Before Getting Into College: What To Do After High School Graduation

Before Getting Into College: What To Do After High School Graduation

College is, of course, a well-traveled road; then again, it is definitively not the only road. This exciting period – the period between high school completion and college – happens to be a very formative ground for retrieving some lost or missed elements: for discovery, reexamination, and paving the way for one’s future. College : Reflection and Planning It is important to self-reflect for an hour prior to impulsive action. Where did you get most excited about what you were learning in high school? In what area did you experience great accomplishment or success? What extracurricular activities have you felt truly passionate about? What were the chief obstacles? What kinds of skills did you develop that you want to continue to exercise? Powerful ways of doing this learning may be journaling, taking personality assessments—or even scheduling an appointment with a career counselor—where you can learn more about yourself. Beyond the Classroom View of the World Travel: The world is one big classroom; the education it offers has no known limitations. Backpacking across Europe, volunteering in a developing nation, or perhaps even making a road trip about the country will change your life. Engaging with different cultures expands the horizons for you as a person and pushes one out of their comfort zone, making them independent and globally aware. Work: Immerse in the world of work and get hands-on experience. Whether it is a summer job, working part-time, or doing an internship, these help to have a crash course in responsibility, communication, working with others, and time management. It only offers a great chance to test out career choices one might be making, develop great soft skills that most future employers look for in a candidate. Volunteering: Help a good cause and enrich your skills, as well as experiences, through volunteering. Whether at an animal shelter, working with a local environmental initiative, mentoring younger students, or helping out at the soup kitchen, volunteer work enhances compassion, exposes to new challenges, and enhances one’s résumé. Learn New Things: Expand your knowledge and skills in areas that interest you. Take an online coding course or to learn a new language. Attend workshops about photography or master pottery.  Follow Your Interests: Rekindle the activities that you have lost during the hectic schedule and pressures of high school. It could be playing an instrument, some writing of poems, drawing, or dancing, some hobbies; spending time on the creation of interests felt passionate about will feel truly fulfilling. Get Ready for College (if that is Your Choice): Standardized Tests: Almost all four-year colleges require either the SAT or ACT. Take these tests the summer after graduation in order to allow plenty of time to retest. Discuss with your teachers or a test prep advisor a study plan that will yield the greatest amount from your studying time. College Applications: If you have been thinking about moving on to college, now would be a great time to consider institutions that are the right fit for your major, location, and budget. Research schools through college search engines and use the extensive support and materials provided by your high school counselor. Nontraditional Paths: Rethinking Success Gap Year Programs: Structured gap year programs are designed to create the perfect combination of adventuring, service, and personal growth. Such opportunities may offer irreversibly essential skills and experiences, help develop self-reliance, and shape future academic or career paths.  Trade Schools or Vocational Training: You don’t have to go to college to enjoy a rewarding career. Oftentimes, trade schools and vocational training concentrate on specific training in high-demand areas that can lead to better employment opportunities and increases in earning capacity.  Entrepreneurship: Got a super business idea? It may be time to turn that dream into reality. There are resources available all around you, from the non-profit group SCORE that offers free mentoring for small businesses to the workshops offered by your local business incubators. Do a little market research, write up a business plan, and start small. The Final Chapter: Stepping into the Future The period from high school graduation to college is formative for both personal and professional growth. So, travel the world, volunteer your precious time, or dive into some new skill; this period will help you gain valuable life experiences which will help in identifying your strengths and solidifying your vision for the future. As you prepare to enter the next chapter of life, keep in mind how these years will be about developing skills and acquiring experiences that, in the long run, will have the greatest impact. Take a deep breath, let it out slowly, and step confidently into the really exciting world that lies beyond. Keep in mind: This is just the beginning of your awesome adventure!

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 Kashmir Tulip Festival 2024: An Amazing Lifetime Experience

Kashmir Tulip Festival 2024: An Amazing Lifetime Experience

Kashmir Tulip Festival is happening right now in sometimes referred to as “Paradise on Earth”, in the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden. It is currently one of India’s most popular travel destinations. The location’s grandeur, snow-capped mountains, abundant wildlife, and vibrant flower beds all contribute to its charm. Image Copyrights: theStyle.worldWith a brilliant display of colours, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, formerly known as Siraj Bagh, is getting ready to welcome guests this weekend. This garden, which is located in Srinagar, Kashmir, between Dal Lake and Zabarwan Hills, welcomed visitors on Saturday, March 23. According to representatives of the floriculture department, there will be a greater variety of tulips in the garden this year. The garden offers an astonishing five new tulip varieties this year, increasing the overall number of kinds to 68. In addition, the department planted two lakh more bulbs in the garden, making a record-breaking 17 lakh tulip bulbs distributed over 55 hectares of ground. What is new at Srinagar Tulip Garden this year? To further enhance the diversity of floral splendour on exhibit, visitors can also feast their eyes on other springtime flowers, including hyacinths, daffodils, muscari, and cyclamens in addition to tulips. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was created in 2007 with the goal of expanding Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism season beyond the summer and winter seasons. The garden began with 50,000 tulip bulbs that were brought in from Holland, but it soon became well-known to visitors and saw constant development in both the number of visitors and the variety of tulips. Visitors to the Kashmir Tulip Festival can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature as they stroll through rows of meticulously planted tulips. Each variety boasts its own unique charm, from the traditional single-layered tulips to the exotic parrot tulips with their ruffled petals resembling a tropical bird in flight. The fragrance of the blooming flowers fills the air, creating a sensory experience unlike any other. Over 3.65 lakh visitors, both domestic and foreign, visited the garden last year, demonstrating its growing popularity as a travel destination. Interestingly, it has also grown in popularity as a shooting venue for several video and film projects; multiple film units have opted to film portions of their movies in the picturesque garden. The tulip garden in Kashmir is one of the biggest in Asia, with an expansive tulip field spanning over 30 hectares. In addition to tulips, the garden features an enormous variety of other flowers. Daffodils, roses, muscaria, iris, hyacinths, and ranunculi are a few examples of them. As spring arrives, a variety of flower species come into full bloom, adding to the tulip garden’s brightness and vibrancy. Established in 2007 with the goal of boosting tourism in the valley, the Kashmir Tulip Festival has attracted a lot of attention throughout the years. Varieties of tulips that the Tulip Festival will feature: Traditional tulips: These are the regional varieties, typically found at a florist’s shop or in a garden. Tulips that bloom twice: These tulips have two or more layers of petals. Parrot tulips: True to their name, these tulips have a tropical parrot’s appearance. Triumph tulips: This type exhibits a wide range of hues and tones. Classic bi-colored tulips: These resemble classic tulips. The colour of these flowers is the only obvious distinction. The tulip garden is roughly nine kilometers away from Srinagar. You can take any local transit to get here. This stunning setting has been used to film numerous well-known Bollywood productions. When Is It Best to Attend the Kashmir Tulip Festival? Knowing the dates of the event is essential if you want to attend the Festival in Kashmir in 2024. In Kashmir, the spring season often begins towards the end of March. The tulip festival is held every April for this reason. The festival is scheduled to take place in 2024, starting on March 19 and lasting for 20 days. To get a better look at the garden, you can enrol in a Kashmir tour. The festival dates are occasionally slightly altered. The weather’s unpredictable nature is the cause of this. This is something you need to be aware of and plan your visit properly for. In addition to admiring the stunning tulip displays, visitors can also indulge in various cultural activities and entertainment during the festival. Local artisans showcase their handicrafts, musicians serenade the crowds with traditional Kashmiri music, and food stalls offer a tantalizing array of regional delicacies. The festival is a celebration of not just the beauty of the tulips, but also of Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality. Kashmir Tulip Festival Tickets: Ticket Price: Adult: Rs.75 / Children: Rs.30 (Below 12 years) Details regarding the 2024 Kashmir Tulip Festival The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden received approximately 4.6 lakh tulip bulbs from Holland in 2021. The largest market for flower bulbs worldwide is the latter. 2024 is likely to be an even more significant year. The annual festival is held with the goal of promoting tourism in the region and drawing attention to the area’s cultural relevance and allure. When you visit this lovely garden in Kashmir, multicoloured tulips will welcome you. Each flower is planted in a row parallel to the others. Tulips come in a variety of colours, including red, yellow, and orange, as well as numerous hybrid varieties. This garden is designed with more than seven terraces in order to allow visitors to view the entire space from every angle. The field now has a mild slope as a result. The tulip tree, which blossoms at the same time as the tulips, is located inside the tulip garden. There are also apricot, peach, and almond trees nearby. One of the first initiatives the administration launched to strengthen the state’s economy and tourism was the tulip garden. As the cold winter snows melt away, the Kashmir Valley undergoes a magnificent transformation. In the month of April, when spring is at its peak, the Kashmir Tulip Festival paints the valley with vibrant hues

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 Am I Dreaming or is Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh really a thing?

Am I Dreaming or is Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh really a thing?

Winter is coming… Well, not for the South Indians. Although those in the south of India are blessed with breathtaking coasts and delectable cuisine, they are still far from the sparkling fairy tale snowy lands. Their only chance to experience some snow in the snow city is a long trip to Himachal or Kashmir or to travel overseas. Lambasingi is a secret hideout for those who love snow. Lambasingi is a small misty hill station in the Eastern Ghats of Vizag’s Chintapalli town, located at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, known as the ‘Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh’. Lambasingi is known as ‘Korra Bayalu’ which means “if someone stays out here at night, they would freeze like a stick by morning”. The village is covered with white mist that swirls around throughout the year and during winter, the place is freezing to death. Although, it’s not always that the temperatures falls below zero degrees, but when it does, the hills treat you with magical snowfall. Lambasingi is not only known for snowfall. The hill station is also home to an isolated tribal community that works at pepper and coffee plantations. Imagine a day in the sparkly snow sipping some authentic coffee with your friends or partner. You can also visit the Kothapalli waterfalls and can camp at the Thajangi reservoir. The rich natural beauty of Lambasingi is also being developed as an upcoming offbeat eco-tourism destination. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is making efforts to open a state-run resort with travel packages for tourists all across India. Lambasingi experienced snowfall in 2012. Yes, it’s been a long time but who knows maybe this winter will bring some sparkling snow to Lambasingi.  

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 Top 10 Places in India You Must Visit

Top 10 Places in India You Must Visit

Top 10 Places in India You Must Visit Incredible India! This term so synonymous with the country. You will find different places for all the different moods and occasions. So, without further ado, here are the top 10 places that you must visit in India. 1. Leh Ladakh The land of passes. It is one of the most picturesque destinations in the country. You can go with your friends, family or as a couple. It has something in store for everyone. The Pangong Lake is a must visit. Spend a night at the lake to see the breath-taking view the next day. The other places to see are the Shanthi Stupa – The monastery and the view surrounding it, Nubra Valley – The cold dessert, Magnetic Hills – On the bike, Khardungla Pass – The highest motorable road in the world or do some adventure activities like trekking or river rafting among the others. It gives you one of a kind experience. Image Courtesy: India.com, PANGONG LAKE   2. Jaipur and Udaipur Jaipur the pink city and Udaipur the city of lakes are present in Rajasthan. To experience royalty, be sure to visit Udaipur. The hotels like Uday Villas Palace, Trident Udaipur, The Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace Udaipur are a few which are converted from palaces and maintain its old world charm. The City Palace, Jag Mandir, and Lake Pichola are a few tourist destinations in the city. The Hawa Mahal is the most prominent feature in the pink city. Visit the other palaces, temples, and monuments to experience the culturally rich India. The culinary experience is one of a kind in this state, so tease tour taste buds. Image Courtesy: food.ndtv.com, HAWA MAHAL, JAIPUR   3. Darjeeling It is located at the foothills of the Himalayas in West Bengal. The stand out feature of this town is the toy train. It is a steam run train which takes you around the city. Visit the different monasteries, the Rock Garden, the Tiger Hill, and the different tea plantations. Enjoy this unique weather with a cup of tea. Image Courtesy: HolidayIQ, The Toy Train   4. Coorg This heaven is present in South India. It is one of the best places for relaxation on one hand and trekking on the other. A home to a lot of coffee plantations, coffee lovers, are you reading?  It also has an amazing weather to boast about around the year. A lot of resorts present in this area provide unique experiences. Must visits are Madikeri falls, Nagarhole National Park. Image Courtesy: Travel Triangle, Trekking in Coorg   5. Rann of Kutch One of the largest salt desserts in the world, present in Gujarat, Rann of Kutch is rich in its culture and heritage. Its glorious past is captured in its traditions. The best time to visit the place is during the Rann Utsav. The festival is a joyous celebration of colors, dances, camel rides and a lot more. Image Courtesy: rannutsav.net   6. Puducherry Previously known as Pondicherry, it is a Union Territory, a former French Colony and it has managed to maintain its old-world French charm. It is away from the hustle-bustle of the cities. A place with untouched beaches and also one of a kind cuisine. It’s also famous for its brightly colored houses, and Gothic churches. Not an extremely famous place, but has a lot to offer! Image Courtesy: Times of India   7. Delhi All the foodies and shopaholics out there! This place is for you. It has a lot to offer in terms of the different cuisines. The street foods are not to be missed. Try out mature kachoris, chole puri, Pani Puri, fruit kulfis and a lot more. Apart from the food, it is a shopping heaven. It has a variety of clothing available in various prices – from the roadside to brands and the various designers. If one wants to take a break from shopping one can also visit monuments like the India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, Jantar Mantar, Rashtrapati Bhavan Image Courtesy: Map of India   8. Meghalaya This north-eastern state is lush with greenery and is house to the wettest place on earth, Mausynram. It has an abundance of waterfalls and a plethora of water activities. The scenery are breath-taking and is rich in culture. Shillong, the capital city, situated in the Khasi Hills offers a lot of options for unwinding like sight-seeing, shopping, recreation, etc. Image Courtesy: Tourism of India   9. Hampi This small place in Karnataka has over the years transformed from a temple town to a major tourist attraction. Find your way in this town in a bicycle around the Sanapur Lake, take a look around the ruins of the lost city. The scenery is different from that of the others because you will see rocks all around instead of vegetation. For an adventurous heart, there are a lot of activities like trekking, rock climbing and exploring the wildlife. Image Courtesy: alokbhartia.com   10. Aurangabad – Ajanta and Ellora Caves  This UNESCO world heritage site is a must visit. These caves represent the culture from centuries ago. The paintings inside these caves have their own charm. The Ajanta caves depict the Buddhist while the Ellora caves are records of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cultures. If you are interested in history then this is one place that should not be missed. Image Courtesy: qualitytravel.it   So what are you waiting for? Start bag-packing, and explore Incredible India!   Article by: Ankita Jain   #Toptenplacestotravelinindia #TraveldestinationsinIndia #Touristdestinations #Thestyle.world #Media #news #blog #blogger #fashion #food #lifestyle #travel  

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 5 Fabulous Waterfalls to Visit Near Bangalore

5 Fabulous Waterfalls to Visit Near Bangalore

1.    Chunchi Falls Chunchi falls is the ideal place for people who want to escape closer to nature. Chunchi is a 100 feet waterfalls with different tiers, fed by river Arkavati which lies enroute to Mekedattu. During winter and monsoon, you can notice an increase in the number of tourists and adventure lovers at this spot. This is a perfect place to connect with the essence of nature. Distance from Bangalore to Chunchi Falls: 90 km Travel Time: 2.5 hours 2.    Shivanasamudra Falls Shivanasamudram is famous for its waterfalls which is formed by the river Kaveri. Kaveri river flows over stone filled contour of the Deccan plateau and splits into two beautiful waterfalls known as Barachukki and Gaganchukki. You can also try trekking on the rocky terrains of Shivanasamudram and you can also enjoy a coracle ride over the gushing waves of the water at the bottom of the falls and try fishing. Distance from Bangalore to Shivanasamudram: 135 kms Travel Time: 3 Hours 3.    Hogenakkal Falls Hogenakkal falls is one of the best place to visit in a day around Bangalore. Hogenakkal is a small village near Tamil Nadu, where the river Cauvery splits into different streams which creates beautiful waterfalls. This place is also called as ‘Niagara of the East’. Coracle riding is one of the best attractions in the area and it’s allowed only during the dry season. But, monsoon is best season to see the falls. Distance from Bangalore: 181 kms Travel Time: 3 Hours 4.    Iruppu Falls It is a pristine waterfall and believed to possess the power to cleanse ones’ sins. Thousands of devotees from all the places visit on Shivratri every year. It originates from the Brahmagiri Range and the river Lakshmana Theertha, and falls down from the height of 170 ft and forms the Iruppu Waterfall. It creates a ceaseless thunder amidst with the silence of the surrounding thick woods. Distance from Bangalore: 247 kms Travel Time: 4.45 Hours 5.    Balmuri Waterfalls Due to the construction of Check dam across Kaveri River to control the water flow, this beautiful waterfall was formed. It is surrounded by lush greenery which made it an ideal picnic spot. You can take a walk along the green fields and play around in the water. If you are looking for best tourist places near Bangalore within 150 kms, this is perfect place. Balmuri falls is very popular as a spot for cinema production.  Distance from Bangalore: 136 kms Travel Time: 2 hours 35 minutes

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 Retreat to the Mountains. Pahalgam – The Valley of Shepherds.

Retreat to the Mountains. Pahalgam – The Valley of Shepherds.

Deranged society and mean people loom around me. Before insanity overpowers, I had to find my sane space up in the mountains. I had to retreat to the valley, the valley that is mine. The serenity that solely belongs to me. Like any other Kashmiri, the feeling of being here has intrigued me so much so that merely words can not explain. Within two days of being here, the overwhelming feeling of exploring the Paradise took me to Pahalgam (The Valley of Shepherds) Pahalgam is a hill station in the Anantnag district of Kashmir. where Mountain trails run northeast to Amarnath Cave Temple, a Hindu shrine and site of the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage. Pahalgam hosts the ‘Overa Aru’ Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to numerous animal species. To the Northeast, the Lidder River runs through the scenic betaab valley as the chilly river flows out of Kolhoi glacier. To the Southeast, Tulian Lake is flanked by mountain peaks and often frozen which indeed makes the scenic beauty thousandfold more mesmerizing. The area holds a rich cover of vegetation dominated by conifer forest which account for over 95% of the landscape. There are many species of rare, endangered and protected species that inhabit this area. Among them, the predominant species are hangul, musk deer, serow, brown bear, Leopard, rhesus macaque, grey langur, Himalayan mouse hare, etc. Wild bears still roam much of the area, and local villagers are on constant alert to their presence. With the abundance of fresh trout in the rivers and local farm animals, they have plenty to eat. Monkeys also populate the area. The area houses a good population of pheasants and upland birds apart from other species, both resident and migratory. The common birds are snow cock, kashmiri roller, griffon vulture, koklas,jungle crow, blue rock pigeon, monal,European hoopoe etc. Pony rides, fishing/angling, golf, trekking (to Lidderwat, Sonmarg and kolhoi glacier), camping, sledging, and skiing are the varied options available for the adventure lovers. For the nature buffs, there are trek trails, walks and a mini zoo which in fact are the main attractions for the travelers. For the shoppers, there are many wool products,traditional wears, Handmade Artifacts and the famous Kashmir silks to choose from. On conclusion, verily, I can refer to only one suitable quotation to describe my experience. The enchanting and illuminating words of Mughal Emperor Jehangir : “Gar firdaus bar-rue zaminast, hamiasto, haminasto, haminast.”   “If there is a heaven on earth, it’s here, it’s here”   By : SHABAZ AHMED DAR

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