The start of summer vacation is something you look forward to throughout the year. However, as the days pass by, you tend to realize the vacation will soon be over and another year of school or college awaits you. The energy and enthusiasm at the start of summer go down as the holiday comes to an end.
Here is a list of things you must do before going back to school to cap off your vacation on a high and make the most of your relaxing summer.
Go for a hike
Go for a hike someplace nearby and explore nature. There is nothing better than finding the time to do things with your family and friends. A hike will give you plenty of time to communicate and reconnect with your loved ones. While you’re at it, have a bonfire in the woods and roast some delicious marshmallows.
Have a picnic
Beach, surf, sun, and sand! There’s nothing like the sound of waves crashing on white sands while you relax and enjoy a nice family lunch. Go and take a dip in the sea or get a tan. Make a sand fort while you are out there. And when all is said and done, sip on some refreshing lemonade to cool off and just laze on the beach. Don’t forget to take pictures for your summer activities scrapbook.
Hang out with friends
Sleepovers and pillow fights sound interesting, don’t they? Invite your friends over and play a game of monopoly or UNO. You can also watch a movie together while sipping some hot cocoa. Make the most of the sunny days by playing outdoors but don’t forget the sunscreen! Spend quality time with your friends before going back to school.
Volunteer for charity
It is a good idea to take time off and do some volunteer work during the vacation. It can be difficult to get time for this later when you go back to school or college at the start of the semester. Plan volunteer activities during the vacation, and spend your time and effort to accomplish a good deed for society.
Go shopping for supplies
Preparing for your first day of school is as important as planning different activities for the rest of your vacation. One of the most important activities includes going back to school shopping for essential supplies that you’ll need at the start of the first semester. Everyone will shop for the latest supplies from the back to school 2018 collection. You have to beat others in line to ensure that your favorite supplies don’t run out before you can get your hands on them.
They say it is never too late to pursue your dreams. This is especially true when it comes to career and education. Unfortunately, not all can afford to quit their jobs and go back to school. This can make it difficult to pursue higher studies or certain courses that can enhance skills. Fortunately, there are several free online learning platforms that allow anyone and everyone to be able to have access to good quality learning resources.
Here are some of the best websites for free online education that you can sign up for.
Coursera
Coursera is one of the most popular platforms for taking free online courses. It features classes, both free as well as paid, on a variety of different topics. This platform is currently being used by over 35 million learners that have access to 150 university partners, 2,700 courses, 250 specializations, and four degrees. These courses are curated in partnership with leading universities and organizations from around the world, such as Stanford and Harvard.
edX
edX is a platform that was founded by Harvard and MIT that brings together top-ranked universities. This platform was founded to help eliminate the primary barriers that prevent people from pursuing education, i.e., cost, location, and access. Along with free courses, edX also offers certain specialized courses for a specific fee. The platform can be accessed by interested educators and technologists through Open edX if they wish to assist in developing new educational tools.
Udemy
Udemy is another online learning platform that is quite similar to Coursera in terms of the format of the courses. The unique aspect of this platform is that it allows users to build their own custom courses by compiling individual lessons so that these can be taught online. There are over 100,000 courses in 50 languages on this platform that are taught by 42,000 instructors from around the world.
TED-Ed
TED-Ed is a platform made by TED to help share ideas and knowledge from teachers to students. This award-winning platform has a global network of more than 250,000 teachers that teach several free courses on a variety of categories and themes. The lessons are taught using animated videos and interactive content so as to make them more interesting for the students.
If you are planning to pursue an accounting degree, you should consider doing it online. There are more than 580 institutions in the country that offer master’s degrees in accounting, and many of them offer their courses online. Therefore, you can pursue this course without shifting to a different state, and you can also continue with your current job. Here are the top picks of online master’s degrees in accounting that you can consider if you are interested in this field.
Auburn University
The online master’s degree in accounting at Auburn University is open for you if you hold a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business, and if you meet all the prerequisites for the business and accounting department. Students who enroll in this program receive study materials, instructions, and assignments that are similar to the on-campus course. The schedule is extremely flexible and can accommodate working professionals as well. Full-time students of this course can complete it within one year. They get to select electives like real estate finance and information risk analysis, among others. This course also prepares students for the Uniform CPA Exam. This whole program is available online, including the exam. However, students have to complete a three-day on-campus residency during their final semester.
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina offers an online Master of Accounting (MAC) degree through its Kenan-Flagler Business School. This school accepts students from all undergraduate backgrounds. However, students who have business or accounting backgrounds may get course waivers. Students who enroll in this course can choose a concentration in Tax or Audit. If you take up the full-time course, you can finish it in less than 15 months. You can start this course either in June or December. This way, even if you miss the application deadline for one semester, you do not have to wait for an entire year to enroll in the course. The MAC degree is entirely online, except for a one-week leadership immersion on campus, which is mandatory and takes place at the beginning of the course.
University of Connecticut
An online master’s degree in accounting from the University of Connecticut is one of the best online courses in the country. This university offers a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program. Full-time students can complete it in two semesters. Working professionals who enroll in this degree take two courses per semester. The University of Connecticut also offers you electives like Forensic Accounting, Disclosure for Not-for-Profit Entities, and Fraud Examination among others.