Staying Busy During Spring Break

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Spring Break starts this week, which means most students (adults and kids alike) won’t be in school.

Don’t worry! Even if you aren’t in class, there are still some things you can do to ensure you’re staying busy during Spring Break.

1. Read with Your Kids

Probably the easiest way to ensure you continue to learn English during this week is to read to your kids. It doesn’t matter what types of stories or books you choose, just make sure they’re in English. Whether it’s right before bed or in the middle of the day, reading with your kids can be incredibly enjoyable.

If you aren’t confident in your reading abilities, consider checking out Unite for Literacy. Not only are there a ton of books on this site your kids will enjoy, but the computer will read them out loud for you! This is a great way to learn new vocabulary words and spend some quality time with the kiddos.

2. Listen to Audiobooks

In addition to reading with your kids, another option you have is to listen to audiobooks. There are a variety of apps that you can download onto your phone that give you access to a wide range of stories, so you’re sure to find something that you enjoy.

The best part about audiobooks is that you can listen while doing other things. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving, working, doing chores, or just hanging out, you can have a book playing in the background.

Audiobooks are ideal if you’re traveling. Whether you’re in the car or getting onto a plane, pop your headphones in, be transported to another world, and immerse yourself in some English!

3. Spend Some Time on Burlington English

If you happen to have the Burlington English app, spending some time on it during Spring Break can be incredibly beneficial—even if it’s only 5 minutes a day.

At night, right before you go to bed, instead of scrolling through social media, open the BE app and do a quick lesson. Sitting in a waiting room? This can be a great time to do some English lessons on your phone!

It Doesn’t Take Much

Spring Break is only a week long, and it can be hard to find time to study, but by finding ways to include the kids or engage in activities while on the go, you can still study over the week and improve your English skills.

Enjoy your time off!

The Season of Giving

Photo by Liza Summer

During the holiday season, more and more people and organizations need some help to get through.

While you may have the desire and good intentions to help others, you may also be wary of handing out your hard-earned cash because you don’t want to be inundated with asks or feel like you’re being taken advantage of.

Thankfully, there are ways to get through the “fundraising season” with your sanity intact, in addition to supporting some worthy causes and keeping some money in your account. Here’s how:

Support Programs that Are Important to You

There may be a lot of places asking for money, but you don’t have to give to them all. If you won the lottery and you need some tax write-offs, then give out as much as you can. However, since the chances of you being a lottery winner are fairly low, then you’ll want to consider supporting the programs that are most important to you.

Love animals? Support a local animal shelter.

Want to see young adults become future leaders? Support a mentor program.

Enjoy youth sports? Volunteer to be a coach or send money to help pay for new uniforms.

The list of places you can support is endless, so find something that really appeals to you.

Give Within Your Means

When supporting your favorite organization, you may want to do as much as you can to ensure they have enough funds. While this is noble, you also need to live your life and have money for the things you enjoy. Giving within your means will lower your stress levels, while also boosting your good feels.

Trust us: any amount that you donate to your program of choice will have an impact—and it will be appreciated. Sure, donors who give large amounts of money get a lot of recognition, and you can certainly donate a large amount if you want, but people who give smaller amounts are just as valuable.

Encourage Others to Support

Telling your friends and family about your favorite organization(s) and encouraging them to support is a great way to increase the number of donations that are received. Remember, a large group of individuals giving smaller donations can still have a huge impact. Spread the word and get others as excited about specific programs as you are.

Being a generous person is commendable, but this time of year can be tough. It seems like no matter where you turn, someone wants some money from you. You can be selectively supportive of your favorite programs and impact people in need. No matter what you give, it’s enough.

Staying Sane Through the Holidays

Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

The end of the year is upon us, and with that comes a lot. From holidays to school closures to cold weather, it seems like everywhere we turn, we’re getting hit with something new. While this can be an incredibly magical and wonderful time of year, it can also be filled with stress. If you’re looking for some ways to stay sane through the holidays, we’ve got some things for you to try.

1. Limit Your Schedule

There’s a lot of stuff going on right now. If you have kids, they are more than likely putting on holiday shows at school or preparing for class parties. There are also work functions and friend/family gatherings to go to. All of these are occurring in addition to the normal schedule of life.

If you want to make it through this time of year with your sanity and energy intact, then you should consider limiting your schedule. Invest your time and energy in the events that are most important to you. If that means seeing your kid on stage, make sure you are there. If you want to spend time with friends and family, put it on your schedule.

You don’t have to go to everything that’s offered to you. If there are events that you feel obligated to go to, limit how much time you spend there. Keep the visit to an hour or two so that you’re not spreading yourself too thin.

2. Stay Within Your Budget

This is the season of giving, and you want to make sure your loved ones know how much you care—and buying a present is the best way to accomplish that goal. However, it doesn’t take long for the spending to get out of hand. Then, you find yourself stressed because you don’t have the money you need for every day expenses.

There are other ways to “give gifts” this time of year that can be done for cheap. People appreciate homemade gifts. Consider baking them some delicious treats. You can even have the kids help. There’s nothing better than spending a weekend decorating cookies to pass out to friends and family—or to give to your neighbors, teachers, or mail carrier. They get a scrumptious treat, and you get to spend time with your children.

What other crafty skills do you have? Put them to use and create unique, heart-felt gifts that won’t break the bank.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

 3. Take Some Time for You

Taking care of everyone else during this time of year is going to drain you. Sure, it’s fun being around family and friends, but it can quickly become overwhelming. To maintain your sanity, make sure you take some time for yourself.

It doesn’t have to be much. Even 10 minutes a day doing something you enjoy (or sitting in silence) can have a positive impact on your mental health. If you want to take more time to refresh and recharge, have at it!

You can’t be jolly if you’re rundown and exhausted, so remember to do something that makes you feel good. Not only will you thank yourself, but those around you will thank you as well.

An Amazing Time of Year

The end of the year can be busy, but it’s also amazing. To enjoy the holidays to the utmost, you need to keep your sanity intact. Share your time and joy with others, but also slow down and appreciate what’s around you.