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5 Tips For Studying For The MCAT

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Every year, nearly 90,000 people take their shot at the Medical College Admission Test, or the MCAT for short. Those that have taken the test know you need to finish with a great score to get accepted into medical school, so it’s important to get it right. If you’re one of the thousands that’s planning on taking the test and are stressing out, it’s going to be just fine. Here are five tips to follow for studying that will help you reach your maximum potential.

5. Know the Requirements

There isn’t a uniform score that you need to get on your MCAT for every medical school. With that in mind, focus on what the requirements are for the school or schools where you’re applying. When you’ve found out what the schools require, you can set your expectations on the MCAT. This means that if you finish with a particular score, you can expect to get into one school over the other. Don’t just Google it and take the first result that you see, either. Make sure to contact the school directly and find their requirements.

4. Practice Tests

Among the first things that you’ll want to do is establish a baseline of your knowledge, and the best way to do that is through a practice test. After studying, presumably your score can only go up, so think of your first practice test score as your minimum and continue to practice as the months pass. Try not to take too many practice tests as you’ll end up feeling burnt out and might not be studying everything that you need to study. Instead, set a schedule of when you’ll take these tests, preferably twice per week.

3. Specify Your Study Time

Set aside a specific time of day in which you’re going to study for the MCAT, and specify each block of time what it is you’ll be studying. Set aside time to watch a certain video or read a certain chapter. The closer you stick to a schedule, the better you’ll use this time overall. Plan out your entire study schedule in advance; thinking of it the same way you would a college class. You’ll know what to expect every time, which helps put your mind at ease.

2. Take Time to Relax

Speaking of a restful mind, don’t spend every waking moment or every day studying for the MCAT. Sure, it will require more studying than anything else you’ve done in your life, but you’ll burn out quickly if you’re studying 14 hours per day. Set aside break days or hours in your day where you’re focused on something else. The information you’ve learned isn’t just going to magically disappear and you’ll be better prepared when you’re in a good state of mind on test day.

1. Start With Accuracy

Many of us are so focused on time that we forget to do things accurately, and that’s very true when it comes to tests like the MCAT. Because of the time limit, you’ll likely be focused on that rather than getting things right. When you’re taking your first practice test, completely ignore the time and work on your accuracy. If your accuracy is already top notch, you can then work on reducing the time it takes to finish for your highest score.

5 Unbelievable Bird Facts

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Birds can be thought of as the fish of the land. Sure, they all fall into one major category, but there are so many different types that have wildly varying characteristics that they may as well be living on different planets sometimes. It’s wil to think that bald eagles, hummingbirds and penguins all fall under the same category of just ‘bird.’ With that in mind, there are some unbelievable traits for every species of bird. Some stand out as being the zaniest, most interesting and downright scary or hilarious. Here are five of those bird facts that leave people scratching their heads.

5. Bird Poop is Also Pee

Do you know how in movies and TV shows, characters try to make their cars run faster by shedding unnecessary weight? Birds sort of do the same with their bodies to make them more lightweight and able to fly. Because of this, birds tend to not have bladders, and your car is the target. Bird bodies expel waste in the form of uric acid, and it’s a mixture of both feces and urine. So when you go out to your car on a cold morning and see it covered in that gross white substance, you’re getting the worst of both worlds.

4. Quoth the Raven

Have you ever wondered why ravens, crows and other similar birds are written about so much? It’s because not only do they have a uniquely gothic look, but they’re also among the smartest birds you’ll find. That’s right, ravens and crows can actually remember human faces and other details of their surroundings. This makes it so that they can keep coming back to pester you, and it sort of messes with your mind. If you feel like the same bird keeps bugging you every day, it’s because it might be.

3. Hummingbird Diet

Everyone knows the hummingbird; the cute little animal that never stops flying and gently sips away at the nectar you leave out for it in a feeder. What you might not realize is just how much the hummingbird eats in a day. With its heart racing at over 1,200 beats per minute, the hummingbird needs to constantly feed just to survive. That insanely high metabolism translates into your average sized man needing to eat nearly 300 pounds of meat per day just to not waste away.

2. Elephant Birds Once Ruled

There are some pretty big birds flying around these days, but none were as large as the elephant birds of Madagascar. Having gone extinct around 1,000 years ago, elephant birds were so large that you probably would’ve mistaken them for private airplanes. That’s because they were nearly 10 feet tall and could weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Fossil records confirmed these birds existed, and imagine if they were as common as pigeons.

1. Flamingos are Friends

Let’s end things on a bright note here, quite literally. The most famous pink birds that you know have a very humanistic trait in the fact that they make friends from a young age, get into relationships and keep those friends and family close to them for the rest of their lives. Mates will raise chicks every year and all flamingos have about three to six close friends and all lean on each other to both thrive and survive.

5 Best Off The Beaten Path Scuba Diving Locations

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Every year, there are about 8 million people in the United States alone that go snorkeling or diving every year. That number soars when you take the global population into consideration, and it’s easy to see why snorkeling is so popular. There are a lot of great destinations that allow you to see the most beautiful sea animals in the world. However, some spots tend to get overcrowded. If you want more water to yourself that’s less disturbed, check out these five spots off the beaten path to go scuba diving.

5. Darwin Island

Among the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific is Darwin Island, which is what remains of a volcano that went extinct many years ago. There’s a particular diving spot called The Theater that is simply amazing to see in person. It’s around 75 feet deep where you can see some of the most tropical sea creatures around while snorkeling. This includes getting a good glimpse of Galapagos sharks, turtles, whales and even penguins. Named after Charles Darwin, there’s a great blend of animal life off this island.

4. Aqaba

There is only one coastal city in all of Jordan, and it’s a fantastic spot for any snorkeling enthusiast. It’s fairly easy to get to as it’s a major city in the country, and it offers great diving spots. There are over 500 types of fish in Aqaba, and nearly 400 different types of coral. A lot of these types are extremely rare. So rare, in fact, that some can only be found while diving into this part of the Red Sea. 

3. Baja California

While it’s a popular spot to visit as the Mexican state that borders Southern California, the diving spots aren’t quite as frequented the further south you go in Baja California, Mexico. Trek down just a bit to see some great Pacific Ocean spots. Baja California features a lot of different sea creatures to see while snorkeling and diving. This includes whale sharks and devil rays depending on how far out you’re going. If you’re lucky, you might also be able to see some dolphins and marlins, while sea lions tend to stay closer to the shore.

2. Banda Islands

Off the shores of Indonesia, you’ll find the Banda Sea where there are islands that are populated by less than 20,000 people. When on the Banda Islands, you’ll get a great view of the sea and a diving spot that’s not often used by tourists. When you’re snorkeling closer to the shore, you’ll see some manta rays and schools of tuna at Banda Island. If you start diving farther out, you’ll see some of the big fish. This includes hammerhead sharks, several different types of whales and even the fan favorite, the dolphin.

1. The Arctic

When people talk about snorkeling and diving locations, they usually think of warm waters. However, the Arctic region at the northernmost part of Earth features a lot of great opportunities. It’s not easy to get to, but it’s worth the trip. The Arctic offers some of the most unique animals in the world while diving, including leopard seals, the beluga whale and even narwhals. Other interesting creatures include icefish, ribbon seals and the basket star.

5 Easy To Make, High Protein Vegetarian Dishes

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Making sure that you’re getting enough protein can be difficult when you’re on a vegetarian diet. After all, the main sources of protein come from meat, meaning that you have to stick to certain foods and supplements. You also might not be an experienced chef, making things even more difficult. However, there are some recipes that are packed with protein while still being meatless and easy to make. Here are five of those recipes that you’re sure to love once you try them out.

5. Broccoli Casserole

A casserole is a great main dish that you don’t have to put a lot of preparation time into while still being able to get a filling dish that serves an entire family twice over. To make a perfect broccoli casserole, you’ll also need a cup of quinoa. There are other ingredients in the mix that include Greek yogurt, milk, pepper, garlic and onion powder, so if you’re vegan it isn’t the best option, but vegetarians will enjoy this dish tremendously. 

4. Bean and Potato Tacos

We all love tacos, and if you’re a vegetarian, it’s one of those things that you miss the absolute most. Never to fear, you can still make tacos if you’re vegetarian, they’ll just be a little bit different. Instead of using meat and a lot of the grease that comes with it, try using black beans and sweet potatoes. That combination is filled with protein and fiber, allowing you to get that full feeling that tacos usually provide. Throw in some salsa, onions, peppers or whatever ingredients you want and it will be like you’re not missing meat at all.

3. Vegan Chickpea Meatballs

If you’re looking for a recipe that’s not only high in protein and vegetarian friendly but also doesn’t contain any dairy, try this vegan chickpea meatball recipe that’s made from chickpeas and quinoa. You’ll need one can of chickpeas, one cup of quinoa to make your meatballs. You’ll also want to include pecans, bread crumbs and all of the seasoning that you’d like. To really spice things up, you can make a polenta to go with it using vegetable stock and dairy free cheese and butter.

2. Lentil Pancakes

When you’re in a breakfast mood and really want some protein, you’re pretty much limited to sausage and bacon. However, you can still get all the protein you need and great flavor while still going meatless. Take a banana, a half cup of lentils, Greek yogurt and a few other ingredients and blend them together. Pour the blend onto a non-stick pan and cook the mixture into pancakes. You can top these off with fruit or yogurt to really make them flavorful for a great start to your day.

1. Farmer’s Breakfast

Lentil pancakes aren’t the only thing that can satisfy all of your vegetarian protein needs during breakfast time. Try out this classic farmer’s breakfast with some familiar ingredients. Two potatoes, some olive oil, onion, eggs, rosemary, basil, salt and pepper all combine with a quarter cup of mozzarella to establish a strong start to your day. It’s only about 30 minutes from start to finish to make this breakfast, and at 540 calories with a ton of protein you’ll be good to go.

5 Essentials Of Trading Stocks

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It’s estimated that just over half of Americans have at least one stock in the market, which might seem alarmingly low when you think about how many companies provide stocks to their employees in the US. However, there has been a huge increase of people getting into the stock market for the first time thanks to technological advances. If you’re one of the many that’s considering trading stocks and establishing a strong financial future, here are some essentials that you need to follow.

5. Simulate

While games like Madden or Call of Duty won’t get you prepared for the NFL or international conflict, there are plenty of useful simulators online. When it comes to the stock market, there are plenty at your disposal and the accuracy is only getting better and better. These are completely free to play and you can invest as much virtual money as you want. This will give you a good idea of how the stock market works and what you can expect over the course of a certain amount of time.

4. Know Your Fees

One of the reasons that online trading has taken off like a rocket in the past few years is because of the lack of fees. We’re getting farther from the days where you’d have to pay a fee for every transaction, but there are still some fees that you need to know about. Some of the more common fees when working with a brokerage include trading spreads, mutual fund fees, account fees and assets under management fees. Take these into account before spending more than you have to invest.

3. Invest When You Can

The best time to invest your money is right now. That’s because every day that passes, the money that you have on hand is worth less. It sounds dramatic, but it’s best to place your money into investments so that it appreciates in value over time. Each month, put as much as you can into investing and you’ll be thanking yourself down the road. There are even some debit cards that round up your change and invest them into your portfolio.

2. Don’t Bank on One Stock

One mistake that a lot of people make when getting into the stock market for the first time is not diversifying their portfolio. Thanks to “meme stocks” there are a lot of people doing this (think Gamestop for example). Spread your money around the best that you can when investing for maximum results. Don’t just place your money into different companies in the same field, either. Throw some into tech, some into retail, etc.

1. Stay the Course

More importantly than anything else, you must know that you’re not going to make a quick massive return on your investment then walk away. It’s important to ride the lows and only get out when you really need to. An investment isn’t something to be taken lightly, especially since it’s your financial future on the line. Panic buying and selling is becoming common, and peer pressure does nothing to help that, but it’s going to be advantageous if you can avoid this.

10 Unlikely Food Pairings That Taste Great

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Lennon and McCartney, Sonny and Cher, bananas and mayonnaise? There are some duos that are well known across the world, but then there are some that are very esoteric. This is mostly in the food world where we combine ingredients to capture the perfect taste. It doesn’t always work out, but when it does, it can be amazing. Here are some unique and unlikely food pairings that you’re sure to like.

10. Oreos and Orange Juice

Chocolate and citrus have gone together in a great way for some people for a long time. So have milk and Oreos, but milk tends to make your cookies extremely soggy and crumbly. Instead, try using orange juice for a great kick of citrus while keeping the structural integrity of your Oreo intact.

9. Pickles and Pizza

While there have been wars waged over whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza, many people have been letting pickle pizza fly under the radar. We’re starting to see it more frequently in national pizza chains and for good reason. Give it about 10 years and we bet that pickles will be just as polarizing as pineapple.

8. Mango and Chile

An extremely popular combination if you’re south of the border in Mexico, the combination of mango and chile is starting to catch on further north. The spiciness combined with the sweetness is a unique combination that hits every one of your taste buds in just the right way.

7. Chicken and Waffles

Of course, we can’t talk about odd food pairings without mentioning perhaps the most famous one. Fried chicken on top of waffles with a smothering of syrup is an American classic, especially if you’re visiting the south.

6. Steak and Berries

It might sound pretty weird to have berries included on your steak, but is it really? We tend to eat salads with protein like chicken that have blueberries and strawberries, so why should steak be any different? After all, it’s just another protein.

5. Peanut Butter and Potato Chips

We like salty things and we like sweet things, it’s simple science. Peanut butter and potato chips combined hit all of the right spots. This is especially true when you add chocolate to the mix, which is why Reese’s came out with a peanut butter cup that also included a potato chip in the middle.

4. Jelly and Hamburger

At first thought, it might be crazy to put jelly on your hamburger (it might already seem weird enough that a lot more people are using peanut butter). But when you think about it, it makes sense. A lot of people use grape jelly when making meatballs, and what are hamburgers besides just large meatballs in patty form?

3. Milk and Popcorn

Popcorn on its own without all of the butter and salt is basically a breakfast cereal, right? There has been a growing number of people that have been eating bowls of popcorn with milk in lieu of cereal, citing that it’s just as good if not better.

2. Bananas and Mayonnaise

People tend to get a bit wild with their sandwiches, and combining bananas with condiments is one way they do just that. Perhaps the most perplexing combination is bananas with mayo, which a lot of people scoff at upon seeing, but change their minds when trying it out.

1. French Fries and Ice Cream

This really shouldn’t work, but if you’ve been to a Wendy’s, there’s a great chance that you’ve seen someone dip their French fries in their Frosty and enjoyed it. 

5 Essential Facts To Help You Through Your Pregnancy

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Pregnancy is a beautiful thing that a majority of women go through at least once in their lives. If you’ve never been pregnant before, you’re likely to hear both horror stories as well as tales about how pregnancy was the best time in someone’s life. There’s a lot of truth to that, too, as pregnancy tends to bring out some of the most painful and emotional moments, but those emotions can swing deeply into the positive side of things, too. If you’re pregnant for the first time or plan on becoming pregnant, here are some essential facts that will help you get through your pregnancy and end up being one of those women that talks about how amazing the process was.

5. Continue to Exercise

While pregnant, it’s going to be very tempting to relax as much as possible due to the aches and pains that it brings. However, it’s important to continue to exercise to make things much easier for yourself and your baby. Attempt to do low impact exercises that stretch you out, helping to avoid many of these aches. Exercise will also help make the mood swings far less severe and can prevent you from developing gestational diabetes due to the lack of excess weight gain. The biggest bonus, though, is a shorter labor time.

4. Develop a Birth Day Plan

While it could still be weeks or, more likely, months away, it’s important to have a plan in place for the big day when your baby is born. Pick out some particular clothes that you want to wear, a contingency plan for if things don’t go exactly as you wished and who you want at the hospital with you when giving birth. This will help take your mind off of some of the stress of pregnancy while also giving you a great day to look forward to, similar to a wedding.

3. Avoid the Vices

This should probably go without saying, but your baby’s health is going to be the highest of priorities, which means that you should give up smoking or drinking if you haven’t already. There are going to be strong temptations if you’re already a smoker or drinker since pregnancy tends to bring out the most stress in women. It’s important to stay strong for your baby, and it will help you too in both the short term and in the long run. Try to avoid caffeine, as well, and eat the right foods.

2. Sleep When You Want

When you’re pregnant, sleeping is going to be one of the hardest things to come by. That means whenever you have a chance, even if you’re not tired, it’s important to sleep. This is especially true in the first trimester. Your body is going to be fatigued like no other as you adjust to pregnancy. If you have free time during the day and feel like you could sleep, take advantage of it while you still can.

1. Forge Your Own Path

We could sit here all day and tell you what you should do during your pregnancy, and we’re not alone. There are going to be countless people giving you their real life experiences and letting you know what worked or didn’t work for them. With that said, it’s best to ignore the people who aren’t doctors in your life and do pregnancy the way that’s best for you. Sure, your mother in law might be judgemental, but she’ll get over it.

5 Things You Need To Know Before You Start Your Own Coral Reef Tank

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There was a time not so long ago where the idea of starting a coral reef tank in your house was unimaginable. With the advances in technology, however, it’s not only doable, but it’s actually fairly easy to pull off. We’re seeing an increase in the amount of at-home coral reef tanks, but it’s not something that you can do in just a few minutes. We’re talking about an undertaking much more significant than buying a goldfish and putting it in a plastic tank. If you want to join those that are starting their own coral reef tank, here are five things you need to know first.

5. Location and Size

The first thing you’ll want to do is figure out where your coral reef tank is going to be placed. You don’t want to purchase a large tank and then not have the space for it, after all. You’ll want to pick a spot where you can feasibly place your tank and then measure the area. From there, you’ll be able to determine what size tank you can actually use in that spot. Naturally, the larger the tank, the more effective it’s going to be in the long run, so give yourself plenty of space in your house.

4. Pump It Up

Keeping your coral reef tank clean is going to be vital, and there are plenty of filtration systems and skimmers that will help you along the way. There are a few different filters, with the easiest to use for beginners being the power filter while others include trickle filters and canister filters. Protein skimmers, once you find a good spot for one, will help lighten the filter’s load. Lastly, you’ll need a powerhead that keeps water flowing constantly. 

3. Perfect Water

The numbers might seem confusing at first on your water, but there are some essential guidelines to follow. You’ll want to make sure that the alkalinity of your tank’s water is around 10 dKH with the calcium being optimized at 400 ppm and magnesium at 1,300 ppm. The water temperature should be that of room temperature, perhaps a little above depending on your preference, with a setting of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Rock Out

While it might just seem like a decorative item, the type of rock you place into your coral reef tank is extremely important. That’s because fish will want to establish a territory, and certain fish gravitate toward certain rocks. Pick up live rock that has plenty of habitable space so that the fish can tuck away from other groups and get some shut eye. The substrate used in your tank will also have an effect on water quality.

1. The Right Fish

Now that you have everything you need all set up, you have to pick the right fish for your coral reef tank. With that in mind, not every fish that you find is going to be safe for your tank. Some of the best types of fish for your tank include angelfish, gobies, clownfish and surgeonfish. Try to get a nice blend with a lot of different colors to really make your tank stand out, especially when under the right lighting.

5 Tips To Make Your Life Easier Using Tech

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Just think about where society was about 100 years ago. There were only a handful of cars on the road and nobody knew what a cell phone was. Some might argue that technology has hampered society in certain ways, but nobody can argue that the benefits overall far outweigh any of the negatives. Society makes our lives easier in ways that you might not even think about. Here are some aspects of your life that tech makes easier.

5. Organization


Perhaps you’re old enough to remember the days when you had to write down pretty much everything or ask people to remind you to do things. Now, you’re able to organize almost every aspect of your life thanks to technology. Need to remind yourself to take your daily vitamin? There’s an app that can do that. The same goes for organizing all of your paperwork (think Google Drive) and even store photographs that you want to look at years from now. Technology is getting rid of filing cabinets faster by the day.

4. Finances


Technology is making it simple to take your finances into your own hands. It used to be that you had to run to the bank and deposit cash, but almost everything is digital now. Even stocks have become insanely simple as you’re able to trade with the push of just a couple of buttons on your phone or computer at no charge thanks to apps like Robin Hood. We could also talk about cryptocurrency for hours on end, but we’ll just remind you that it’s there for now and you can research it at your own leisure.

3. Health

It wasn’t too long ago that people were putting little pedometers in their pockets to see how many steps they were taking in a given day. Now you don’t have to worry about that little Tamagotchi sized archaic device. Instead, most of us have smart watches that not only track steps, but also every detail of your health. From quitting smoking or drinking to your nutrient intake to your body fat percentage, you can do it all from just your phone and watch. It’s also cutting down on insurance premiums since the data is right there to show your provider.

2. Work-Life Balance

Before everyone was connected to high speed internet from their homes, you had to drive to the office and make sure that you were on time so that you didn’t miss a single thing. Now, you don’t even need to leave your home in a lot of cases to get your work done. Telecommuting with services such as Microsoft Teams, Slack and more make it easy to be a remote worker and instantly communicate with your work team. This means more time with your family and less time commuting and wasted office time.

1. Navigation

Speaking of driving to the office, you might still need to do that for your job. If that’s the case, technology is making it easier to travel every day. You can get a shared ride (Uber, Lyft, etc.), find real time traffic thanks to Google Maps and Waze or get the times for public transportation and pay it all through your apps. Needless to say, technology has made almost every aspect of our lives easier.

Is A Smart Home Right For Me?

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As we move deeper into the future that many science fiction movies, books and television shows predicted for us decades ago, the technology is starting to match that of science fiction. Included is the fact that everything is ‘smart’ now and tends to come with an app for our mobile devices. It’s not just watches and cars, either, as homes altogether can be converted into smart homes. What is a smart home, though, and is it the right choice for you, especially when considering the costs?

For starters, there isn’t just one project that you can undertake that will make your home into a smart home. Instead, you’ll have to work on one at a time, focusing on eventually bringing it all together. This includes the lighting, thermostats, audio, security, safety and even lawn and pool care. While these were all expensive when they first debuted, converting certain parts of your home into smart home features is easier and cheaper than ever.

Think of a smart home as an investment. While it might be seen as a luxury with a lot of fancy bells and whistles, smart homes bring a lot of features that will not just maintain your home’s value, but also increase it in the long run. Being able to lock your doors and monitor the premises through cameras will cut down on insurance, while lowering the lights when not in use, not running the sprinklers while it’s raining and turning the thermostat to a higher temperature when nobody’s home will save you thousands in energy bills.

There is one caveat to running a smart home, and it’s the fact that you’ll have to be connected to the internet. While your cell phone will still be able to pick up mobile data when the internet goes out, the same might not be true for your smart devices as these run mostly on wi-fi. Assuming that your internet is working, you can use your phone as a hub to control everything. User interfaces are becoming easier to use, as well, making it simplistic for even the most beginner user. Using this hub also lets you know how much you’re saving in energy and allows you to set timers to adhere to your schedule.

So is a smart home right for you? The answer is probably going to be yes unless you have problems with maintaining a solid internet connection or don’t have the money to spend at the moment. Since it doesn’t have to be done all at once, you can chip away at the costs with one project at a time. If you want to start off with something small, a device such as an Amazon Alexa can be a good hub for your audio needs and to set reminders as you work your way up with feeling more comfortable using all of the apps.

As for the internet, new technology is making it so that smart home devices can still run when not connected. This includes Thread, a technology that is helping with this issue. “ And looking at current use cases, the biggest elephant in the room in terms of bandwidth are cameras,” said Vividh Siddha of Thread and Apple. Once this issue is taken care of, you won’t have to rely on your bandwidth to keep your smart home at its smartest.