U:Bee Online Blog

skills

We All Need To Help The Planet – Remember Climate Friendly Gardening!

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It’s impossible to turn on the TV or look at the internet without seeing stories of devastation from the latest weather related event. Climate change is forcing unheard of weather related disasters such as flooding to affect the lives of millions of people.

So where can you help? Can you help slow down the change? There are many changes that you probably have heard about such as using less plastics to stop pollution of the oceans, use less and recycle more, make wise choices when buying items and avoid single use products.

But there are also changes you can make in your own gardens. It doesn’t matter if you only have a few plant pots on a windowsill or balcony or a huge family garden. Every change we make, makes a difference.

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Practice Your Learning Skills First and Watch Your Skill Level Go Super High

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Improve Your Skills With These Quick Fixes. Set up a positive mood around the time that you are studying. When you walk into your study time distracted, in a negative mindset or on a schedule, you are less likely to stick with your program and achieve the goals you have set out for yourself.

Create a variety of work to do when you sit down to study. In other words, spend half an hour or 45 minutes reading, take a quick five-minute stretch breaks and sit back down to do some math problem or hands-on work. It’s important for your mind to have a variety of tasks in order to stay sharp and continue to retain the information you are feeding it.

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Learning Skills Makes for Kindness

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Random Acts of Kindness – Get Supercharged with Kindness Motivation Tips Are you looking for ideas or motivation tips to make a difference in your life or for someone else’s life? Are you like most everyone and just don’t have much time? Can you perform random acts of kindness every day?

Honestly, it doesn’t take much time to brighten someone’s life. A few minutes a day can make a difference to a person or a family. Just some kindness and the evidence that someone cares about them can turn their world around.

These five motivation tips don’t take much time, so begin to make a difference today! You’ll feel better — and so will the recipient of your kindness.

  • Send at least one thank you card a month:

how much they are appreciated

thanking them for something they did for you

telling them something you like about them

  • Put a Thank You note and a chocolate in the box for your Paper Delivery person. Can you imagine the last time they were shown a kindness for doing their job?
  • Have everyone in your family (even if it’s just you) drop all their loose change in a large glass jar you keep on the counter.

Every six months decide where to send it

  • Make a family ritual out of the event and make a difference in someone’s life almost effortlessly.
  • Buy a few extra items at your grocery store and drop them by your local homeless shelter or food bank. You’ll make huge a difference, simply by adding a handful of extra items and a few minutes to your shopping.

U:Bee Online is a licensed AAP (Approved Activity Provider) for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.  Achieve your Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award by completing the Volunteering, Physical, Expedition and Skills Section of your DofE Programme.    

Looking for DofE skills section activities?  Choose one of the U:Bee Online DofE skills section ideas, to complete your 3 month or 6-month skills section, for your Bronze Award or Silver Award and receive your Certificate and Assessor’s Report. 
Find Skills Section Courses at www.ubee.org.uk

Collecting Orchids As A Hobby

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Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the easiest orchids to grow in the home. The name “phalaenopsis” comes from the Greek phalaina, meaning “moth” and opsis, meaning “like”. For this reason, this orchid goes by the nick name “Moth Orchid”.

These orchids are very easy to grow and flower as long as care is given to recreate their natural growing environment as much as possible.

Where should I buy my orchid?

Avoid buying cheap plants. Although you can find orchids for sale at many home centres for under £5, they are usually not in very good condition. They may have been forced to flower prematurely which weakens the plant. It’s also unlikely that they’ve been given proper care during their time in the store which can lead to root rot and other conditions.

Your best bet is to find a reputable grower in your area. Many local orchid societies have shows and exhibitions which are open to the public. This is a great opportunity to buy plants and find local dealers.

What potting medium is best for Phalaenopsis orchids? Orchid Bark? Sphagnum?

There is some debate on the subject of potting medium for phals orchids. Orchid bark is generally recommended as home growers may unintentionally over water, are less likely to rot the root system due to the better drainage of the bark mix.

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