Esra Nita Simanjuntak

5 Ways to Make Anyone Feel Special  In a new relationship or one seasoned by time, for a female or male friend or relative, young or old, same sex  or other, the desire to feel appreciated is universal, and the means of showing that you care are available to everyone. Is there someone you would like to please, someone whom you would  love  to have think of you warmly? Choose one of the following. Heck, choose ALL of the following. I promise you the deed will be worth the doing: Give small “just-for-you” presents.  Whether it’s a candy bar you know the other likes or a paperback book you found at a garage sale, it really is all about the adage that it’s the thought that counts. Make it a point to slightly touch him or her often.  Nothing intimate; just an enthusiastic hug of pleasure when you greet or part; a casual touch on the shoulder as you pass; a friendly squeeze of the arm as you walk side-by-side. Many studies have shown the power of to...

Homeschooling: Advantages and Disadvantages In 2001, around 1 million children were receiving homeschooling. This figure has continued to grow reaching around 2 million in the United States in 2012 (statistics differ on the exact number) and still showing indications of ongoing growth. There are many different reasons why parents choose to homeschool. For them it seems the logical and best alternative to either public or private school education.  As with any form of education, there are both advantages and disadvantages . Advantages The advantages to homeschooling range in scope and effect.  It depends upon the person teaching, their circumstances and their ability. The advantages also rely on the characteristics or nature of the student or students involved . This said, the following are the most commonly cited advantages of homeschooling: Control of curriculum – Depending upon the state, you can decide the curriculum upon which your child can focus Pace of lear...

   5 things to make your family happier – starting today Families are supposed to be happy, right? Yet, reality bites, and family life can be extraordinarily difficult. Some days are better than others. To help out on those tough days, here are 5 evidence-based ideas for making your family happier – starting right now. Focus on the moment The buzz-word for this is ‘mindfulness’. What it really means is that you’re emotionally and mentally present, and not just physically present. While your child is talking to you, let go of the ‘to-do’ list, forget about what you’re going to cook for dinner, ditch Candy Crush or your Facebook status update, and focus on them. Don’t reprimand. Understand When our children are being challenging our default response is to get frustrated, angry, and to blow up. This does NOT make families happier! Usually children are being challenging because of an unmet need. Often they’re hungry, angry, lonely, tired, or st...

6 Fun Study Tips (No Really!)  There’s no shortage of tried and tested  study tips around, and most of us know the basics: make a clear plan, find a distraction-free study space, take regular breaks, exchange information with friends, get plenty of sleep, eat well, and so on. But sometimes you need something a bit different to stay focused and functioning at your best. Ready to inject fresh energy into your studies? Try one of these slightly more frivolous and fun study tips… 1. Write a song Remember at primary school, when your teacher taught you a song to help you remember a multiplication table, a rhyme to teach a spelling rule, or made you all cringe with a self-composed rap about photosynthesis? Ok, so the facts you need to remember when  preparing for exams  at university may be a bit lengthier and more complex – but if there’s a set of dates, names or numbers you need to be able to recall under pressure, why not try putting them to music/rhyme? ...

How to Turn Frustration into a Positive Attitude There is no clear-cut way in how to turn frustration into a positive attitude but anybody can learn from the great examples shown by great people who made a success out of hopelessly dire situations. There is no need to go a distant far to look for an inspiration. Think of the Obama example. He never gave up on a thought that he is an African American, a frustrating thought for many. He thought that he is a human being who has the ability and the normality afforded to the white(s). You yourself are a human being and as such nobody can diminish your capacities. What Obama is doing in the sphere where now he is in, you can accomplish in your own situation. He is ruling in his own way, you can rule on your own way. Thus, wherever you are and in whatever unfortunate situation you are in, think that you deserve more than frustration to live the life that you deserve. Think of Mahatma Gandhi and the Dalai Lama, people who have ...

How to Make Your Children Study Some children are blessed with the gift of good study habits, while others hate studying. Helping a child with poor study skills benefits the parent, the teacher, and the struggling student. You can take a number of proactive steps to help your children develop better study habits and skills. Remember: discipline is important, but your child will do her best work if she is motivated by the joy of learning. 1. Make your children realize that how they study is important.  Show them some examples. Bring your children to a person who is study-conscious, and have your children ask why he or she studies so much. Tell them about the days of your childhood at school and explain how challenging and fun it was to study. 2. Start young.  As soon as your child starts any type of schooling, start showing them how to balance their time. Teach them that school is a priority over things like games and TV, and get them into the habit of finishin...