Category: APLang-Default

In simple terms, the Central Place Theory states that the central place (city) exists mostly to provide goods and services to the surrounding population. Meaning that the city is the central business district. Additionally, low order goods need to be replenished often, so they can be bought regularly in small stores, in smaller towns (low order settlements). Then high order goods, which are more expensive, less often bought products (such as cars), are sold at fewer business selling these. This is because people need to purchase them less often, and too many establishments selling these goods in one area, would cause them to lack monetarily and ultimately close. That’s also why these high order steel bets would have to be located in large cities, where there is a high number of people to purchase things (I.e. threshold).

In relation to sample findings, it is evident that the base factors of the Central Place Theory, being threshold, range, low order goods/settlements, high order goods/settlements, and hinterland, apply as expected on a smaller (Maine) scale. In our Megalopolis of Portland for example, there are 16 banks. This is a threshold of about 3,420 people per bank to remain in business. As we move from megalopolis, all the way down to hamlet, the number of banks decreases to zero. This is because Dayton (hamlet) only has a population of approximately 488 people. This is below the threshold and thus a bank would not be able to be supported.

Regarding range, it was found that people in the megalopolis of Portland and city of Saco, had so many auto, banking, motel, etc., options that they’d be willing to travel the shortest distance from base for a service. They are surrounded by establishments and services and have no reason to travel further out to the town, village, or hamlet, if that service is even available there. Unfortunately people in the town of Waterboro, village of Arundel, and hamlet of Dayton, have a larger range, as they are forced to travel further distances for certain services. This is because they are unavailable closest to them.

Moving on, low order goods which need frequent replenishing, are located in low order settlements. This could be for example, the milk and general grocery products sold at the Dayton country store, in the hamlet of Dayton. An example of a high order good in a high order settlement, would be an auto mobile bought in the megalopolis of Portland or city of Saco. These high order products are more specialized, and bought less frequently. For these reasons, they need to be located in a megalopolis or city, where there are enough people to meet the threshold, and keep the business open.

Lastly, we refer to Dayton (hamlet) as our hinterland. Dayton is the surrounding area from the major city/metro area. It has a much lower number of residents, and thus less establishments and available services. People also travel a more extensive range to get what they need, and high order goods are rarely available here, compared to their availability in the metro area of Portland.

For those who look to further their education past high school, college is the logical next step. Unfortunately, there are many complex aspects to consider when choosing the right school for you. Three major categories that need to be considered most, are academics, cost, and location.

Firstly, academics are key to success. An individual needs to choose a college that has classes that allow them to grow and excel. Things to consider would be average class size, student to faculty ratio, variety of classes, and professors who teach those classes. Remember that most of a students time is spent learning. If the classroom environment isn’t the right fit, this could hinder future academic success.

Next, cost must be considered. At the end of the day, if choosing a certain college puts too much financial stress on a student, it probably is a poor decision to attend. If finances are an issue, as they are for many American families, it’s important to search for scholarship opportunities. Also, just because a school is more expensive, doesn’t automatically make it a better educational opportunity.

Finally, location and environment come into play. A student will hypothetically be spending four years at their institution of choice. It is necessary that they test out the school’s location and environment, in order to ensure that they feel comfortable there. Your college of choice should feel more like a home away from home, and less like a dreary academic institution. This will help people maintain a positive and focused mindset.

Truly, there is no exact formula that can be used to help students choose which college is right for them. It’s more like a tiring system of trial and error, mixed with personal preference, that ultimately makes the decision.

Summer. For most students, the best season of the year. Warm temperatures, sunny days, and no school related responsibilities. Sometimes though, people forget just how important a summer job can be for high schoolers across the United States. A summer job has the ability to build work ethic, help a young adult find their personal interests, and is a great source of extra money.

To begin, a summer job helps build work ethic. It is easy for teenage students to lose their drive during the summer months, simply because they are off of school. Since they no longer have to worry about academic responsibilities, in most cases, students may get a little lazy. A summer job has the ability to keep a student motivated, working toward a goal, and not losing their focus.

Additionally, there are so many different jobs for students to chose from during the summer season. Businesses everywhere are in need of extra staff, and students can try something completely new to them. This may include a job in the customer service industry, or a job working with animals, or a small administrative position at a company. These opportunities allow for a stress free work environment, where teenagers can spend time learning more about their interests, and hopefully use this as an opportunity to make a better future career decision.

Finally, the simplest reason behind finding a summer job is money. Teens are required by law to at least make minimum wage, no matter where they work. This ensures that they have extra money in their pockets. This could be used as means for independence or be saved for a variety of future funds, such as a college saving account.

In the end, a summer job is nothing but a great opportunity for teens. These jobs act as motivators and students feel like they have a purpose, while the school year is put on pause. These positions can also lead to future employment opportunities for teens who are willing to put the work in.