How your masters study differs to undergraduate

How your masters study differs to undergraduate How your masters study differs to undergraduate From Undergraduate to Masters: Observations from a First Class Graduate As you’re fighting through those last few painful months of exams, coursework and general study, it may be a lingering worry at the back of your mind - “where do I go from here?”. Split between further education, a teaching career, and a near-infinite supply of creative pipe dreams I wanted to pursue, it’s a feeling I distinctly recall some years later and of course, as it did for me, you’ll likely feel decision time comes far more quickly than you might want it to. Of these options, going into a Master’s degree may well have popped into your head - you did check out this article for a reason, after alland with good reason. In many ways, it might feel more comfortable to continue with what feels like a similar lifestyle to that you’ve been living the last few years. Study hard, party hard, rinse and repeat. By contrast, maybe undergrad has worn you down as it has so many others.A recent report by The Guardian found a three-year streak for university drop-outs in the UK, and even those that remain find themselves worn down and stressed. So the question remains: is a Master’s degree right for you? Below are a few short observations, which might help you get a sense of whether this is a road you’d like to walk. 1. “You’re on your own… somewhat” One of the most startling realisations master's students may come to is how hands-off the experience feels in comparison to their undergraduate studies. This can vary depending on your degree or course. But the general rule is that now you’ve gained a good framework for understanding of your field, it’s time to cut the cord from a regimented guide of study- you’re on your own… somewhat. Obviously any decent course will still ensure you’re on the right track and provide you key texts in most areas, but masters study will mean a lot more investigation into the subjects you believe will help you on your academic path. It could be a blessing or a curse, depending on how you’ve been studying up to this point. Speaking from my own perspective, I found great value in this stronger emphasis on independent study. Though the assigned research was still something I had to keep up with, it felt less like I was just chasing after texts decided by the faculty to be important. This is, of course, in no way an attempt to excuse particularly lazy professors and course leaders - but it’s important to remember that their aim is to see you develop into a well-rounded academic. Independent research is a crucial part of that. 2. “Venturing into the depths” Did I say independent research? Because I really mean independent research. The principle goes that Undergraduate degrees are designed to help you form a solid general awareness of your subject. But Master’s is where your fieldwork starts to get more specialised and this means venturing a little further than the first few links at the bottom of the Wikipedia page. My own English Literature studies into hyper-specific fields such as re-translations of ancient apocalyptic texts sent me all over London, to assorted libraries with dusty old references. Your mileage may vary, but a Master’s course definitely means getting into the particulars of your subject. As with the above, this has its perks and down-sides - just as with choosing your Master discipline, it will force you to consider what line of study you wish to focus on, and perhaps help inform your post-education decisions about your career. 3. “Life has changed” With the occasional drop-outs over the years, you might have seen your undergraduate courses slowly dwindle in attendance as you finally approach the finish line. This is likely going to be nothing compared to a Master’s degree, which will see far fewer filled-to-the-rafters lectures and a lot more one-on-one or small group activities. It’s a fundamentally different dynamic, as even less of that secondary school teacher-classroom dynamic rears its head. Often, a seminar will feel more like a discussion between a couple of academics rather than a game of scrawling down notes as you’re being lectured to, which is precisely the point. Life has changed, and your fellow students won’t just be a big swarm of faces but comrades among a highly select group. It’s a chance to make some solid study partners, and maybe even long-term friends. After all, you probably have pretty similar interests at this point! In summary - “What you want to do” There are other factors to consider when deciding to move into a Master’s degree. Among them is timing, as you balance the freshness of your post-undergraduate mindset with a potential chance to take a short break and pursue alternative goals (a completely valid path, which many a contented academic has taken). There is, of course, a warranted financial concern, with many students wanting to work out if the additional cost of study would be worth further forgoing total focus on a career. Even if you do decide it’s right for you, there’s the question of where to go. Generally, it’s a good idea to remain in the same institution, as different universities teach subjects differently, but perhaps a change of setting is exactly what you need. All of this, ultimately, is about figuring out what feels right to you as an individual. Here’s hoping that, by reading this, you’ve gained some personal insight into exactly where you want to go next. We know how much your dissertation matters We take your needs seriously and you can trust us for help, every step of the way. From a single chapter to an entire masters dissertation, our team of academic experts are here to support you. Find out more You may also like... Top 10 tips for writing a dissertation methodology Advice for successfully writing a dissertation How to do your dissertation secondary research in 4 steps graduatemastersmasters studyStudentstudyundergradundergraduate

Nike Wacc - 1068 Words

What is the WACC and why is it important to estimate a firm’s cost of capital? Do you agree with Joanna Cohen’s WACC calculation? Why or why not? 1.1 The definition of WACC Weighted average cost of capital(WACC), is a weighted-computational method of analyzing the cost of capital based on the whole capital structure of a firm. The result of WACC is the rate a firm use to monitor the application of the current assets because it represents the return the firm MUST get. For example this rate could be used as the discount rate of evaluating an investment, and maintaining the price of firm’s stock. 1.2 Analysis of Johanna Cohen’s calculation We analyzed the process of Johanna Cohen’s calculation, and found some flaws we believe caused†¦show more content†¦3.2 Calculating the costs of equity by DDM, and its advantages amp; disadvantages i. Calculation (based on EXIHIBIT 4):: Based on the dividend discount model, P0 = D0 * (1+g) / (k – g), then we get the return rate (the cost of equity) k = D0 * (1+g) / P0 + g = 0.48 * (1 + 0.055) / 42.09 + 0.055 = 6.7% ii. Advantages First, DDM fully considers the time value of consistent cash flow of an investment. Second, it is pretty easy to get the necessary historical data. Third DDM is flexible enough for the adjustment of any future situation. Fourth, once the growth pattern is confirmed, it is very straightforward to get the discount rate of assessing an investment. iii. Disadvantages First, without enough consideration of risk cost, DDM may underestimate the equity cost. Second, all of the data is based on historical record, so the result is not reliable considering of the future situations. Third, with the predetermined growth rate, it is obviously practical for the stock investors to estimate the possible profit, but may mislead the stock issuing firm from a better budgeting decisio n to a comparatively unsubstantial investment. 3.3 Calculating the costs of equity by the earnings capitalization ratio, and its advantages amp; disadvantages i. Calculation (based on EXIHIBIT 1amp;4) According to the earnings capitalization model, we have cost of equity = E1 / P0 = 2.16 / 42.09 = 5.13% ii. AdvantagesShow MoreRelatedNike Wacc Case Study2281 Words   |  10 PagesWhat is the WACC and why is it important to estimate a firm’s cost of capital? Do you agree with Joanna Cohen’s WACC calculation? Why or why not? 2. If you do not agree with Cohen’s analysis, calculate your own WACC for Nike and justify your assumptions. 3. Calculate the costs of equity using CAPM, the dividend discount model, and the earnings capitalization ratio. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method? 4. What should Kimi Ford recommend regarding an investment in Nike? 2 CaseRead MoreCase Study on Nike1252 Words   |  6 PagesCase Study Nike Introduction Good morning ladies and gentlemen and thank for taking the time to meet with us. Nike was founded on January 25, 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Philip Knight. The company officially became Nike, Inc. on May 30, 1978. Nike has various products which include footwear as well as other apparel that compliment the former. This accounts for 92 percent of the company’s revenue. The other 8 percent comes from equipment and non Nike brand products, such as ColeRead MoreNike: Globalizing the Sportswear Industry1250 Words   |  5 PagesNike case Grachya Ovsepyan Alexander Kopenkin 2011 Nike – Globalizing the Sportswear Industry 1. Evaluate Nike’s business strategy. Does Nike have a sustainable competitive advantage? According to the text, there are four cornerstones in Nike’s strategy: 1) Deepening its relationship with customers. There are some obvious ways of having a â€Å"deep relationship† with customers such as taking into consideration results of various enquiries or following current trends like many companiesRead MoreNike1200 Words   |  5 PagesANALYSIS: NIKE INC. – COST OF CAPITAL | FOR PROF. EDWARD WONG | | ARUN KUMAR DURAIRAJ – 27416008 NIDISH PC – 27254423 VIPUL PARTI – 27246307 | 12/3/2015 | | Evaluation of Cohen’s Report and Calculation of WACC WeRead MoreA Portfolio Managers Analysis of Nike Inc. Essay1029 Words   |  5 Pagesdifficult decision to make while looking at Nike Inc. financials: whether Kimi should buy Nike shares or not for the fund Group she was working for. Kimi needed to consider all aspects of Nike Inc. financial position. On July 28,2011 Nike Inc. held a analyst’s meeting to disclose their fiscal year 2001 as well as to revitalize the company who wasn’t performing well. Thus, the meeting showed that Nike Inc. experienced some difficulties during the past years. First, Nike Inc. revenues have reached a plateauRead MoreNike Inc. - Cost of Capital1368 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is he WACC and why is it so important to estimate a firms cost of capital? The WACC (weighted average cost of capital) is a percentage figure resulting from a calculation method by which the adequate cost of capital of a firm is expressed. It considers the composition of a company’s funding, be it debt or equity. A corporation whose source of funding is equity by 100 percent will have a WACC equal to the cost of equity. By contrast, a levered company will have to reflect the cost of debt asRead MoreNike1217 Words   |  5 Pages13/3/2013 Nike, Inc. Cost of Capital 1 Discussion Questions †¢ What is the WACC and why is it important to estimate a firm’s cost of capital? What does it represent? Is the WACC set by investors or by managers? †¢ Do you agree with Joanna Cohen’s WACC calculation? Why or why not? If you do not agree with Cohen’s analysis, calculate your own WACC for Nike and be prepared to justify your assumptions. What mistakes did Joanna Cohen make in her analysis? Which method is best for calculatingRead MoreNike Case1172 Words   |  5 PagesNike Inc. Case 1. What is the WACC and why is it important to estimate a firm’s cost of capital? WACC is weighted average cost of capital, which is the expected rate of return on average from all the company’s existing debts and securities. It takes into account all different types of financing in the company’s capital structure. The reason it is important to estimate WACC is because it measures what it costs the firm to take on a project based on its current Debt and Equity mix. When theRead MoreNike Case Study1542 Words   |  7 Pagesin the stocks of Nike for the fund that she manages. †¢ Ford should base her decision on data on the company which were disclosed in the 2001 fiscal reports. While Nike management addressed several issues that are causing the decrease in market sales and prices of stocks, management presented its plans to improve and perform better. †¢ Third party sources also gave their opinions on whether the stock was a sound investment. WACC CALCULATION: Cost of Capital Calculations: Nike Inc Cohen calculatedRead MoreNike Inc Cost of Capital Case Study917 Words   |  4 PagesNike Inc. Case Number 2 Nike Incorporated’s cost of capital is a vital element when addressing opportunities regarding top-line growth and operating performance. Weighted Average Costs of Capital (WACC) is an essential estimation that is needed in order to determine the amount of interest that will be paid for each additional dollar financed. This translates to be the minimum overall required rate of return that the firm will keep. We disagree with Johanna Cohen’s assessment of Nike due to two

Critical Factors On Human Dignity And Capital Punishment

Antiepa Munatsi S00150701 This discussion is going to investigate and evaluate the critical factors in relation to human dignity and capital punishment utilising the case study of Andrew and Myuran. A discussion would be made on the issues surrounding the unfair forms of punishments that are used to deal with those who committed unimaginable crimes in the eyes of society. I believe this is an issue where human dignity is a critical factor because there is no respect for individual autonomy and Andrew and Myuran were not given the chance and hence their humanity and dignity violated. Perspectives 1 and 2 would be outlined and an analysis would be made to each in relationship to the case study. Also, understanding of human dignity in each†¦show more content†¦Question 1 Dwight Conquergood wrote about how the legal system in America tried to normalise capital punishment to make it seem less cruel by introducing other ways of execution. This was done by using the lethal injection as in McVeigh?s case (Conquergood, 2002). He advocates against the use of capital punishment and in his discussion highlighted that he attended many demonstrations with those against capital punishment. In addition, he highlights that there is bias from authorities when handling death cases. In one of the cases, the police lost documents which would have been given to the defense lawyers to fight against the sentence. However, the individual was put to death and he considered that death penalty to be unfair and unjust and that there has been instances of innocent people being on death row. He highlighted that minorities make up the largest number of prisoners on the death penalty despite representing a small percentage of the small population and argued that there was bias ag ainst certain minorities. The author indicated that African-Americans are 19% more likely to be put on death row as compared to other races even though they might have committed the same crime (Conquergood, 2002). His view can be put into quadrant 1A which refers to dignity obtained by being a human being (Kirchhoffer, 2013). However, when one is on death row, this dignity is taking away and therefore he argues that offenders

Mixed Handedness In Schizophrenia Health And Social Care Essay Free Essays

In the present survey I conducted a meta-analytical reappraisal of the literature of an association between laterality and schizophrenic disorder in an effort to ; ( 1 ) clear up the strength of the grounds for the prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder, ( 2 ) measure the effects of two of the chief manus penchant appraisals in the prevalence of mixed-handedness in schizophrenic disorder patients. The premise is that the methodological difference between specifying laterality within a class ( such as the Edinburgh Inventory ) or by grades ( as does the Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire ) will impact on the prevalence of assorted laterality observed. Background Schizophrenia is a disease characterized by profound break in knowledge and emotion, impacting the most cardinal human properties: linguistic communication, thought, perceptual experience, affect, and sense of ego ( American Psychiatric Association [ DSM-IV-TR ] , 2000 ) . We will write a custom essay sample on Mixed Handedness In Schizophrenia Health And Social Care Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Even though the neuropathology of schizophrenic disorder remains vague, there have been several hypotheses proposed for the aetiology of the disease, one of which is unnatural intellectual anatomical lateralization ensuing from pre-natal neurological abuse ( Cannon et al. , 1995 ) . In fact, a break in the dissymmetry of the human encephalon is considered a cardinal characteristic in many psychiatric conditions ( Francks et al. , 2007 ) . One feature which is considered to associate to differences in encephalon construction is lateralised behavior, for illustration manus penchant ( White, Lucas, Richards A ; Purves, 1994 ) . In schizophrenic disorder, the unnatural development of intellectual lateralization is considered to ensue in a displacement off from manual laterality ( Cannon et al, 1995 ) . Indeed, one of the chief markers of schizophrenic disorder is the prevalence of untypical laterality in schizophrenics compared with the healthy population. In add-on to this, it has bee n suggested that the way of sidelong dissymmetry in schizophrenic disorder has been associated with the chronicity of the upset, Cannon et Al ( 1995 ) reported a strong association between chronicity and assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder. Although there have been several surveies purporting to demo the association of laterality in schizophrenic disorder, consequences have been conflicting sing the strength and way of untypical laterality in schizophrenic disorder with some surveies describing an addition in left-handednesss ( Gur, 1977 ; Manoach et al. , 1988 ) and others describing an addition in mixed-handedness ( Cannon et al, 1995, Dane et Al, 2009 ) . This raises the inquiry of whether a differentiation between assorted laterality can be made at all. Method Study choice Included were surveies that reported a tripartite categorization of manus penchants ( right, left and assorted laterality ) for both grownup ( aged 18 or over ) schizophrenic disorder patients and healthy controls. Surveies were included which had assessed manus penchants utilizing the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory ( EHI ; Oldfield, 1971 ) or the Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire ( AHPQ ; Annett, 1970 ) . Datas from non-clinical samples were excluded. Schizophrenia diagnosings should be made utilizing Research Diagnostic Criteria, DSM-III, DSM-IIIR and DSM-IV. All other surveies utilizing different diagnostic standards were excluded. In add-on, merely surveies utilizing grownup ( aged 18 or over ) as schizophrenic disorder typically presents itself in early grownup life, and may show itself really otherwise in childhood. The result step was the frequence of a given manus penchant ( right, assorted or left ) grouped by population group ( schizophrenia patients, healthy controls ) . Search Procedure Searchs were performed in two databases: Web of Knowledge and Psychinfo. These databases were searched up to September 2010. The hunt footings used were ; ‘schizophrenia ‘ , ‘handedness ‘ , ‘lateralisation ‘ . Surveies were besides attained by analyzing the mention lists of two reappraisal articles ( Somers, Sommer, Boks, A ; Kahn, 2009 ; Dragovic A ; Hammond, 2005 ) . Lone diaries in English were searched. Abstractions of surveies were so examined by one writer with mention to the exclusion and inclusion standards. The programmer was familiar with the literature being reviewed. Data extraction For each survey the following informations were extracted: Writer ( s ) and twelvemonth of publication ; methods: participants and control sample used, where they were recruited from, the diagnostic standards used, the laterality appraisal used, age of oncoming and chronicity of the patients ; whether the consequences from the surveies were important and extra notes. Data Analysiss Calculations were based on the frequence informations described in the primary studies. To gauge the prevalence of assorted laterality within schizophrenia patients we calculated single odds ratios for each survey to analyze consequence sizes. Overall odds ratios were calculated by uniting the single surveies ‘ frequence informations within each subtype ( right, assorted and left laterality ) and subgroup ( schizophrenia patients and wellness controls ) . The cogency of ciphering an overall odds ratio is questionable as the consequence can frequently be misdirecting, however it was chosen because it provides an approximative computation of overall consequence sizes for assorted laterality. An estimation of the significance degree for each survey was used by ciphering the z-scores for each odds ratio in order to happen the alpha value. Consequences Features of included surveies Ninety-five diary articles were identified by the hunt scheme, of which 5 surveies conducted between 1995 and 2008 met all standards for inclusion. Three of the surveies used in the analyses used the EHI ( Cannon et al. , 1995 ; Dane et al. , 2009 ; Reilly et al. , 2001 ) , and two surveies used the AHPQ ( DeLisi et al. , 2002 ; Malesu et al. , 1996 ) for laterality appraisals. In relation to the different laterality appraisal methods used, the surveies differed markedly in the standards they used to specify the three different categorizations of laterality ( right, assorted and left ) . Within the model of the EHI, two surveies defined right-handedness as ‘+100 ‘ , left- as ‘-100 ‘ and mixed- , every bit assorted as everything between these two extremes ( Cannon et al, 1995 and Reilly et al. , 2001 ) while the other defined mixed-handedness as values between -75 and +75. Within the model of the AHPQ, one survey used a wide definition of assorted laterality as between 2 and 7 ( Malesu et al, 1996 ) while the other used a somewhat narrower definition for assorted laterality as between 3 and 6 ) . Oddss ratios for assorted laterality Table 1 displays the single odds ratios ( OR ) for assorted laterality compared with the lateralised group ( right and left handers combined ) in schizophrenic disorder patients compared with controls. The single odds ratios ranged from 1.21 to 4.59. The overall odds ratio was based on 5 surveies with a sum of 749 schizophrenic disorder patients and 572 control topics and indicates that schizophrenic disorder patients were about 1.5 times more likely to be mixed-handed than healthy controls ( OR = 1.64 ; 95 % CI = 1.22-2.20 ) . As shown in Table 1, three of the five surveies ( Cannon et al, 1995 ; Dane et Al, 2009, and DeLisi et al. , 2002 ) found stronger odds ratios for the prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder patients compared with controls. Need to add estimation of significance degree for each survey Table 1 Odds ratios for prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder patients compared with controls. A A A A A A A A A A A A Schizophrenia Patients A Controls A A A Survey N Assorted Lateralised A N Assorted Lateralised A Oddss Ratios 1995 Cannon et Al. 93 35 58 A 43 5 38 A 4.59 2009 Dane et Al. 88 33 55 A 118 23 95 A 2.48 2002 DeLisi et Al. 418 43 375 A 288 25 263 A 1.21 2001 Reilly 30 11 19 A 37 6 31 A 2.99 1996 Malesu et Al. 120 36 84 A 86 21 65 A 1.33 A Entire 749 158 591 A 572 80 492 A 1.64 Oddss ratio for EHI and Annett laterality appraisals To look into the hypothesis that the stronger prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder patients is attributed to the type of laterality appraisal used we calculated an overall odds ratio for the prevalence of mixed-handedness in surveies utilizing the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory compared with the Annett questionnaire ( see Table 2 ) . As shown in Table 2, patients assessed for laterality utilizing the EHI were about 3.5 times more likely to be categorised as assorted handed every bit opposed to lateralised. We converted this odds ratio into a pearson correlativity coefficient and found a reasonably positive correlativity between the type of appraisal used and the prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder patients ( r =0.4573 ) Table 2 Overall odds ratio for prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder patients when assessed with the EHI compared with the APHQ. A A A A Mixed vs. lateralised OR 95 % CI Handedness Assessment EHI ( N ) 79 vs. 132 Annett ( N ) 79 vs. 460 3.4848 2.4142 – 5.0301 A A A A Discussion One of the chief findings in the present meta-analyses on laterality from five selected surveies is that schizophrenic disorder patients are significantly more likely to be mixed-handed than normal controls, a determination which is paradoxically compatible with one major reappraisal of the literature ( Somers et al. , 2009 ) and incompatible with an averment from another major reappraisal ( Dragovic A ; Hammond, 2005 ) . We found grounds of a positive moderate correlativity between the types of manus penchant appraisal used ( EHI or AHPQ ) and the prevalence of assorted laterality reported in schizophrenic disorder patients. One possible account for this association is the differences in the scope of parametric quantities used to specify assorted laterality within the EHI and AHPQ. Furthermore, the EHI and AHPQ use two different methods to measure laterality ; one uses discrete ( EHI ) values and the other ( AHPQ ) uses uninterrupted appraisals. For illustration within the EHI, dif ferent scopes were used to sort assorted laterality ; some surveies used between -75 and +75 to exemplify assorted laterality whilst others have used a broader step to measure assorted laterality ( between the two extremes of -100 and +100 ) . Studies which used the EHI to analyze the rate of mixed-handedness in schizophrenic disorder patients were about 3.5 times more likely to sort patients as assorted handed. This in portion is due to the wider definitions of assorted laterality used with the model of the EHI questionnaire, what remains unchallenged is the rates of non-right laterality. The inquiries raised by this is whether it is right to specify an intermediate parametric quantity for assorted laterality given that manual laterality can merely be a displacement towards Thursday. If we are to find a leftward displacement towards sole left laterality or an intermediate categorization of assorted laterality so the manner we assess this should be planetary for all surveies. At pre sent, the surveies are n’t truly comparable within themselves because of this mutual exclusiveness between which definitions of assorted laterality have been used and which appraisal questionnaire is to be used. Restrictions A major restriction to this survey was the modest sum of surveies used. This issue may be related to the pick of choice standards we devised. We chose to measure surveies which reported laterality in three-ways ( right, assorted and left handed ) . Although this enabled usage to describe the single per centums of the different types of laterality for each survey, it narrowed the surveies we were able to include. Besides it is of import to turn to the issue of our utilizing merely published surveies for this meta-analysis which may belie the true nature of any association between schizophrenic disorder and laterality as negative findings tend to be under-reported. Decision How to cite Mixed Handedness In Schizophrenia Health And Social Care Essay, Essay examples

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Highly effective people have unique habits that make them to be different from others. One of the most notable habits of highly effective people is putting first things first (Covey, 2004). It is not necessary to do everything that comes your way for you to live an effective life. The people who struggle to do everything that comes along their way end up overextending themselves.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is therefore very important to have some priorities in life without having any fear of saying no to things that you do not feel like doing (Covey, 2004). A person can only live a balanced life if he or she has a habit of doing things according to priority. The habit of putting first things first is a combination of two other habits that include being in charge of your life and having a clear vision before doing anythin g (Covey, 2004). It is important for any person who wants efficiency to take control of their lives by having a mental creation of whatever they plan to do before doing it (Covey, 2004). The habit of putting first things first involves time and life management. Living an effective life also depends on a person’s purpose and values. It is important to get our priorities right in order to manage our lives in the best way possible. Highly effective people remember their priorities as they play their roles. Priorities vary from one person to another depending on what they value (Covey, 2004). People who manage their time and events depending on their priorities are said to be putting first things first. The habit of putting first things first is very broad and therefore requires an in-depth analysis for it to be fully understood (Covey, 2004). The most fundamental elements that form this habit include setting priorities, time management and adherence to personal values (Covey, 20 04). These elements are very fundamental when it comes to living a very effective, happy, fulfilling and successful life. Adults have got a lot of responsibilities and activities that range from work, family and personal lives. A person may end up not achieving anything if they do not set their priorities right (Smith, 2009). Confusion and frustration are the result s of living life without having any priorities. It is vital to set daily priorities according to your long-term objectives and plans. It is important to have some priorities when it comes to family, work and personal life. Everything in your life at a particular time may be important but some of them may not be a priority (Smith, 2009).Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is also necessary to consult your boss, family and friends for you to come up with a balanced list of priorities that does not hurt anybody. Man agers can explain your priorities at work and you will also be in a position to understand what your family and friends expect from you (Smith, 2009). The task of identifying the most important things in your life can be very difficult for a person who does not care about the expectations of other people. There are other people who depend on you and it is therefore not advisable to only focus on your personal life. In order to avoid having any problem in deciding what to do next, it is important to have a personal productivity system that will ensure that you do things according to your priorities (Smith, 2009). The most important thing in life is to pursue worthwhile goals (Covey, 2004). Setting priorities in our lives can lead to different categories of success which include spiritual success, relational success, family success, physical success and financial success (Smith, 2009). The different categories of success can not be achieved without having clear goals and priorities. S piritual priorities enable us to have a good relationship with our creator. We need strength from our Creator to overcome some of the challenges that can hinder us from living an effective life (Covey, 2004). Relational success can be achieved through taking a personal initiative to spend some time with friends. Building meaningful friendships should be our priority as we pursue relational success. Inviting people for lunch and showing them love are examples of initiatives that a person can take in order to build friendships (Smith, 2009). A married person should always set aside some time to spend with his or her family. The emotional security of your spouse and children should be a priority. It is important to look for ways of becoming a better parent, husband or wife by setting some family goals. The physical wellbeing of a person comes first before other things. It is difficult to live an effective and happy life if you are not healthy (Smith, 2009). Our physical health should b e a major priority if we desire to achieve other goals. Eating a balanced diet and working out on a regular are some the ways through which a person can demonstrate that their physical success is a priority. It is also important to note that one can not enjoy financial success without financial goals (Smith, 2009). Worthwhile financial priorities will guarantee the much needed financial security. The only way a person can live an effective life is by pursuing the most important things. Obstacles will always be on our way to success but the people who focus on their priorities become successful (Smith, 2009).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Time management is a very important factor when a person wants to live an effective life through putting first things first (Croft, 1996). It is difficult to live an effective life if you do not know how to control it. Time management helps a person to deal with the pressures of modern life. Time management involves doing the most important things within a specified period of time. Good time management does not mean doing all the tasks that come your way but being able accomplish tasks that make a difference in your life (Croft, 1996). Every person desires to take control of their work and general life but this can not be achieved without good time management. In order to live a balanced life, it is important to identify your priorities in life. It is also important to consider your personal and career goals in an effort to manage your time well (Smith, 2009). Working out goals is the first thing you should do in your attempt to improve time management. Living life without any goals shows lack of priorities in life. It is important to do things with the end in your mind. The human mind can not remember all the things that you plan do and therefore making a list helps a great deal in helping you remember all your tasks and projects (Smith, 2009). A to-do list helps you to remain focused and in control of your daily activities. A to-do list should be prepared according to the priorities of a person. Good time management is a sign of a person who works smart (Smith, 2009). It does not matter the quantity of work that a person does but what matters the most is quality. Poor time management leads to a lot of stress because a person may be forced to stay late in order to finish some tasks. It is important to set aside some time for breaks and relaxation when planning for your day. Tasks should be prioritized according to their urgency (Croft, 1996). The most urgent task should be the first on the list while the least urgent should come last on the list. Tasks that are more productive should be given the first priority when it comes to time allocation. It is not wise to spend a lot of time on activities that are less productive (Croft, 1996). Personal va lues should not be ignored when setting priorities. It is difficult to practice good time management in a very hostile environment. Worthwhile priorities are very fundamental when it comes to living a highly effective and successful life (Croft, 1996). Success does not just come but it takes a lot effort and organization to be successful. A person’s daily activities should be centered on their priorities in life.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Putting first things first ensures that no time is wasted on activities that are not beneficial (Covey, 2004). In order to take control of your life, it is important to manage your time according to your priorities. It is also important to always remember that our success depends on how we manage our life. References Covey, S. (2004). The seven habits of highly effective people personal workbook. London: Simon and Schuster. Croft, C. (1996). Time management. Melbourne: Cengage Learning EMEA Smith, G. (2009). The art of effective living. London: Trafford Publishing. This research paper on The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People was written and submitted by user J0s1e to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Femininity Essays

Masculinity/Femininity Essays Masculinity/Femininity Paper Masculinity/Femininity Paper Things Fall Apart Masculine/Feminine In most cultures an individual’s gender will influence their characterization. For instance, Ibo tribes in Africa classify people according to their gender. Women are thought as submissive individuals who are to some extent weaker than men. Men on the other hand are thought of as strong beings with much expected from them. Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart strongly emphasizes on the categorization of masculinity and femininity in the society of Ibo tribes. Throughout the book, Okonkwo’s idea about masculinity situates him with respect to his community. In his community Okonkwo is greatly praised for his masculine traits. It is Okonkwo integration with masculinity that leads to him becoming an â€Å"outcast† in his community and to him committing suicide. According to Okonkwo it was better dead then to summit to femininity, any feminine action on a man’s behalf is considered to be humiliating his reputation. Okonkwo’s father Unoka is an example of a man with a humiliating reputation. Unoka is a failure in his community and considered an â€Å"unsuccessful† man, due to the fact that he was always borrowing money and his family suffers from hunger. : When Unoka died he had taken no title at all and he was heavily in debt. † (p. 8) For this reason Unoka is often referred to as being agbala, which is the word for a woman or a man with no titles. Okonkwo is the opposite of his father, he is a successful man. It is because of his father that he tends to look down at feminine actions of any kind, because of this fear of becoming his father or having one of his sons become like his father. In contrast to his father Okonkwo earns many titles and instead of being looked down upon, he is greatly admired for his achievements. Once of Okonkwo’s greatest achievement is his escapement from his father femininity and failure. â€Å"But for a young man whose father had no yams, there was no other way. And what made it worse in Okonkwos case was that he had to support his mother and two sisters from his meager harvest. And supporting his mother also meant supporting his father†¦And so at a very early age when he was striving desperately to build a barn through share-cropping Okonkwo was also fending for his father’s house. †(p. 22) Okonkwo is able to do what his father does not do. Okonkwo is able to take care of the family. From an early age Okonkwo has to do his work and his father’s work of supporting the family all at the same time. One can see that by taking on his father’s tasks and his own tasks that he wants to rise above his father’s legacy of spendthrift, lazy behavior, which he views as weak and therefore feminine. Not only does Okonkwo show that he is trying to rise above his father’s legacy but he also shows his aggravation and lack of patience with unsuccessful men. During the meeting held for men to discuss the next ancestral feast, Okonkwo let off on a man with no titles. The man with no titles contradicted Okonkwo and displeased with his comment Okonkwo fired back â€Å"this meeting is for men. † With this comment Okonkwo â€Å"killed† this man’s spirit by insinuating that the man was feminine for having no titles and for being stupid enough to contradict Okonkwo who is a man of titles. The people in the village were very displeased with Okonkwo’s comment asking him to apologize. This shows that although Okonkwo is viewed as a hero, his impatience and extreme masculinity make him an outcast among the people in his tribe. Okonkwo’s impatience and extreme masculinity is not what solely makes him an outcast in his tribe but ironically it was also his feminine sin that forces him to be cast out of his tribe for a long period of time. In the tribe there are two kinds of crimes a female crime and a male crime, when Okonkwo’s gun blows up, he incidentally kills a boy and that is a feminine sin. It is considered a feminine sin because it is done unintentionally. This shows how his masculinity as well as feminine crime makes Okonkwo an outcast in his community. Even though his faults are unintentional it is foreshadowing how Okonkwo will never again fit in with his native tribe or any other one for that matter. Similarly to his father Okonkwo is unable to fit in with the native tribe or even adapt to changing times. On the contrary to his father who stood for an inactive, poor, spendthrift, weak, calm, and a man that is interested in music, Okonkwo manages to attain great social and financial success by being the complete opposite of that a productive, wealthy, thrifty, brave, violent, and a man unalterably opposed to music. Yet, both Okonkwo and Unoka are incapable of adapting to changing times; as other people come to live with the people Umuofia, namely the white men. One can see his inability to cope with his culture or that of the white men, towards the end of the story when Okonkwo is speaking on how to deal with the abominable gang of white men. â€Å"Let us not reason like cowards, if a man comes into my hut and defecates on the floor, what do I do? Do I shut my eyes? No! I take a stick and break his head. That is what a man does. These people are daily pouring filth over us and Okeye says we should pretend not to see†¦this was a womanly clan he thought. Such a thing could never happen in his fatherland, Umuofia† (p. 158-159) One can see that even in his exiled state in his mother land, he is unable to see things the way others in his mother’s clan see it. Unlike Okonkwo, the people in his mother’s clan feel that resorting to violence and brutality is unnecessary. They believe that violence and brutality is not their affair but instead it is of the gods and the offender. His masculine attitudes of not â€Å"reasoning like cowards† and â€Å"this is what a man does† are examples of how he cannot and will not back down from his war ways, which shows he is trying to strive away from his father’s legacy of a man who had no titles. Through out the book Okonkwo tries to get the most he can possibly attain. Okonkwo was really first recognized for throwing the cat and becoming the greatest wrestler in Umuofia. This probably has him thinking that the way to achieve greatness is through sheer strength alone. Okonkwo thinks that his mother’s clan is too womanly compare to his father’s clan of Umuofia, however even when he returns to his father’s clan after the completion of his exile he is also very much out of place there also. This is due to his obsessive masculinity and also because he just cannot adapt to the changing of times. Okonkwo â€Å"had lost his place among the masked spirits in the village† in addition to that â€Å"he had lost the chance to lead his warlike clan against the new religion† consequently he lost any voice he ever had and was a â€Å"stranger† in his land seeming as nobody appeared to have taken any special notice of the â€Å"warriors† return. He speaks with his friend Obierika about the strangeness of his home land saying, â€Å"Perhaps I have been away too long, but I cannot understand these things you tell me. What is it that has happened to our people? Why have they lost the power to fight I have also heard that Abame people were weak and foolish. Why did they not fight back? Had they no guns and machetes? We would be cowards to compare ourselves with the men of Abame. Their fathers had never dared to stand before our ancestors. We must fight these men and drive them from the land. † (p. 199-201) Okonkwo does not realize that everyone else in the tribe is adapting to the inevitable and that is the assimilation or the taking over of by British people’s culture. Okonkwo does not see that his place in society is diminishing very rapidly and his masculinity is not a match for what the other culture brings with them, that being its cleverness. He does not even understand his own people and why they are doing what they do. All he thinks of responding with is again violence and brutality another sign of his Macho only attitude. The people in his tribe are slowly and easily succumbing to the white man as his friends Obierika tells him right afterwards â€Å"It is already too late, our own men and sons have joined the ranks of the stranger. This is perhaps all Okonkwo can take in and also foreshadowing the events that will happen later on in the story. Even so Okonkwo feels that his tribe could still be saved if only people were to get together and strike back at what was upon them. Okonkwo blames Egonwanne saying that he is a â€Å"coward† and that if it was not for his womanish wisdom Umuofia would not be going through all that it is going through right now. Okonkwo does not know that there is really nobody to blame and its just the changing times. To put it simply Okonkwo is a lion in the snow left all by his lonesome self, not adjusting to the times and letting his masculinity get the best of him. â€Å"He had brought down his war dress, which he had not touched since his return from exile. † To further emphasize on his masculinity Okonkwo goes out with his war gear. This not only distinguishes him from the rest of the men in the town meeting but also completes his transformation into an outsider in his own community; a tribe that would not go to war. â€Å"Okonkwo stood looking at the dead man. He knew that Umuofia would not go to war. He knew because they had let the other messengers escape they had broken into tumult instead of action. He discerned fright in this tumult. †(p. 205) Okonkwo figures out the fact that Umuofia would not go to war during a meeting regarding the white man. In this meeting he cuts a white messenger’s head off and sees the looks of the people’s faces and how they will take no action against the â€Å"strangers† in their land. During this meeting Okonkwo sets on his path to becoming a complete outsider. He is a complete Outsider/Exile due to his masculinity and that the femininity of his â€Å"fellow’ tribesman. Okonkwo finally completes his transformation into a complete outsider in his tribe when he commits suicide. The district commissioner asks someone to take down the hanging body of Okonkwo. One of the people in the tribe responds to him saying that it against their custom. â€Å"†¦a man who commits it will not be buried by his clansmen. His body is evil, and only strangers may touch it. That is why we ask you people to bring him down, because you are strangers. †(p. 207) With this final act Okonkwo sets himself free from a culture from which he is no longer a part of but an old relic, a symbol of the changing times. His suicide makes it so that people know that he no longer wishes to associate himself with his tribe. He feels that it is all â€Å"falling apart† and his masculine ways just cannot adjust to the womanly way that the tribe is headed in. In conclusion, Okonkwo’s masculine way might appear too extreme to have led to suicide, yet the audience must understand that his masculinity was not only a way of life but also a way to escape from his father’s â€Å"feminine† lifestyle. Okonkwo’s father was degrading due to his lack of masculinity and Okonkwo could not bear to be the same. Okonkwo put his masculinity before anything. Okonkwo would rather be an outsider in his community than a doomed â€Å"feminine† man. When Okonkwo sees that his people have given up the will to fight and stand up for them selves, Okonkwo feel’s discouraged. Not standing up to fight for your country, your people and your family is cowardly, and Okonkwo just cannot and will not submit to cowardliness. Okonkwo insisted that his people go back to its war based lifestyle, yet his people refused to go to war against the whites. Okonkwo was to manly to change his mind and assimilate to the whites, he viewed that as weak and feminine. Although his refusal to adapt to his tribes new ways made him an outsider, Okonkwo could not and would not give up his manliness for anything, not even his life. Okonkwo choose his death before ever submitting to femininity, and his greatest fear of becoming just like his father who held such a trait.

The Battle of Yellow Tavern - Civil War

The Battle of Yellow Tavern - Civil War The Battle of Yellow Tavern was fought May 11, 1864, during the American Civil War (1861-1865). In March 1864, President Abraham Lincoln promoted Major General Ulysses S. Grant to lieutenant general and gave him overall command of Union forces. Coming east, he took the field with Major General George G. Meades Army of the Potomac and commenced planning a campaign to destroy General Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia. Working with Meade to reorganize the Army of the Potomac, Grant brought Major General Philip H. Sheridan east to head the armys Cavalry Corps. Though short in stature, Sheridan was known as a skilled and aggressive commander. Moving south in early May, Grant engaged Lee at the Battle of the Wilderness. Inconclusive, Grant shifted south and continued the fight at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. During the early days of the campaign, Sheridans troopers were largely employed in the traditional cavalry roles of screening and reconnaissance. Frustrated by these limited uses, Sheridan bickered with Meade and argued to be allowed to mount a large-scale raid against the enemy rear and Confederate Major General J.E.B. Stuarts cavalry. Pressing his case with Grant, Sheridan received permission to take his corps south despite some misgivings from Meade. Departing on May 9, Sheridan moved south with orders to defeat Stuart, disrupt Lees supply lines, and threaten Richmond. The largest cavalry force assembled in the East, his command numbered around 10,000 and was supported by 32 guns. Reaching the Confederate supply base at Beaver Dam Station that evening, Sheridans men found that the much of the material there had been destroyed or evacuated. Paused overnight, they commenced disabling parts of the Virginia Central Railroad and freeing 400 Union prisoners before pressing south. Armies Commanders: Union Major General Philip H. Sheridan10,000 men Confederate Major General J.E.B. Stuart4,500 men Stuart Responds Alerted to the Union movements, Stuart detached Major General Fitzhugh Lees cavalry division from Lees army at Spotsylvania and led it south to hamper Sheridans movements. Arriving near Beaver Dam Station too late to take action, he pushed his tired men through the night of May 10/11 to reach the intersection of Telegraph and Mountain Roads near an abandoned inn known as Yellow Tavern. Possessing around 4,500 men, he established a defensive position with Brigadier General Williams Wickhams brigade on the right west of the Telegraph Road facing south and Brigadier General Lunsford Lomaxs brigade on the left parallel to the road and facing west. Around 11:00 AM, less than an hour after establishing these lines, the lead elements of Sheridans corps appeared (Map). A Desperate Defense Led by Brigadier General Wesley Merritt, these forces quickly formed to strike Stuarts left. Consisting of the brigades of Brigadier General George A. Custer and Colonels Thomas Devin and Alfred Gibbs, Merritts division quickly advanced and engaged Lomaxs men. Pressing forward, troopers on the Union left suffered from flanking fire from Wickhams brigade. As the fighting increased in intensity, Merritts men began to slip around Lomaxs left flank. With his position in jeopardy, Lomax ordered his men to retreat north. Met by Stuart, the brigade was reformed on Wickhams left and extended the Confederate line east by 2:00 PM. A two-hour lull in the fighting ensued as Sheridan brought up reinforcements and reconnoitered the new Confederate position. Spying artillery in Stuarts lines, Sheridan directed Custer to attack and seize the guns. To accomplish this, Custer dismounted half of his men for an assault and ordered the remainder to conduct a wide sweep to the right in support. These efforts would be aided by the rest of Sheridans command. Moving forward, Custers men came under fire from Stuarts guns but continued their advance. Breaking through Lomaxs lines, Custers troopers drove on the Confederate left. With the situation desperate, Stuart pulled the 1st Virginia Cavalry from Wickhams lines and charged forward to counterattack. Blunting Custers assault, he then pushed the Union troopers back. As Union forces withdrew, former sharpshooter Private John A. Huff of the 5th Michigan Cavalry fired his pistol at Stuart. Hitting the Stuart in the side, the Confederate leader slumped in his saddle as his famous plumed hat fell to the ground. Taken to the rear, command on the field passed to Fitzhugh Lee. As the wounded Stuart departed the field, Lee attempted to restore order to the Confederate lines. Outnumbered and overpowered, he briefly held back Sheridans men before retreating from the field. Taken to the Richmond home of his brother-in-law, Dr. Charles Brewer, Stuart received a visit from President Jefferson Davis before slipping into a delirium and dying the next day. The loss of the flamboyant Stuart caused great sadness in the Confederacy and greatly pained Robert E. Lee. Aftermath: of the Battle In the fighting at the Battle of Yellow Tavern, Sheridan sustained 625 casualties while Confederate losses are estimated at around 175 as well as 300 captured. Having upheld his pledge to defeat Stuart, Sheridan continued south after the battle and reached the northern defenses of Richmond that evening. Assessing the weakness of the lines around the Confederate capital, he concluded that though he could probably take the city, he lacked the resources to hold it. Instead, Sheridan wheeled his command east and crossed the Chickahominy River before proceeding to unite with Major General Benjamin Butlers forces at Haxalls Landing. Resting and refitting for four days, the Union cavalry then rode north to rejoin the Army of the Potomac. Sources Encyclopedia Virginia: Battle of Yellow TavernCWSAC: Battle of Yellow TavernHistoryNet: Battle of Yellow Tavern