the need to buy material things.

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