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A Wish to Be Amazed — Not Fazed — by the Holidays

By U.S. News & World Report

‘Tis the time of the year when, instead of being cheery, we may succumb to feeling weary — especially when we try to do too much, for too many, without taking time to rest and recharge.

So I hope a few verses will help you strategize and maximize your good will to others and do right unto yourself:

If holidays aren’t delightful,

It’s time to get insightful,

To all that stress just say no,

Let it go, let it go, let it go.

You’ve baked and done all the shopping,

But show no signs of stopping,

To all of that stress just say no,

Let it go, let it go, let it go.

As you ready to celebrate,

Do try to find some time to chill,

Don’t wait until it’s too late,

And you end up in bed feeling ill.

So promise to be good to you,

And think about reducing your “to-dos,”

To all that stress just say no,

Let it go, let it go, let it go.

So how do you make the most of this season?

Be kind — to others and to yourself. Hosting family and friends is part of what makes the holidays memorable, but if you are running ragged to fight the crowds at the mall, make that last batch of cookies, vacuum dog hair and spend hours wrapping gifts, you get lost in the process of doing for others. If you run yourself into the ground, chances are that when everyone else is opening gifts or enjoying a fabulous dinner, you will be down for the count on the couch or asleep in your bed.

This should be a time to unwind. Many people take off from work during the holidays, and students have a vacation from school. You don’t have to get caught up in the post-holiday fray, sitting in traffic all day, trying to exchange presents. Instead, take a few deep breaths or a lovely walk, or wile away an afternoon doing absolutely nothing. Maybe there is a movie you’ve wanted to see or a book you wish to read. How about undertaking a project such as knitting or photography, or gathering extra food, clothes and toys for those in need?

Holidays are also a time to remind ourselves of how blessed we are. The joy of hugging our loved ones, holding hands around a table, a delicious meal and the celebration of Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa. Take a moment to appreciate the coming together, celebrating traditions and enjoying the foods, songs and fun.

Remember, too, those who can’t partake due to financial circumstances, distance or for other reasons. The homeless, the sick and our U.S. armed forces also deserve to enjoy the season. Serving meals at a soup kitchen, participating in a toy drive, visiting an ill family member, sending a present or card or saying an appreciative words to those who serve are all great gifts. And giving is as rewarding — if not more rewarding — than getting back.

Holidays are also a time to get away from the grind. If you have a break from work or school, you needn’t cram your schedule with more things to do. Replace that holiday stress with a planned recess from things that make you nuts. Time out is not just for kids, but taking time out from your routine goes a long way to putting the smile back on your face and the happiness in your heart. Take a drive to see holiday sights and enjoy the beauty of a winter day, go for a hike, escape to yoga or read a book.

Sometimes we need to disconnect or reroute to reboot. Put on some lovely music, or dig out one of your favorite recipes and find therapy in kneading, stirring or creating something hearty, fragrant and delicious. Engaging the senses can ground you and surround you with delight — and help you let go of all that isn’t important around the holidays.

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A Wish to Be Amazed ? Not Fazed ? by the Holidays originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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