https://www.scmp.com/rss/501992/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Advertising partner Advertising partner [The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] As the saying goes, “There is only a fine line between genius and madness.” From the legendary painter Vincent van Gogh to the enigmatic billionaire Elon Musk, their creativity is celebrated yet occasionally viewed as eccentric.  While creativity is often regarded as a hallmark of humanity, mixed perspectives exist on how creativity intertwines with well-being and career success. How does creativity influence mental... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/transformative-leadership-creativity-and-accountability/article/3316733/science-creativity-genetics-and-careers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/transformative-leadership-creativity-and-accountability/article/3316733/science-creativity-genetics-and-careers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:12:47 +0000 Summer is here and it is internship and graduation season for another batch of Generation Z students. Savannah Lai, who has just completed her third year studying law at City University of Hong Kong, has packed her schedule with internships and exchange programmes. With her ultimate goal being either working for the city’s Department of Justice or serving as a barrister-at-law, there is no slowing down for her. “I feel like I don’t need a transition period from graduation to the start of a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3266439/lying-flat-difficult-work-gen-zers-some-wrong-ideas-about-young-people?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3266439/lying-flat-difficult-work-gen-zers-some-wrong-ideas-about-young-people?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Jun 2024 05:15:08 +0000 [Sponsored article] The continuing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which triggered widespread lockdowns, social-distancing restrictions and halted passenger flights worldwide, have sparked greater interest and acceptance of new technological innovations, including remote working practices and online learning. It has led to a major shift in the way many businesses, schools and universities operate, including the growing demand to adopt innovative new ways of providing postgraduate... https://www.scmp.com/native/better-life/career-education/topics/taylors-university/article/3210450/why-online-postgraduate-programmes-prove-good-option-busy-professionals-post-covid-19-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/better-life/career-education/topics/taylors-university/article/3210450/why-online-postgraduate-programmes-prove-good-option-busy-professionals-post-covid-19-world?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Feb 2023 08:00:09 +0000 The world’s top universities have to include more climate change elements to their curriculum to equip students with the skills required to respond to global warming and sustainability, according to a report from a climate action group. Mock COP, an international, youth-led climate change organisation under the charity Student Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK), last week released the “1.5 Degrees” league table that assessed the world’s top universities that have performed the “worst” in... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3207784/worlds-top-20-universities-are-failing-offer-adequate-courses-fight-climate-crisis-youth-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3207784/worlds-top-20-universities-are-failing-offer-adequate-courses-fight-climate-crisis-youth-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Jan 2023 10:30:10 +0000 [Sponsored Article] It is not news that Hong Kong students can feel stressed out. According to a 2017 study on academic stress in the city, contributing factors include perfectionism, a socially oriented motivation for achievement, and heavy emphasis on rote learning and traditionally taught academics in the school setting. The Harbour School (THS) – a private primary and secondary school in Hong Kong taking a progressive approach within an American curriculum – is championing a different... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/edtalk-harbour-school/article/3199785/rethinking-5-educational-myths-through-experiential-learning-approach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/edtalk-harbour-school/article/3199785/rethinking-5-educational-myths-through-experiential-learning-approach?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Nov 2022 08:00:11 +0000 [Sponsored article] The AISL Harrow scholarships for 2023–2025 are now open for application, with 12 highly coveted spots available. The scholarships are for students who hope to embark on the British A-Level programme at one of six distinguished AISL Harrow Schools campuses across Asia: Beijing, Bangkok, Haikou, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Drawing on a 450-year-old heritage from the prestigious Harrow School in the United Kingdom – which boasts alumni such as English poet Lord Byron,... https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/shaping-future-leaders/article/3199679/aisl-harrow-schools-opens-applications-sixth-form-scholarships-aimed-shaping-future-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/better-life/career-education/topics/shaping-future-leaders/article/3199679/aisl-harrow-schools-opens-applications-sixth-form-scholarships-aimed-shaping-future-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Nov 2022 08:00:09 +0000 Bangalore’s new Museum of Art and Photography is far more eclectic than it sounds. As its founder Abhishek Poddar explains, the non-profit private museum that will open on December 11 has six categories in its collection, including textiles and design. “It could have been the Museum of Art and Design, or the Museum of Art and Textiles. But you can do a lot more with [the acronym] MAP than MAD or MAT,” says the Indian businessman, who runs an 80-year-old family tea business and a chemicals and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3186864/museum-art-and-photography-bangalore-india-opening-soon-will?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3186864/museum-art-and-photography-bangalore-india-opening-soon-will?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Jul 2022 08:15:18 +0000 Baking might be a science, but creating custom cakes is very much an art. In Hong Kong, Alison Chan, owner of Dear Harley Bakery, has become known as the master of illusionary confections. Her skill for turning sponge cake and fondant into exact replicas of any object or item is now so celebrated, the popular Hong Kong mall K11 Musea is presenting an exhibition of her “illusion cakes” as part of its Art Karnival that starts on July 29. Not bad for a self-taught baker who used to be a news... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3186601/hello-kitty-rolex-watches-custom-cakes-hong-kong-baker-are-so?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3186601/hello-kitty-rolex-watches-custom-cakes-hong-kong-baker-are-so?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Jul 2022 23:15:20 +0000 With an increasing number of China’s college graduates delaying their entry into the job market, economists are warning of dire implications and ripple effects if the trend persists or intensifies. Authorities have also repeatedly stressed the importance of creating and finding jobs for the nation’s ever-growing army of fresh graduates, and the situation was again addressed by China’s top economic planner this week. “Various employment policies will favour college graduates, and assistance will... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3166276/chinas-graduates-delay-employment-experts-warn-far-reaching?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3166276/chinas-graduates-delay-employment-experts-warn-far-reaching?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Feb 2022 13:30:06 +0000 Many private English teachers who remain in China are keeping a low profile amid China’s ongoing crackdown on off-campus education, and a number of private institutions remain stuck in an operational quagmire – saying they are unable to refund customers or provide back pay to employees and teachers. Several middle-class families from across China, including in provinces such as Guangdong, Sichuan, and Hubei, have filed lawsuits through local courts against a 22-year-old ESL (English as a second... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3152540/chinas-education-crackdown-sparks-lawsuits-against-defunct?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3152540/chinas-education-crackdown-sparks-lawsuits-against-defunct?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Oct 2021 06:30:25 +0000 Although Chinese regulators say they are determined to rein in the nation’s education sector, it remains to be seen how extensively local governments will implement new restrictive policies. And then there’s the fact that similar, but more vague, administrative regulations – passed nearly a quarter-century ago – have been basically ignored and never strictly enforced. Last month’s crackdown on private test-prep firms also raised a litany of concerns and unanswerable questions among schools and... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3143974/chinas-education-crackdown-only-scratched-surface-whats-come?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3143974/chinas-education-crackdown-only-scratched-surface-whats-come?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Aug 2021 04:00:12 +0000 When the representatives of several after-school tutoring giants were called in for a meeting with China’s Ministry of Education in March, they were told that their teaching materials and content would be treated as publications – subject to advanced censorship. Those who attended the meeting said the representatives agreed to fully cooperate but explained that they could not simply change the handouts overnight. The proposal also would not be an easy task for education authorities, as it would... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3143551/why-china-cracked-down-education-and-upended-us70-billion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3143551/why-china-cracked-down-education-and-upended-us70-billion?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Aug 2021 22:00:16 +0000 Alanna Sethi had just moved to Hong Kong from Britain when the coronavirus pandemic hit. Social distancing quickly became part of daily life and classes at the Australian International School, where she had just enrolled, shifted online. Sethi soon found herself questioning what she wanted, not just from the education system but from life itself. Having struggled with mental health issues – and supported friends who, too, were struggling – Sethi was determined her career choice would be... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3137628/own-academys-purpose-driven-education-unlocking-potential-its-helped?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3137628/own-academys-purpose-driven-education-unlocking-potential-its-helped?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Jun 2021 06:45:00 +0000 Shenzhen resident Huang Pengtao, the father of a six-year-old boy, is a worried man. His concern is for his son’s educational path after he performed badly in a “simulation” recently offered by Whittle School & Studio, a popular international school in the city. A simulation of this kind mirrors the kind of lessons a pupil will take in school, with teachers observing. “His performance was not good,” said Huang, a mainland-born lawyer who has Hong Kong citizenship. He decided to contact other... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3129925/harrow-kings-school-and-wycombe-abbey-flock-greater-bay-area?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3129925/harrow-kings-school-and-wycombe-abbey-flock-greater-bay-area?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Apr 2021 03:00:18 +0000 With yet another record number of university and college graduates expected to enter the workforce next year, China’s young adults could very well find themselves in the most difficult environment ever to land jobs. The Ministry of Education this week put that estimated total at 9.09 million Chinese – an increase of about 350,000 graduates from this year’s record high of 8.74 million. The coronavirus compounded their struggles this year with widespread disruptions. In the spring, lockdowns... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3112640/chinas-army-upcoming-college-grads-brace-compete-jobs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3112640/chinas-army-upcoming-college-grads-brace-compete-jobs?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Dec 2020 04:15:06 +0000 After being inundated with news about the worsening coronavirus pandemic and rising tensions between China and the West for months, Beijinger Joe Gao was compelled to make a difficult decision regarding his six-year-old daughter’s future education. Rather than pay 300,000 yuan (US$44,000) in annual tuition for her, as he does for her nine-year-old brother who is studying at an international school in the capital, Gao has had to change his plans and is now looking to send his daughter to a public... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3103722/chinese-shun-western-universities-coronavirus-strained-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3103722/chinese-shun-western-universities-coronavirus-strained-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2020 04:00:24 +0000 As the coronavirus outbreak continues into its sixth month in Hong Kong, upending work and home lives, the pursuit of career goals has become even more challenging for women. But fulfilling work aspirations is also more important than ever because it allows women to widen their network exposure, achieve financial independence and improve their perception of self-worth, said Si-si Liu, director of the Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centres. Moreover, achievements at work can ease the anxiety... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3093056/hong-kong-womens-pursuit-career-goals-more-important-ever?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3093056/hong-kong-womens-pursuit-career-goals-more-important-ever?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jul 2020 04:00:12 +0000 Jen Glantz is a bestselling author and the founder and CEO of Bridesmaid for Hire, a boutique services company that offers professional bridesmaids who “take care of all your wedding dirty work”. Before becoming an entrepreneur and running her own business, she was laid off from her job as a copywriter at a tech startup, and experienced first-hand how terrifying being laid off can be. But instead of giving into panic, she turned the loss into an opportunity, by organising her thoughts, emotions,... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3084055/6-steps-take-if-you-get-laid-your-job-because-covid-19?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3084055/6-steps-take-if-you-get-laid-your-job-because-covid-19?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2020 00:00:17 +0000 We’ve all been there. You’ve got to finish that essay or hand in that assignment first thing in the morning, and you just haven’t finished. You can’t get an extension on the deadline, so you think to yourself, “I’ll just stay up all night to finish. What’s the worst that could happen?” Surprisingly – a lot. After just one night without sleep, your body feels it. Here’s some expert analysis of the exact damage one harmless little all-nighter can actually do. Sleep-deprived – or drunk? “Eight... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/well-being/article/3074004/why-you-shouldnt-pull-all-nighter-and-how-deal-if-you-have?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/well-being/article/3074004/why-you-shouldnt-pull-all-nighter-and-how-deal-if-you-have?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2020 00:00:14 +0000 You may not think it, but there are a lot of similarities between looking for a job and looking for a significant other. Sure, there are differences – probably best not to end an interview with a hug, for example, and definitely don’t go in for a kiss – but the similarities are worth noting. If you want advice on howto score a second date or interview, here are five top tips.  1 First impressions are everything Whether we like it or not, we only have one chance to make a first impression, and... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3051425/dating-and-job-hunting-success-both-relies-same?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3051425/dating-and-job-hunting-success-both-relies-same?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Feb 2020 22:00:20 +0000 People make a lot of snap judgments when they meet someone. First impressions are formed in the first seven seconds of meeting another person, by making eye contact, smiling, and introducing yourself. In the following seconds, you have the chance to introduce who you are and what your unique selling points are. This quick-fire delivery is often called an “elevator pitch”. In high-stakes situations like job interviews, an effective elevator pitch could mean the difference between standing out as... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3047421/how-sell-yourself-art-elevator-pitch-and-making-best-first?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3047421/how-sell-yourself-art-elevator-pitch-and-making-best-first?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jan 2020 12:00:21 +0000 You’ve probably been told not to use Wikipedia for class assignments. And sure it’s not the most reliable source of information (plus not doing proper research is just lazy), but the site can still be a very powerful tool if you know how to use it properly. Here are some top tips on how to become a Wikipedia pro: Don’t cite Wikipedia, go to the source When writing academic essays, you need to cite the sources of your information. This means you need to state exactly where the information in your... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028027/guide-using-wikipedia-your-next-assignment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028027/guide-using-wikipedia-your-next-assignment?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Jan 2020 00:00:11 +0000 If you’re hoping to get a new job (or your first job!) this year, it’s important to be as prepared as possible. Before you can even hope to get someone to read your CV, you have to make sure they read the email you send them. The subject line of an email is the first thing a recipient sees, and with more than 300 billion business emails sent every day, it’s harder than ever to get noticed. Whether you’re cold-emailing potential mentors, scouting for open positions, or even applying for a job,... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3045428/find-job-your-dreams-2020-learning-how-write-perfect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3045428/find-job-your-dreams-2020-learning-how-write-perfect?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Jan 2020 01:00:10 +0000 Preparing for a job interview can be taxing, but it can be almost as challenging to figure out just how many times you should follow up with the boss of your dream job after a great interview. Your follow-up plays a bigger part in the process than you may realise, said Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behaviour and Thrive in Your Job. “The quality of your follow-up can underscore a successful interview, or... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3044272/how-follow-after-job-interview-without-seeming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3044272/how-follow-after-job-interview-without-seeming?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jan 2020 11:00:13 +0000 Ben Levi Ross wakes up most mornings saddled with an “emotional hangover”, an affliction he typically shakes through meditation and a good stretch. Physically, he recuperates with the help of a personal steamer, plus a soothing ginger and manuka honey beverage of his own making. Then, after a few hours of resting in solitude, the 21-year-old steps back onstage as the title character in Dear Evan Hansen, taxing his mind and body with a 2½-hour binge of anxiety, panic, grief and guilt. “It has... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3043037/dear-evan-hansen-star-ben-levi-ross-challenges-taking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3043037/dear-evan-hansen-star-ben-levi-ross-challenges-taking?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Dec 2019 00:00:09 +0000 Ask your parents some time about how they managed their typed assignments. Ask them about floppy disks, or external hard drives. Until relatively recently, if you ran out of storage on your computer, you had to delete files, or move them onto a drive to make room for more. Luckily we now have cloud storage. This means your files and data are stored on a central server owned by another company, rather than on the drive on your computer or smartphone, making it easier to save and access your files... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028208/whats-best-cloud-storage-option-students?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028208/whats-best-cloud-storage-option-students?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Dec 2019 00:00:07 +0000 The US$6 trillion global education market is full of investment opportunities because the industry’s low rate of digitalisation makes it ripe for disruption, while a shortage of academic resources create potential for growth, said Credit Suisse. “Education is one of the few sectors which has been very traditional, which means it is currently at a very low level of digital disruption, much more so than other industries,” said Credit Suisse’s Kirill Pyshkin, who manages a thematic fund of more... https://www.scmp.com/business/investor-relations/article/3040103/global-education-ripe-disruption-digital-technology?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/investor-relations/article/3040103/global-education-ripe-disruption-digital-technology?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Dec 2019 08:33:11 +0000 When my daughter turned five, her top birthday gift ask was a giant whiteboard for keeping her extensive to-do lists. Along with keeping order, she likes giving orders. Her first victims were her dolls, and then a constant rotation of family members forced to play school where, of course, she played teacher. She seems destined to run a big company. But lately, I have had to wonder: will she? 5 tips to help you reclaim control over your work-life balance As a culture, we are still wrestling with... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3036856/future-female-ceos-need-more-coding-camps-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3036856/future-female-ceos-need-more-coding-camps-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Nov 2019 07:21:51 +0000 Do you get upset trying to deal with your friends, siblings or S.O.? Maybe you turn beet red and scream loud enough for people on the other side of the residence to hear. You know your actions aren’t cool, and later, you’re likely to feel ashamed of yourself. Also, if you’re spewing anger at classmates, professors or people you work with, this could hurt your reputation, career possibilities, and income. If you have a bad temper, you’re not alone. Most individuals can really get hot under the... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3035888/how-control-your-temper-and-make-most-bad-situation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3035888/how-control-your-temper-and-make-most-bad-situation?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Nov 2019 01:00:14 +0000 For introverts, social events and big gatherings can be terrifying; but even for extroverts, having distant, polite conversations about boring topics such the weather – in other words, making “small talk” – is even worse. On a basic level, small talk allows you to socialise and talk to people without annoying or angering them by avoiding controversial topics. It also allows you to test the waters of a conversation, particularly when meeting someone for the first time. When you know nothing about... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3029584/5-tips-help-you-master-art-small-talk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3029584/5-tips-help-you-master-art-small-talk?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Nov 2019 01:00:04 +0000 There are a million ways to tell a story, and sometimes that can be a bad thing – having so many possibilities can cause our minds to go completely blank when we’re threatened by the fear of not being the most sassy or ingenious writer ever. Luckily, as professionals paid to write on a daily basis, we’ve had plenty of experience with writer’s we know how to get you unstuck from your own thoughts.  Here are our five top tips for beating writer’s block. 1. Break your writing routine If you sit... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3028211/how-beat-writers-block-5-tips-getting-your-creative-juices-flowing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3028211/how-beat-writers-block-5-tips-getting-your-creative-juices-flowing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:10 +0000 Social media influencer Justin Schuble, 24, is the founder and creative director of DCFoodPorn. The account has more than 500,000 followers on Instagram. Schuble is also the co-founder of TidBit, a new dining decisions app. He spoke about managing expectations, and the pressures of being an influencer. The interview has been condensed for clarity and length. So, how does somebody become an influencer? I think it depends. Like, today, now that influencers are a thing, there are people that will... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3034624/instagram-influencer-behind-famous-food-porn-account?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3034624/instagram-influencer-behind-famous-food-porn-account?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Oct 2019 00:00:13 +0000 If you managed to get through secondary school without writing an essay, you are in for a shock when you get to university. No matter what you’re studying, there will come a point when you have write an essay in an exam. Luckily, we’ve got a handy guide to tackling the most complex essay questions you’ll ever see. Summarise In a nutshell, “summarising” is what this paragraph is doing right now. If an exam question asks you to “summarise” something, you have to express the most important facts or... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028022/what-are-most-common-essay-questions-and-how-should?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028022/what-are-most-common-essay-questions-and-how-should?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Oct 2019 00:00:13 +0000 This year has been particularly scary when it comes to measles: the World Health Organisation reported nearly 424,000 cases worldwide up to September. It's really important that you check that you have been vaccinated. (If you can't remember, ask your parents, or if you see a regular doctor, they should have the records.)  In the meantime, arm yourself with the facts: 1. Measles can kill. It can also cause blindness, pneumonia, brain inflammation, ear infections and severe diarrhoea. It also... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/well-being/article/3029672/7-facts-you-need-know-about-measles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/well-being/article/3029672/7-facts-you-need-know-about-measles?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Oct 2019 00:00:11 +0000 In the pre-digital age, the boundaries between work and home were fairly clear. Today, however, work is likely to invade your personal life – and maintaining work-life balance is no longer such a simple task. When your work life and personal life are out of balance, your stress level is likely to soar. This is especially true when you’ve just entered the workforce and want to impress the higher-ups, or if you’re concerned about losing your job due to restructuring, layoffs or other... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3032878/5-tips-help-you-reclaim-control-over-your-life-work?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3032878/5-tips-help-you-reclaim-control-over-your-life-work?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Oct 2019 00:00:10 +0000 Nathan Au began volunteering on the Swanage railway at the age of 17. Ten years on, he is a fully fledged driver and he loves being at the controls of the great steam and diesel engines that trundle through the Dorset countryside. “It’s lovely to work on these really elegant old heritage machines,” he said. “They’ve all got their quirks – even engines of the same class behave in different ways. You have to learn to know what they like and what they don’t want.” Heritage railways across Britain... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3032864/your-career-plans-may-not-yet-include-driving-steam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3032864/your-career-plans-may-not-yet-include-driving-steam?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Oct 2019 01:00:13 +0000 We hate to be the ones to tell you, but having a roommate sucks.  Sure, living with someone is an experience, a rite of passage, even. And who knows, you might end up liking your roomie enough to have a lifelong friendship – but that doesn’t mean you have to quietly suffer through their bad behaviour. There’s nothing more irritating than coming home after a long day to find an extra body in your dorm or apartment, breathing your air and taking up physical space. Aside from just existing, your... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3032595/annoying-roommate-heres-how-deal-them-without-making?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3032595/annoying-roommate-heres-how-deal-them-without-making?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Oct 2019 01:00:06 +0000 Modern life is busy. And hella stressful. But those aren't reasons not to develop and display good manners - in fact,  It’s easy to get caught up in your own life, even when you’re out and about. With your eyes fixed on your phone screen, and your headphones blasting music in your ears, you can shut out the world. But if there are other people, even strangers, around, you are not alone, and you need to pay some attention to them, and acknowledge their equal right to enjoying their life. This is... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3027750/manners-are-crucial-school-work-and-friendships-and-will-even?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3027750/manners-are-crucial-school-work-and-friendships-and-will-even?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Oct 2019 00:00:14 +0000 Careers in the creative industry get a bad rap. They’re seen as unstable and low-paying, or not “serious work” that others would find respectable. But many people who choose to work in the industry can be happily employed for years, and the truth is there is a lot of hard work involved. “Video camera work is physically tough. There’s a lot of gear to haul about,” says Moray Wedderburn, a Hong Kong-based cameraman who started in film school and now owns a small video production company. “Cameras... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028040/career-film-industry-may-seem-glamorous-theres-lot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028040/career-film-industry-may-seem-glamorous-theres-lot?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Oct 2019 00:00:07 +0000 As a kid, Queer Eye foodie Antoni Porowski had a love-hate relationship with Polish fare. It was standard in his Polish Canadian family, but he was a picky eater. He didn’t like caraway seeds. He truly didn’t like beetroots. And once he and his dad decamped south to the US, from Montreal to West Virginia, the 12-year-old boy with the funny name grew tired of showing up at school with cabbage rolls and kielbasa when everyone else munched on crustless sandwiches and Oscar Mayer Lunchables, which... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/good-reads/article/3032548/queer-eye-foodie-antoni-porowski-talks-avocados-salt-fat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/good-reads/article/3032548/queer-eye-foodie-antoni-porowski-talks-avocados-salt-fat?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Oct 2019 01:00:13 +0000 If you think you'll never have to do another group project once you graduate from secondary school, then you’re in for an unpleasant surprise. The dreaded task is likely to follow you into almost any university and job you go into. You might be someone who enjoys working with other people, but that doesn’t guarantee every group project you do will be trouble-free. The more people involved in a project, the more factors are out of your control. Here are five things to consider when working with... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3027751/five-ways-survive-working-other-people-group-project-and-shine-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3027751/five-ways-survive-working-other-people-group-project-and-shine-team?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Oct 2019 10:51:05 +0000 Good grades may be responsible for getting you your place at university, but academic prowess will only get you so far once you're there. Do you know how to deal with a really bad cold, or the flu, if your mum isn’t there to take care of you? Do you know what to write in an email to someone who isn't a friend, family member or teacher, or how a credit card works? Here are seven important life skills everyone needs when they leave home, or as soon after as possible! 1. Deal with differences the... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3027614/7-adulting-skills-will-make-university-better?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3027614/7-adulting-skills-will-make-university-better?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Oct 2019 11:51:45 +0000 Heading to university is a massive life change, especially if you're moving far from your home town or overseas. Deciding what to bring with you can be overwhelming - you'll want to have familiar belongings with you, and don't want to be spending a lot of money buying stuff you already own. But packing all your belongings is impractical, and will just cause you more stress further down the line. Here are five things that you should definitely not bring with you to university. Don’t bring big,... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028210/5-things-you-should-definitely-not-pack-when-when-you?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028210/5-things-you-should-definitely-not-pack-when-when-you?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Oct 2019 10:04:02 +0000 Unless you're one of these eight-year-old geniuses, you're no longer a child when you start university. And lots of people will want to remind you: it’s not uncommon to hear things like, ‘You’re an adult now. You need to be disciplined, independent and learn time management.”  People talk about time management - and how going to university is great training for it - and how it makes you a better person. Like being able to juggle studying, classes, homework, a job and maybe some socialising and... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3029719/university-life-you-cant-do-it-all-no-matter-how-good?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3029719/university-life-you-cant-do-it-all-no-matter-how-good?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Oct 2019 09:30:09 +0000 Of all the influences in your life, one of the biggest is your group of peers. While you’re busy trying to find your own sense of identity, it’s your peers who you’ll look to for inspiration. Of course, friends can be a positive influence, but not always. The years of our teens, up to early adulthood are often when we feel most vulnerable and unsure of ourselves, and the desire to fit in and be accepted can make us give into peer pressure. Clinical psychologist Dr Andrew Adler, a Hong Kong-based... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028198/peer-pressure-expert-advice-how-deal-it-and-stay-true?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3028198/peer-pressure-expert-advice-how-deal-it-and-stay-true?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Oct 2019 08:32:14 +0000 First-years, freshmen, Year One students: whatever you call it, if you're starting your first year of university this autumn, there's a pretty high chance you'll be sharing dorms, rooms and apartments for the first time. Cohabiting with someone you've never met can be awkward and even uncomfortable, but with a little help, you can make this first year memorable for all the right reasons. Dan Pedersen, senior director of housing and residential services at Northern Illinois University, in the... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3028205/what-you-need-know-about-living-roommate-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/how/article/3028205/what-you-need-know-about-living-roommate-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Oct 2019 05:46:03 +0000 Intent on attending a top school, Sara Collins, 18, an exchange student from London, described her final year at a boarding school in New England in the US as a self-imposed regime that didn’t allow for anything but studying. But when the news came that she’d been rejected by her first-choice university, she cried. “I just didn’t understand; I thought I did all the right things – going to events and playing in the school band way longer than I wanted to.” Looking back, she admits her efforts... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3027284/are-gap-years-worth-it-why-taking-break-university-or?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3027284/are-gap-years-worth-it-why-taking-break-university-or?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Sep 2019 03:04:53 +0000 Moving from high school to university may be one of the toughest things you'll ever have to go through. A new life in a new place with new people … and no parents to buy groceries and cook meals for you. These tips may seem obvious at first glance, but they'll definitely come in handy as you set off on your post-secondary adventure! 1. Get to know your professors, and make sure they know you (in a good way) Professors are humans, too - if they like you, they'll grade you better, give you more... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3027287/7-top-tips-ensure-you-have-best-ever-first-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3027287/7-top-tips-ensure-you-have-best-ever-first-year?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Sep 2019 02:37:38 +0000 Getting a place is HARD! If you are considering a career in veterinary medicine, you are probably fairly academic - and you'd need to be. Most vet schools require top academic grades to even get a foot in the door. It is very competitive, and even with these strict academic requirements met, there are not enough places for everyone who "qualifies on paper". Once you get to vet school, you will be surrounded by smart and capable students. Throughout my school life, I had always been one of the... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3027285/life-vet-challenging-and-emotional-you-can-make-real?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3027285/life-vet-challenging-and-emotional-you-can-make-real?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Sep 2019 02:33:46 +0000 If you're hoping to apply for a summer job, we've got some professional advice from a headhunter. So before you send off your applications and CVs, here’s what career doctor Alison Chang said you need to know. “A lot of the time, [students] themselves don’t buy into the fact that they want or need a summer job,” the veteran headhunter said. This might be because they’re only doing it because people around them expect them to – but this mindset is not helpful. “If you don’t take [a summer job]... https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3027290/internship-application-advice-expert-three-top-tips?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/better-life/career-education/article/3027290/internship-application-advice-expert-three-top-tips?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Sep 2019 02:33:44 +0000