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The Eduxtras Cashless Card: 4 Reasons You Should Get Your Hands On The Card That Helps You Manage Your Study Funds!

Stay focused on your studies... not on the management of your bursary funds. At Eduloan we want to make funding your education as easy as possible!  Your Eduxtras card gives you easy access to your bursary funds which are loaded into pockets for accommodation, books, study-related equipment, food and tuition. We take a look at 4 reasons why you should consider getting your hands on an Eduxtras card:

Reason #1 – It’s Secure

Because the money is transferred into your account and you only use your cashless card to access these funds, you do not have to be worried about having large sums of money in your pocket to pay for your accommodation or textbooks. Should you lose your card or if it gets stolen, it is easy to deactivate the card by calling the call canter or by using your online login.

Reason #2 – Access your account online

You can access and manage your Eduxtras cashless card by logging in on http://www.myeduxtras.co.za. On this website you will be able to manage your bursary funds by viewing your statements and banking details, request or change your PIN and report a lost or stolen card.

Reason #3 – Better Budgeting

Because your funds are kept in pockets, you can budget your monthly allowance to avoid using your food budget when you have to buy textbooks, making sure you don’t go hungry at the end of the month.

Reason #4 – On Campus Access

You can use your Eduxtras card on campus, for even more convenience. This means that you do not have to travel to be able to use your Eduxtras card! All you have to do is swipe your Eduxtras card at one of our partnered stores! Click here [L1] to view the complete list of partnered stores.

Surely you should get your hands on an Eduxtras cashless card?

For any questions about Eduxtras, our partner merchants, to find out more about the fund pockets, to report a lost or stolen card or a forgotten PIN simply call us on 0860 55 55 44. You can also email eduxtras@eduloan.co.za or visit www.eduloan.co.za for more information.

Individuality Vs Conformity – Where Do You Fit In?

Whether you are in school, college or university, we are sure you are well aware of the social pressures that you might have to face on a daily basis. The question remains, do you focus on being yourself and developing your own unique flavour, or do you choose to blend in?

This week we take a look at what challenges you might face during this time of your life:

Scenario 1: You are in grade seven and you have to decide on your subject choice. Would you              

  a)   Choose a subject because you want to be in a class with your friends?

  b)   Choose a subject based on the fact that you enjoy the subject and because it will contribute to what you would like to be one day?

Scenario 2: You have to get dressed for casual day. Would you

  a)   Dress in what you are comfortable in

  b)   Beg your parents for a new outfit because “I just cannot be seen wearing this”

Scenario 3: You have to choose where you want to further your tertiary studies. Would you

  a)   Choose to study at a college or university (even though they don’t offer your course) because “that is where everyone is going”?

  b)   Carefully consider all your options after researching several colleges or universities that offer a course in your line of interest?

Scenario 4: You have to submit a project plan for your course. Would you

  a)   Research current trends?

  b)  Try and think of new ways of doing things?

It is often considered easier to conform rather than to be yourself, but whether you are choosing your studies or deciding what to wear for the day, just keep in mind that it is probably best to remain true to yourself! Think about your choices carefully and when it comes to any choices that will affect your future, it might be best to ask all the right questions:

• What am I good at?
• What do I enjoy?
• What career would I like to follow?
• What are my strengths?
• What are my weaknesses?

Talk to your family and friends – you may be surprised to find out what they believe you are good at! It might also be a good idea to visit the school, college or university counselor to find out how they can help you too. Many institutions offer aptitude testing that can help you to identify your skills and strengths in order to establish what field you might want to consider studying in!

Pick up a book & expand your world on World Book Day

In the busy world we live in, a lot of us don’t have the time or the patience to read. Now that television, video games and movies are so readily available and easy to consume, we often associate reading books as something we had to do in school.  Many of us would shudder at the thought of reading a book for pleasure.

But since today is World Book Day, we thought we should remind you just how amazing reading can be and what it can do for you.

1. Enhanced brainpower

Reading a book will help you optimise your brain and improve in almost every area of your life. People who read have higher intelligence and more general knowledge than those who don’t. Research has found that reading, in general, makes you smarter and it keeps you sharp as you age. No matter what you want to do or become, you can’t do it without more knowledge and reading is an excellent way to get more information on your future plans and where you want to go.

2. Reading reduces stress

By simply opening a book, you allow yourself to be invited into a fantasy world that distracts you from your daily stressors. If you’ve had a stressful day, a book can easily distract you and get your thoughts off your worries for a while. Reading is the best way to relax. Reading an amazing fiction book is perfect right before bed time. Sometimes it’s hard to put the book down if it’s really good, but you’ll still be relaxed.

3. Improved logical thinking

If you’ve ever read a murder mystery and managed to work out who the murderer is before it’s revealed by the author, you’ll know that analytical thinking is boosted by reading. Readers improve their general knowledge, and more importantly are able to spot patterns and clues quicker. If you can spot patterns quicker, your analytical skills receive a boost.

4. Build your vocabulary

It’s no secret that reading increases your vocabulary and improves your spelling, but did you know that reading increases your vocabulary more than talking or direct teaching? Reading forces us to look at and try to understand words that we might not have seen or heard recently. Knowing what other people are saying and using the perfect words to convey your feelings is a critical part of boosting your brainpower.

5. Improved creativity

Reading books takes you to places you’ve never been, and as a reader you might often wonder how a writer can piece together real or fictional events with such accuracy and detail. Reading about places you’ve never been to (or even places that don’t exist) opens your mind up to new possibilities and allows you to be more creative in your own thinking.

Here are some common reasons why we don’t read and the ways you can get around them:

I don’t have enough time

Try to set aside ten or fifteen minutes every day for reading. Whether it’s just before going to sleep, while travelling in the bus to work or even while eating, you might just find that this little bit of “me” time will become your favourite time of the day.

I don’t have the patience

For those who have never sat down and read a novel of their own choosing, finding the patience to get into the book might be an uphill task, as the activity is so unfamiliar. Perseverance is the key here, so make it a habit to read for a few minutes every day. Once you get into the book you’ll find it easier to get stuck into it.

Books are boring

There are millions of books in existence, each one on a different topic, portraying different scenarios and covering dozens of different genres. Therefore, all books cannot be the same and all authors certainly cannot be the same. Take the time to make a list of the things that might be of interest to you (you could base this on the type of movies you like to watch, or the activities you enjoy). If you don’t like the first book that you try, remember not to give up on the idea of reading. You’re bound to find something that you like if you keep on looking.

Books are too expensive

If you find that bookshops don’t suit your budget, the best place to start a love affair with reading is at your local library. The books may be slightly older than the latest novels at the book store, but the good news is that books don’t have expiry dates like food at the supermarket!

“Reading takes us away from home, but more importantly, it finds homes for us everywhere.” - Hazel Rochman