Here are 5 things you should know.
1. Do not try to cheat anti-plagiarizing services with quotation marks.
It absolutely will not work, the services people use these days are much more sophisticated than that.
TurnItIn, for instance, will also look up parts of your text that you have quoted, and make sure that your quotations are done properly, reporting these numbers separately.
If you somehow manage to scramble your text so it becomes unreadable for these tools (by messing with fonts, invisible symbols etc.) red flags will be raised both from a suspicious word count, as well as due to implausibly low literal match (usually scientific works should have a match around 10%).
2. If your car’s blinker starts blinking more quickly than usual you need to check your bulbs. One of them is likely not working.
3. If you’re a HS/college/university student that is learning to code, Github offers free perks at 20+ services and a free premium account.
You can apply here if you have your school email or any other proof of being enrolled there. The discounts are crazy and are more than $1000 worth, and therefore are useful for anybody interested in computer science.
Also, you can apply for free JetBrains software, which is amazing, as their programs cost a lot. You also might be lucky enough to get free Autodesk perks, but they have a more complicated application process.
4. Full-body scanners at airport security have trouble reading glittery sweaters, and will likely get you searched and patted down.
5. How to effectively describe your pain/injury to doctors.
Many people do not know how to describe their pain/injury and will be vague when visiting a doctor. If your doctor does not understand how something affects you, they may not be able to give you the care you need. Here are some tips that will help you to communicate to doctors effectively.
When you go to the doctor with an injury or sickness, they usually will ask you what your pain is on a scale of 1-10. Do not think about how much it hurts. Instead, focus on how the pain affects your ability to concentrate, accomplish tasks, or just generally go about your life.
Use this guide for reference:
0 Pain Free
1-4 Functional. The pain is present. It does not get in the way. No effect on your daily activities and your life.
5-7 Uncomfortable. It is hard to move, you cannot concentrate. It impacts your abilities. It affects your daily activities and life.
8-9 Severe. You are not able to leave your house. You are unable to do anything, you are in bed. High effect on your daily activities and your life.
10 Unbearable. You feel out of control and overwhelmed. You cannot tolerate the excruciating sensation. You are seeking immediate attention (urgent care/emergency room).
Do not say your pain is 15, 100, or a million, because that is not helpful. Do not consistently say your pain is at 10. Only say 10 if you are in acute distress. If you say your pain is at a 10, but you look well-groomed, and you appear to be sitting comfortably, and do not appear desperate for immediate relief, your doctor may dismiss you.
Once you have given a number, describe how the pain affects your life. Some examples:
“I used to be able to play soccer, but the pain in my foot is so severe that I am no longer able to play.”
“I cannot walk more than a block without the pain becoming unbearable, and then I need to stop.”
“Yesterday I did not get out of bed because my pain was so debilitating. I missed an event that was important to me.”
“I cannot sustain a sitting position for more than 30 minutes. I must lay down or change positions after that. I cannot drive for more than that time.”
You may also describe your range. You can say that sometimes you are a 2, but other times you are an 8. You can describe what causes your pain to spike.
Also be specific about your pain. Pain is not one feeling, it is a range of different feelings. If an injury is aching and sore, it requires different treatment than if an injury is hot, throbbing, and shooting.
Here is a list of words you can use to describe your pain: Dull, Aching, Pressure, Heavy, Throbbing, Tearing, Radiating, Gnawing, Crushing, Cramping, Shooting, Sharp, Hot, Cold, Burning, Splitting, Tight, Sore, Tender, Numb, Tingling, Pins and Needles, Electrical Sensation, Unpleasant Sensation, Stabbing.
If your doctor tells you that the pain is all in your head, tell them that your experience is real and valid. Because you feel this pain, it should be addressed. If you are clear and specific, you are helping your doctor and yourself!
