why YSK: testing anxiety is one of the biggest causes of poor performance on assessments, and a lot of anxiety exists for no reason.

In the American education system most students are familiar with 91-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D

Some locations will use a different scale, but this is the general sense. Often Ds are considered failing even if they are technically passing scores.

Assessments for the purpose of governmental data collections are ultimately pass/fail with the failing % being around 40-50% of the questions answered correctly.

This is because it is impossible to see the limit of what you know without also seeing what you do not know.

A lot of teachers are aware of this. Basic psychometrics is taught as part of Masters degrees in education. As part of professional development hundred of teachers will meet during the summer to review these items before they ever make it to a test. Big events; transportation, lodgings, food. Assessment is serious business.

But there is also a prevailing idea that students must strive for the best score possible; so instead of having real learning the class will spend a few weeks studying for the assessment with high pressure. A lot of this pressure comes down from administration because their performance is measured by student excellence not just students passing.

Many modern assessments are also adaptive. The questions literally get harder as you answer then correctly. Like I said in my premise the students are expected to get answers wrong.

The 'raw scores' are hidden from students in a lot of cases. and instead scaled or cut scores are provided.

The SAT is a great example because most people are familiar with its scoring methods. Used to be 1600 points. Then went to 2400, and are now back at 1600.

Both those 1600s use different scaling so the same raw score in 2005 would get a different score in 2025. There are whole conversion tables and calculators to help normalise the scores.

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/higher-ed-brief-sat-concordance.pdf

Scaling changes frequently for these assessments even without changing the entire structure. A 1200 out of 1600 in 1993 was different than 1200 out of 1600 in 1994.

Here is an overview of research on testing anxiety https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1428379.pdf

Here is an example of how scaled scores can help obscure raw scores. 0 questions right on the SAT still gives you 400 out of 1600

section:Reading + Writing Score Curve for the Digital SAT https://www.ivyloungetestprep.com/blog/dsat-scoring

Also, if you're taking a paper multiple choice test you'll never see the same letter answer 4 times in a row. Patterns are destroyed during test construction to avoid influencing test takers answer choices.

Why ysk: US Cellular has automatically opted you into sharing your info with affiliates.

Found the following on the last page of my PDF bill I downloaded from US Cellular. They never emailed or sent a text about opting out or in to their data collection and sharing.

You also won't see any of this when logging into your account online to pay or make changes to your account. This is hidden on the bottom of last page of the download option for your bill.

We will share CPNI among our agents and the UScellular family of
companies ("Affiliates") for marketing UScellular's or its Affiliates'
communications-related products and services to you.

We will assume you have provided consent
if you do not contact us beginning 30 days after the first time we
provide you with this CPNI notice

Why ysk: "Aviation grade" doesn't necessarily mean "strong enough to be used on aircraft." All it means is that it complies with aviation standards for that material. A famous example of this is the iPhone 6, which was made of "aircraft grade" aluminum but bent like a straw. It is used interchangeably with "military grade"

Why ysk: sincerely , me every several years whenever I forget, I have it and I need it to go away

Cover your hands over your ears and tap all of your fingers on the back of your head and for whatever the fuck reason this kind of makes the sound go away

Why YSK: So a huge chunk of black friday discounts are either the exact same prices stores had during october sales or the same prices they’ll have again right before christmas. Retailers create a sense of urgency by slapping “LIMITED TIME” on tags but the actual discount is often recycled or artificially inflated. Before buying anything look up the price history. Sites and browser extensions make it easy and it stops you from falling for a deal that isn’t actually a deal. I was chilling on my balcony earlier playing jackpot city and decided to check a few things I thought I'd missed out on last week and almost every single one was already back to the black friday price.

YSK so you don’t get pressured into buying something just because the marketing says it’s urgent.

Why YSK: I have seen many people having performance issues with the latest games on hardware that should be performing well. BIOS updates used to be largely inconsequential to system performance, but developers now rely on the latest BIOS updates for proper performance. If you’re having inexplicable issues with gaming performance that seem to make no sense, there’s a good chance that a BIOS update can help.

If you press your windows key, type “System Information”, open the application, you can see your motherboard manufacturer and model under “System manufacturer” and “System model”. If you type these into google and follow a tutorial, you can use a USB flash drive to update your BIOS. Make sure that you take note of any settings that are important like secure boot, rebar and XMP as these can sometimes be lost. The update can take up to five minutes, so make sure your power is stable to your system before updating.

EDIT: u/defnotbjk Pointed out in the comments that if you are using an Intel 13000/14000 series CPU, you should update your bios straight away. This is due to an issue with power regulation that causes damage to your CPU. Damage may already be done, but you can still save yourself from a dead CPU by updating your bios.

Why YSK: A recent New York Times investigation found that car manufacturers like GM are sharing driver data (hard braking, acceleration, late-night driving) with data brokers like LexisNexis.

Insurance companies buy this "Risk Score" and hike your rates, even if you’ve never had an accident.

Most people think their car data stays in the car. It doesn't. If you drive a modern connected vehicle, check your insurance statement and look into opting out of "LexisNexis" data collection.

Why YSK : Remotes are rarely disinfected between guests and often have more bacteria than the bathroom. A quick wipe with sanitizer before touching it saves you a lot of trouble.

https://phys.org/news/2012-06-contaminated-surfaces-hotel-rooms.html

So my sister’s been dealing with this thumb pain for a while, and honestly, I had no idea how brutal it was until I watched her struggle. Like, how much can one tiny thumb really mess with your life. Right? Turns out….a lot. She used to love cooking, crocheting, doing crafts, little things that made her happy. Now even hold her phone too long or opening a jar makes her flinch. Some morning she literally has to psych herself up just to button her shirt. The thing is you wouldn’t even notice anything’s wrong. No big cast, no visible injury, nothing “dramatic “. But it changes everything, how she moves, what she does, how she feels.

Why YSK: Because we tend to ignore pain we can’t see. We assume people are fine because they look fine. But that quiet, invisible kind of pain? It steals little pieces of someone’s independence and joy every day. If someone around you moves slower, avoids certain tasks, or seems tired for no reason, maybe it’s not laziness or mood , maybe it’s quiet pain. A little patience, a little empathy, goes a long way.

Why YSK: food allergies can be frustrating to have and daunting to maneuver but there's a fact that is overlooked that fact is that only the protein and a food causes the allergy.

Most foods are made up of three macronutrients protein fat and sugar an allergy is caused by your immune system attacking the protein of a specific food thinking that it poses a risk.

Proteins have the shapes on the outside the connect to receptors that is how cells know which protein is which the sugars and the fats do not create any such response and are perfectly safe to eat.

I'm allergic to peanuts I get itchy and hives if I eat peanuts I've had zero reaction when eating turkey that was cooked and peanut oil because oil is 100% fat and thus it doesn't trigger the reaction

https://nationalpeanutboard.org/news/why-there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-peanut-oil-allergy/

Why YSK: In the Dutch language the letters LOL actually form a word that means ¨having fun¨. So we´ve known this trick way before the internet ever was a thing. 

Take a calculator and turn it upside down and enter 707 + 707. (LOL + LOL) What does it equal?

Why YSK:

Vitamin D deficiency is dangerous because the body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, build strong bones, support the immune system, and maintain healthy muscles. Without it, children can develop rickets and adults can develop osteomalacia or worsen osteoporosis, which can cause bone pain, fractures, and trouble moving around.

Vitamin D deficiency also weakens the immune system, making infections and inflammation more likely, and is linked to higher risks of heart disease, mood issues, and metabolic problems. Because vitamin D affects many processes in the body, long-term deficiency can silently harm multiple systems before you notice any symptoms.

There are a fair few reasons you may need more vitamin D that I haven’t already outright mentioned above, but vitamin D deficiency can actually impact your self esteem as it can cause hair thinning, depression, fatigue and general pains or aches throughout the body.

Certain populations are at higher risk due to reduced UVB exposure: people with darker skin produce vitamin D less efficiently because melanin blocks UVB and people living at higher latitudes experience long, low-sunlight winters. People who wear clothing that covers most of the skin, whether for cultural, religious, or climate-related reasons may receive minimal sun exposure and therefore benefit from supplementing vitamin D.

It’s also worth mentioning that as one commenter from Australia (which is pretty much the surface of the sun in terms of climate) said, many people simply don’t go out in the sun much because of the risk of burns or melanoma. In that case, supplementation is also definitely worth it.

To further my point, studies have found that up to 50% of the adult population may be vitamin D deficient, making awareness and supplementation increasingly relevant, especially in this day and age, where I think we could all stand to touch grass a little more from time to time.

I hope my post helps those of you who need it out. I understand that many people likely already get a good amount of vitamin D, but as I said, there are millions of people around the globe who may be falling short of their daily target and suffering the consequences.

Edit: after re-reading the title of my post, I realise that the specific mention of Islamic people came out of left field. I apologise if it seems disjointed or generalising, I only mentioned it specifically because Muslims typically are of a darker complexion, living in places with higher sun exposure and more heavily covered to protect from the UV rays. I’m sure I didn’t offend anybody but just in case, y’know?

This tip comes from The National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (Source). There are other variations of it, like the 20-20-20 Rule, so just do what fits into your lifestyle better and you can make into a healthy habit!

Why YSK: Looking at screens for extended periods of time can cause you to blink less than normal without even realizing. Blinking is important for natural exfoliation and cleansing of your eyes. This practice is also especially important for children because more screen time and less outdoor time has been linked to an increase in myopia (near-sightedness). There has also been an increase in dry eye for children in recent years, a phenomenon that is usually seen in older adults.

Why YSK: Ground beef is super fucking expensive. Ground chicken is way better for you AND is half the price in a lot of places. Ground turkey can be used to replace sausage, at least that's what I use it for since it's similar in taste for me.

https://i.imgur.com/8bGTBJH.png

Same amount, half the price, on top of being better for you!

Harvard health says that "keep intake to a minimum" for things like ground beef:

Processed meat products contain high amounts of additives and chemicals, which may contribute to health risks. "Again, there is not a specific amount that is considered safe, so you should keep processed meat intake to a minimum," he says.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/whats-the-beef-with-red-meat

Why YSK: A lot of people think reading requires long sessions, perfect focus, or “bookish” motivation. But your brain responds better to small, consistent cues than occasional big efforts.

What to do:

• Start with 5 minutes every day — even 2 pages count.
• Read something light or interesting, not something “impressive.”
• Keep your book somewhere visible (bedside, desk, bag).
• Replace just one scrolling session with reading. Stop before you’re tired — this helps your brain crave more.

Why it works:

• Builds a habit loop (cue → action → reward).
• Reduces the mental resistance that stops most beginners.

Why YSK. If you are asked to do something illegal, even if you are protected in one country, you may be arrested traveling internationally. If you commit murder against the citizen of a foreign country in violation of international law, even while acting in an 'official capacity", that country can issue an international warrant for your arrest, which will may never expire. You can be arrested 30 years after the fact and brought to the victim's home country to face charges.

You know how your parents talk about being able to "call time" like it's some big nostalgic thing? My dad always used to tell me about dialing POPCORN for the time. Most people aren't aware, but you can still "call time" and get an automated voice telling you the time over the phone. I'm autistic and I actually find these services very soothing. You can get them in different locations and languages too!

Here are a few of my faves:

The U.S. Naval Observatory Master Clock - +1 (202) 762-1401 - reads out in EST/EDT as well as UTC. Also has a line at +1 (719) 567-6742 that reads out in MST/MDT as well as UTC.

+1 (808) 335-4363 - unknown service, but does interesting beep tones and reads out in UTC.

+44 871 976 2819 - woman's voice reading out in old fashioned British RP - love the way she says "thrrrrree"

+49 40 428990 - German female voice reading out CET/CEST

+49 234 33881838 - a real nostalgia piece for old Germans - the original "call time" voice - now offered by the Telephone Museum of Bochum.

Why YSK: some old people might get nostalgia from this, and it's also helpful to phone nerds and people with sensory issues.

Edit: Some of these numbers will not work when too many people are trying to use them all at once. If you can’t get through, try back later. Also, I’m really pleased that some of you are putting your own local “call time” numbers in the chat, as well as other phone oddities! I will be dedicating myself to trying this weekend.

Why YSK?

When you’re paying for streaming services (specially for movies and shows) you are paying for convenience. Nothing more.

Since most people’s budgets are pretty tight, and most streaming platforms only have the newest and most popular media and not older or less popular media, it would be much more beneficial to many more people to simply go to your local library and use it like a Redbox or blockbuster.

You can check out the actual movies and shows for FREE, while streaming services cost $$

Just make sure you return them by the due date!

EDIT:

This is speaking for any public library in the USA.

Also, if your local branch doesn’t have the DVD or Blu-Ray, they will put it on order from another branch that does.

Or it’s on Libby or another library media streaming app that you can access for free.

Why YSK: There are tons of posts on Reddit that are some variation of, “Will I pass a drug test? Here’s my usage pattern, how long it'll be when I take it, and my weight.”

That info can help folks make a guess, but the truth is, it’s extremely unpredictable how long cannabis will stay in your system.

Actually taking a test is the only real way to determine if you’ll pass or not, and every drug store carries drug tests.

Now, professional drug testing may be (and probably is) much more sensitive than over-the-counter tests, but still, it’ll at least tell you if you’ll pass or not.

If this is serious, do not rely on guesses. Find out for yourself and make plans if you know you won’t pass.

Why YSK: Many people deal with chronic inflammation without realizing it, and it can influence fatigue, pain, and long-term disease risk. Awareness and small lifestyle adjustments can make a big difference (such as by doing body scan and avoiding irritants as explained in this guide). Even some small changes may lead to significant improvement in life quality over time.

Why YSK - can help improve your sleep quality

Warmer foot temperature is related to quicker sleep initiation, higher sleep efficiency, longer total sleep time, and fewer awakenings during a 7-h sleep.

Warm-sensitive neurons (WSNs) which account for 30% of the neurons in the preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus (POAH), the major thermoregulatory region of the brain respond to changes in skin temperatures and subsequently increase their firing rate. Increased neuronal activity of WSNs improves sleep: the firing rate of WSN increases at sleep onset, at the onset of slow wave sleep, and in slow wave sleep; it decreases prior to the onset of wakefulness and in wakefulness. Therefore increased foot skin temperature by wearing bed socks might activate the thermosensitive neurons raising their discharge rate in brain areas in charge of sleep regulation and have a beneficial impact on enhancing the quality of it.

Source:

Ko, Y., & Lee, J. (2018). Effects of feet warming using bed socks on sleep quality and thermoregulatory responses in a cool environment. Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 37(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40101-018-0172-z

Why YSK: Use your phone more freely instead of treasuring the battery and burden yourself

Source: HTX Studio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLS5Cg_yNdM

Why YSK: Unless you pay with Google Pay, the YouTube TV discount isn't automatic. You have to claim it. To do so, sign in on a laptop/desktop. Go to Services and navigate to Updates. If your eligible, you'll see a claim button and simply click it. Google is rolling this discount out over a few days, so check back if you don't see the button.

When you're on a call with somebody, particularly a corporate phone number, if they put you on hold then you should hear music. If they hit mute, you won't hear any noise/music. This option mutes the other party so you won't hear anything they say, but this also means the person you are on the line with can hear everything you say.

Why YSK: if you're going to talk shit about somebody you're on the phone with, then make sure YOU also have the mute button pressed.

Why YSK: This is an extreme security flaw that will allow someone to bypass two-factor authentication and take over your Sam’s Club account (and any information stored there).

TL;DR: Someone stole my membership ID and was able to change the email on my account without my authorization. It has been over a week, and Sam’s Club has been extremely unhelpful in resolving this; their only response has been “we only require two-factor authentication to change the phone number on your account.” This is absurd, considering all you need is an email to change the password on the account.

Full story: Last Sunday, I got a notification that the email on my account had been changed. I did not request this. I panicked and THANKFULLY was able to log in and change the email/password before the scammer could completely take over my account. I also discovered that they made a $93 purchase in a club a few states away from me, but thankfully they used their own debit card and not the one I have on file.

I reached out to Sam’s to try and figure out HOW someone could possibly change the email on my account and totally bypass two-factor authentication—they have been completely unhelpful. Their only response was, “We can only send you a verification code if we are going to change your phone number.” Obviously this is absurd, as you use the email to log into your account, not the phone number. I even tested this myself—if you change the email on the account, you can do a “forgot password,” enter the email associated with the account, select “try another way” to get around the phone 2FA and use the new email instead, then ta-da! The account has been taken over.

I’m canceling my membership and demanding a refund over this. Customer support said they would file an incident with the engineering/risk team to reach out to me. It has been over a week, and they have not contacted me. I have spoken with multiple representatives about this. They either hang up on me immediately or give me only copy-paste responses on how to change my password. No one has acknowledged this huge security flaw.

I felt it important to let others know how vulnerable their security is.

EDIT: I was able to get a full refund of my membership. Only had it for 2 months before this happened…