Importance of Site Investigation for Development

Importance of Site Investigation for Development Lolita Misjune Contents (Jump to) Case study Introduction Objectives of the site investigation Procedure Benefits of a Desk Study and ground investigation In-situ test Cone penetration test Laboratory testing Calculations Soil profile Introduction The land on which development takes place has the fundamental influence on the behaviour of the structure which it supports and risks to which the future owners, users and occupiers will be exposed. The adequate investigation of any site is essential to the design of safe and economic foundations and to the detection of any contamination which may be present, with the associated responsibilities for control, protection or removal. Objectives of the site investigation To find out if the site and environment are suitable for target it has been determined. To provide adequate economical and commercial requirements as well as temporary works design. Plan and investigate the best way of construction and what materials are necessary. Predict physical or chemical changes which may occur during work process in site. If there are several possible ways suggest best. Design ways which may cause failure. Procedure The sequence of a site investigation is as follows: Planning Desk Study Site Reconnaissance/ Walk over survey Desk study/Preliminary information An important part in soil investigation is desk study. Collecting preliminary information is invaluable in assessing the requirements of a ground investigation for both environmental and geotechnical purposes. Well performed desk study helps in formulation of investigation work, pointing explicit places of contamination or geotechnical parameters. A well, executed desk study can help to formulate investigation work, targeting specific areas of contamination or geotechnical parameters, concluding in a cost effective and aimed investigation. Site assessment Site inspection Ground investigation Preliminary ground investigation Assessment Main ground investigation Laboratory testing Benefits of a Desk Study and ground investigation Mitigate/minimise risk Understanding of potential variations in ground conditions Can lead to economical design of foundations / geotechnical structures Reduce likelihood of unforeseen ground conditions Reduce chances of delays on site Quantify / qualify risk Accurate forecast of budgets In ground investigation it is possible to design and conduct geotechnical and environmental investigation. Ground investigation work is conducted closely together with clients and engineering team to discuss and provide a cost effective program of exploratory work. There is wide range of exploratory methods available for site ground investigation. Trial Pitting Window Sampling and Dynamic Probe Testing Cable Percussive Boreholes Rotary Drilled Boreholes Laboratory Testing Site work is followed by both geotechnical and chemical testing. For ground investigation in given situation could be used Cable Percussive Boreholes. These are appropriate for most projects. Cable percussive boreholes are a usual method of site investigation. This method offer a cost effective way of drilling within a range of soils varying from low strength alluvium to very stiff over consolidated clays, very weak to weak rock and dense granular soils. Cable percussive boreholes are also proficient of proceeding boreholes in different Made Ground soils, containing engineered fill and landfill materials where obstructions may come across. Using this method can be achieved 50m borehole. Drilling and trial pitting are normally carried out for a number of reasons, such as: to establish the general nature of the strata below a site to establish the vertical or lateral variability of soil conditions verify the interpretation of geophysical surveys to obtain samples for laboratory testing to allow in situ tests to be carried out to install instruments such as piezometers, or extensometers. In-situ test That testing is valuable for soil property information, gaging groundwater pressure, gathering moisture content data and other important data points. In-situ soil testing can be done in a variety of different ways. Depending on place and aim of analysis each test has its own benefit. That is very important for cost effectiveness and data preciseness to determine what test is appropriate for you. In the UK in situ testing is carried out when: Good quality sampling is impossible (for example, in granular soils, in fractured rock masses, in very soft or sensitive clays, or in stoney soils) the parameter required cannot be obtained from laboratory tests (for example, in situ horizontal stress); when in situ tests are cheap and quick, relative to the process of sampling and laboratory testing (for example, the use of the SPT in London clay, to determine undrained shear strength); and most importantly, for profiling and classification of soils (for example, with the cone test, or with dynamic penetration tests). Options for In-Situ Soil Testing Procedures Astandard penetration test Acone penetration test A piezocone penetrometer probe A flat plate dilatometer test Etc. Cone penetration test However, the most precise anddetailed in-situ soil testing for determining a wide variety of technical data is Cone Penetration Testing (CPT), for this reason I would carry on this test in given situation. This test is dynamic, cost effective and has been broadly accepted as a simplified solution that provides useful information. Laboratory testing Laboratory testing is part of the physical survey. As an essential part of site investigation, the need for laboratory tests will often dictate the type and frequency of sample to be taken, and will therefore control the method of forming boreholes In laboratories can be done wide variety of tests which can`t be done in site, however economical side of investigation has an important role. For example more complex tests require a longer testing time and for reasons of time and economy these tests are carried in laboratories. During test can be measured both – direct properties of soil or index properties used to deliver useful information about the soil without taking any direct measurements of property. Laboratory tests are such as Atterberg limits California bearing ratio Hydraulic conductivity tests Expansion Index test etc In given example one used was falling head permeameter test, from results of that were calculated hydraulic conductivity and permeability cofficient. Calculations After performing permeameter test in order to find the vertical permeability of the sand were calculated coefficient of permeability and hydraulic conductivity. L: the height of the soil sample column A: the sample cross section a: the cross section of the standpipe Δt: the recorded time for the water column to flow though the sample h1= hydraulic head on specimen at time t1, cm, h2= hydraulic head on specimen at time t2, cm Nd: number of potential drops Nf: number of flow channels Nd=11-1=10 Nf=3*2=6 Soil profile In soil science and assessment key concept is soil profile. Knowing soil profile helps to investigate processes that have taken in soil development, assess soil features and types of soil which appear and is foundation for their classification. Scientists have developed methods to define the various components and characteristics of the soil profile. Soil profile helps to predict how the soil might be used By using common terminology, soil profile descriptions are valuable for deciding how the soil might be used and/or predicting how the soil might react to its intended use. Soil profiles, a more scientific test, evaluate three critical aspects of the soil that may have the potential to cause an on-site sewage system to malfunction. The texture of soil in area of the proposed on-site sewage system The presence or absence of water saturated soils The depth to an impervious soil layer (rock) All three parameters are used to design the most appropriate on-site system for your property. Bag samples of the predominant soil types encountered shall be collected from selected soil profile borings to provide specimens for engineering classification, moisture-density (standard or modified Proctor), and California bearing ratio (CBR) testing. These samples also consist of soil cuttings generated by the augering process. Care should be exercised not to combine different soil types for the same bag sample. Samples that will be used for a combination of classification, moisture-density, and CBR testing shall be a minimum of 50 pounds. One of methods of determining soil profile is cone penetration method. CPT truck is fast and low-cost method to conduct subsurface examination. Results are available directly, allowing on the fly mapping of stratigraphy and other subsurface features. A CPT sounding is made by pushing a small probe into the ground. Typically, a 3.6-centimeter-diameter probe (cone) is pushed into the ground to depths ranging from 15 to 30 meters. The cone is advanced downward at a constant velocity of 2 centimeters per second, using hydraulic rams that apply the full 23-ton weight of the CPT truck to push the probe rods to depth. In typical CPT soundings, the resistance to penetration is measured. Continuous measurements are made of the resistance to penetration of the tip and the frictional sliding resistance of the sleeve of the cone. Report Preliminary report or feasibility study Planning of main Preliminary report Financial report (Return of investment) Final report Lolita Misjune March 2015

Mental Health And Dementia Health And Social Care Essay

Health is a province of complete physical, mental and societal wellbeing and non simply the absence of disease or frailty ( WHO, 1948 ) .Mental wellness therefore is an built-in constituent of entire wellness. India is a huge state with heterogenous socio-cultural conditions predominating in different part which have an of import bearing on the mental wellness job. Dementia is a syndrome attributed to disease of the encephalon, normally of a chronic or progressive nature, in which there is perturbation of multiple encephalon maps. These damages may include computation, larning capacity, linguistic communication and judgement. It normally considered present merely when there is attendant impact on societal or occupational map. Consciousness is normally unchanged. There may besides be impairment in emotional control, societal behavior or motive. In other words, it is non merely memory loss but a complex status that affects more than one cognitive facet ( Woodford, Henry.2010 ) The word dementedness comes from the Latin word â€Å" demens † intending ‘without a head ‘ . Dementia refers to a group of upsets characterized by neglecting memory and loss of other rational maps ensuing from multiple causes. One of the of import causes of dementedness is Alzheimer ‘s disease. This disease or doddering dementedness is a chronic, progressive and deteriorate encephalon upset accompanied by profound effects on memory, knowledge and ability for ego attention. It normally occurs in the late 60 ‘s. The oncoming of mental symptoms is so insidious, that neither the household member nor the patients can day of the month its beginning. Daily activities are forgotten, assignments non maintain and societal behaviours become changed. Stable matrimonies may be disrupted by sexual injudiciousness. Dementia is a neuro-degenerative unwellness which chiefly affects the aged. Cases besides have been reported in their in-between age. Having said that it can impact younger people excessively. Many a manner, fondness of dementedness to a individual is truly a menace to his or her household, physically, psychologically, economically and socially. Adjusting to the world of Alzheimer ‘s disease ( AD ) in a loved one is a complex and hard procedure. Adjusting to AD is seting to decease because AD is a fatal disease and one that frequently involves a lingering decease, the phases of heartache that household members go through. Looking after the AD patient is a unit of ammunition the clock attempt and largely the nearest household member who plays the function of this attention giving. The attention givers are go throughing through a series of conflicting and dying phases, when the AD advancement. The attention givers are physically disturbed, emotionally down, socially stray and financially broken. Bing a attention giver for an AD patient is one of the most nerve-racking state of affairss one can of all time conceive of. It is so a calamity to see a individual you may hold loved and respected disintegrate before your really eyes. This research purpose to analyze the jobs faced by the Carers of the Alzheimer Patients of Mar Basalio Medical Mission Hospital, Kothamangalam, India.1.2. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND1.2.1. What is Alzheimer ‘s disease?Alzheimer ‘s disease is a degenerative disease of the encephalon from which there is no recovery. Slowly and inexorably, the disease attacks nerve cells in all parts of the cerebral mantle of the encephalon, every bit good as some environing constructions, thereby impairing a individual ‘s abilities to regulate emotions, recognize mistakes and forms, coordinate motion, and retrieve. At the last, an stricken individual loses all memory and mental operation.1.2.2. The symptoms of Alzheimer ‘s disease.Mild damage in thought is now believed to be a important mark of early-stage Alzheimer ‘s in older people. The early symptoms of Alzheimer ‘s disease may be overlooked because they resemble marks of natural aging. These symptoms include: Forgetfulness. Loss of concentration. Unexplained weight loss. Motor jobs, including mild troubles in walking. In healthy persons, similar symptoms can ensue from a figure of common aging jobs: Fatigue. Grief or depression. Illness. Vision or hearing loss. The usage of intoxicant or certain medicines. Simply the load of excessively many inside informations to retrieve at one time.1.2.3. Problems faced by the attention giversThe jobs of the attention givers are diverse. Some of the closest relations of the sick persons might to through a grief process- a daze province where they may be in a province of emotional numbness, subsequently a face of denial, where they do non accept the job and so a period of B bargaining ( why me ) where they may seek to intellectualize the agony until adjustment sets in. Those who may non make the phase of accommodation may stay angry and disoriented which could take to mistreating the AD patient physically or mentally. Care givers ill tolerate physical aggression, verbal maltreatment, rolling, fecal smearing, inappropriate micturition, sleep perturbation and restlessness by twenty-four hours. Johns G & A ; Miesen B ( 1992 ) found out that household members experience many negative feelings as they care for a individual holding dementing unwellness. Some feel sad, demoralized and entirely, while some feel angry guilty or hopeless and experience tired. Normally female relation of the ill individual assumes the lead function in attention giving. The primary attention giver is one most affected by the load of attention giving. The emotional reactions experienced by primary attention giver and other household members may be considered in item. Anger is apprehensible for the primary attention giver to experience defeated and angry, angry that this has happened to her, angry that she has to be care giver, angry with others who do n't look to be assisting, angry with the impaired individual for his irritating behaviour, angry that she is trapped in the state of affairs. It is merely humane to be angry when faced with the loads and losingss caused by a demanding unwellness. Expressing the choler to the ill individual frequently makes his behaviour worse. It is helpful to happen out other mercantile establishments for the defeats of the primary attention giver. Embarrassment is another job. Often the behavior of a individual holding AD is inappropriate and awkward. So household members feel abashed. It is common for household members to experience hopeless, demoralized in the face of AD. Depressed people may besides experience dying nervous or cranky. A chronic AD takes its toll on emotions of the attention givers and provides a existent ground for experiencing low. Peoples who care for a individual with AD are frequently tired merely because they are non acquiring plenty remainder. So the primary attention giver may see weariness and is more prone for serious unwellness. As mentioned before, the primary attention giver is the individual is the most to a great extent affected by the procedure of attention giving. As the primary attention giver is frequently a female she may besides hold to take the duty of looking after your kids and her hubby. In many households with an AD patient, the predicament of the primary attention giver is so hapless. Howard Gruetzner ( 1998 ) pointed out some ways for cut downing health professionals emphasis. Care givers need to assist themselves. Alzheimer ‘s household support group is to assist household members cope successfully with the unwellness. Counseling besides can be sought. Care givers may forestall some emphasis by using their forces and societal support resources.1.2.4. Community resources for AD attention1.2.4.1.Alzheimer ‘s household support groups:These groups provide attention givers with support in hooking with the unwellness and in covering with jobs experienced in attention giving. Self-support groups besides can be a beginning of information about the disease and community resource. Participants experience similar jobs and help each other in doing determinations about attention. The emotional accommodation of the household to the unwellness is promoted by such groups.1.2.4.2.Respite CareThis type of service provides household members with occasional alleviation from the force per unit areas of uninterrupted attention giving. Such alleviation can forestall premature institutionalization of the patient as a consequence of the attention givers physical and emotional emphasis. Formal reprieve plans offer services runing from several hours to several hebdomads alleviation.1.2.4.3.Adult Day Care:Some twenty-four hours plans are designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer ‘s. Day care provides exercising, activities, diversion, support of day-to-day life accomplishment reding, and monitoring of the participants general wellness. Such plans can assist individual with Alzheimer ‘s maintain some abilities that would otherwise deteriorate more rapidly.1.2.4.4. Home Health Care:Some twenty-four hours plans normally ca n supply nursing and forces attention services to patients in their places.1.2.4.5.Community Mental Health Center:Some community mental wellness centres have specialized geriatric plans that can be really helpful in the direction of the Alzheimer ‘s patient and supportive of the household attention giver. These plans can supply a broad scope of services including comprehensive appraisal, psychiatric ratings, single group and household guidance.1.3. Statement OF THE PROBLEMAd occurs in about all states of the universe. But in developing and developing states like India, the pull offing scheme of AD is relatively less than developed states. Every patient needs much more attention and love from his nearest relations, particularly the attention giver. The procedure of working with an AD is one that requires more forbearance and sensitiveness. Unfortunately, most of the attention givers are in province of anxiousness and depression, ever kicking about their psycho bodily perturbati ons, insomnia etc. and ; non get bying with the world and their by increasing their trouble. Though many major research surveies have been done in respect with the etiology, symptoms and behavioural alterations of the AD patients, the jobs of the carers, particularly in India, have been neglected. Through this survey, the research worker aims to analyze the assorted jobs faced by the attention givers of AD patients of Mar Basalio Medical Mission Hospital. The research worker besides tries to understand the relationship between extend of damage of AD patient and direction troubles faced by the attention givers. In add-on to this, besides tries to happen out the extend of societal support system and the header schemes for pull offing attention givers job.1.4. RESEARCH OBJECTIVESTo critically reexamine the assorted literatures related to the Alzheimer ‘s disease. To roll up and analyse the jobs faced by the Carers of Alzheimer patients in Mar Basalio ‘s Medical Mission Hospital. To critically measure the collected informations of jobs faced by the Carers of the Alzheimer patients in the infirmary. To do possible recommendations and suggestions to the Carers and the AD Clinic of Mar Basalio ‘s Medical Mission Hospital, Kothamangalam, India.1.5. Mar Baselios Medical Mission HospitalMar Baselios Medical Mission Hospital is situated in Kothamangalam, Ernakulam territory, Kerala, India. The infirmary is managed by Malankara bishopric of Kothamangalam. The infirmary is an 800 bed multi disciplinary super forte infirmary and employs a squad of good trained, qualified and dedicated staff with a mission to present quality intervention to all people of different walks of life. The hospital direction believes in functioning the community through Christian values and adheres to rules of love and compassion. Mar Basalios Medical Mission Hospital besides offers assorted installations like adjustment and nutrient to the hapless and economically backward people. It besides runs community service programmes by manner of medical cantonments and oculus testing runs for the people of 15 nea rby small towns. The infirmary besides provides consciousness and immunisation programmes in assorted topographic points of the Ernakulam territory. The psychopathology section has an drawn-out AD clinic which focuses on assisting the AD patients and their carers. The section has an Alzheimer ‘s group and renders assorted services to the carers of the AD patients through categories, seminars and specialised group Sessionss. It besides has an extended aggregation of resources including books, brochures and audio-visual AIDSs in order to assist the carers of AD patients. The drawn-out Alzheimer ‘s disease Clinic is making its best to assist the Alzheimer ‘s patients by assisting and back uping their carers.1.6. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDYThe research worker has selected the Mar Basalio ‘s Medical Mission Hospital, Kothamangalam, India for the intent of the research. This is a multi forte infirmary with more than 200 beds. Mar Baselios Hospital is holding a separate research wing and soon making 6 researches in different subdivisions of medical specialties. The infirmary is besides holding an AD Clinic which offe rs services of general sort to the AD patients through their carers. The research worker has the experience of working in this infirmary as a Social Worker in HR Division. During that period, the research worker has observed that the health professionals of the Alzheimer ‘s patients are under considerable psycho societal jobs and the infirmary is doing its best attempts to cover them. But in fact, the infirmary is presenting a general sort of services to the health professional instead than specialized single attending or one to one Sessionss. Hence, the infirmary may non be able to understand the complexness of jobs faced by the health professionals of the Alzheimer patients as the each carer will hold a different narrative to state. The jobs of the carers differ from each other depending upon the copying schemes, support and even personality. Thus it is feared that the health professionals may lose their assurance in the services of Hospital towards the Alzheimer ‘s patients and their attention givers. The research worker at this point would wish to step in and make a research as he felt the demand to understand the complexness of the jobs faced by the health professionals of the Alzheimer ‘s patients who entree the services from the infirmary. By making a research, the research worker tries to understand and critically analyze the different jobs faced by the health professionals who are associated with the Mar Basalio ‘s Medical Mission Hospital, Kothamangalam and lend valuable suggestions to the carers of the infirmary.1.7. RESEARCH QuestionWhat are the different jobs faced by the Carers of Alzheimer Patients of Mar Basalio ‘s Medical Mission Hospital, Kothamangalam, India?1.8. Research MethodThe research is based on the descriptive survey and the research worker will roll up informations through observations and with the aid of ego prepared questionnaires. The processing and analysis of the informations will be done manually. The collected informations will be critically analysed to acquire attain truth of the research survey. The research survey possesses a few restrictions and they are as follows. The survey is estimated to be done in a limited sample of 40 people and therefore, the decision drawn may non be accurate. Besides the handiness of the respondents in clip and their cooperation are considered to be one of the of import restrictions of this survey. The research worker purposes to use a few associates to roll up informations from the respondents. The associates are likely to bias the information which is non favorable for the survey. The peculiar survey is expected to complete in a stipulated clip and all the above mentioned factors are once more dependent on clip.1.9. DecisionAlzheimer ‘s disease is a terrible memory damage causation by encephalon disfunctions chiefly in in-between age people which is the most of import causes of dementedness. Care givers need much more forbearance and attending for looking after their loved 1s. There is so much community resources are available for cut downing the troubles of the attention givers. Through this chapter of debut, the research worker gives an overview of the survey by detailing about the range, background, research method and aim. The undermentioned chapters will cover more about the procedure in item.

The Debate Over Samples of Essay about the Incarceration System Introduction

The Debate Over Samples of Essay about the Incarceration System Introduction The essays tackle a vast range of topics about prison life written by the men and women who know it best. Obviously, one particular book can no more describe all the prison system than 1 book could exhaustively describe the life span of a big city like Chicago or Philadelphia. The debut of the rule came as a consequence of the higher drug problem that had hit New York and other sections of the country (Mann, 2). The debut of this sentence marked the start of mass incarceration. Want to Know More About Samples of Essay about the Incarceration System Introduction? Based upon recent research, it's evident a great number of inmates, now incarcerated in the usa, are low risk inmates who may safely take part in alternative programs in their respective communities. In 1 city it's been found out that the range of prisoners at the same time has increased up to about 70000 at the identical moment. The maxim um number of inmates in the us is the black men. The variety of people who are in prison is probably not going to reduce in the usa. The sole difference is that it doesn't seem so racist and the folks are giving the illusion that mass incarceration is truly protecting them. Additionally, it brings to existence the dilemma of gender imbalance, this is observed from the simple fact that almost all of the people who are in prison are men and few if any are women. The research also looks at the way in which the thought of putting people into jail was created. Moreover, some folks think that prisons are just for people who are definitely the most violent. Moreover, mere incarceration isn't effective for altering the behavior of someone who committed an offence. This is among the risks which should be overlooked by legislators and law-enforcement officers. Those that are non-violent offenders shouldn't be incarcerated for extended spans of time (Jacobson, 2005). In reality, pri sons are somewhat more likely of doing the opposite. The outcomes of these programs are extremely impressive, and this also confirms that many of issues might have been omitted if the appropriate actions were taken punctually. They must facilitate work or education based on the need. This info is essential for showing that very frequently, it's vital to isolate some individuals from the society. The view isn't pleasant. The Basics of Samples of Essay about the Incarceration System Introduction The main goal of incarceration isn't bringing change in behavior. however, it is centered on benefiting from the states funding. Parole officers should exercise high degree of flexibility in handling juveniles without compromising their competence. Education has become the ideal weapon in fighting ignorance. Prisons could possibly be overcrowded as a result of failure to allocate resources or absence of resources to establish adequate modern prisons to accommodate the growing number of prisoners. Here's a couple samples of potential conclusions. It can be hard to understand how to compose a persuasive essay involving prison. In addition, there are cases when rehabilitation is the best choice. Be sure to concentrate on prevention, not treatment. As a consequence of the mass incarceration, the government has suffered a substantial blow as a result of overwhelming expenditure in the prison system. They send whoever they need to prison just as they have the authority to achieve that. The American prison and jail process is defined through an entrenched racial disparity in the populace of incarcerated folks. In such facilities, security might be more lax and the prisoner-to-correctional officer ratio might be low. Therefore, an individual can say that deterrence strategy isn't quite powerful. In our present condition of government downsizing, it's of extreme importance for policy makers to come up with a criminal justice program that's both successful a nd cost effective when continuing to stay vigilant against crime. The policies in america have played a significant part in raising the rates of incarceration. The idea of parole is one that's internal to the system, and allows a parole board to determine in case an inmate ought to be released dependent on several factors. Jails may use similar procedures to control violence, and a few systems operate in various ways to be able to manage a high amount of violence from inmates. Sentencing policies in the criminal justice system plays an important part in influencing the range of individuals serving jail provisions. Prison congestion is a significant problem that should be addressed for the criminal justice system to do effectively. The potential for a prison sentence subsequently functions as a deterrent for those on the outside who might commit crimes. Even though the variety of years served in prison is dependent on the crime committed, the range of inmates is still growin g. Most crimes shouldn't be punished with prison time. There is no good reason for a non violent offender to find the exact same sentencing as the individual that has killed.

Take Time Off Before Applying to Grad School

All throughout college, youve planned on attending graduate school, but as you get ready to apply you might wonder if grad school is right for you right now. Should you take some time off before graduate study? It’s not uncommon for students to get â€Å"cold feet† and wonder if they should pursue graduate study immediately after college. Are you ready for another three to eight years of graduate education? Should you take time off before graduate study? This is a personal decision and theres no definitive right or wrong answer. If you have any doubts about your educational and career aspirations take your time and consider your goals. There are a variety of reasons for taking time off before attending graduate school. Youre Exhausted Are you tired? Exhaustion is understandable. After all, youve just spent 16 or more years in school. If this is your primary reason for taking time off, consider whether your fatigue will ease over the summer. Youve got two or three months off before grad school starts; can you rejuvenate? Depending on the program and degree, the graduate school takes anywhere from three to eight or more years to complete. If youre certain that graduate school is in your future, perhaps you shouldnt wait. You Need to Prepare If you feel unprepared for grad school, a year off may enhance your application. For example, you might read prep materials or take a prep-course for the GRE or other standardized tests required for admission. Improving your scores on standardized tests is essential for at least two reasons. First, it will enhance your chances of being accepted to the program of your choice. Perhaps more importantly, financial aid in the form of scholarships and awards are distributed based on standardized test scores. You Need Research Experience Research experience will also enhance your application. Maintain contacts with the faculty at your undergraduate institution and seek research experiences with them. Such opportunities are beneficial because faculty members can write more personal (and more effective) letters of recommendation on your behalf. Plus you gain insight into what its like to work in your field. You Need Work Experience Other reasons for taking a year or two off between undergraduate and graduate school include gaining work experience. Some fields, such as nursing and business, recommend and expect some work experience. In addition, the lure of money and the chance to save is hard to resist. Saving money often is a good idea because grad school is expensive and its unlikely that youll be able to work many hours if any, while youre in school. Many students worry that they will never return to school after a year or two away from the grind. Thats a realistic concern, but take the time that you need to be sure that grad school is right for you. Graduate school requires a great deal of motivation and the ability to work independently. Generally, students who are more interested and committed to their studies are more likely to be successful. Time off may increase your desire and commitment to your goals. Recognize that attending grad school several years after completing the BA is not unusual. More than one-half of grad students in the US are over age 30. If you wait before going to grad school, be prepared to explain your decision, what you learned, and how it improves your candidacy. Time off can be beneficial if it enhances your credentials and prepares you for the stresses and strains of grad school.