EduLinks

Watch Out For Mindful Ink

Yes, it’s back and the world is a better place for it.

If there’s one EduLink you should go to today, it’s:

Mindful Ink

Previously known as Scholastici.us, Gideon’s blog is another essential place to bookmark and subscribe to for academic related advice, links, and news.

For those of you who hadn’t frequented the old site, I’ve got a few posts linked from the archives.

For those of you who were well aware of the site, let’s celebrate now that Gideon is back, with his Mindful Ink!

Three great reads from the archive

  1. The Full System: Note Taking, Scheduling, and Studying
  2. On Reading
  3. Weeks of Hell: How to Get Through Them by Preparing Ahead

EduLinks – Catching up

It’s been a while since the last regular dose of EduLinks. While Tuesday’s post has surely given you a lot to think about, I thought it best to catch up with some links of note over the last few weeks. Then I’ll be nearly up to date.

Nearly.

EduLinkz

Lifehack.org – 13 Tips to sap your butterflies when speaking in public (Scott Young)

Even when you’ve written a presentation or talk that’s world class, it can only be communicated strongly with a clear focus on the day.  Scott Young advises on how to get rid of those worries and butterflies that could trip you up.

Lifehack.org – How to use a todo list to make 2008 your best year ever (Dustin Wax)

I love todo lists.  I know how beneficial they can be.  My wife writes lists all the time.  I wish I made these lists more often than I already do.

If you aren’t doing this yet, read Dustin’s article and make a point of changing.  You know it makes sense!

HERO – Students break fundraising record – again!

Well done to the University of Nottingham for raising fantastic amounts during their RAG festivities last month.

Chronicle of Higher Education – Who needs a dorm during finals? Everything a student needs is in the library

I love it.  This guy lived in a library to prove he didn’t need a dorm to survive…all in order to win first pick on a snazzy penthouse dorm!

The sheer contradiction is so good that I hope he does win!

Chronicle of Higher Education – Generation Y Reports Greater Library Use Then Older Groups

Yes, Gen-Y peeps use the library more than expected.  Although not necessarily to take out books…if the article above is anything to go by, maybe Gen-Y use libraries to live in!

Improving Your World: Relationships – The key to communication in friendships

Even with our best friends, we don’t always see eye to eye.  These tips help you to develop your relationships, even if you don’t always agree.

Life Learning Today – A Powerful Way to Strengthen Your Relationship

More techniques and tips to build relationships.

Make Use Of – Best Articles

I only recently found out about ‘Make Use Of’.  There’s a lot going on with the site and you’re bound to find something of interest there.  I’ve linked their Best Articles page, which also suggests you join their subscribers list.  I suggest you do it too.

Education Guardian – Ministers encourage more teens to apply for university

Yes, come to university.  We don’t bite…mwah-ha-ha-ha-HA-HA-HAHAHAHA!

Ahem!

Times Higher Education – Feedback must be top priority

In a nutshell, students generally like their courses, but they want better quality feedback on the work that they do.  The article explains all.

UPDATE: The Times Higher Education has revamped itself.  While it’s not exactly aimed at students, that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.  The latest edition, out today in the new revamped form in print and online, is worth a quick look.  Here are a few articles of note:

Smashing Magazine – Innovative Designs and Devices

This feature is called ‘Monday Inspiration’.  The great ideas showcased in the post are pretty inspirational.  And while you’re getting inspired, you can drool over some of the great gadgety goodness.

Academic Productivity – How to complete your PhD (or any large project): Hard and soft deadlines, and the Martini Method

Don’t leave things to the last minute and give yourself a treat for reaching a target.  Oh yes, and read this article, whether or not you’re doing a PhD.

Study Hacks – How to Read Hard Readings

Might half your reading be in a different language for all the info you’re getting from it?  Would you like to start understanding more about the stuff you’re reading?  If you’re encountering any difficulties with what you’ve been set to read, get the help from Study Hacks to master those papers, no matter how complicated they may seem.

EduLinks – 10 “Best of 2007” Links

Who needs books when you’ve got so much quality information online?

After posting my own top links from 2007, here are 10 more sites offering their best stuff from last year. Each blog has a slightly different focus, so this lot should keep you going for ages!

1. Zen Habits – Best of Zen Habits in 2007

From 2 readers to 26,000 subscribers (and goodness knows how many more readers!), Zen Habits is a real success story. Leo’s articles should help you on the way to life success too.

2. Mashable – 2007 in Review: Best of the Best

All the best online news and stories wrapped up in an easy package.

3. How to be an Original – In 2007

Goals, development, making the most of your life. Lodewijk’s blog has gone from strength to strength since it started earlier in 2007.

4. Inspiration Bit – Best Inspiration Bits in 2007

For inspiration, ideas, design tips and a lot more. Find something new and interesting here today.

5. Organize IT – Year in Review 2007

Putting life hacks and personal development to use straight away.

6. Life Optimizer – 2007 Review: The Best of Life Optimizer

‘Life’ is quite a broad subject. The posts linked here refer to all sorts of things, from staying calm to being excited, from individual time management to spending all your time with others.

7. Lifehack.org – Year in Review: The 70 Best Lifehacks of 2007

One of the best. How could you NOT know about this site? Well, if you want a recap of some of the best posts from 2007, neatly put into subject headings, this is the place to check out.

8. Online Tech Tips – Best Posts for 2007

Make your computer and the internet work even better for you.

9. Get Rich Slowly – Greatest Hits 2007 Edition

Money matters greatly to students because, frankly, most of us don’t have enough of it! While this site speaks in American money, there’s still more than enough that would be relevant for you in the UK.

10. Life Coaches Blog – Best of 2007

“Strategies for a Greater Life” is what they say at Life Coaches Blog. In two parts, this series of posts deals with complimenting people, seducing women, leaking power, being happy alone, the science of happiness, and a wealth of sometimes quirky, yet wildly useful subjects.

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I’m sure you won’t get close to reading all the articles from all the blogs…but if you try, I’d love to hear how you managed!

Best of TheUniversityBlog 2007 – Fifteen Top Posts

We’ve now arrived at the end of 2007.  But we’re nowhere near the end of the Academic Year.  So it’s time for a roundup of the best feature posts since TheUniversityBlog started in September.

New year - photo by djayo

Before I let you loose on the links, I’ve already started to work on my Blogging Goals for 2008.  Last night, I sat down for an hour and belted out 24 post ideas and ended up with 1500 words, so that’s a good start on all the ideas.  During the Christmas break, I may well be feasting on turkey and quaffing the finest ports and single malts, but I’ll also turn some of these ideas into finished posts.

As for now, please enjoy (in chronological order) some of the previous posts you may have missed.  The posting begins again on January 4 2008.

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a stonkingly good New Year.  Don’t be too decadent…oh, go on then, just this once!

TheUniversityBlog – Top 15 posts of 2007

How to win freshers and influence students: Ten ways to improve your social clout

The two rules of making effective notes in your lectures

7 tips to top sleep, 3 tips for staying awake

Writing essays: Don’t fool yourself

Getting the initial work out of the way every time

Help for the hopelessly homesick

Turning smalltalk into bigtalk: 7 ways to find things to talk about

Learn to want it

Your Money: 7 things to do as a student

Why your essay is still useful & important after handing it in

Rehaul your standard university day

Working with others and developing an effective team

5 study traps I’ve seen others fall into

Enjoy your study more

5 ways to embrace the academic meaning of Christmas

New Year Image 2 - photo by barrym67