| How to Play Top Trumps Posted: 31 Aug 2021 05:00 PM PDT Top Trumps is a fun, versatile card game that can be enjoyed by everyone. Top Trumps sports a variety of colorful, educational decks, ranging from pets to famous people and popular landmarks. The object of the game is to collect all of the cards in the deck by having the highest "stats," or numerical values on the card. You can play with as many people as you'd like, as long as you can divide the cards evenly.[1] [Edit]Starting the Game - Shuffle the deck of cards before starting the game. Choose a player to shuffle the cards, making sure that they're all interspersed evenly throughout the deck. Assign this player as the dealer, so you can figure out the play order.[2]
- Top Trump decks are super unique, and have a lot of different colors and designs. Some decks have 32 total cards, while others have 38 or 50.
- Divide the cards evenly between all the players. Check your box of cards to see how many come in a box. Evenly deal the cards so they're face-down, so no one can see what cards any other player has.[3]
- If you have an uneven ratio of cards to players, set a few cards aside so you can divide the deck evenly. For instance, if you have 4 players and a 50-card deck, give each player 12 cards and set 2 cards in the center.
- Hold your own cards face-up in a stack so only the top 1 is visible. Grab your cards and keep them close to you, so no other player can see what you have. Stack the cards so they're on top of 1 another, and only the top card is visible. As you collect cards throughout the game, you'll add them to bottom of the stack.[4]
[Edit]Winning a Match - Wait for the player left of the dealer to choose a card and read 1 of the stats. Invite the first player to read over their card and choose a "stat," or card description, with a high numerical value. Keep in mind that these stats may be a little different depending on the Top Trumps deck you're playing with.[5]
- For instance, if you're playing with a Lord of the Rings deck, you can say something like: "My card has a ferocity score of 65." If you were playing with the dinosaur deck, you can say something like: "My card's height is ."
- Everyone has to play with cards from the same Top Trumps deck, or else the stats won't match up.
- Invite other players to compare the same stat on their card. Go around in a circle and have each player list the same stat from the topmost card on their deck. Once everyone shares their stat, determine who shared the highest number.[6]
- For instance, you might compare the "lovability" stat on each player's card if you're using the dog pack. If the first 3 players say that their lovability stats are 5, 12, and 23, then the third player would be the winner of the round.
- Collect all of the players' cards if your stat is highest. Wait for all of the other players to put their losing card face-up in the middle of the playing area. Stack these cards and place them at the bottom of your card pile.[7]
- Overall, the goal is to have a larger stack than all the other players.
- Start a new round with the winning player calling out a stat. Invite the most recent winner to choose the highest stat from their top card and share it with the rest of the group. As you did before, go around in a circle and share your identical stats. The winning player will collect all of the cards and add them to the bottom for he deck.[8]
- For instance, if you're playing with the baby animals deck, you could read and share the "mischief" stat on your card.
- Place everyone's cards in the middle if there's a tie. Two players might have stats that are equal—in this case, everyone stacks their cards face up in the center of the playing area. At this point, start a new round, with the last winning player sharing their highest stat with the other players. The new winner from this round will add the losing cards to their own hand, as well as the cards from the center of the play area.[9]
- Everyone's cards go in the center! This rule doesn't just apply to the players who tied.
- Play multiple rounds until 1 player has all the cards. Continue going around the play circle, inviting players to share their highest stat for the round. The winner will keep collecting the cards until they're holding the entire deck.[10]
- You can add a rule that players with less than 3 cards can view and have the option to play with any of their remaining cards.[11]
- Take some time to talk about your favorite cards in the deck! Top Trumps decks have a ton of fun, colorful cards that you can talk about with the other players.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Become a Medical Assistant Posted: 31 Aug 2021 09:00 AM PDT As a medical assistant, you'll get to improve the lives of patients by providing empathetic and knowledgeable care. From day-to-day, your work will constantly change as new cases come in and as you switch between administrative and clinical tasks. If you're interested in becoming a medical assistant, you'll pursue on-site training in a healthcare facility or coursework to prepare you for your career. We've compiled answers to your most important questions on becoming a medical assistant so that you'll be ready to get a job in this fast-growing field![1] [Edit]What qualifications do you need to be a medical assistant? - Earn a high school diploma or GED. While you don't need an advanced degree to become a medical assistant, you do need a high-school diploma or similar credential.[2]If you didn't complete high school, you can take the GED (General Educational Development) test. To prepare, you can enroll in a GED training course or study on your own. Once you feel confident in your high school reading, math, social studies, and science skills, you can take the GED.[3]
- Take medical assistant courses to set yourself apart. Getting a degree from a school will increase your chances of getting hired. You can look for a dedicated medical assistant school or check your local community college's website to see if it offers a medical assistant program. Most programs are split up into separate terms that go over general medical knowledge (like anatomy), administrative knowledge (like professional communication), and clinical skills (like giving injections).[4]
- Find a doctor to train you as a Medical Assistant. Given that there are no legal requirements to becoming a medical assistant, on-site training is the easiest, cheapest, and fastest way to learn about medical assisting.[5] Search online for the phone numbers of local healthcare provider offices. When you're just starting out, be open to working at any kind of practice. Call and introduce yourself. Ask if that healthcare facility is looking for medical assistants or if they'd be willing to take on a medical assistant to train.[6]
- If you are hired as a medical assistant without prior experience, you'll receive substantial on-site training. As an added benefit, you'll be paid to learn on the job!
[Edit]How do you choose a medical assistant school? - Find an accredited program. Employers prefer medical assistants from accredited schools, and you'll need an accredited education for certain certifications. Look for programs evaluated by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).[7]
- Decide how long you'd like to study. If you do decide to go to school for a medical assisting program, you can take either of these tracks:[8]
- Medical Assistant Certificate/Diploma. Choose this option if you'd like to complete your coursework in 9 months to a year.[9]
- Medical Assistant Associate Degree. Choose this option if you'd like more in-depth coursework and would like to study for 2 years.
- Consider your financial situation. Medical assistant programs can cost thousands of dollars. When you're evaluating a program that's out-of-budget, check the availability of academic scholarships and financial aid. [10]
- Pick a program that's respected in the industry. To get more info on a specific program's success in job placement, talk to current students or faculty. Ask about connections between the program and healthcare facilities. Well-connected programs will make it easier to get an externship and/or job after graduation.[11]
[Edit]Do you need to take a certification test to work as a medical assistant? - You don't need certification to work as an MA in most states.[12] However, certification might help you get a job. If you decide to pursue certification, you'll need to have a certificate or degree from a medical assisting program. Once you're ready to take a certification exam, choose a certification provider nationally accredited by the NCCA. The exam will test you on general knowledge of the healthcare field (like medical ethics and risk management), administrative practices (like patient scheduling and establishing records), and clinical knowledge (like anatomy and assisting providers).[13]
- Different certification providers have different eligibility requirements, costs, recertification requirements, and testing methods.[14]
- Nationally accredited certification exams include certifications by the AAMA, AMT, NHA, and NCCT.[15]
- Once you have enough work experience you may be eligible to take a nationally accredited certification exam without having to go back to school. Organizations like National Healthcareer Association, NCCT, and AMT offer some kind of work experience eligibility for their NCCA accredited MA exams.[16]
[Edit]How do you get a job as an MA? - Connect with a potential employer during your externship. Complete an externship (part-time or temporary employment) by working 150 or more hours with a healthcare facility. You can find an externship through your MA educational program or by contacting local hospitals and doctors' offices. If you take initiative, attentiveness, and professionalism (showing up on time, treating others with respect), your extern employer may hire you full-time. Many providers prefer to hire their externs because after completing an externship, you'll already be familiar with the facility and protocols. Even if you don't get hired by your extern site, you'll have gained valuable experience for your resume.[17]
- Search for jobs online or call local healthcare offices. You can use a job search engine to filter your search for entry-level positions at healthcare provider offices. If you don't have experience or MA training, call local care providers to ask if they are willing to hire and train you. You can offer to start as a volunteer while you develop your skillset.[18]
- Network to find a job. If you can't find an MA position, try to find a position at a hospital or doctor's office front desk doing clerical work to get to know the practice. Ask to shadow experienced MAs to learn what they do and see if you like where they work.[19]
- Make sure that your resume and cover letter are specifically tailored to each office to which you're applying. For instance, if you're applying to work at a pediatric office, emphasize why you'd be a good fit to work with children.
- Volunteer in a healthcare facility to gain experience. Contact local hospitals, doctor's offices, and clinics to see if they'll allow you to volunteer as an MA. While you might not be able to work directly with patients, you might be able to observe other MAs and healthcare professionals while adding experience to your resume. More hours and more experience will make you a more compelling candidate![20]
[Edit]What personal skills do you need to be an MA? - Develop your multitasking and analytical skills. Medical assistants engage in a variety of roles from reading charts to preparing patients for appointments to answering hospital phones. Because of the role's versatility, you'll need to be responsible, resourceful, and able to pick up new skills very quickly.[21]
- Practice empathy. The essence of your job, aside from the occasional administrative duties, is helping other people. Medical assisting might be a great career for you if you get satisfaction from the idea that your help makes a difference in other people's lives.[22]
- Be prepared to stomach uncomfortable medical situations. Although they aren't common, serious medical interventions do occur around medical assistants. MAs occasionally need to push past the discomfort of wounds, blood, and obvious patient pain in order to do their jobs effectively. Depending on what kind of clinic you work in, you may have to deal with blood, urine, and other bodily fluids daily. You'll keep patients comfortable with a nonjudgmental, professional attitude.[23]
[Edit]How long does it take to become a medical assistant (MA) - You can typically train to become an MA in 9 months to 2 years. If you know a doctor or healthcare provider who will hire you and give you on-site training, you can start as soon as you have a high school diploma or GED. However, for most people who take medical assisting courses or pursue an associate degree, you'll take 9 months to 2 years depending on your program.[24]
[Edit]What's does day-to-day work look like for an MA? - As an MA, you'll do both admin and clinical work. Likely, you'll be assigned to one clinician and their patients. You'll bring patients to the proper exam room, take their vitals, and update their medical history. On the administrative side, you might take care of a doctor's mail, input info from incoming patient forms, schedule appointments, and put in lab orders. On the clinical side, you might swab for strep or flu, test patients' visual acuity, perform glucose finger stick tests, and more. At some healthcare facilities, you might give injections or draw blood, while at other providers, a CNA or RN will do that.[25]
- You can work part-time, full-time, during weekends, or night shifts.[26]
[Edit]What's the difference between a medical assistant (MA) and a certified nursing assistant CNA? - Become a CNA if you'd like to work more directly with patients. CNAs more frequently assist patients in activities of daily living (ADL) like bathing, transporting, and cleaning patients.[27]
- To become a CNA you likely do need state certification and a state-approved certificate program.
- Become an MA if you're interested in the administrative side of healthcare. In addition to assisting patients, MAs might answer phones, schedule appointments, and compile charts. [28]
- On average, MAs are paid $2 more per hour than CNAs.[29]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Rent an Apartment As a Student Posted: 31 Aug 2021 01:00 AM PDT Moving out of student housing and finding a place of your own can be an exhilarating process. It's easy to get swept away spending hours scrolling through listings looking for that perfect pad! But if you've never rented an apartment as a student or this is your first time renting a place, you may have questions about how this process works. The first step is to contact the landlord to take a look at the place, and this is where it helps to mention that you're a student. If you like the apartment and it's within your budget, your status as a student shouldn't keep you from the getting the place—especially if you have a co-signer to cover your obligation to pay the rent. [Edit]How do I find an apartment? - Go online and search through rental sites to find places you like. As a student, the closer you can get to campus, the easier things will be. Look on a rental site like Zillow or Craigslist and scout out apartments that may work for you based on the price and the area. Keep in mind, you want to be comfortable where you live, so make sure you do a little research about an area's crime rate if you aren't familiar with the neighborhood.[1]
- If you drive or bike, you can expand the scope of your search. You don't want to live super far away from campus if you aren't mobile, though. Spending 2 hours catching multiple trains and buses to get to campus can be a tall order.
[Edit]How does a student qualify for an apartment? - This depends on where you live, but listings typically explain what you need. When you're looking at potential apartments, read the listing thoroughly to see what the landlord requires. Typically, you have to have a security deposit, income, and credit. If you don't have any of these things, you will likely need a co-signer to sign the lease with you so that the landlord knows you'll pay your rent.[2]
- A co-signer, or guarantor, is a third party who is on the hook for the rent if you can't pay. This can be a parent or relative, but you can typically use anyone with a good income and solid credit.[3] Basically, if you can't pay your rent, the landlord can require the co-signer to pay for you.
- If a listing mentions that a unit is "perfect for students" or something like that, it's a good bet that the landlord will be open to renting to you.
- You can always reach out to a landlord and ask them if you're qualified. If you're interested in a place but you aren't sure if you qualify, just ask. Send the landlord a well-written email or call them and explain that you're a student. Mention whether you're going to have any help in terms of paying for the apartment, or if you don't have any credit. Let them know if you're open to a co-signer, or if you have student loans you're going to use to pay for a place. They may be willing to meet you halfway if they know you're a student.[4]
- For example, you may say, "Hello, my name is Edward Schultz and I'm interested in your unit on Grover Street. I'm a student, majoring in business, and I'm looking for a quiet place near campus. I'd like to set up a time to see the apartment and fill out an application if you're open to it. I have a part-time job, but my parents would be helping me out with some of the rent as well. I can always have them cosign if necessary. Please let me know!"
- Some landlords don't want to rent to students because they assume they're not going to take care of the place, or throw parties every week. Some landlords prefer students because they're not as demanding or difficult to work with. It's all about finding the right fit for you!
[Edit]How can I get an apartment at 18 with no credit? - Apply for rental units owned by individuals, not companies. Apartment complexes and property management companies rarely bend on their requirements, but a private landlord has total control over who they rent to. This way, you can rely on your charm and negotiating skills to land yourself a sweet place.[5]
- You can typically tell if a property management company owns a building or not by reading the listing. These companies usually put their company name all over the description.
- Giant apartment complexes are more likely to be owned by a company than smaller buildings.
- If you're emailing "lakefrontproperties@gmail.com," or, "Sean@HousingPeopleNY.org," it's a company. If their email is "TastyCakes812" or something, it's a private owner.
- Offer to get a co-signer and just explain you're a student. A co-signer should quell a lot of anxiety a landlord may have about renting to a student. Beyond that, you should just explain that you have no credit because you're a student. Not having credit is a red flag if you're 45 years old and you've been working full-time for several decades, but it doesn't matter nearly as much when you're an 18- to 25-year-old student.[6]
- Remember, you can always offer to pay a bigger security deposit as well. This can make a lot of landlords more inclined to accept your application.
[Edit]What is a reasonable price for an apartment? - The cost of rent depends on where you live, the neighborhood, and the size of the unit. The average 1-bedroom apartment in Newark, New Jersey will run you $850 a month, but that same unit in San Francisco will cost $3,600.[7] To figure out if a unit is reasonably priced, go on Craigslist, Zillow, or another rental listing site and search for similar apartments in the area. If the listing you're looking at is similarly-priced to the others, it's probably a fair price.[8]
- For a basic studio or 1-bedroom apartment, expect to spend $500-1,000 a month depending on where you live. If you're in a major city, this may be a lot higher. If you live in a small city or rural area, it may cost less than this.
- Remember, nicer units usually cost more, while run-down apartments will cost less. Having a dishwasher, balcony, and in-unit laundry may bump the rent up a couple hundred bucks.
- You'll need a security deposit, application fee, and at least 1 month's rent to pay for an apartment. The application fee typically costs $25-100, and this fee pays for your credit check. If you are approved for an apartment, you'll need to pay the security deposit as well. This is a refundable payment you make to cover potential damage if you don't take care of the apartment. You typically get this back at the end of the lease, although there may be deductions if you damage the place. You'll also usually need to pay the first month's rent, although some states and cities will allow landlords to collect the last month's rent as well.[9]
- So, if a unit costs $600 a month, the security deposit is $1,200, and you need to pay the first and last month's rent up front, you'll need to pay the landlord $2,400 up front to get your keys.
- Security deposit prices depend on where you live. Some cities allow landlords to collect 3-months' rent for the deposit, while other regions only require 1 month.
- Some landlords don't require a deposit. However, you may need to pay a non-refundable fee to move into a place with no security deposit.[10]
- This can be a lot of upfront costs, but remember, you should get the deposit back if you take care of the place. If you pay the last month's rent ahead of time, you won't need to pay rent the month before you move out.
[Edit]How do I actually apply for an apartment? - Contact the landlord to take a tour and check the place out. For each place you find that looks promising, send the landlord an email or give them a phone call to set up a showing. A showing is where the landlord walks you through the unit, talks to you about the lease, and explains what they're looking for in a tenant. If you like the apartment and you meet the landlord's criteria, tell them you'd like to apply![11]
- Treat this kind of like a job interview. Dress nicely, show up on time, and be friendly. Feel free to ask questions about the unit, too!
- If you don't like the place, just tell the landlord it isn't quite what you're looking for and move on. You may need to view multiple units to find something you like!
- If you plan on using a cosigner, bring them with you for this part of the process.
- Fill out an application, pay for the credit check, and wait to hear back. The landlord will give you an application. You just enter your personal information to fill it out. This includes your name, previous addresses, occupation, and income. Give them a check or cash for the credit check and application fee. The landlord will contact you in a few days to let you know if you got the place![12]
- The landlord will require a proof of income for either you or your cosigner. A bank statement or paystub will typically work for this.
- You will also need a passport or driver's license, and letters of reference if your landlord requests them.
- If you don't have a job, just write "student" under "occupation." If you have a part-time job, write something like, "Student/cashier"
[Edit]When do you sign the lease? - Sign your lease once your application is approved. The lease is a legal document that outlines your responsibilities, the landlord's responsibilities, and the price for rent. Read this document thoroughly to ensure that you understand what you're on the hook for. Hand over your first month's rent, security deposit, and last month's rent if it's required and take your keys![13]
- Leases typically last 1 year, with an option to renew it at the end of that year. All this means is that you're on the hook for a full year of rent and you won't be able to move out before that year is up (unless the landlord lets you break the lease).
- Some leases are "month to month." All this means is that you can move out (or be asked to move) every 30 days. This lease offers more flexibility than a 1-year lease, although you may have to move quickly if you do something particularly irresponsible and upset the landlord.[14]
[Edit]How do college students pay for apartments? - Many students use a combination of work and help from their parents. It's extremely common for family members to help students pay their rent, so don't hesitate to ask if you're thinking about moving out of student housing.[15] Still, a lot of students rely on part- or full-time work to help pay the rent, so it's a good idea to start filling out some job applications if you aren't already employed.[16]
- The general rule of thumb is that your rent shouldn't be more than 30% of your monthly income, so sit down with your parents and do the math on what you can afford.
- If your parents aren't going to help you pay rent and you can't cover a decent apartment with your part-time job, you may just have to wait and save up to get your own place.
- Don't count exclusively on student loans if they haven't been paid out. Student loans are typically paid directly to the school you're attending. If there is any money left over after tuition is paid, it will be refunded to you. You can definitely use this remaining money to pay for rent, but it may not be enough to pay for more than a few months, so it's not a great plan to solely rely on loans for housing.[17]
[Edit]How can I save money on an apartment? - Getting roommates is a great way to cut back on costs. If budget is a concern, get a few roommates! It's often cheaper (and more fun) to rent a 3-bedroom unit with 2 roommates than it is to rent a 1-bedroom apartment on your own. You can ask a few friends if they're interested in splitting a place, or reach out online to find other students looking for roommates.[18]
- It's probably not a good idea to move in with some random adults you meet online. Students and adults with full-time jobs often have different schedules and you may not be on the same page regarding guests, how to set up the apartment, and what the quiet hours in the unit will be.
- When you have roommates, you can also split the costs of utilities. Even if you spend a little more on electricity with 3 people living in the apartment, the total cost for you will only be 1/3 depending on how you split it up.
- Look for apartments that are slightly further from campus. In a lot of cases, apartments right next to campus are going to be in higher demand. Research safe neighborhoods that aren't right next to campus and go apartment hunting there. If you aren't sure where to look, follow the bus routes or train lines that lead to campus on a map and then pull up crime data for those areas to find a comfortable neighborhood with direct routes to campus.[19]
- Visit an area if you can before you start setting up appointments for showings.
- If you're going to drive to school or bike, you don't really need to pay attention to the public transit options. Just find a safe neighborhood that looks fun to live in!
[Edit]Can you get an apartment with student loan debt? - In most cases, yes—especially if you aren't behind on the payments. Landlords run a credit check to see if you're in the habit of paying your bills, but student loan debt won't impact your credit score if you're on time with payments or they aren't due yet.[20] For many landlords, a student having student loan debt isn't going to be a big deal. If the debt has impacted your credit score, it may be a problem, though.[21]
- Keep your student loan payments in mind when you're trying to figure your budget out. If you can afford an $800 apartment but you have to pay $200 a month for student loans, you may need to look for a place in the $600 range to account for the difference.[22]
- Offer to get a co-signer or pay more up front if your debt is a problem. Many landlords will work with you if your student loans are the only problem with the application. You can offer to get a co-signer, or offer to put an extra month's rent down on an apartment. You may be able to mitigate your debt by getting a few roommates that don't have a ton of student debt as well.[23]
[Edit]Can you live in college apartments without being a student? - No, you typically have to be a student to live in student housing. However, you don't always need to be a full-time student. Different dorms and housing complexes often have unique requirements, so you may be able to find a college apartment even if you aren't taking a full class load.[24]
- The one exception is if you're a family member of a student living in family housing. Many colleges have dedicated dorms for adult students with families. If you're married or related to a full-time student at a school, check to see if the university has family housing.[25]
- You may be more likely to find an accommodating landlord if you try apartment hunting when it's cold out and fewer people are looking to move.[26]
[Edit]Warnings - If your parents aren't offering to help you out and you just don't have the income to cover rent, a security deposit, and off-campus living, you may have to wait a year or so to save up for your own place. It isn't a good idea to take on the financial burden of an apartment if you may not be able to pay for it.
- Read your lease before signing it! Landlords can sneak all kind of nefarious details into the lease, so make sure you aren't going to be on the hook for repairs or anything like that.[27]
- If it sounds too good to be true, or something seems off, it's probably a scam. If the photos don't look like they match the building, the rent seems ridiculously low, or the landlord refuses to show you the place before asking for money, just stay away.[28]
[Edit]References |
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