Hello Friends,
When you are young, it can be thrilling to dive into a book intended for students above your grade level. The reverse is also true, that it is one of life's pleasures for adults to return to childhood fantasies through the magic of books. Our collection of the best books published in 2023 has something for every age —so consider dabbling in the "wrong" category! Enjoy our feature article for December, "Book Suggestions for Holiday Gift Giving."
Speaking of the holidays, this is a great time of year for baking. Take a break from the world of books by trying your hand at an easy recipe for a holiday classic in our bonus article for December, "You Can Do It! Rugelach."
They say if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. I think of that saying every time I sit down to read a great book for one of my students. Find out what I've been enjoying recently in our special feature, "What Is Betty Reading? Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep. Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
Book Suggestions for Holiday Gift Giving
The New York Public Library has released their list of Best Books of 2023, and from that we pulled a few that might serve you while coming up with ideas for your holiday shopping. There’s something here for adults, teens, and pre-teens too, so something for everyone!
For Adults
All The Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me
by Patrick Bringley
More than just a portrait of an iconic NYC locale and its treasures by a former New Yorker staffer who spent a decade as a museum guard, this book is also a memoir about grief, healing, art, and reinvention.
White Cat, Black Dog: Stories
by Kelly Link
Inspired by the Brothers Grimm, 17th-century French lore, and Scottish ballads, this clever collection of reinvented fairy tales expertly blends realism and the speculative as characters hunt for love, connection, revenge, or their sense of purpose.
The Bee Sting
by Paul Murray
Where did it all go wrong? A patch of ice on the tarmac, a casual favor to a charming stranger, a bee caught beneath a bridal veil—can a single moment of bad luck change the direction of life?
For Teens
What Stalks Among Us
by Sarah Hollowell
A day of playing hooky leads to a waking nightmare when Sadie and Logan find themselves trapped in a never-ending, ever-changing corn maze with the belongings and bodies of those who visited before them—including those of past versions of themselves.
Money Out Loud: All the Financial Stuff that No One Taught Us
by Berna Anat
Tackle your financial fears and trauma with real conversations about money management in real life.
Akane-banashi, Vol. 1
by Yuki Suenaga
When Akane's father is forbidden to become a rakugoka (Japanese storyteller), she decides to become one herself to avenge her father's humilation.
For Pre-teens
Big
by Vashti Harrison
A young girl transcends opinions of her to hold space for herself and own the person she is both inside and out. Powerful, full-page illustrations and striking use of color push the limits of the picture book form.
Bunny and Tree
by Balint Zsako
Bunny is separated from the colony and turns to a shape-shifting tree for help. Through nine wordless, thoughtfully illustrated acts, they brave predators, sail across oceans and fly through the sky in search of Bunny's new home.
Ghost Girl
by Brooke Carter
While visiting their grandmother, 10-year-old Sly discovers the trapped spirit of a long-lost relative. Using their quick wit and intuition, Sly must decipher clues to free both their distant cousin and their grandmother from an eternity behind the mysterious mirror.
How to Bird
by Rasha Hamid
Discover the joy of birding in the heart of the city! This approachable and inclusive guide for children introduces birdwatching strategies that make nature accessible.
You Can Do It! Rugelach
One of our favorite munchies during the holidays is a delicious rugelach. Here’s an easy recipe from Ina Garten. Give it a try. We know you’ll love them too!
Rugelach
• Level: Easy
• Total: 1 hr 55 min
• Prep: 10 min
• Inactive: 1 hr 30 min
• Cook: 15 min
• Yield: 4 dozen cookies
Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2-pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar plus 9 tablespoons
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup apricot preserves, pureed in a food processor
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash
Directions
Cream the cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the salt, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour and mix until just combined. Dump the dough out onto a well-floured board and roll it into a ball. Cut the ball in quarters, wrap each piece in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
To make the filling, combine 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar, the brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the raisins and walnuts.
On a well-floured board, roll each ball of dough into a 9-inch circle. Spread the dough with 2 tablespoons apricot preserves and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the filling. Press the filling lightly into the dough. Cut the circle into 12 equal wedges. Starting with the wide edge, roll up each wedge. Place the cookies, points tucked under, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Brush each cookie with the egg wash. Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on the cookies. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.
What Is Betty Reading? Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
I recently revisited the ever popular and award winning play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller which debuted in 1949. Although I have read the play several times, every time I read it, I learn something new about Willy Loman and the challenges he faced as he begins to question not only why he was unable to develop strong relationships with his wife and sons, but also why he did not achieve the American dream. The play is short on characters, but Miller closely examines the unique relationship each has with Willy. If you haven’t read this play, consider doing so. There is a reason it has been required reading for the past 75 years!
Letter from Betty for November 2023
Hello Friends,
Clutter in a teenager's bedroom or elsewhere — no matter who is the clutter bug — has a solution. Find out how to de-clutter your home, and encourage those around you to do likewise in our feature article for the month of November, "Overcoming the Negative Impact of Clutter."
On a happy holiday note, we are dishing up tasty and fascinating historical tidbits about November's big holiday in this month's bonus article, "Wild and Wonderful Facts About Thanksgiving."
Catch up on my latest favorite book in our special feature for November: "What Is Betty Reading? Outlive by Peter Attia, MD."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.
Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
Overcoming the Negative Impacts of Clutter
A teen’s bedrooms and a mess. Those two things are a given, right? College dorm rooms and tight space creates a mess. It’s a given, right? Wrong. And let’s not just point at the teens, because we all have our junk drawers and closets crammed full of who-knows-what. But there is a point where that clutter begins to cause a problem, where it impacts our environment, and mental and physical health in a negative way.
Those piles of paper, magazines, books, clothes, and dirty dishes actually increase stress levels, and have been directly associated with anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Clutter also affects our ability to focus, and it can prevent us from getting a good night’s sleep. Let’s face it, constantly looking for things that get lost isn't fun.
Furthermore, clutter can have a negative impact on our ability to be creative, process social situations accurately, think critically, and frankly, it has a negative impact on the visual appeal and comfort level of our living space.
So as parent, if you see that your teen or college-aged young adult has a clutter problem, jump in and help them to become more organized. And if you, as a parent, have a home in a similar state, think about setting a good example and taking steps to de-clutter.
To begin:
Start by cutting the clutter. Toss items that aren’t needed or that don’t bring you joy.
Set up separate work areas, stocked with the supplies needed for that work, study, or hobby.
Set a consistent daily time, perhaps before heading to bed, to give your home/room/living area a quick once-over and make sure that everything is put away. Additionally, schedule a weekly time to clean and re-organize.
If the de-cluttering or clean-up ahead of you is too overwhelming, then here are a few ideas that might help:
Instead of doing a marathon clean-up, break the job into smaller steps. Set a timer (20-25 minutes) to tackle a task and when that timer goes off, stop. Take a break, and start all over again after a short breather or even later in the day, but do get back to it again.
Forget about making your space perfect. Perfection is over-rated. Focus on the "good enough" theory. Make the space presentable.
Put on music to set an upbeat mood and make the task more fun.
Put away your phone. Silence it and stick it in a drawer so that it doesn’t become a distraction and you lose your motivation, train of thought, momentum.
Ask a friend to help if it’s just too overwhelming or if you need the extra motivation. The caveat here though, is to make sure you stay focused on your goal and don’t get distracted by your company.
Specific de-clutter strategies::
Have a place for everything. This part may take a little time to accomplish but once done, maintaining an organized space is much easier. Have a basket for mail, a tray by the TV for the remote, a box or hook next to the door for keys. Everything needs its own space and everything needs to be in its space. You’ll save yourself a lot of time not having to search for these frequently lost items over and over again!
Put a trash can in every room in your home. If a trash can is always handy, you’ll be more likely to throw items away.
Put a laundry hamper near your closet for use whenever you change your clothes. No more clothes piled on the chairs or floor!
Identify the areas where piles consistently accumulate, such as the table where your mail piles up, or the corner where shoes are tossed. Identify those spots and once sorted, manage them daily before heading to bed.
Create and keep an organized desk or study space. Books on a book shelf. Thumb drives, printer ink, pens, tape, stapler, etc in a drawer. Paper into desktop shelving.
Organizing aids such as baskets, tubs, and small shelves can be purchased very cheaply at your favorite big box, dollar, or office supply store. Shoeboxes work well too! Once you have your containers, label them to make it easier to see what goes into what bin more quickly
Do your dishes or load your dishwasher after every meal.
Do your laundry as soon as you have a load, rather than letting dirty clothes accumulate.
Do you shop as a form of entertainment? Bear in mind that this can be a real clutter hazard, so buy intentionally. When you get your item(s) home, find a place for them immediately, and use the one-in-one-out trick. For every new item you bring into your home, one item has to go out. Believe me, following this rule will save you some angst in the future.
And now for a few words of encouragement:
We realize that cleaning-up and de-cluttering can bring up negative emotions, even physical discomfort. For this reason, it is especially important to break up your tasks into smaller bits in order to overcome the situation where you’d rather avoid the job all together. Smaller tasks work just fine and still get the job done.
Reward yourself after finishing each step! Take a hike, visit your favorite coffee shop, hang with friends. After tackling a difficult task, you’ve earned it.
The quality of your life will be better and your living space more enjoyable when you make decluttering a part of your routine. Think about it: no more overflowing kitchen sink or laundry basket, no more missed deadlines because important papers got lost, no more lateness to class or work because you’ve been looking for lost keys, no more struggling with an overly crowded closet when you’re trying to get ready for the day, no more late bills or lost gift cards or tossed food that got pushed to the back of a too cluttered fridge. Just think of it!
Final thoughts:
Your home should be your haven, your soft place to land in a world that is sometimes too hard. Having a messy home has nothing to do with your worth as a person, it just means that you’re human. By spending time de-cluttering, cleaning up, and organizing, you’re transforming your home into the oasis that you deserve.
Wild and Wonderful Facts About Thanksgiving
In reading through a past issue of House Beautiful recently, we discovered this fabulous list of wild and wonderful facts about Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
Thanksgiving was originally celebrated in mid-October. President Lincoln moved the holiday to it’s current November date to coincide with the Pilgrim’s landing on Plymouth Rock.
Although pumpkin pie has been an important part of the Thanksgiving meal since the 1700’s, it is apple pie that is America’s favorite, with pumpkin coming in second, according to the American Pie Council.
Female turkeys don’t gobble. What?! The female birds purr and cackle.
The tradition of football on Thanksgiving was started by college teams, beginning in 1876 with a game between Yale and Princeton.
Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to his daughter, wrote, "For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country...For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird."
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, held in 1924, included monkeys, bears, camels, and elephants from the Central Park Zoo, instead of the giant balloons we enjoy today.
Snoopy has made more appearances in the Macy’s parade than any other character.
Sarah Josepha Hale, who wrote to President Lincoln, asking that he declare a national day of thanksgiving in order to help heal the trauma of the Civil War, also wrote the favorite childhood song, “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
Thanksgiving leftovers led to the invention of those iconic TV dinners we so fondly remember. How? In 1953, Swanson overestimated the number of frozen turkeys that the company should order for Thanksgiving, leaving the company with 260 tons of extra turkey after the holiday. Rather than eating the loss (pun intended), a salesman with the company came up with the idea to create and sell individual turkey dinners, complete with cornbread dressing, gravy, peas, and sweet potatoes, all on reheatable trays. By the end of 1954, Swanson sold 10 million frozen turkey meals and thus, the TV dinner was born.
In 1989, George H.W. Bush was the first president to pardon a turkey. But did you know, that in November of 1926, Calvin Coolidge was gifted a live raccoon, intended to be his Thanksgiving dinner. He hated the idea of eating a raccoon, so decided to keep it as a pet instead.
The day after Thanksgiving, aka Black Friday, is the busiest day of the year for plumbers. We’ll leave that factoid there.
Have you wondered if there is a connection between the turkey bird and the country of Turkey? Well, there is. During the Ottoman Empire, guinea fowl were exported from East Africa via Turkey to Europe, and Europeans started calling the birds turkey-cocks or turkey-hens due to the trade route. So, when Europeans first sailed to North America and discovered birds that looked similar to guinea fowl, they called them "turkeys."
Before becoming the Christmas anthem we all know and love, “Jingle Bells” was titled “The One Horse Open Sleigh” and it’s composer, James Pierpont, had intended it to be a Thanksgiving song. In 1859, the title of the song was officially changed.
What Is Betty Reading? Outlive by Peter Attia, MD
I just finished reading and annotating Outlive by Peter Attia, MD. This book was recommended to me by a college student I am currently working with. After our weekly meeting to develop his Executive Functioning skills, he and I spend time reviewing the book. He brings the the perspective of a 19 year old and I bring the outlook of someone much older(!), so we each have a lot to add to our conversations.
Dr. Attia addresses the "Four Horsemen" or diseases that are causing medical problems in today’s world and what can be done to mitigate these illnesses. He offers advice on what a college student can do to stay healthy as well as exercises/diet and sleep pattern changes an older person can make to do their best to ensure that they are as healthy as possible in their last decade. An informative and fascinating book for anyone who is interested in living the best life possible.
Letter from Betty for October 2023
Hello Friends,
Attention parents of college-age children: the convergence of winter months and young adulthood is often when symptoms of SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, first present themselves. Learn more about how to help your college student (or anyone else) get through these moody periods in our feature article for October, "The Winter Blues: Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder.”
Speaking of coping with difficult moods, each of the four seasons of the year requires a different strategy for taking good care of yourself. Find out about the winter, spring, summer, and fall of it all in our bonus article for October, "You Can Do It! Fours Seasons of Self-Care."
Catch up on my latest favorite book in our special feature for October: "What Is Betty Reading? Strip Cuts and Wayward Son: Travels and Reflections by David Drayer."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.
Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
The Winter Blues: Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder
Daylight hours are getting noticeably shorter this month and you might be noticing the beginnings of the “winter blues” in yourself or in loved ones. It’s not unusual for moods to change along with the seasons, as symptoms may start to develop in October, worsen around daylight savings time, and become a bit more prominent until spring, when we get longer daylight hours again. What is this phenomenon? It’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, for short.
What are some of the symptoms of these “winter blues?”
Feeling down, having problems with sleep, having trouble concentrating, having low energy, changes in appetite, loss of interest in usually fun activities, wanting to hibernate, craving carbohydrates, and unusual weight change may all be indicators of SAD.
In truth, millions of people suffer from SAD, which occurs much more frequently in women, and is more common in those living in northern states. In most cases, these “winter blues” seem to crop up during young adulthood.
What causes this to happen?
There doesn’t seem to be a definitive answer, but there are theories that during the winter months, people may experience reduced serotonin levels in the brain, a chemical that is important in mood regulation. Another theory is that there may be an over-production of the hormone, melatonin, which regulates our brain’s sleep cycles. Since both of these chemicals are tied to our body’s daily rhythms, changes in those levels can result in seasonal disruption as the daylight hours become shorter.
What should a person to do to fight against these seasonal blues?
Consider light therapy. Getting as much exposure to daylight and/or a bright lightbox can certainly help. Light boxes are about 20 times brighter than ordinary sunlight, so sitting by the box for 30-45 minutes each day may do the trick. Note: people with certain eye diseases or who are taking certain medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight should get permission from their physician before trying this. No light box? Wrap up and take a walk each day for about an hour or so. Better yet, take friends along to enjoy your stroll and enjoy some good conversation and companionship. The exercise will be good for both your physical and your mental health.
Here’s another train of thought: since we experience less daylight during the fall and winter months, there may be a decrease in our vitamin D levels, so adding this nutritional supplement may help to improve symptoms.
Additionally, watching what foods you are eating can help to increase your energy during these months. A diet rich in protein, simple carbs, and loaded with vitamins can help. Enjoy some yummy carbs! Cold weather is a perfect time to enjoy some pasta and potatoes too, just don’t forget to eat your fruits and veggies!
Spend time with people who make you happy, and enjoy those activities that feed your creative side. It’s a great way to lift your mood, and even if you don’t feel like it initially, jumping into those activities or into a social situation will likely lift your mood without you even noticing that it’s happening.
Get as much natural light as you can by sitting near a window whenever possible throughout the day. Even if it’s cloudy, you still can benefit from natural daylight.
Do you have a stressful event or situation coming up? Are you becoming overwhelmed by the upcoming holiday season and all the business that comes with it? Plan ahead to purposefully reduce activities during this time, and make sure to make time to relax and unwind.
Speaking of those holidays, remember all the parts of the season that bring you joy: the festivities, the comfy sweaters, the hot cocoa, the crackling fires in the fireplace, and the company of friends and family. Immerse yourself in the holidays and really let the holiday cheer envelope you.
And importantly, if you need additional help, seek it out. A trained mental health professional can offer you advice to help you through the dark season. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but is a real show of strength, so take advantage of their services if needed.
These “winter blues” are not just your imagination. Millions of people are mood-affected during these darker months, so don’t just brush off your low mood. There are things that you can do to counter the effects of SAD until spring and summer comes again!
You Can Do It! Four Seasons of Self-Care
From Duke University Department of Integrative Medicine: Health and Well-Being, comes a wonderful reminder that as the seasons change, opportunities arise for self-care, for paying attention to our well-being and for taking better care of our loved ones.
Embracing Seasonal Changes for Self-Care
As the seasons change, so too can your self-care routines. Each transition allows you to reevaluate your well-being and make mindful adjustments to support your physical and mental health. Let’s explore how you can use the changes of the season to practice self-care, drawing inspiration from nature’s cycles.
Autumn Reflection
As the leaves change color and fall, it’s an ideal time for introspection. Practice mindfulness and meditation to ground yourself amidst the changing world. Consider journaling to reflect on your goals and priorities. Embrace comfort foods and teas that warm the soul.
Winter Restfulness
Winter encourages us to slow down and find solace in stillness. Create a cozy environment with warm blankets and soothing scents. Dedicate time for self-reflection and setting intentions for the year ahead. Embrace the restorative power of restful sleep.
Spring Renewal
Spring brings forth a sense of renewal and growth. Just as flowers bloom, you can refresh your self-care practices. Spend time outdoors, soaking in the increased sunlight and fresh air. Engage in spring cleaning to declutter your space and your mind. Consider planting a garden or nurturing houseplants to connect with nature’s vitality.
Summer Revitalization
Summer invites us to embrace relaxation and adventure. Take vacations or staycations to rejuvenate. Enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables to nourish your body. Engage in outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, or picnics to recharge your spirit.
Year-round Connection
Regardless of the season, prioritize regular self-care practices like exercise, healthy eating, and maintaining social connections. These habits form the foundation of your well-being and can be seamlessly integrated into each season’s unique self-care routine.
Incorporating self-care that aligns with the changing seasons supports your well-being and connects you to the rhythms of nature. By being attuned to these shifts, you can cultivate a more balanced and harmonious life that reflects the beauty and wisdom of the world around you.
What Is Betty Reading? Strip Cuts and Wayward Son: Travels and Reflections by David Drayer
Over the summer I picked up a habit from my older sister, so while I was away in western Pennsylvania, I purchased a book by a local author. Actually it was two books by David Drayer: Strip Cuts and Wayward Son: Travels and Reflections. Wayward Son took me throughout many parts of Pennsylvania, even here in the East, as the author/motorcyclist took a sabbatical from work to explore and write about his surroundings. In Strip Cuts Drayer recounts stories in small town America and the challenges that come with living in such an environment. I enjoyed the easy relaxed reading of both books and becoming familiar with many of Pennsylvania's precious nooks and crannies.
Letter from Betty for September 2023
Hello Friends,
College is a special time for students as it introduces a whirlwind of new experiences. Find out how college students (and all of us) can look after ourselves better and reduce stress in this month's feature article, "The Importance of Self Care for College Students."
Speaking of stress, one sure-fire way of overcoming it is to immerse yourself in nature and the natural world. This month of September is a great time to go star-gazing at night. Learn about heavenly sights visible this month in our bonus article, "You Can Do It! Just Look Up." Enjoy the views!
Catch up on my latest favorite book in our special feature for September: "What Is Betty Reading? The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.
Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
The Importance of Self Care for College Students
The new school year is upon us, and college students are facing a whole new world. With this new world comes stressors, challenges, and a level of decision-making they’ve not had to face before. Stress-related anxiety is very common among students as they focus on academics, a new communal living situation, extracurriculars, and other life-management demands, so focusing on self-care is especially important, and setting up a healthy routine now rather than when situations become too difficult, should be a priority.
College students, this article is for you, but really, self-care and wellness is important for everyone, so read on!
Beginning any new endeavor, whether it’s a new job or entering into college life, requires a readjustment that can be difficult to navigate. Studies have found that the steepest increase in stress and anxiety usually occurs during the initial transition to college and during the first few semesters. After that, those stress levels typically remain elevated, so it’s important that a focus on self-care begins right from the start. Does this mean that if you’re well into your college experience that it’s too late? No! Paying attention to self-care has its benefits, no matter when you start, so begin now. The human body can withstand occasional stress, but long-term or chronic stress can impact not only mental health, but physical and behavioral health too, not to mention how much it impacts the college experience and quality of life. Paying attention to self-care can help to manage stress, lower risk of illness, enhance self-confidence, boost productivity, and increase energy and feelings of happiness as well. Even small acts of daily self-care can have a big impact.
Recognizing stress symptoms is key to maintaining wellness during college years and beyond. Red flags include increased number of headaches, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, feelings of restlessness, anger, irritability, sadness, depression, problems with focus, unhealthy substance abuse, over/under eating, social withdrawal, lack of energy for exercising or other physical activity, and a general feeling that your life demands far outweigh the resources that you have to meet those demands.
So where do you start?
Healthy eating, adequate sleep, and daily exercise, to begin with. It’s good, not only for the body, but for the brain as well.
Practice good time management and keep a structured routine. Set and protect study time and personal time as well. Use alarm clocks to get to class on time (or early!) and make to-do lists to complete academic work as well as personal chores.
Surround yourself with people who are supportive. Maintaining those relationships are important while you juggle the demands of college life. They can be a good source of motivation, and can help with problem solving as they too are moving through the challenges of their college experience.
Stay connected with friends and family, for they can cheer you on during hard times, they can remind you of the reasons why you’ve chosen to follow this path, and reaching out to your supportive circle will help you avoid feelings of isolation and loneliness while at the same time, help you feel grounded.
Make yourself a priority by occasionally checking in on your work-life balance. With so much on your plate, it’s easy to slip away from self-care, and that balance is important to your over-all wellness during college and beyond.
Take time for relaxation and “escape.” Listen to music, read a book, practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, video chat with an old friend, get coffee with someone and don’t talk about school at all, take a walk in the woods, or join a club,. These activities are vital when trying to maintain a good life balance and help you to avoid burnout.
If you need additional help from a trusted person, go get it! Talk to your advisor, find a mentor, reach out to the school’s counseling center. All of these folks can help guide you and are there for you.
The college years can be exciting, but they’re also demanding and require a great deal of you. Be patient with yourself as you navigate your way. Taking the time and learning self-care skills now will benefit you, not only during your college years, but well into the future.
You Can Do It! Just Look Up
The nights are getting cooler and it’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the planetary spectacular that this month brings. The Farmer’s Almanac offers a daily list of what to look for, so get your telescope and get out there!
The Evening Planets
Jupiter and Saturn are the planets to see in the evening. For Jupiter, look toward the east and high in the sky. For Saturn, took to the southeast after sunset. In the early evening, Mars lies very low in the west shortly after sunset.
The Morning Planets
Venus shoots rapidly higher each morning, before dawn, reaching its greatest brilliance of 2023 at midmonth. Venus will cast shadows on Earth. Above the same Eastern horizon, look for Mercury to reach its highest position on the 6th.
September 4 to 5: Jupiter Near Moon
Jupiter is high overhead during September nights. Look on September 4 and 5, when the Moon serves as a guide to locate the King of Planets. Jupiter will rise about 10 p.m.
September 11 to 12: Venus on Display
Witness a breathtaking sight just before dawn when Venus stands to the right of the crescent Moon within the constellation of Cancer.
September 19: Neptune in Opposition
Neptune comes into opposition this evening, which means that the Earth is directly between the planet and the sun. However, if you want to look at this tiny, blue disk, you will need to use your trusting telescope to bring it into view.
September 21: Mercury Dangles Below Venus
Very low in the east, Mercury will rise one hour before sunrise. It will dangle right below Venus. Mercury reaches its greatest elongation from the Sun on September 22; the nearest planet to the Sun is now at its best as a morning star. Venus is much higher in the sky and will climb higher each morning and will reach its greatest elongation on October 23.
September 22: Moon in the Milky Way
Head outside around 8 PM, and look to the Southern sky for a spectacular view. The First Quarter Moon hovers in front of the Milky Way’s center, in the constellation Sagittarius.
September 23: Autumnal Equinox
Saturday morning, September 23, brings the autumnal equinox—at 2:50 A.M. This marks the start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. The equinoxes occur twice per year when Earth’s tilt with respect to the Sun is the same for both hemispheres. Both north and south receive the same amount of sunlight, and day and night are, briefly, of nearly equal length.
September 26: Saturn Sighting
Saturn, the ringed planet, is easy to locate this evening. You can observe the golden planet shining steadily (versus the twinkling stars) as it hovers just above the Moon nearly all night long.
September 29: Full Harvest Moon Rises
The month of bright planets closes out with a magical Full Moon on September 29, which peaks at 5:58 A.M. Unlike other full Moons, this full Moon rises at nearly the same time—around sunset—for several evenings in a row, giving farmers several extra evenings of moonlight and allowing them to finish their harvests before the frosts of fall arrive.
What Is Betty Reading? The Five Star Weekend, by Elin Hilderbrand
After two months of enjoying reading students' summer books, I dove into a book of my choice. I chose the popular The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand. I enjoyed this light, but emotional read about a group of women who convene on Nantucket to help a member of the group who has experienced a traumatic event. Hilderbrand's visual descriptions had me sitting on her back deck mesmerized by the ocean view!
Letter from Betty for August 2023
Hello Friends,
Scholarships might be on your mind if you are applying for admission to college. But for the uninitiated, it can be a daunting task to successfully secure a scholarship. There is great advice for this endeavor in our feature article for August, "Tips To Help With Your Scholarship Search."
It is summertime and it has been a hot one. Find some relief from the heat and make your own chilled refreshments by utilizing our bonus article for August, "You Can Do It! Cooling Drink Recipes." Ahhh!
Catch up on my latest favorite book in our special feature for August: "What Is Betty Reading? Beach Read by Emily Henry."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.
Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
Tips To Help With Your Scholarship Search
Are you looking ahead to college? Here are some tips to help you with your search for scholarships.
If you already have a school in mind, then the first step is to start your scholarship hunt right there. Most times the application for admission is separate from the process for applying for a scholarship or other financial aid. So contact the financial aid office at your prospective school and talk to someone there about the process for application, and what different opportunities might be available to you. Also, make sure to heed to application deadlines!
Don’t overlook the opportunity to talk to your high school college counselor, as they may have a wealth of information regarding financial assistance and services that you can investigate outside of what is offered at your prospective college. There are scholarships that focus on not only your academic interests, but also on other talents, extracurriculars, career goals, and geographic location, and much more, including assistance that could be offered at your parent’s employers, the church you may attend, and from local service clubs and social or professional organizations. Some scholarships might be merit based, others are awarded because of a special trait, talent, or financial need.
Doing an online search may yield hundreds of results, but please bear in mind that you should never pay a service to scholarship hunt for you. Those services are likely scams.
Helpful hint: every scholarship has a different application deadline so do your best to stay organized, keep track of due dates, and work to get those applications in on the earliest date you can. If your application arrives late, it won’t even be considered. Remember too that many of those applications will require an essay from you, so get to work on that right away, giving yourself plenty of time to work on it and get it honed just right.
Consider taking both the SAT and the ACT. Even though some schools are beginning to make those tests optional for admission, many scholarships do ask for those scores.
Don’t get discouraged! You may have to put in dozens of applications before you find one that awards aid to you, but be patient, stay involved in your extracurriculars, and keep your grades up!
Listed below are a few websites you might dive into as a part of your scholarship search, compiled by finance wiz, Clark Howard:
Fastweb.com, which hosts more than 1.5 million scholarships that provide more than $3.5 billion in funding.
CollegeBoard.org. Yes, they’re better known for their college readiness tests, but they also have a division that focuses on scholarships.
Niche.com has a well-organized website that allows users to search by interest, career, major, and other areas.
Scholarships.com probably hosts the largest database available, with more that 3.7 million scholarships and grant opportunities.
Cappex.com hosts a database of more than $11 billion in opportunities.
Chegg.com is widely known for its online textbook store which allows students to either rent or buy their textbooks at a huge discount, but they also offer a list of over 25,000 scholarships, including a “top scholarships picks of the week” category to help you discover some opportunities that you may have missed.
Petersons.com hosts $10 billion in scholarship opportunities and once you fill out a short survey, can filter the results in order to personalize your search.
CareerOneStop.org is the US Labor Department’s search tool and is a great resource for scholarships and grants.
Federal student loans are a great way to help pay for your education, coming with much lower repayment interest rates than a loan from a private lender, so consider applying for a student loan as an additional way to cover your costs.
Again, you should never pay a service to scholarship hunt for you. Those services are likely scams.
There are loads of opportunities available to help you cover the cost of your college education, and though it may take some extra research and hard work filling out all of the required applications, it will pay off in the long run by helping you to avoid graduating from college with the burden of heavy debt, so get to work!
You Can Do It! Cooling Drink Recipes
This summer has been a scorcher, so we tried these cooling drink recipes from FifteenSpatulas.com and wanted to share them with you. Enjoy!
Strawberry Limeade
Ingredients:
1/2 cup lime juice
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1/2 lb sliced strawberries
20-30 mint leaves
2 cups cold water
Instructions:
To make the simple syrup, combine the sugar and water in a saucepan, and cook over medium high heat for 5-10 minutes until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid is clear.
In a large mason jar or a pitcher, combine the lime juice, simple syrup, strawberries, mint, and water. Let sit in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Serve and enjoy!
Melon Sorbet Float
Ingredients:
assorted melon balls (watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, etc)
2 scoops lemon, raspberry, or other fruity sorbet
fresh mint leaves
seltzer water
Instructions:
Freeze the melon balls for at least three hours until frozen.
To make the drink, put the sorbet into the bottom of a glass, then top with the frozen melon balls. Drop in as much fresh mint as you’d like (anywhere from a couple leaves to a handful), then top with seltzer water.
Let the sorbet melt to sweeten and flavor the drink. Enjoy!
Raspberry Vanilla Soda
Ingredients:
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
seltzer water
ice
Instructions:
In a small saucepan set over medium heat, combine the water, sugar, and raspberries. Cook for about 5 minutes until the mixture is bubbling away and the sugar is dissolved. Stir and cook this mixture for another 5 minutes, until the raspberries have cooked down.
Set a fine mesh strainer over a measuring cup or bowl and strain the saucepan mixture, pressing down on the raspberry pulp to squeeze out all the juice. Add the lemon juice and vanilla extract, and let this chill in the refrigerator.
To serve, fill a glass with ice and add 2-3 tbsp of the raspberry syrup. Add about a cup of seltzer on top, and enjoy!
What Is Betty Reading? Beach Read by Emily Henry
Beach Read is very appropriately named as I have heard several people talking about it this summer and with good reason! Emily Henry’s humorous, romantic novel warms the heart but also generates confusion and anger. While the plot is not unusual, as it revolves around summer romance, the twists and turns keep you turning the page and then, when you finish, searching the internet looking for a sequel!