Sweepstakes are a fun way to win prizes, they are not your everyday raffles. There are a number of sweepstakes which all have their own entry methods and drawing strategies. The winner of any sweepstake giveaway is random so there is no definite way of figuring out the best possible way of winning this feature. Luck matters, winning a sweepstake is a purely based on your luck. Every entry has a good chance to win the prize, that is the one which lady luck favors!

Sweepstakes are different from contests, since the winner of any contest or skill competition is selected by the judge’s panel or by vote. The winner of a sweepstake is random and hence, they are different in every way from a contest.

There are a number of sweepstakes organized which are categorized as follows.

Online sweepstakes: As the name suggests, entries for this feature is done online. Generally, most of the online sweepstakes are free to enter and you stand a chance to win big prizes by virtually spending zero money. But the number of applicants for these sweepstakes will be more than your average ones, which in turn will also affect you chances of winning. More the number of players, more is the competition.

Call sweepstakes: As the name suggests, entries are sent by making a phone call. However, these sweepstakes are not very well known and there might be hidden phone call charges that you may incur.

Mail sweepstakes: Although not many people prefer this, but you send your entries to the sponsors via post mail. The only advantage being, fewer number of applicants, higher are your chances of winning. However, this kind of sweepstake giveaway is not popular in today’s digital age.

Email sweepstakes: Not too different from online sweepstakes because you are still sending your entries online, except through mail to the sponsors of the sweepstake. However, the chance of winning an email sweepstake is better than online sweepstakes.

Text message sweepstakes: Of course, if you can call and register for a sweepstake, text messaging is another open option. Text messages will be sent to a code which will register your entry. Again, like call sweepstakes, text messaging ones are not frequently used.

Radio giveaways: Local radio stations will regularly hold contests and giveaways to keep the crowd entertained and attracted at the same time. The number of competitors for such giveaways are usually limited to the local crowd and hence the competition also is not so severe.

There are a number of other sweepstakes which are organized by frequency of the number of applicants, different types of prizes for the draw, eligibility criteria and more.

Laptop or notebook is a private property where valuable information is stored and fear of the laptop being stolen is a nightmare for many people. There are many laptop security locks available on the market. One of the best locks for 15 inch and 16-inch laptops is the combination lock which is designed with a low-profile and a self-coiling cable that helps in keeping the laptops safe.

The features of Combosaver lock make it an excellent one for laptops or notebooks. It consists of a self-coiling cable which measures approximately 3 inches. The slim profile lock with the T-Bar helps in locking the notebooks or laptops. The ease with which the lock can be used by using a combination of keys makes it the best for 17-inch laptops.

The other features of Combosaver laptop security locks are the easy view window and comfort grip dials which make it safe to use. This lock comes with 10,000 personalized combination codes which makes it the safe one to use for 17-inch laptops. The lock is best to use in schools, colleges or when traveling. The lock is safe to use when it is registered online which helps in retrieving the combination of the lock.

An anchor point is another way to secure the computer or laptop to any work surface. This provides comfort for employees as they can comfortably lock the desktops or laptops.  The Kensington Desk Mount Cable Anchor can be used to lock the desktop or laptop with the help of industrial-strength mounting tape or security screws.

Wordlock from Kensington is used to protect the laptop from the private information. The WordLock is enabled with Portable Combination Laptop Lock which makes it easy and convenient to lock the laptops and desktops. The push-button design in this lock enables it to use the lock. WordLock enables the user to lock the laptop or desktop with a four-letter word. The laptop or desktop can also be locked with self-coiling cable which can be stretched up to 6 feet and shrunk to as short as 3 inches for convenient storage.

The features of the WordLock are the T-Bar locking technology which helps to securely lock the laptop. The 15 inch or 16-inch laptop can be locked using a 4 letter word which can be reset with an approximate 10,000 combinations which makes it easy to change the password lock. The push button design is used to attach the lock easily to laptop or computer.

The locking devices for computers or laptops are very much needed as the risk of theft is much more in organizations and educational institutions where the laptops or desktops are used on a much larger scale.  The user can choose the best locking device based on his/her requirements and the budget.

Romantic, exciting, and thrilling, a cruise is something you should go on at least once. There are Europe cruise tours to try as well as cruises to other equally exotic locales. If you have never been on one, but are actively planning it, there are a few things to know. Follow these tips to have the experience of a lifetime.

Do your research
There are many cruise tours to pick from and all offer a great time. While it may be tempting to choose anyone, it pays to do your research. What ports will the line touch? Will there be guided shore excursions or do you have to find your way around yourself? How much time will you have to explore off the ship? You should know the answer to these important questions beforehand.

Have documents in order
Find out what documents will be required on the tour. Not all cruises that depart and return to the US ports require passengers to have passports, but it is always a good idea to take yours. Contact the cruise line for clarifications. You do not want to end up in trouble because of inadequate or incorrect documentation. Make hard copies to take along and have the soft copies on email or cloud storage for easy retrieval.

Select the right cabin
Ships have different cabins that range from small inside cabins to large suites. As with hotels, expensive cabins will entitle you to more amenities and rewards. Which to choose really depends on how much you are willing to spend. If you are easily seasick or are looking for peace, you may want to book a cabin that isn’t on the far end and isn’t located close to a source of the noise.

Pick the right tour
Whether you go on Europe cruise tours or one that focuses on entertainment, make sure you know what the package offers. Some tours may not have many presentations onboard but may provide better shore excursions, while others may focus on elaborate performances and organizing a variety of shows on the ship. If you are taking children along, you will want the tour to include child-friendly events. Do your homework so that you do not select the wrong tour.

Get organized
Book what you want beforehand, whether it is a shore excursion or a spa treatment. You will most likely be busy during embarkation day and may not have enough time. Pack essentials like power adapters, gadgetry, and chargers. Pack several sets of casual wear for daytime as well as a few formal clothing separates in case there is a dress code (which there usually is in the evenings or at dinnertime). Keep documents in an organizer and inside a carry on. It can take a while before passengers receive their luggage; so you want to have what you need close to you.

A cruise can be incredibly worthwhile or an experience you would not want to relive. Make it count by being prepared. You will be able to enjoy yourself to the fullest and make memories to cherish for years to come.

You have managed to get into a good college or university to pursue your dream of becoming a nurse. However, by getting in you have just taken the first step into the vast abyss of the healthcare industry. Nursing programs are designed to provide you with theoretical knowledge as well as a practical approach to prepare you to take on the responsibility of patients and nurse them back to health.

However, this is easier said than done since nursing programs can be elaborate and daunting, with you trying to manage your study, clinical rotations, and all the workload one after the other.

Here are a few study tips which will help you strategize and plan every step throughout the nursing program.

Plan your time: It is not possible to manage a week’s worth of theoretical and practical material in just a couple of hours. Study every day and try to cover the day’s topics so that your workload will be distributed without you having to worry about catching up on topics.

Use a study guide: There are nursing exam study guides which can be referred to find out which of the topics need more focusing on and which are the topics which are an absolute must and have to be covered thoroughly. The guide will enable you to plan and study accordingly, thus saving your time and efforts.

Pay attention in class: Focus and read up on the topics and points which are taught in class, along with referring to outside resources. Normally, what you learn in class will prepare you well enough for any theoretical and practical tests as conducted as part of the curriculum.

Be a part of a study group: Although some of you might prefer to lock yourself in the room or find a quiet place in the corner of the library to bury yourself under a mountain of books, finding a study group and exchanging facts and information might actually prove beneficial for you.

Other tricks: You have to read up on a lot of material and it is not possible to memorize almost everything included in nursing programs. But making flash cards, skim reading before memorizing, and identifying your learning style will all help you tackle the curriculum.

Aruba ranks at the top among the best island getaways in the Caribbean, home to some of the most authentic local vacation and cuisine experiences north of the equator. Perfect year-round sunny weather, white sand beaches, pristine lean waters, and a ton of Aruban culture-inspired activities beckon tourists from all over the globe. Here are some of the best reasons why Aruba travel should be the next destination for a holiday.

Pristine beaches
Aruba is one of the top spots in the Caribbean, home to the cleanest and most beautiful beaches spanning the length of the island. Tourists flock to the Eagle Beach for picturesque backgrounds and stunning views. Eagle beach is also home to hundreds of thousands of sea turtles that hatch on the shore and make their way to the sea. Do not forget Aruba’s infamous Black Stone beach, the only spot on the north side of the island that has black sand dunes and shores. If you are a beach lover, this tropical island offers the perfect mix of sightseeing and excursion activities from shore to deep inside the island archipelago.

Amazing activities around the island
Plan a day at the Arikok National Park to explore a unique set of trails that cover nearly 20% of the island. Or check out the amazing sand dunes at Boca Prins Beach another day. You can even visit Arashi beach for a day of snorkeling in the beautiful shallow waters or go deep sea diving to discover shipwrecks. Alternatively, you can plan a fun day at the Flamingo beach, one of the capital city’s most popular private touristy experiences. The beach is part of the Renaissance Aruba Resort, so it is not open to the public unless you buy the day exclusive day pass costing $125/person. But given the experience, this activity is worth the cost. Other iconic spots around the island include the Bubali Bird Sanctuary, Alto Vista Chapel, and California Lighthouse, all situated around the capital city of Oranjestad.

Unique outdoor adventures
Aruba, unlike any other exotic beach destination, also boasts some exciting outdoor activities apart from spending a day at the beach. Travel to the easternmost shore of the island to spend a day at Aruba’s Natural Bridges, a set of 7 rock formations. If you are exploring the place with your significant other, then definitely take out a couple of hours to detour to the Tunnel of Love, a 300-foot-long tunnel that takes you inside winding caves and rock formations. The entrance of this tunnel is shaped like a heart, so it’s a place for all you romantics to check out, and maybe even plan a dream proposal. Book a guided tour of the Quadirikiri Cave located inside the Arikok National Park for an amazing afternoon of exploration filled with rock drawing, stalactites, and stalagmites. If you prefer ancient sites and places of historical significance, check out the ruins of Bushiribana gold Mill or plan a hike to Ayo Rock formations and the Casibari Boulders.

Visit the capital city of Oranjestad
Oranjestad is one of the main tourist attractions on the island, known for its colorful architecture and vibrant design. It is the main port town where major cruise lines park for a couple of days enroute to other destinations. Here you must make your way to the nearest streetcar depot as part of the first experience in the capital city. The streetcar experience is certainly a must activity as the slow-moving gondola rides across town with multiple photo opportunities featuring some amazing European architecture built along the streets. Oranjestad is where you will find the National Archaeological Museum featuring unique collections dating back from the 19th century to 2500 BCE. You can also check out the unique butterfly farm home to hundreds of species on the outskirts. The capital city also has a vibrant nightlife scene featuring a unique folkloric Aruban dance festival called Bon Bini, celebrated every Tuesday night.

Aruban culture
Aruba is a rich treasure trove of cultural and historical attractions, with most of the major locations on the island famous for significant art and music exhibitions. From museums to galleries, you have every opportunity to explore a completely new aspect of the old and modern cultural impact. The island also plays host to one of the most ethnically diverse population groups that promote a warm and welcoming culture. Tourists will feel right at home here with the locals, who are always happy to help and guide them with friendly referrals and directions. A diverse population group also means you’ll have multiple opportunities to explore and participate in the varied interpretations of local culture and celebrations.

Favorable weather
Another plus point of planning a holiday in the remote island group is the amazing year-round weather. This Caribbean climate featuring perfectly sunny days and clear skies boasts a tolerable 80° temperature that is perfect for lazing on the beach with excursions planned for the evening and nighttime. Experts suggest planning an Aruba travel between April and August to avoid the peak rush and plan a reasonably priced holiday.

Boost Mobile is a company that provides a wireless network for mobile phones at affordable prices. It is one of the leading brands and has been offering efficient services across the United States of America. The deals offered are worth trying especially because they do not involve any long-term contracts and are simple for a layman to comprehend. Now you can make an unlimited number of calls, send texts and use the internet easily by taking advantage of the Boost cheap mobile phone plans. The Boost cheap mobile phone plans are prepaid and supported by only a limited category of devices. A few of them include the LG Optimus F3, Blackberry 8530, Motorola Crunch i475, HTC Desire, Samsung Galaxy SIII and the like. Boost cheap mobile phone plans for the Apple iPhone are attracting an enormous number of customers especially in a country that is known for supporting a wide fan base of the brand. The sixth generation of the iPhone is available with built-in services from Boost on Best Buy in space gray color with a storage space of 16GB. The company has associated with major retailers such as Kmart, Target, and others for delivering its products conveniently to the customers this festive season. With Black Friday around the corner, these Boost cheap mobile phone plans will give you more reasons to buy an iPhone.

$35 per month – This plan encompasses 3 gigabytes of data at the speed of 4G, following which the speed reduces to 2G. More data is offered at a rate of 1 GB for $5 and 2 GB for $10 and so on. Boost also offers payment options for this plan so you can enjoy the plan without having to overburden the pocket.

$50 per month – This plan allows you to use unlimited data for one entire month and make free calls and text messages. Moreover, you don’t have to pay any additional fee by way of taxes. Additional features include games, videos as well as music optimized to suit the mobile phone.

Family plan – This Boost cheap mobile phone plan offers a massive 8 GB of data for the entire family to use. Further HD videos can be watched by paying only $10 per month. These plans ensure great savings ranging up to $80 per month.

Hotspot plans – This plan helps in connecting up to ten devices to the internet even while traveling. The $10 per month and $25 per month plans provide 10 GB and 1.5 GB of 4G data respectively. However, an additional device called Warp Connect has to be purchased for $50 to use this service in the most effortless manner. Boost cheap mobile phone plans can also be upgraded by availing international services on the iPhone by paying an extra price. These work best especially if you deal with international clients or visit locations outside America way too often.  If you cannot afford to lose your iPhone, then the insurance plans from the brand will save you from getting paranoid. Alerts for scam calls, live programs and video packages are other striking services that can be included in Boost cheap mobile phone plans. Moreover, you will want to think twice before pressing the cross or skip option while faced with ads since Boost offers an opportunity to actually earn credit for seeing them once you unlock the iPhone. Therefore, you can select the best Boost cheap mobile phone plan as per the data requirements of your family and the money you want to shell out. The multiple modifications and additional data packs offered to ensure that your iPhone experience is taken to another level.

Irrespective of the fact that there are a number of cheap mobile phone plans available, ensure that you choose the one that suits you the best, moneywise and performance-wise.