Every Student’s Basic Guide for NEET Preparation

>> Dec 6, 2016

If you are aspiring for one of the top colleges in India for MBBS/BDS courses, you have to start preparing for the National Eligibility Entrance Test. The National Eligibility Entrance Test or NEET is conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education and is taken each year. Here are some of the fast facts and preparation tips that may come handy.

Basics at a glance

Candidates applying for NEET-UG should be of at least 17 years of age, with an upper limit set to 25 years. There is a five-year relaxation period for candidates belonging to SC, ST and OBC categories. To qualify for the entrance test, students must secure a minimum of 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology in aggregate. Also, the students must pass all the three subjects along with English separately. NEET-UG exam has replaced the All India Pre Medical Test and other state-arranged exams. Usually, NEET-UG exam is conducted in the month of May or June, and the questions are mainly based on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. There are a total of 180 multiple-choice questions, which must be completed in three hours. Every right answer will fetch four marks, while wrong answers will deduct one mark each.

Getting prepared

● Start with planning

Ideally, aspirants should start preparing for NEET-UG examination right after Class 10. This is one of the toughest undergraduate exams in the country, and one must plan the available time rightly, as Class 12 exams also need attention. It is best to start with at least three hours of self-study each day, which will help in keeping the pace for the crucial months.

● Make notes

Having notes of the main topics, formula and concepts can be amazingly handy before the exam. Right from Class 11, you should keep notes for all the three subjects separately. The syllabus often in sync with the higher secondary curriculum, so paying attention to teachers in school/junior college can prove to be fruitful. Also, you should start making a notebook for all the chapters and segment that you find difficult or have missed, so that the revision/learning process is easier.

● Schedule each week

Even the two years available for NEET-UG examination is less, considering that the pattern and syllabus is really tough. It is best that you start planning each week. Instead of keeping timelines in your mind, make a written chart for each week, so that you can spread the time between three subjects. Keep a few hours on the weekend for revision, and if there are chapters and subjects that you don’t understand, you can keep some time to clear the doubts.

● Seek professional help

There are many apps, websites and coaching centers that can help in getting started with NEET. Do not underestimate the power of professional help, which can be immensely beneficial in knowing the basic ways to save time. You can check questions, problems and answers on many apps and can even check the neet application form 2017 bytoppr.com. A regular coaching institute can offer the right track to learn more in less time, given that you have to focus on certain important chapters and segments.

● Don’t miss mock test papers

Most students appearing for NEET-UG examination have their concerns over managing time in the exam. Effectively, you have just one minute for each of the questions, and therefore, time management remains a reason to worry. One of the best way to test your skills is to take mock test papers. You can take these exams online on certain apps or just buy printed test papers available in the market.

● Keep stress and guessing at bay

If you are unsure of an answer, just leave the question. Wrong answers can be damaging to your performance in a big way, given that there is negative marking. Also, you have to learn ways of managing stress. Do not panic a month before the exam. Keep in mind that you are your best competition. Don’t look at your friends for knowing their preparation. You aim is to do the best you can, both before and during NEET.

If you can be regular and dedicated with your studies, clearing NEET should be easier than you think!

Using The Right Knives For Your Cooking

>> Dec 5, 2016

At a first glance, it might look difficult to make the distinction between a quality knife and a random one. After all, you cannot tell how qualitative a knife is by looking at it, turning it around, inspecting and touching it. Instead, you need to use it for a while in order to determine whether or not it raises to your necessities. After all, different people have different quality standards. The more you use the respective knife, the easier it becomes to recommend it further. With all these, there are some aspects to look at in order to figure how good and durable a knife will be.

Look for a perfect assembly

A perfect assembly is a main necessity. No useless parts must be used in the composition. Instead, everything should match. Look at the bonding between the blade and the handle before anything else. It is important for these two parts to blend with no gaps. Gaps are extremely important for the overall hygiene. If these things present any irregularities, the respective gaps become excellent environments for growing bacteria. It is easy to realize that such microorganisms will infect anything you use the knife for.

Safety comes first

In knives, safety is directly proportional with ergonomics. An ergonomic handle makes the operation safe and secure. The handle must be properly created to be kept with no risks at all. It should not slip either. After all, chances are you will cook with your hands wet due to all the groceries that require cleaning upfront. An ergonomic design and a perfect weight will allow you to use the knife with no safety risks at all.

Inspect the blade responsibly

The metallic blade and the way it was manufactured will tell you a lot about the quality standards. Knives are no longer done like ten years ago. Today, there are a wide plethora of advanced technologies that can seriously enhance the cutting capability. Moreover, durability is not to be ignored either. The sharper a knife is, the better it will maintain its blade and cutting qualities. Moreover, you should know that a quality knife will maintain its blade in a good shape for long periods of time.

Look at the blade surface

The blade surface can be enriched with all kinds of elements, only to make the knife more efficient in cutting particular foods. Different foods require different types of blades. But if there is one thing that matches to all kinds of knives, that is the surface quality. The better polished it is, the more durable it becomes in front of oxidation.

Not sure about the brand?

The brand is not always relevant, yet some brands are world renowned for their quality standards. Choosing one of these brands will ensure that the manufacturing technologies are performed at the highest standards. There are plenty of technological procedures required to manufacture a top notch knife and each of them must be maintained by the book. All these things lead to a good final result, as well as an exquisite cooking performance.

How to Set Up a Romantic Bathroom Environment

Bathrooms are becoming more and more luxurious and spa-like in modern day design. These designs make them feel more like an extension of a home’s living space rather than a utility room for hygiene. Many even have a touch of the romantic already built in, but not all homes are sporting these designs just yet. Many of us have “regular” bathroom spaces and are not exactly in the market to invest in an expensive bathroom renovation, but that doesn’t mean that our ordinary bathroom can’t be transformed into a romantic retreat. Here are a few easy and inexpensive tricks to turn your bathroom into a sensual getaway for you and your partner.

image:steamandshoweruk.co.uk

1. Keep It Clean!

Nothing sours a romantic mood quicker than soap scum or hair in the drain, so take the time to break out the scouring powder and bathroom sprays to give every fixture and floor tile a good cleaning. Don’t stop at just cleaning, though. Lotion bottles, toothpaste tubes, and other clutter taking up space on flat surfaces can be an unnecessary distraction when trying to set a romantic mood, so make sure everything has a place. If you don’t have extra drawer or cabinet space for these everyday essentials, then a strategically placed decorative basket or two will contain the mess and give an extra touch of elegance to your bathroom.

2. Scent Appeal

Starting with a thorough cleaning should eliminate any unwanted bathroom odors, which sets the stage for finding just the right scent to set the mood. Roses are often associated with romance, but strong floral fragrances are not a favorite for everyone, so personalize your scents to reflect what you and your partner like. Lavender, sandalwood, and vanilla scents all bring a relaxing aroma to a romantic space, and you can permeate your room in a number of ways. Candles are one of the most obvious options, but reed diffusers, wax warmers, and even certain air freshener brands have also become very popular in recent times because they can be elegant as much as practical.

3. Flattering Light

Standard bathroom lighting is usually very bright, which is not ideal for a romantic bathroom getaway. A small lamp with a soft glow placed on the counter or a sturdy shelf can add just enough light to see each other without being overpowering. Candles are also ideal to create an intimate lighting scheme. Tiny votives combined with tall pillar candles create drama and elegance around the bathtub. If you can’t find an elegant candle with a scent you like, then opting for the unscented variety will bring the ambience without competing with your signature fragrance.

4. Mood Music

Background noises can easily be eliminated with the perfect soundtrack for romance. Soft jazz or soothing instrumental music are superb for setting that romantic mood, but no matter your preference, you don’t have to have a built in sound system to fill your space with sensual sound. Bluetooth technology allows for small wireless speakers to be placed inconspicuously and controlled from your smart phone, so you and your partner can enjoy your personal playlist for romance without fiddling around with CDs, repeat settings, or extension cords.

5. Romantic Touches

Once you have your romantic environment arranged, you can focus on finding products to pamper each other. Bubbles add playfulness to a steamy bath while rose petals can be scattered for a bit of elegance. Lotions and aromatherapy oils are both relaxing and sensual and those packaged in fancy bottles or jars will sit pretty amongst lighted candles. Keeping that warm and cozy feel both inside and outside the tub is important, so spreading out a plush bath rug and setting out extra fluffy towels prevents the chill of cold floors once stepping out of your tub retreat. Splurging on a heated towel bar might be a nice addition to your romantic environment, too.

Using a little bit of ingenuity and creativity can transform any ordinary bathroom into a private retreat so that you and your partner can enjoy intimate time together without breaking the bank. Top it off with your favorite bottle of bubbly and maybe even a little chocolate, and your perfect romantic bathroom space is ready for date night.

This post was offered by Jon Reyes from Steam and Shower UK, Jon is an expert writer in the health and fitness niche and has been writing and studying topics like this one for over 10 years.