I’ve been thinking about my use of Twitter and have decided it’s more a social communication tool and ‘new post’ tool.  My initial intention was to put up links to interesting sites and the like, but the EduLinks posts suited me better and, through feedback, suited you better too.  That’s why I’ve been quiet on the Twitter front recently.  I hope to be more conversational there instead, which is a much better use for it.

So today welcomes back EduLinks.  Happy weekend reading!

Web 2.0 Expo: It’s Not Information Overload.  It’s Filter Failure

If you can’t watch for 24 minutes…start watching from 15 minutes in for an interesting talk about the way information is changing and how it caught up with one unfortunate university student…

Protoscholar: Articles to support dissertation writing

Two links provided by Protoscholar with sensible advice on starting and completing your dissertation.  I found that not all the advice will be directly relevant to your studies, but there’s more than enough advice and knowledge to take you forward.

The Manchester Review

A brand new journal, published by the Centre for New Writing at The University of Manchester.  It’s got a solid line-up of writers for the first issue and includes an exclusive preview of John Banville’s new novel.  Banville won the Booker Prize in 2005 with his novel ‘The Sea’ (which I happily got an advance proof copy of way back).

Pick the Brain: 12½ Writing Rules

Ali has just started a new site, called Alpha Student.  I wish her luck on the new venture, especially as it’s aimed mainly at UK students.  Ali writes this guest post about writing at Pick the Brain.  If you follow the 12 (and a half) rules, you’re on to a winner.

Academic Productivity: Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the most productive of them all?

A great post on the benefits of reflective learning.  A great way of developing.  Even if you don’t succeed, you can still achieve great productivity.  Winner.

Education Guardian: Make friends before you start: Facebook easing Freshers into university

You might not need Facebook, but it certainly helps…

Gearfire Productivity: Cornell note templates

Are you aware of the Cornell note taking system?  As this post on Gearfire mentions, many students aren’t.  Luckily, the post also offers links to printable pages and great descriptions of the Cornell system, which may become a best friend of yours.  It’s not how I took notes, but it’s certainly a sensible, effective method for many.

Guardian Mortar Board Blog: Don’t blame students for ‘studentification’

Students need places to live.  And with so many students now, it’s no surprise some areas end up looking a little untidy during term-time and then become ‘ghost towns’ in the summer.  It’s daft to blame students when the systems in place take us down these routes anyway.

The Independent – A helping hand: Voluntary work can bring unexpected rewards in your professional life

We don’t have to do everything for money.  There may already be a lack of money in many of your bank accounts and the world’s economy may well be in a mess, but voluntary work can help everyone, including those who volunteer.  I was happy to read about the efforts of the Heriot-Watt University Students Association and their “Target 50” campaign, to get at least 50% of Heriot-Watt students volunteering in one way or another.  Ruth Bush, their president, says it really helps the overall student experience.

Open Culture: Top Five Collections of Free University Courses

I know you’re busy with your own work, but if you spot any courses similar to yours and you have some time to spare, you may find gold in the alternative lectures and notes on offer here.

Study Hacks: The Zen Valedictorian

Cal over at Study Hacks has been working on an interesting series of posts, highlighting the way less can be so much more.  Stress, overwork and oversubscription don’t help secure the top jobs and the best careers.  You just have to choose the right approach, which doesn’t require as much work as you probably think.  If you haven’t been following these posts, get involved now!

Charade: A Fabulous Lifestyle on a Student Budget

Last, but certainly not least, I want to mention another UK-based uni student website.  Megan over at Student Charade describes herself as an “undergraduate, writer and all-round life-enthusiast, posting ideas, opinions and findings in the form of regular articles on student life”.  She’s not been blogging long, but is already producing some great content.  It’s great to see another UK blog championing students in Higher Education.  Woo!