Replace Physical Books

Books – especially textbooks – are heavy. Digital books have several advantages. You can store all your books, from textbooks to novels, on your tablet, and carry them to every class. You will never have to worry about forgetting your book again! You can easily search and annotate the books using the tablet’s features, and the books will always be in perfect condition, so you never have to buy them again!

Reference

There are tons of apps that can help students out. If you need word definitions, facts, statistics, or any other data to help you complete your coursework, a tablet is invaluable. From online dictionaries, encyclopedias, and fact websites to fun fact apps, you will find the ability to use your tablet to obtain reference material is priceless!

Find and Collect Ideas

People typically don’t clip newspapers or save magazine any more. We are used to bookmarking websites on computers and emailing relevant articles to read later. But a tablet can make this even easier! Browse information, collect ideas, and save them to the many organization apps available. The trick is finding one that works for you!

Take Notes

Not only can you use your tablet as your textbook, you can use it as your notebook too! Take notes in class, collect snapshots from textbooks, and synchronize text collections to your tablet and all your other devices. So take notes in your lecture and save them to your tablet, and open them on your laptop later when you are ready to start writing your papers!

Study

There’s an app for that. Available apps for tablets range from learning to read to advanced math, or even language courses. These can be helpful if you are studying a language such as Chinese or Japanese, or want to work on complex math problems. You might even find some apps make studying fun!

Keep Track of it All

Finding yourself busy with class, assignments, clubs, a job, and your social life? Don’t miss another date night or forget your homework. Use organization apps and calendars to help you track it all! iTunes, Google, and Evernote all offer options, and there is certainly an app that can help you out. The best thing is you can sync your tablet to your phone and laptop so you’ll always know what’s on your to do list, and when it’s time to have fun.

Celebrate the Day
Do your kids know why we celebrate labor day? Pick up some coloring books, crayons and American Flags, and teach them a quick history lesson. Have them color and make pictures to hang on the walls for when you barbecue later in the day. Each kid can create their own story about why Labor Day is important, and at the end of the day you’ll have wonderful memories and beautiful drawings!

Barbecues are a tried-and-true way to celebrate the symbolic last day of summer, so while you are at Meijer or your favorite store buying the kids’ coloring books, while not grab some burgers and brats? A simple barbecue of your favorite grilled meal can be a simple and traditional way to enjoy the holiday. Spice it up by serving homemade ice cream or having a sundae bar. The kids can prepare this while the adults enjoy a cold beer and grilled burger, and everyone will end the day full and happy!

Get out of Town
If you’ve had your fill of barbecues and back yard fun for the summer, why not rent a car and head somewhere new? Even if it’s only one state over, a quick road trip can be a great way to let off some steam. Before you know it, you’ll be back to soccer practices and homework, so enjoy the three day weekend. Load up a cooler with sandwich supplies and head to your nearest forest preserve or state park for a day of leisure and a night of relaxation. For instance, Starved Rock State Park  is under two hours from Chicago and boasts family friendly hikes, cozy cabins and a full bar and restaurant, making it an easy getaway that has something for the entire family. Find a hidden gem close to your city and get out into nature one last time!