Massage therapy free essay sample

? Many Americans suffer from emotional and psychological disorders brought on by the everyday challenges of life. Some common disorders which include anxiety, depression, insomnia and chronic pain are brought on by prolonged stress. Pain and stress are not good or bad. They are the bodys defense mechanism. A stressful situation, whether it is a long awaited promotion at work or death of a loved one, can cause multiple imbalances that, if prolonged, will result in disorders. Massage therapy does have a positive effect on the emotional and psychological state of a client. It can assist the body in proper healing when done professionally and therapeutically. Massage therapy has been a respected form of medicine for more than 3,000 years. It was held in high value in ancient Chinese and Japanese cultures, then spread through Europe and became an adopted practice for many Greeks and Romans as a treatment for stiff muscles and some diseases. We will write a custom essay sample on Massage therapy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The value of massage declined over the centuries. As Western medicine became prominent, the value of massage therapy was reduced to pure luxury for the wealthy, with only temporary relaxation effects. This was the beginning of the quick fix era. Today massage therapy is considered alternative to pharmaceuticals rather than vice versa. There are still many skeptics who minimize the benefits of massage to simply relaxation and view it as unnecessary. However, many others are beginning to realize the true potential of therapeutic massage. When done correctly and regularly, a client will come to realize minimized pain, mind clarity and more mobility. Massage therapy is soft tissue manipulation for healing purposes. Massage promotes blood and lymph circulation, relaxes muscles, relieves pain and restores balance. This can be done through a variety of styles. While massage incorporates many different techniques, the three main modalities are Swedish, deep tissue and therapeutic. Swedish massage promotes circulation and relaxation using light touch. It is most commonly known and used, which is why people do not see any other therapeutic benefits. Deep tissue has more benefit, however it is not utilized or offered as often due to the extent of treatment. Therapeutic is the most effective because it incorporates all modalities to form a personalized treatment that is best for each individuals disorder. It is important to listen to the warning signs provided by the body. The human body is an intricate and interrelated organism. Most stress begins on a subconscious level which is brought on when something stimulates a particular response in the bodys organs or tissues. If the stimulus is consistent and unresolved, it will manifest itself on a conscious level as pain. Pain is the bodys way of getting information across that there is an unresolved stressor. A stressor can be a positive or negative life experience. However, both can result in wear and tear on the body and, if not understood, can manifest emotional and psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. The body uses stress and pain as a warning that the mental, physical and spiritual being is out of alignment. The health of the body is tied to emotional and psychological health which manifests itself through discomfort and disorders. When dealt with in a proper, healthy way, balance and peace is restored. When ignored, the prolonged stress can lead to other disorders such as depression and anxiety, as well as chronic pain. This will continue until something causes it to stop. If prolonged, stress can manifest itself through other health complications such as anxiety, phobias and depression. There are countless stressors that cause countless disorders. The most well-known ways to prevent disorders are to get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, eat a nutritionally balanced diet and exercise. However, for many people these ways are not enough. Massage therapy is one of the most effective treatments with the least amount of side effects. Regular massage treatments can be used to aid the bodys natural healing process. These effects are easily observable. When it comes to emotional disorders, massage therapy has the greatest effect on stress, anxiety and depression (Field 2011). Calming endorphins are released through purposeful touch and muscle manipulation. This causes stress levels to lower and promotes clear thinking which assists in a more positive self-image. The more treatments received regularly, the longer a person will be more able to cope with their stress. Massage therapy promotes relaxation. This is the most agreed upon statement by professionals in the medical field. Many people suffer from insomnia. Insomnia inhibits the bodys natural healing process and therefore the disorder remains and increases (Vitiello 2007). Pain tells the body to release hormones to fix the problem. When that doesnt happen the problem persists and increases. Insomnia is a viscous circle that deteriorates the bodys defenses. This cycle can effectively assist the onset of other illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, ulcers or diabetes. Studies show that massage relieves pain, decreases anxiety and provides psychological support. Anxiety levels rise when going through stressful situations and has a negative effect on moods thought processes and behaviors. With the appropriate amount of pressure, massage can calm anxiety by providing positive comfort and relaxation. Fibromyalgia has quickly become another common disorder. It is a combination of anxiety, depression, chronic tension and pain, and insomnia. Studies have shown that all of these symptoms reduce significantly with regular massage therapy treatments. First sleep cycles improve and clients become more rested and less fatigued. This relieves muscle tension which aids in better rest and less fatigue. Reports show that further results include lower anxiety and depression levels. Numerous studies have shown the immediate effects of massage therapy. Stress, anxiety, depression and pain have been proven to decrease after just one massage. This decrease will continue over a period of time. The length of time depends on the variable of issues. Essentially massage will have a lasting effect. However, because of the multiple variables involved, there is still much skepticism. There are numerous variables that must be accounted for when studying the effects of massage therapy. Aside from the varying disorders and their severity, the massage practitioner and the client have a major influence on the outcome of the treatments. One massage practitioner can do the same techniques as another on the same client, yet have different results. Not every massage therapist has the same therapeutic motive or even believes that it really is effective. This presents a problem because that kind of therapist will not put their full potential into the purpose of healing and therefore it effects will be less noticeable. Even worse is the client who is so skeptical they make sure massage is not effective. It becomes mind over matter where a person subconsciously refuses to relax and thereby sabotaging their own healing. Many of these clients have had bad experiences with massage. Some massage therapists use too much pressure and leave bruises. Others have bad ethics and make the client uncomfortable. Others believe that mediation and surgery is the only way to heal, even though, after years of this kind of treatment, they still continue to complain about their disorders. Most people are skeptical of massage because of the western medicine practitioners and pharmaceutical companies. People believe that medications will cure anything and no one has to be held accountable for their actions or lack of action when it comes to taking care of their body. It is quick and easy and is usually covered by insurance. Most insurance companies refuse to cover massage or other alternative medicine. People still feel that their doctors and insurances know best and that since alternatives are not covered and are rarely recommended, it is because they do not work. This inference is false. Massage therapy is a process of holistic healing. It is a process that is meant to heal the whole body, not just an individual disorder. It is not like a pill that has one purpose. However, the healing process does begin immediately following one treatment. For many, it took a lifetime of wear and tear to get their body into the condition they have. Naturally, it will take more than one treatment to heal them. Even though a client comes in for one reason, such as migraines, the healing process must include much more than a head massage. The whole upper body must be addressed to stop the pain cycle. After each treatment their migraines will become less and less frequent. Once that happens, the client will become aware of other issues they never realized they had because the migraines were so bad. One relieved disorder usually reveals another. This is a process that could take a few months or a few years, depending on all the variables between the clients and massage practitioner. In conclusion, massage therapy does relieve stress, anxiety and many other emotional and psychological disorders. It is becoming a highly respected and recommended as an alternative to modern medicine. More and more people are becoming tired of seeing their doctors, who dont seem to really care about their health, and medications that have horrible side effects. There are numerous complaints about physicians not believing clients and telling them its all in their head. On top of that, the doctor only spends 10 minutes with them after they have waited for over an hour. Listening to a client is part of a massage therapists training. Good listening skills are one of many variables in assisting the holistic healing process. Clients often discuss their issues, which were ignored by their doctors. The massage practitioner is able to listen and acknowledge the issues, helping the client realize they may not be crazy after all. This simple act can relieve an immense amount of tension which reduces anxiety and depression. It is time for people to become proactive of their physical health and, just as important, emotional health and holistic well-being. Before turning to western medicine for pharmaceuticals that only mask the issues, massage therapy should be the first thing people try. If the medication is not a life or death drug, it would be worth changing to massage therapy as the main treatment and western medicine as the alternative. It is not always a quick fix but in the long run the results are more rewarding. Massage is much more than simply for relaxation purposes. When done properly, it is extremely therapeutic, attaining many positive results.

Power in Employee Relation

Power in Employee Relation Introduction Kelly (1998, p. 88) notes that ‘power is perhaps the most widely used concept in the field of industrial relations, yet little research on the subject of power either theoretically or empirically has been done, â€Å"†¦.to the extent that it now represents a major theoretical lacuna (gap) within the discipline (Kirkbride 1985, p. 44).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Power in Employee Relation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Rose (2004, p. 6) defines power as â€Å"†¦ the extent to which one party to a relationship can compel the other to do something he otherwise would not do voluntarily†. Employment relationships, according to Rose (2004, p. 8) it refers to â€Å"†¦the study of the regulation of the employment relationship between employer and employee, both collectively and individually, and the determination of substantive and procedural issues at organizational and work place levels.† The paper critically examines the importance and implications of power in employment relationships, its comparison to policy and the inherent conflicts. Literature Review The players in employee relations theory include employers and managers, employer representatives, employees and workers, employee representatives, the state, its agencies and other supra -national bodies. Faber Dunlop (1958, p. 28) pioneered the systems approach’. He defines it as a sub system within the industrial society. â€Å"†¦an analytical subsystem of society†. By this definition, power becomes a consequence of distribution of power in a bigger society. Kirkbride (1985, p. 47) criticizes this definition on three grounds: it ignores any critical investigation into the processes of power within industrial relations. The systems approach rejects the importance of behavioral processes in favor of structural processes (102). Furthermore, the systems approach creates a po ssibility of conflict within the industrial relations because it does not recognize opposition (Poole 1981, p. 75).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Unitary theory assumes that there is no possibility of opposition because the organization body is viewed as one integrated family, bound together by the values of the organization. Power as a concept is neglected by the unitary approach (Kirkbride 1985, p. 46). Action theory gives recognition to the theory of power in industrial relations â€Å"†¦it focuses on the relative power of the parties in the exchange relationship† Kirkbride (1985, p. 45). Though it lacks a definite form, two branches of analysis are clear, analysis of decision making of the various players in the industrial relations framework and of the interaction between the players. However, it fails to elaborate how an agreement is reached dur ing the bargaining process. It has restricted focus on the negotiating table. The major strong point of the action theory is that it focuses on behavioral theory. Because of the inherent weakness on the negotiation table, it does neglect the possibility of conflict within the different organizations in the industrial relations frame work (Clarke 1977b, p. 109). Pluralist theory assumes distinct sectional groups within an organization, each with competing interests. Through joint regulation or collective bargaining, Flanders (1970, p. 19) argues that the diverse and competing interests can be regulated. Hyman (1975, p. 69), argues that pluralist focus on regulation conceals the firmness of power in the process of industrial relations. He asserts that employment relationship â€Å"†¦can never be frozen in a single rule.† However, it is rather dynamic and changing. The Marxist Perspective emphasizes the issue of power (Glaser Strauss 1967, p. 71). According to the Marxist, since the capital owners own the means of production, they have more wealth and therefore have advantage over the suppliers of labor. When there is a larger pool of labor, capital is at an advantage because the labor supply exceeds its demand, the labor price is low. Hyman (1975, p. 72) observes, â€Å"It is true that the possession of scarce skills, or the existence of a tight labor market may help lessen the imbalance. Hyman (1975, p. 75) observes â€Å"for a while the powers of the employer are enormous he is at the same time dependent on his labor force.†Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Power in Employee Relation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Capital may be dependent upon labour in a number of ways; the Marxist position points that the relationship between capital and labor may continuously fluctuate. The Marxist perspective offers a useful perspective into the analysis of power and employee relation s. However, his view of power as a zero-sum game phenomenon and failure to develop power at micro level attract criticism (Kirkbride 1985, p. 47). Discussion Employment relations is the contemporary term for industrial relations, the theoretical perspectives and the way their points of view can has been discussed in the literature reviews. Modern management approaches today strike a balance between unitary and pluralism. The approach chosen depends on the employee relations climate. When trade union power is low, management makes the decision, when union power is high, then negotiation and consultation are adopted (Purcell Sisson 1983, p. 210). The bargaining power of the unions can be estimated based on membership density, strike frequency statistics, bargaining outcomes, structural factors and leadership. The 21 century has witnessed a decline in both union strength and influence due to the shift from manufacturing to services in the developed world. The smaller workspace in the service sector has hindered union organization and recruitment. Even though, employees still have a voice- â€Å"a whole variety of processes and structures which enable and at a times empower, employees, directly and indirectly to contribute to decision making in the firm† (Boxall Purcell 2003, p. 162). The employees can air their voice formally and informally, directly or through representation, collectively or individually depending on the intention. Some forms of employee voices are bottom-up arising from a desire among the employees to be listened to. In most cases however, management often initiates the modalities for employee voice either out of pressure from employees or as a strategy to be more inclusive. Dundon Rollinson (2007, p. 121) call the difference between how much influence employees report have over management decisions and how much influence they would like to have, the â€Å"representative gap†.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Wilkinson et al. (2004, p. 306) acknowledged four categories of employee involvement and participation that give employees varying levels of power in their work places; downward communication, upward problem solving, representative participation, and financial participation. Downward communication is a top- down strategy communication from management to employees, for example, through newsletters, notice boards among others. It does not give the employees much power. Upward problem solving empowers the employees to improve work processes. They suggest solutions to specific problems and this gives them great possession over decisions. Under representative participation, the employees interest are represented by their leaders (elected workers representatives) (McBride 2004, p. 82). It provides employees with some degree of influence over a number of issues such as work councils and advisory councils. Trade union representation often has a greater power over decisions because failure t o respect employees views can result in industrial action. Collective bargaining, refer to joint regulation of specific aspects of the employment relationship between employers and recognized trade union representatives (Faber Dunlop 1958, p. 56). Workers capitalize on their solidarity that gives them a stronger bargaining position against management. They focus on substantive issues like payment and conditions of work. Finally, according to Marchington et al. (1992, p. 63), financial participation, allows the employees to have financial share in the firm. Strauss (2006) asserts that financial participation compliments voice initiatives. It seeks to develop long term relationships between the employees and their employer by linking the overall firms success with an individual reward. They include employee share ownership, sharing of profits and payment of bonuses. In conclusion, it is clear that the concept of power in employee relation has evolved over time. List of References Cla rke, J., 1977b. Workers in the Tyneside Shipyards in McCord, N. (Ed) (1977) Essays in Tyneside Labour. History. Newcastle: Department of Humanities. Dundon, T., and Rollinson D. 2007. Understanding Employment Relations. McGraw Hill: Maidenhead. Faber, F., and Dunlop J., 1958. Industrial Relations Systems. New York: Holt. Flanders, A 1970, Management and Unions: The Theory and Reform of Industrial Relations. Glaser, B., and Strauss A. 1967. The discovery of grounded theory. Chicago: Aldine. Hyman, R. 1975. Industrial relations: A Marxist introduction. London: Macmillan. Kelly, J., 1998. Rethinking Industrial Relations: Mobilization, Collectivism and Long Waves. London: Routledge. Kirkbride, P. 1985. Power in industrial relations research. Industrial Relations Journal, vol.16, pp. 44-56. McBride, J. 2004. Renewal or resilience? the persistence of shop steward organization in the Tyneside maritime construction industry. London: Capital Class. Poole, M., 1981. Theories of Trade Unionis m: A Sociology of Industrial Relations. Routledge Kegan Paul. Rose, E. 1994. The Disorganized Paradigm British Industrial Relations in the 1990s. Employee Relations, vol. 16, no.1, pp. 27-40. Wilkinson, A et al. 2004. Changing patterns of employee voice: Case studies from the UK and Republic of Ireland. The Journal of Industrial Relations, vol.46 no.3 pp. 298–322.

Make Bubbly Ice Cream Using Dry Ice

Make Bubbly Ice Cream Using Dry Ice Are you in a hurry for your ice cream? Try this quick and easy  ice cream recipe using dry ice. The ice cream comes out carbonated, so its very interesting. Safety Information Avoid touching the dry ice. Its cold enough to give you frostbite.Test the ice cream before eating it to make sure its not too cold. If the ice cream is soft, its fine to eat. If it freezes very hard, let it warm slightly before digging in. Dry Ice Ice Cream Ingredients dry ice2 cups heavy cream2 cups half-and-half3/4 cup sugar2 teaspoons vanilla extract1/8 teaspoon salt Make Dry Ice Ice Cream First, you need to crush the dry ice. Do this by placing your dry ice in a paper bag and either smash it with a mallet or hammer or roll over the bag using a rolling pin.Mix all of the other ingredients in a large mixing bowl. If you want chocolate ice cream  instead of vanilla ice cream, add 1 cup of chocolate syrup.Shake the dry ice into the ice cream, a little at a time, mixing between additions.As you add more dry ice, it will start to harden and will get more difficult to mix. Continue adding dry ice until the ice cream has reached the desired consistency.Feel free to stir in flavorings or candy pieces.The ice cream may be very cold! Use care when eating it to avoid frostbite. If the ice cream is soft enough to stir or scoop it should be warm enough to eat safely.You can then freeze leftover ice cream to eat later. Chocolate Dry Ice Ice Cream Recipe Do you prefer chocolate? Heres a simple recipe to try with no eggs or requirement for melting chocolate. Its easy! Ingredients dry ice2 cups heavy whipping cream1 can sweetened condensed milk1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/8 teaspoon salt Make the Ice Cream Whip the heavy cream to form stiff peaks.In a separate bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla.Crush the dry ice.Fold some of the heavy cream into the condensed milk mixture.Add some dry ice.Fold in the rest of the whipped cream to get a uniform ice cream.Add the rest of the dry ice, bit by bit, until it freezes. Eat the ice cream immediately to enjoy the bubbly texture. You can freeze leftovers. How It Works Dry ice is colder than a home freezer, so it does a good job of freezing ice cream. Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide that undergoes sublimation to change from solid form into carbon dioxide gas. Some of the carbon dioxide bubbles get trapped in the ice cream. Some of it reacts with the other ingredients. The carbonated ice cream has a slightly tangy flavor, much like that of soda water. Because the flavor is different, you might prefer flavored ice cream over plain vanilla.

Explain why it is important for modern organisations to create dynamic Essay

Explain why it is important for modern organisations to create dynamic tensions between opportunistic innovation and predictable goal achievements; and discuss how managers can influence such tensions - Essay Example the controlling role of management control systems is associated, according to Mundy (2010) with the efficiency, predictability and importance to meet the short-term goals, it strives to diminish issues of information asymmetry and search for the ways that would decrease uncertainty and improve decision-making. There are numerous studies that highlight the use of management control systems by organizations in order to facilitate innovation and learning during the exertion of control over the achieved goals. The importance of management control systems is in the provision of organization’s values and priorities in leveraging the belief system, which givens employees a stable environment and challenges organizational stability and political processes by means of communication of values and assumptions (Mundy, 2010). For the modern business it is essential so the levers of control supported the development of organizational abilities of innovation, learning, entrepreneurship and market orientation. While the lever of control promotes forming of dynamic tension between innovation and goals achievement, it is a positive growth for each organization; hence, it should be studied by the companies. Besides, they do so in order to handle inter organizational conflicts. It proves that formation of dynamic tensions influences the development of organizational capacity. Simons (1995), states that within the modern business environment, managers are facing different challenges in terms of seeking of opportunities for meeting the customers’ needs. Thus, employees can break the control mechanisms within a business and ruin the company’s reputation and cause fines and business loses. One solution in managing control issues can be monitoring of employees and counseling about how to make certain job. Simons (1995) considers that in the intense business environment managers, however, have not time for each employee to be provided with the necessary advice. For that purpose,

Social Learning Theory and Role Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Social Learning Theory and Role Model - Essay Example The outcome of the experiment was that children imitated what was done on the doll (hitting, punching, shouting at it) without waiting first for any reward approximated to the person in the experiment initially hitting it. This is where social learning theory was derived, which is an observational learning or modeling (ibid). Social learning suggests that both the environment and psychological factors create a kind of behavior, which an individual acts upon. It outlines four steps, which are involved in the modeling process: attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. With the social learning theory, Bandura goes on to say that individuals, especially children, learn and act according to what they see in the environment, which are basically based on imitation. They act what they see and are socialized within that system, which pursues such behavior. It is then significant to point out that since children imitate values, actions, and social behavior modeled to them, it is then better that these actions and values are good and correct in order for them to act as good and valuable social beings. Even though Bandura claims that an individual learns behavior from his environment coupled with some psychological factors that trigger such behavior, a particular behavior does not always result in remodeling. This is due to the presence of punishments, which could be past, promised (e.g. threats), or vicarious (Boeree 1998). The social learning theory has a continuous reciprocal interaction among behavioral, cognitive, a and environmental influences. It has extensively been applied to understanding aggressive behaviors and how an individual may be influenced to trail the path of aggression. It also received a fair degree of attention on psychological disorder, specifically on the context of behavior modification (Bandura 1969). Television commercials and computer games are few of the most

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BBPB2103 PENGURUSAN SUMBER MANUSIA Name : Vivi Sabrina binti mohamad Matric Number : 880605135214001 NRIC : 880605135214 Telephone : 014 8994208 E-mail address : Ketimau_jawak@yahoo.com.my Tutor’s name : Encik Dennis Ujoh Learning Centre : Sibu Learning Centre ISI KANDUNGAN KANDUNGAN MUKA SURAT 1.0 PENGENALAN 3 - 6 ï  ¶ JABATAN KEMAS DAERAH MATU DARO 2.0 PENGENALAN MODEL HACKMAN DAN OLDHAM 7 – 10 3.0 PENGENALAN TERHADAP TERAS KERJA DIMENSI 11 - 12 DAN TAHAP PEMIKIRAN YANG WUJUD DALAM SETIAP PERINGKAT PEKERJAAN ï  ¶ JABATAN KEMAS DAERAH MATU DARO 3.1 PERINGKAT PENGURUSAN ATASAN 3.2 PERINGKAT PENGURUSAN PERTENGAHAN 3.3 PERINGKAT PENGURUSAN BAWAHAN 4.0 CADANGAN BAGAIMANA KERJA DIMENSI TERAS (CJD) 13 - 15 BOLEH DIPERBAIKI UNTUK MENINGKATKAN TAHAP PSIKOLOGI KRITIKAL PEKERJA 4.1 MENGUBAH GAYA KEPIMPINAN 4.2 MENCORAK ATAU MENGUBAH CARA BEKERJA 4.3 AMALKAN BEKERJA DALAM KUMPULAN ATAU BERPASUKAN 4.4 KEPIMPINAN TRANSFORMASI 5.0 PENUTUP 16 - 17 RUJUKAN 1.0 PENGENALAN Rajah 1 : logo KEMAS Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat (KEMAS) tentunya tidak asing lagi bagi rakyat di Malaysia ini. Apabila terdengar perkataan KEMAS, tentunya terlintas di minda kita tentang prasekolah, tabika, kelas bimbingan orang-orang tua, kelas bimbingan kesejahteraan keluarga dan wanita, kelas bimbingan bina insan dan sebagainya. Melalui kelas prasekolah dan tabika, jabatan ini memainkan peranan yang sangat penting iaitu mendidik serta membimbing kanak-kanak supaya menjadi modal insan yang berguna serta permata negara yang harus digilap untuk kesejahteraan negara pada masa hadapan.Untuk mendidik serta membimbing masyarakat lain, pentadbiran di peringkat akar umbinya haruslah... ...a kepimpinan yang positif seharusnya dapat memberikan ciri kerja yang positif. (2590 patah perkataan.) RUJUKAN http://digilib.itb.ac.id/files/disk1/631/jbptitbpp-gdl-estiwuland-31515-2-2008ts-1.pdf http://zaini802856.blogspot.com/2011/11/reka-bentuk-kerja.html http://www.tsm.ac.id/JBA/JBA13.1April2011/1_artikel_jba13.1April2011.pdf http://eprints.utm.my/1436/1/JT37E%5B5%5D.pdf http://anggriana246.blogspot.com/2012/03/desain-pekerjaan.html http://www.psychologymania.com/2013/07/pengertian-karakteristik-pekerjaan.html http://www.jpa.gov.my/docs/spp/2011/spp142011.pdf http://forum.kompas.com/teras/47848-7-cara-mengembangkan-kreativitas-diri.html http://www.infinita-consulting.com/component/content/article/37-psikologi-industri/88-3-cara-meningkatkan-kepuasan-kerja-dan-team-work http://dedylondong.blogspot.com/2011/11/kepuasan-kerja-job-satisfaction.html

Gap Years: Are They Worth The Risk? Essay

Every year, students fresh out of high school re locate to a new temporary home for college, ready to start the next chapter of life. While eager to do so, many students do not have a clue to what they want to pursue or pick majors that they are unsure of. A recent study released by ACT, College Choice Report Part 1: Preferences and Prospects, stated that nearly 80% of high school students taking the ACT selected a major they intended to select in college. However, 64% of those students choose a major that did not fit with their academic strengths and interests. This could have the possibility of increasing the number of students who change their majors which is never a bad thing, but time is money in the economy, and money is something that should not be wasted. Many students will not admit such a secret, but most are not ready to start college and are still slightly burned out from the work of high school. A solution to this problematic situation is an old trend, yet still commonly popular around the world, called a â€Å"Gap Year†. Taking time off may seem like a dangerous thought, but it is important to take time to dedicate yourself to finding out who you are, that’s why a gap year can help you save money in the long run, expand your knowledge of the world around you and even help your grades. One of the most difficult periods of life for a young adult, is college. Studying for classes, commuting, new expectations, and the list could go on for a long time, but one thing that tops it all is student debt. It is important to pick the right school and the right major, because if not, a lot of valuable time and money is wasted that could have gone into something that was a much better fit. This is where a â€Å"gap year† could be a helpful solution in the long run. It may not seem like a great idea at first and can even seem ludicrous that this idea could even save money, but if done correctly it can. The idea is that by taking a couple of months or a year off, the student should get a job, something that is new and can tech he or  she a new set of skills, volunteer for a charity or help around the community. â€Å"I’ve had parents tell me their child would probably have dropped out after first semester or year because they were so turned off by their classes in the academic experience, but a gap year helped them get excited and gave them a focus.† (Bull). Doing these activities can help one work through the process of finding their true calling and could possibly help them decide what major is right for them. Instead of diving head first off the highest cliff and into the cold, murky water below, the student has instead decided to take the scenic route and dip their feet into the clear water of the beaches. However, this can also be a bad idea for the irresponsible or lazy people who decide to take a year off. If instead of working they decide to slack off, they have wasted time and money that could be put towards their future and discovering more about the world and themselves. With so much around to explore, there is only a limited amount of time to do so while being young. While being young, our wallets are either empty from not working or full from working too much, and with school and curfews, these limits present a barricade to going far and exploring. College is a time to break these limits and explore, but there are still those barricades to a certain degree, which in life there will always be. But taking a gap year lessens the limits by extreme lengths, even promoting travelling and getting outside the usual comfort zone. By taking time off you learn a horizon of new things and get to explore uncharted areas of life that can be helpful to know for the future. Colleges, like Princeton and the University of North Carolina, are even supportive of this trend and even offer scholarships to scholars who decide to embark on such a journey (Hoder). There are a range of programs that offer to help youth during this time, and these organizations like the American Gap Association and USA Gap Fairs, are expanding very quickly to help young adults travel or with advice on how to tackle their own gap year. One issue with this however, is that there needs to be research and a plan before anything. Many students wait last minute and eagerly just don’t sign up for classes. They then realize that they have no clue what they want to do or that they may have chosen the wrong activity. Choosing the wrong program is similar to choosing the wrong major,  and while it may not be that expensive, it is still money going down the drain. That is why it is a good idea to brainstorm in advance what programs and places to travel may be a better fit and could possibly benefit the student’s future. Grades in high school are very important, but if there is one thing that makes that statement look like a soft teddy bear, it is grades in college, the flaming pits of hell. College is the key to anyone’s future and can make it or break it in certain cases. If pursuing a degree or major that the student is not interested in, there is a higher chance of that student letting their grade slip into turmoil. Robert Clagett, a senior admissions officer from Harvard has found that students who have taken a gap year, before rushing into college life, have GPAs that, on a 4.0 scale, are 0.15 to 0.2 higher than otherwise would be expected. In Randye Hoder’s article, â€Å"Why Your High School Senior Should Take a Gap Year†, she interviews A young woman, Corrine Monaco, who had gone to an academically rigorous school in New York, and by her second semester of her senior year, she was burned out from the hard work. She knew she couldn’t go diving back into school. She decided to then spend a few months traveling across the country. When she finally got to college, she was genuinely excited to be back in the classroom again. â€Å"Taking a gap year was the best decision I ever made.† Monaco said about her experience. It is common sense that someone who is overly worked will, overtime, begin to fatigue, which will show in their work academically or professionally. However, taking time off should be used to focus on the future or beneficial activities, and the main goal should be to return to school. If sight of that is lost, then a gap year could have been for nothing if wasted and nothing was learned. But not going to school doesn’t mean a gap year was also a waste. Some people could cross paths with a great opportunity that would not present itself again if they decided to stay on track and go to school. That is what a gap year is all about, finding ones path outside of the pressure from the world. A gap year can be the greatest experience or a complete waste of time, depending on how one looks at it. A negative stigma follows the trend, with many believing that once you take time off, you will not want to return.  Many people will deny this, but deep down, does anyone? When we take time off and spend it relaxing and exploring life, why would anyone want to return to the monotonous routine of school and work. But a gap year is supposed to solve that and help you find, not a job or something to make money, but a passion or a career that you want to do, not need to do. With society’s strong emphasis on money, which is a necessity of life in our time and era, many students zoom through their youth with their nose to the grindstone, missing out on life and lessons that may only present themselves once. It may not be for everyone, but a gap year is definitely something to consider if one is unsure of life and what direction they would like to take and can be very helpful if done right and with a positive outlook the journey and life itself. Sources 1. Blakmon, Olivia. â€Å"Just the Stats: Majority of College-Bound Students Select Wrong Majors.† – Higher Education. N.p., 5 Dec. 2013. Web. 04 Nov. 2014. 2. Driscoll, Emily. â€Å"Taking a Gap Year: What Students Should Consider.† Fox Business. N.p., 20 Sept. 2013. Web. 02 Oct. 2014. 3. Hoder, Randye. â€Å"Why Your High School Senior Should Take a Gap Year.† Time. Time, 14 May 2014. Web. 01 Oct. 2014. 4. Strutner, Suzy. â€Å"10 Reasons You Should Take A Gap Year.† The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 30 Nov. 2013. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.