New Teacher Mentor Program Checklist 2: Fill & Download for Free

Following these 5 tips can help you prepare and ace the IELTS Exam (from etoninstitute)1. Study vocabularyEnglish learners are taught to put words into the proper context as much as possible. You can learn to do this by reading frequently. The more words you are exposed to, the better your vocabulary will be. As you read, pay close attention to words you do not know and underline or highlight them with a marker. You should try to figure out their meanings from the supporting context. After this, look the words up in the dictionary. Read and listen to challenging materials like the English language news so that you will be exposed to many new words. Once you have learned the new word, practice using it.Using new words frequently will help you to learn to speak English fluently. Research shows that it takes from 10 to 20 repetitions to make a word part of your daily speech.Checklist✓ Record expressions that can be used in a variety of academic contexts.✓ Record phrases (rather than individual words)✓ Use a good monolingual dictionary to check proper word arrangement✓ Avoid spending too much learning highly specialized words✓ Record useful expressions related to these topics✓ Practice talking and writing about them in English✓ Use newspapers, magazines and news websites to learn more2. Read, read and readYou need to have a credible English-English dictionary and work out the meanings of new words, making sure that you do not translate back to your language.Checklist✓ Skim and scan to form a general picture of a text quickly✓ Make sure you know exactly what’s required for each task✓ Check all instructions carefully✓ Use the work for further clues about the content and organization of the text✓ Remember the key vocabulary may be explained for you in the text✓ Don’t use a dictionary until you’ve done the task and checked your answers. You can read an English newspaper every morning and listen to the news in English3. Enhance your writing skillsRecord words as a consistent part of your English lessons. Compose both the definition and a sentence utilizing the word on a file card that you can check later for reference. You ought to say the word resoundingly to initiate your sound-related memory and relate the word to words you definitely know. For instance, “immense,” which implies tremendous, has a comparable intending to the words colossal, enormous and expansive.Checklist✓ Practice timed writing to improve your speed✓ Never write answers BELOW the minimum length✓ Remember that Task 2 is longer and has more marks, so leave enough time for it(Task 1)✓ Describe the information, not the diagram itself (e.g. you don’t need to say exactly what’s shown on the vertical and horizontal axes of a graph)✓ Select the important features and choose figures to support these✓ To practice, look for diagrams, graphs, and charts in the newspaper or on the Internet and analyze them. Notice how diagrams are used on TV programs(Task 2)✓ Analyze the question carefully✓ Make a paragraph plan before you write✓ Check that all parts of the question are addressed✓ Always leave time to edit your writing✓ Know your common mistakes and check for them4. Exercise fluency and pronunciationThe speaking component is divided into three parts. The areas include a structured interview, a short talk, and free interview. You will be asked about 2 to 3 brief concerns on familiar topics that will last 4 to 5 minutes. Be ready to give a talk for 2 minutes in the brief talk section. You will be provided 1 minute to get ready for your discussion. The whole section will take 3 to 4 minutes. The following are tips on what is examined in IELTS speaking and how to prepare for it.Consistent practice is all that it takes. By using a new word or a correct pronunciation, the student is reinforced to practice what he has learned, imprinting it in the mind. Also, it signals to whoever taught him the new skill, whether that be a teacher, a friend or a fellow-worker, and that he has made a conscious effort to memorize something that has been taught. It encourages his mentors to be more determined than ever to help him succeed.ChecklistFor Fluency:✓ Practice talking for a considerable long time✓ Talk aloud in English to hear yourself pronounce the words✓ Record yourself speaking on different topics as often as you canFor Pronunciation:✓ Listen to spoken English (e.g. on radio/TV/ films) as much as possible✓ Repeat phrases after the speaker in recordings to help you speak in word groups and use stress and intonation appropriately✓ Record and listen to yourself speaking as much as you can5. Practice your listening skillsOne can listen to the news in English every morning and try to write them down and analyze later. The following are tips on how to prepare for listening skills.Checklist✓ Use the preparation time to think about the task content and focus✓ Make sure you know exactly what’s required for each task and check the instructions✓ After checking your answers, listen again, and try to work out the cause of any problemHow to improve:✓ Remember that you only hear the recording once. Don’t pause the CD when you’re practicing✓ Finally, listen once more to the tapescript and highlight useful expressionsThese tips will equip you to be ready for the exam. However, your success rate depends on your commitment and practice. A combination of the two will give you a great chance of getting the desired grade for IELTS.

Checklist:Here is a checklist you might find helpful as a general reference if you are trying to figure out whether antidepressants might be the right thing to try. I am not claiming to be comprehensive or the best source, and I am not a medical professional.Figure out what is bothering you, and prioritize your concerns. You can talk to other people, whether they are friends, family, or professionals, if you think it would help you understand or communicate these issues, but it is not a requirement. Writing things down and having a small agenda for discussing with your doctor might help you organize or remember these concerns. I recommend keeping notes each step of the way as you seek information and treatments, even if they might not seem necessary in the moment.See a physician who can check for physical abnormalities, conditions, and causes for the symptoms you are concerned about. You may have a physical problem, or a problem with physical components that psychological or psychiatric treatment could not help you with, and taking dangerous drugs without verifying the reasons for your symptoms is usually an unnecessary risk. Not all physical causes for depression can be reliably or conclusively tested for, and many doctors will ignore causes they feel are uncommon, so keep in mind the limitations of physical examinations and testing.Explore the potential causes and treatments for any symptoms your physician cannot diagnose or address. If they are still rather open-ended or mysterious, seeing more specialists might be a good idea instead of trying to exhaust all the potential options that pop up on a Google search or from friends recommending random ideas. Different professional fields may offer complementary or exclusive perspectives that can enrich your understanding before diving into therapies. Getting background information can ultimately be more helpful than jumping straight into attempting a particular therapy, though seeking emergency help for completely disabling or life-threatening symptoms is advised.Spend some time with experienced individuals or specialists in different fields who think they can help you figure out what is wrong, and how to work on it responsibly and constructively. Perhaps this means a spiritual advisor, or a psychotherapist, or an art teacher, or a mentor, or family member, or more doctors. Maybe you need to consult with peers, or books, or support groups. This might sound like a lot of work at this point, but if you have symptoms that you feel are serious enough to consider taking potentially disabling or deadly drugs for, it is most responsible to make sure you create the healthiest and most constructive environment for addressing those symptoms.If it is determined that you have a psychological problem, upon seeing mental healthcare specialists that are highly regarded for their diagnostic competence, there is an endless variety of methods for rehabilitating and recovering. You can ask practitioners for programs they recommend, and read places (including Quora) to gather ideas about different avenues you can explore. Think about what resonates with you or seems like a helpful option to try. You do not have to limit yourself to just one, or even just a couple!If you reach a point where all the safer or more effective or relevant options you found to try have not been useful, and going back to find more does not turn up any additional ideas, seeing a psychiatrist might be a reasonable step for some people, especially if those problems are serious, disabling, or worsening. It is important to find a psychiatrist that is knowledgeable, responsible, and committed to providing informed consent and risk-reduction in treatments. You also want a professional that you find a both helpful and compatible, though that can take more than just an initial meeting to develop a sense about.If you proceed in seeing a psychiatrist, and he or she does think you should be on drugs (which most would say to most people, anyhow), then you need to work on creating informed consent and making sure your doctor is the best fit for your treatment plan should you wish to continue with drugging after knowing the risks, potential benefits, and the medical needs that might arise if you take psychotropic drugs. This oftentimes requires independent research on the part of patients, and maintaining clear treatment goals so you do not end up settling for ineffective or unnecessarily harmful drug treatments.Should all the factors seem to balance in favor of taking drugs that have the potential for thousands of different side effects, (including serious outcomes such as all the symptoms they are prescribed for, long term disability, permanent side effects, and death), you can discuss with your psychiatrist or prescribing expert how to be as safe as possible when exposing yourself to those risks. This involves talking with your doctor before filling any prescriptions, checking in often and reporting your reactions and side effects, and reading supplementary materials that can help you make the most of your treatment while facilitating informed and medically sound decisions.Make sure you understand the risks and difficulties that can accompany changes in dose, changes in medications or cocktails, and attempts to discontinue drugs if they are not working for you—or if you have achieved your treatment goals and have decided that it is time to see how you do without chemical modification. Aside from the potential for new or worsening side effects when altering your doses (up or down) or adding or subtracting other drugs, the important thing to understand is how tapering is the most risk-reducing manner in which to decrease your doses or discontinue psychiatric medications like antidepressants. Most doctors do not have a good understanding of how to manage tapers most safely, so independent research is probably required here. You may even have to advocate for yourself if your doctor wants you to proceed more quickly or drastically than you think is safe based on the risks and the experiences of other patients.Notes:Antidepressants are not a safe or reliable first-line treatment for depression or other psychiatric issues. They should not be considered the go-to treatment for psychological distress, and are inappropriate for most patients experiencing diagnosed problems like depression or anxiety—-both because of their average efficacy being so poor and because of their risks being so substantial and extensive.If you are having difficulties in life you think can be addressed in a way that enhances your functioning or creates a healthier life for you, pursue that idea with vigor, and do not presuppose that the most popular or culturally accepted treatments are the most fitting for your own situation. Be self-advocating, self-affirming, and willing to put in the research it usually takes to best avoid preventable harms and unnecessary risks in your quest for recovery.The checklist above did not address how to handle reactions to antidepressants—both positive and negative—and how to know if antidepressants are still the right treatment after you have begun taking them. That is a vital matter to address, and would require another checklist. The focus here was limited to beginning a drug treatment and the figuring to do before introducing psychotropic pharmaceuticals to your recovery efforts.Resources:Here is a psychiatrist-written guide to antidepressants: Taking antidepressants: benefits and risksWhen is a psychiatrist the person to see?: Mark Dunn's answer to What are some good reasons to see a psychiatrist?How do I know if my potential psychiatrist is a good one to see?: Mark Dunn's answer to What are good questions to ask a potential psychiatrist?I feel much better now! How do I know when to stop taking antidepressant drugs?: Mark Dunn's answer to When will I be ready to reduce my antidepressants?How do I taper off antidepressants most safely?: Mark Dunn's answer to How do I get off antidepressants?

1. Travel all around the worldParisTraveling — it’s the single best activity that exposes you to new cultures, broaden your mind, move out of your comfort zone, allow you to meet new people, and experience the wonders of the world.I’m a strong advocate of traveling and have in fact traveled widely around the world in the past years. In 2011, I went on a 7-month non-stop trip around Europe and U.S. where I met PE readers from around the world and held PE readers meetup in London, London again, New York, and Los Angeles. I’ve subsequently been to Kuala Lumpur, India, South Africa, Hong Kong, Scotland, and Hong Kong where I held PE reader meetups in all of them (except India).All in all, I’ve spent about 50% of my time between 2011 to 2013 traveling! I look forward to visiting new places such as South America, Canada, Japan, Korea, and New Zealand moving forward.How about you? What new countries would you like to visit? Here are some traveling resources:Travel recommendations:List of Countries in the World (Alphabetical Order)Lonely Planet’s Best in TravelWonders of the World1000 Places to See Before You DieInsights on Holland – View from an Outsider’s Perspective (Series) — If you’re planning to visit Holland, here’s my 7-part series from when I visited the country in 2011Accommodation:Hostel World — Low-budget accommodationAir BnBCouch Surfing — Free accommodation for travelersVisa Requirements by NationalityPacking:Ultimate Packing ListTravel Items Checklist: 8 Things I Never Travel Without2. Learn a new languageForeign LanguageLearning a new language is never easy but it’s so satisfying when you are able to converse with someone in a foreign language! I admire people who are multi-lingual — I’m personally fluent in only English and Mandarin while having functional knowledge of Hokkien, Japanese, and Bahasa Indonesia. I hope to learn a few foreign languages — Spanish being one of them — in the future.Some language resources:List of Languages in the World12 Rules for Learning Foreign Languages in Record TimeHow to Learn Any Language — WebsiteVerbling | italki — Language exchange site3. Try a profession in a different fieldWhat profession are you in now and how long have you been doing this? Is it time for a change in profession? It’s nice to do something different from what you have been doing, and it doesn’t have to involve quitting your current job — you can always experiment with volunteer work in a field you enjoy or start up a part-time business on the side. It’s all about expanding your horizon and trying something new.4. Achieve your ideal weightYoga ExerciseI used to be a severe binge eater (a story which I’ve shared in My Journey with Emotional Eating series) and making the commitment to overcome my emotional eating, live healthily, and lose my excess weight has been one of the single best decisions I’ve made in my life.Make the commitment to be healthy. What is your ideal weight? Are you at your ideal weight today? What can you do to start being healthy? Some weight loss resources:7 Biggest Myths of Weight Loss, Debunked (Including the Myth that You Have To Go Hungry!)25 Of My Best Weight Loss TipsHow to Stop Emotional Eating (6-part series)How to Lose 25kg in Just 8 Months [Video]How to Develop a Positive Body Image (4-part series)How to Stop Stress Eating 4-Week Program — my 4-week premium program and one-stop solution to stop emotional eating permanently5. Run a marathonRunning a marathonA marathon is a long-distance race of 42.2 km (26.2 miles) long — definitely not an easy feat that requires training and hard work! Training and completing a marathon will not only develop you in your physical strength and endurance, but also your mental persistence, will, and attitude. Read:26 Tips for Running Your Best 262How to Run Your First Marathon6. Take part in a triathlonCyclingA triathlon is a “multiple-stage competition involving the completion of 3 continuous and sequential endurance disciplines.” Modern-day triathlons are swim/bike/run events that are done in that order. If you think that a marathon is tough, wait till you try a triathlon — the ironman triathlon consists of 3.86 km (2.4 mi) swim, a 180.25 km (112-mi) bicycle ride and a 42.2 km (26.2-mi) run (that’s a marathon-length race!), raced in that order and without a break!But don’t run in the opposite direction just yet — there are many triathlons of varying distances that are completely manageable. For example, a sprint triathlon is 750 m / (0.47 mi) / 20 km (12.4 mi) / 5 km while an Olympic triathlon is 1.5 km (0.93 mi) / 40 km (24.8 mi) / 10 km (6.2 mi). One of my readers decided to train for a triathlon as a personal milestone — despite never having done a marathon in her life! She eventually completed the triathlon after a year of training, and was so proud of herself!Ready to take up the triathlon challenge? \U0001f642 Read:How Do I Train For My First Triathlon?The Ultimate Beginners Guide To TriathlonsTriathlon Training for Beginners — a training resource websiteTriFind — Triathlon calendar for America7. Take up a new sportArcherySports is a great way to keep fit! Whether you’re an indoor or outdoor person, there is a sport for everyone. Here are some sports to try out:Technique sports: Archery, Golf, Bowling, Billiard, Skateboarding, Skating, Roller-blading, Ice skatingRacket sports: Squash, Badminton, Tennis, Table tennisWater sports: Water rafting, Kayaking, Wakeboarding, Sailing, Swimming, Scuba diving, SnorkelingGroup sports: Soccer, Rugby, Baseball, Basketball, Ultimate frisbee8. Go scuba diving / snorkeling and experience marine life up closeScuba DivingAs humans, we spend all of our lives on land. Yet there is a whole world under the sea that we’re not privy to! Do you know that 71% of the Earth’s surface is actually the ocean? And do you know that because of the ocean’s depth, it contains about 300 times the habitable volume of the terrestrial habitats on Earth — and many ocean species are still to be discovered?With scuba diving and snorkeling, you have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the marine life — and see, feel, and experience the vast ocean in person. Scuba diving is one of my bucket-list items!Read:Marine biology [Wiki]A complete guide to snorkeling worldwide — Complete resource for snorkeling25 Best Places To Go Scuba DivingScuba Diving — Complete resource for scuba diving10 Top Spots to Snorkel9. Go skiingSkiingThere’s something about being able to glide on snow while controlling your motor movements that just makes skiing such a fun sport. It’s by no means easy or safe — one should take lessons before attempting to ski alone — but it’s worth trying out, especially for people who don’t live in winter countries. I personally haven’t skied before and would love to give it a shot next time. Read:Beginner Ski Lesson [Video]Ski resorts by countrySki resources — including recommended ski equipment, ski wear, and accessories10. Trek the Inca TrailInca TrailThe Inca Trail is the most famous trek in South America and is rated by many to be in the top 5 treks in the world. It starts from Chillca and follows a route to Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas. Read:Inca Trail — Comprehensive site dedicated to the Inca TrailInca Trail [Wiki] — When to go, what train to take, and what to prepareInca Trail Esssentials [Lonely Planet]11. Go horseback ridingCeles horseback riding at Elliot's BeachHorseback riding in Chennai, India (here, I’m at Edward Elliot’s Beach), thereby completing item #62 of my bucket list!Since as early as 4000–3500 BCE, horses have been domesticated and living alongside men. While horses used to be kept as meat animals, and subsequently as working animals to transport materials and people, today, horse riding has transformed into both a hobby and a competitive sport. Horseback riding in itself can be a good sport to relax and unwind from the busy life. Unlike typical sports where you are alone or with other people, in horseback riding, you work together with an animal — the horse — and often times build an emotional bond with it, sometimes one even stronger, more unspeakable, than what you have with fellow peers.More on horseback riding:Horseback Riding — How to Start [Video]Know Before You Go: Horseback RidingComplete Idiot’s Guide to Horseback Riding [Book]12. Do an extreme sportI don’t consider myself an extreme-sports person, but I do like to experiment in life. When I was in Cape Town in April 2013, my host and reader Lizette invited me to go paragliding as she has friends who are licensed tandem paragliding pilots. I took up the offer, and went paragliding not once, but twice!!!Celes Paragliding in Cape Town, off Lion's HeadMe paragliding in Cape Town on April 18, 2013. Check out THAT view!!! We were literally floating in the air for a good minute or two. One of the MOST surreal moments in my life!!The experience was immense and one that I’ll never forget. I do recommend everyone to try at least one extreme sport in our lifetimes! (Of course, make sure *all* safety precautions are in place and you are with professional and licensed instructors.) While the experience may only last a couple of minutes, those few minutes will be some of the most memorable ones in your life.More on my paragliding experience here: The Day I Flew (My Paragliding Experience in Cape Town!)Get started:20 unmissable extreme sports (and where to try them)Bungee jumping: Top 10 bungee jumps in the worldParagliding: Top paragliding sites in the worldSkydiving: World’s best places to skydive and bungee jump13. Climb a mountainMountain climbingWhy risk your life to climb a mountain when the journey is fraught with rocky terrains and with ever-changing weather conditions? For some, mountain climbing is an external conquest; some find enjoyment in the sport; others see it as a step in their personal growth journey. Whatever it is, mountain climbing is a feat that takes physical endurance and mental tenacity to accomplish, and is definitely a bucket-list worthy item. I haven’t climbed a mountain yet but I plan to do that sometime in the future!“Why I Climb” — an article by a climber who has climbed over 300,000 vertical feet, 90,000 on Everest expeditions aloneClimbing destinations around the worldTop 10 climbs around the world14. Learn a strategy gameChessStrategy games like chess, checkers, chinese chess, Reversi (also known as Otello), Mindsweeper (part of Windows bundle) are great ways to train your mind. As a child, my brother and I played chinese chess together very often; I also enjoy playing mind sports like chess and Reversi a lot and would do so with my friends and against the computer). I don’t know if playing such games helped me to be smarter, but I know it certainly taught me to think quickly, to develop plan of actions in anticipation of future issues, and to think before I act!Get started:List of Abstract Strategy Games [Wiki]Yahoo! Games — Free strategy games and board games where you can pit your skills against players around the world15. Connect with past teachersSome of us may think of teachers in a bad light. After all, teachers are often remembered for giving us endless assignments and tests and generally making our lives miserable while in school!Yet, our teachers are also crucial educators who impart importanted knowledge — and life skills — to us during our early ages when we were the most impressionable. They ensured that we would be on the right path as we entered preadolescence, adolescence, and subsequently adulthood. While teachers don’t always get everything right, their intentions come from a good place and they want to see us win.Think about your past teachers in junior school, high school, and tertiary education. Find ways to get back in touch with them. (Calling your alma mater is always a good start.) Let them know how they have touched your life.16. Let someone know how much he/she means to youBest friends cuddlingIn our life’s journey, we are constantly touched and supported by people around us, be it friends, family, or acquaintances. Can you identify someone who has made a difference in your life? Write a letter to the person today and let him/her know how much he/she means to you. You can do this as many times as you want, for as many people as you like. Read:#GratitudeChallenge Day 3: Write a Gratitude Note to Someone#KindnessChallenge Day 9: Write a Letter to Someone Who Has Made a Difference in Your Life17. Give a heartfelt surprise to someoneGirl receiving a surpriseWhen’s the last time you gave someone a surprise? It’s always heartwarming to come home to a nicely cooked dinner, to have a bouquet of flowers sent to you at work, or to even receive a simple text message from a loved one. Who is someone you would like to touch today? What surprise can you give to him/her?Read: #KindnessChallenge Day 14: Do Something Unexpectedly Nice For Someone18. Perform a kind deed without expecting anything in returnChildren sharing with each otherMany of us are often waiting to receive rather than to give. Yet for any relationship to work, there has to be both giving and receiving. If you often find yourself wondering why no one is giving you what you want, how about practicing giving to others first? \U0001f642 The rest will follow.Can you think of someone in your life who is in need of help or can benefit from your help? How can you extend your support to him/her? Read:Day 14: Acts of Kindness in Be a Better Me in 30 Days Program#GratitudeChallenge Day 9: Share Something You are Grateful For with SomeoneHow to Have More Best Friends in Life: The Heartfelt Guide19. Make a difference in someone’s lifeDonateMaking a difference is more than doing a kind deed, though it can come as a result of a kind deed. When you make a difference in someone’s life, you change the person’s life for the better… permanently. What is the difference YOU want to make in others’ lives? How can you make that happen?Read: #KindnessChallenge Day 7: Make a Donation20. Be a mentor to someoneStudent and TeacherTeaching is one of the most rewarding things we can do. No matter how old you are, even if you are in your teens, you are always in the position to mentor someone else — perhaps someone who is more junior than you or someone who is older but can benefit from a particular expertise you have. Mentoring others is also a great way for you to develop yourself too.Many communities are always looking for volunteer mentors, so check with your local community programs for such opportunities. At the same time, is there anyone you know who can benefit from being mentored by you? Extend your hand to help — who knows, it may well be what he/she needs at this moment!21. Pursue your passionHeart in handHonestly, life is too short to be spent doing something you don’t love. This was why I quit my day job in September 2008 (right start at the start of the financial crisis no less) to pursue my passion to help others grow. I have never looked back ever since — for the past 5 years, I’ve been writing at Personal Excellence and helping people to grow. It has been the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done and I plan to do this for the rest of my life.What is your passion? Is it to be an artist? To sing and perform? To be a life coach? To travel? To help other people to grow (same as my passion)? To be the best that you can be? How can you start pursuing it?If you don’t know what your passion is, this exercise will help you to discover it: Discover Your Life Purpose in the Next 30 MinutesSome people pursue their passion part time while some make it their careers (or even turn their passion into a business). I personally think that if something is your passion, then you should turn it into your life’s work, because that’s the most synergistic and rewarding path you can pursue. Contrary to common belief that pursuing your passion is at odds with being rich, you can pursue your passion and be financially abundant. I’m an example of this.These articles document the early stages of my passion journey and will help you in yours:Passion or Money?How to Discover Your Ideal Career: Your Message and Your MediumOvercome Fear Of Loss And Pursue Your DreamsPursuing Your Passion With No MoneyPassion Paycheck22. Start your businessEntrepreneurship is fraught with uncertainty but it certainly is fun and rewarding! I started my personal development business in 2008 without knowledge of professional blogging or coaching and started earning more than my last corporate pay within my third year. By being smart, diligent, and persistent in your endeavor, there’s no reason why anyone shouldn’t succeed. Read:Can Everyone Be Successful in Starting Their Business?Successful Businesses Interview SeriesMillion Dollar Tip Series23. Fly in a hot-air balloonHot air balloonThe view of the world as you float away in a hot-air balloon… spectacular. Once, I got to fly in a hot-air balloon while I was in Orange County in 2012… though that was just a stationary balloon ride that went up for a minute before coming back down. My next goal is to have a real hot-air balloon ride.Read: World’s 10 Best Hot-Air Balloon Adventures24. Sing to an audienceIf you love singing, don’t keep your passion to yourself! The next time there is an event, offer to sing as one of the performance items. Singing shouldn’t be limited to when you are showering in the bathroom.25. Do volunteer workPeople collecting trashVolunteering is a wonderful way to give back to the world. As I mentioned in Day 4: Sign Up for Volunteer Work of the Kindness Challenge,Volunteer work is one of the best ways to expose yourself to a new medium of helping other people. There are tons of volunteer work out there, from assisting the elderly at the old folks’ home, working with delinquent kids, being a mentor to kids at orphanages, helping out at animal shelters, beach cleanups, and so on.Volunteer work doesn’t have to be some grandiose act. As long as you are offering a part of yourself pro bono to the world (be it in terms of skills, knowledge, time, effort, or money), you are in fact volunteering.