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...

10 TOP TIPS FOR LEARNING ENGLISH AT HOME  You don’t need to live in an English-speaking country to become fluent in English. If you are smart about the way you  learn English , you don’t even need to leave your home town. Use these 10 top tips for to improve your English without even leaving your city. Surround yourself with English You don’t need to be in an English-speaking country to surround yourself with English. Find ways to make English part of your everyday life at home, like writing your shopping list, reading the newspaper, listening to the radio, writing a diary in English, or listening to English on your cellphone while traveling to work. Make English friends Even if you don’t live in an English-speaking country, there are probably many foreigners living nearby. Find ways to meet native English-speakers: going to foreign bars and restaurants, joining sport and social clubs, or arranging language exchanges. You could even volunteer as a guide at a local...

7 Reasons Why Students Drop Out Of College No one said that going to college would be easy, and many students find out the hard way. There are many contributing factors that can lead to lack of success. Some are unavoidable; some are, well, just plain irresponsibility. Either way, dropping out of college can count as a substantial loss in the life of a student. Here are some reasons that may contribute to the drop-out motivation: 1. A Blind Eye and a Low Expectation of Academic Demand Once students get into the thickest of their college schedule, they realize that, despite their new independence, the amount of responsibility that comes with their freedom was not at all what they anticipated. Therefore, they become burnt-out and discouraged; so they quit, whether or not their grades were lacking. 2. Life Situations and Other Outside Demands Unfortunately, as life may dictate, unexpected life situations can occur that are of such a serious nature, the student is forced to come...

The impact of social media on student life T oday’s world is a global village. Everyone is connected to one another in this vast network generated by the Internet. As said by Marshall McLuhan, a philosopher of communication theory, “The new electronic independence re-creates the world in the image of a global village.” This electronic independence is inherently dependent upon the Internet. It illuminates the lives of thousands of people by spreading knowledge internationally, thereby making us global citizens.  In the past, the communicating and free sharing of thoughts among people were restricted by long distance, nationality and/or religion. But now, even these barriers cannot stop the flow of information and knowledge. The new world of social networking allows free sharing of thoughts. Online social networks are created by websites such as Facebook, which has emerged as...

The importance of a healthy lifestyle for college students The adage of healthy body, healthy mind is especially relevant to college students. Getting good grades, focusing in class and balancing a busy schedule may be easier if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. By making small changes in your diet and activity level, you can reap big benefits in your overall health. You are what you eat Eating fast food and take-out a few times per week might seem like a good way to save some money on a tight student budget. However, in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle you would be better off allocating your limited funds to buying quality food. According to the online community  Student Universe , preparing meals at home, whether that be an on- or off-campus residence,  is one of the easiest and simplest ways you  can invest in your personal well-being. Preparing your own meals is a way for you to save money, and it allows you  to carefully control how much suga...

The Effects of Stress on Body Systems There are very real effects of stress on body and mind that should help you see the importance of reducing the stress in your life. As we all know, the body as a whole is made up of eleven body systems. Each system is important to the body and they were all designed to work together as one unit. The body was originally designed to endure high amount of stress, however, this was providing the body would rest long enough for the body to recuperate and be restored. Unfortunately, the world in which we live today is a fast paced world. Many people have forgotten the value in slowing down and no longer have time to embrace the finer things in life. Habitual busyness  is like a disease that has taken over our minds, especially here in America. Racing here and there, we are even raising our children to believe that there is nothing more important than staying busy. We have forgotten the reward in being still, relaxing, taking our time and ...

5 Natural Ways To Clear Up Your Acne In Time For The Holidays  Looking to clear your skin in time for the holidays? The fastest, most effective path to radiant skin is by incorporating both internal and topical treatments in your day-to-day routine. 1. Clean up your diet today. Holiday parties are filled with tempting treats and goodies that are no good for your skin. Nobody wants to miss out on the indulgences altogether, but it's important to know the ins and outs of  your skin  and commit to skipping those foods that irritate it. If your skin gets red easily or feels hot from within, stay away from hot and spicy foods. The same holds true for rosacea sufferers, who also need to stay on the wagon for the holiday season. Sorry to say it, but alcohol is a big no-no for rosacea. For people with acne or oily skin, it's best to eliminate dairy products and fried foods. Sugar and white flour create inflammation and can make any skin condition worse. Looking t...