We all think of Lady Gaga as a real envelope pusher: she's doing new things in music, performance, and with videos right now; her costumes are otherworldly; and she refuses to be tagged as any kind of "type" at all. Whether or not you like her music, she's a good inspiration for anyone who's feeling frustrated by conventions or who just needs a pick-me-up after a tough day at school or work. But she's not the only eccentric in music history. Here are 10 entertainers who paved the way for her liberating style.
Cher: What made Sonny and Cher was mostly Cher, let's face it. The variety show was cute and lively, but Cher popularized bell bottoms, bare midriffs, and flower-power style, and she gave new power to the women's movement by being known for quick-witted, outspoken remarks and jokes made on camera. Then of course we can fast forward to those Academy Awards sheer, Addams Family-meets-Vegas-showgirl dresses, and over-the-top ballads that were instant favorites with the club goers and gay crowd. Though she had a nontraditional upbringing in foster care, Cher developed into one of the most talented and commercially successful performers of all time, bridging movies, TV and of course, music, and is an influential model for feminism and freedom of expression.
Elton John: We personally don't understand the Ray-Ban Wayfarer or Jackie-O sunglasses resurgence: can we please bring back Elton John's psychedelic collection from the '70s and '80s? And even the purple-tinted ones he wears today will work. Back when being flamboyantly gay was still controversial, Elton John gave entertainment a fantastic jolt of energy, humor and fun, without compromising poignancy or art in his music. John's eccentric performances and outfits — as well as his addictions and battles with drugs and eating disorders — are legendary, but they couldn't overshadow his genuine talent and gift for inspiring introspection, nostalgia and sensitivity. That's probably why everyone fell in love with him early on, from other eccentrics in the business to royals like Princess Diana and the historic Watford Football Club.
Liberace: When Wladziu Valentino Liberace was at his peak, he was the highest paid entertainer in the entire world, and boy did he like to show it off. The Wisconsin native (yes! Wisconsin!) actually was born a twin, but his other half died at birth. A child prodigy on the piano, Liberace played in strip clubs during the Great Depression to bring money in, and by his early 20s, he was already touring part of the country, to rave reviews. Known for his outlandish costumes and props — the candelabra was his signature — Liberace advertised himself as "the most amazing piano virtuoso of the present day," a showman and a caricature at once. A darling of both 1950s Vegas and Hollywood, Liberace demanded huge sums of money even by today's standards, but his last performance was on The Oprah Winfrey Show, in 1986. He died the next year of AIDS.
David Bowie: Today, David Bowie carries the impossibly cool card more than the eccentric one, but in the 60s and 70s, he was one of the most eccentric entertainers to shake up the business during an already revolutionary time. Set on being a pop star as a teenager, Bowie played around with blues bands until he was so fed up with the industry that he studied avant garde theatre and mime. By the time he finally made it big in the '70s, Bowie was into white face paint and makeup, also experimenting with androgynous style choices, sexually explicit stage performances, and post-apocalyptic themes and motifs. Bowie continued to reinvent himself over the next few decades, even appearing as a goblin in the cult favorite Labyrinth. The man does what he wants, people.
Madonna: If anyone paved the way for Gaga, it's Madonna. She had the energy, dance moves, controversial sex life and music videos, support of the gay community and fashion industry, and outrageous costumes. (Jean Paul Gaultier cone bras anyone?) She's inspired tons of look-alikes, wannabes, Halloween costumes and drag outfits, and might just be obsessed with finding new ways to twist Catholicism. Her snappy, poppy songs like "Like a Virgin," "Papa Don't Preach," and "Like a Prayer" got everyone talking, for better or worse, but she didn't stop there. Madonna published a sex book, won a Golden Globe for Evita, and then kept releasing mega-hit albums one after the other. A believer in Eastern mysticism and Kabbalah, Madonna's sort of a spiritual guru/fitness goddess hybrid, and it makes us even more excited to see what Gaga's got going for her in the future.
Jerry Lee Lewis: This guy was an entertainer, no question. His hyper-active piano act was always enhanced with that crazy hair flop, whoop-n-holler singing style, and lively Louisiana twang. Raised by poor but supportive parents, Lewis' sound is steeped in old time country and gospel music, and took on a pop twist after touring with Elvis and Johnny Cash in the '50s. When Lewis married his 13-year-old cousin, though, he was scandalized in the public eye and mostly played in Europe during the '60s. Ultimately married six times, Lewis was welcomed back to American entertainment and was awarded with the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Prince: Formerly known as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, this iconic music artist rarely smiles and also prefers androgynous styling, often wearing makeup and closely cut, often bejeweled suits and costumes. One of the most talented, beloved and successful artists in pop culture history, Prince is unapologetic about his non-traditional image, name changes, or business and creative decisions, once changing his mind about an album cover which he suddenly claimed was evil, even though half a million copies had been printed.
Bjork: We almost feel silly calling out Cher for her outlandish costumes and red carpet wear. Icelandic singer Bjork is the real character, from that swan dress thing to purple wigs to giant turquoise flowers serving as Princess Leia-like accessories. The soft-spoken soprano seems preoccupied by all things eccentric and fantastical: aliens and science fiction, witchcraft, and anarchy.
Boy George: Let's see how many guys wearing makeup we can put on this list, shall we? Boy George — who has been mocked in films like The Wedding Singer for his eccentricity — admits to being influenced by other against-the-grainers like David Bowie and Iggy Pop, and also, we assume, the ladies of "Dyansty" and clowns. The former Culture club frontman brought British pop music back to the American mainstream, and since then, Boy George's colorful collection of hats, eyeshadow and sparkly blazers has never ceased to amaze. He's been in trouble for drugs lately, but his reality TV career might be just taking off.
KISS: Lady Gaga has the boys of KISS to thank for getting Americans — and the rest of the world — excited about in-your-face costumes and general insanity on stage. Inspired by comic books, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Feshley and Peter Criss adopted their own alter egos and took fantasy to a whole new level. They're a little darker and more intense than Gaga, but they may be behind the influence for her no-pants trend.
The saying goes that politics is just show business for ugly people, but the men and women on this list were attractive enough — or maybe just persuasive enough — to succeed in both fields. Politics and showbiz are two separate but equally viable routes to money and power, so it's no surprise that some stars decide to try their hand at public policy when they're looking for a career change. Some never quite shake their Hollywood roots, some find equal footing in both arenas, and some use their political careers to completely revolutionize their lives. If you're a college student trying to decide between fame and leadership, let this list show you how to chase both.
Ronald Reagan: The Gipper tops the list as the most powerful and popular politician ever to come out of Hollywood. He worked in Hollywood before World War II, starring in films like Knute Rockne, All American (in which he played George Gipp and earned a lifelong nickname) and Kings Row. After the war, he rode a wave of conservative sentiment against civil rights and the threat of Communism to the California governorship, which he held from 1967-1975. After challenging incumbent Gerald Ford for the GOP nomination in 1976, Reagan ran for the White House in 1980, winning the presidency as well as re-election in 1984. He's remembered as a popular but divisive president who helped bring an end to the Cold War.
Al Franken: Currently the junior senator from Minnesota, Al Franken got his start as a writer and performer on "Saturday Night Live," where he worked from 1975-1980 and again from 1985-1995. He won Emmys for his writing and created the character of Stuart Smalley, a satire of the self-help gurus who found popularity in the 1990s. Never one to shy away from political humor, Franken published several political books with pointed titles, including Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations and Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right. (Franken and Fox News aren't exactly simpatico.) He ran for the Senate in 2008 against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and won in a squeaker that was contested all the way to the Minnesota Supreme Court. Franken was finally sworn in on July 2009.
Sonny Bono: After years of performing as a musician and entertainer with wife Cher, Sonny Bono left behind his variety show days to enter politics as a Republican. He became mayor of Palm Springs, California, in 1988 and served for four years, after which he ran unsuccessfully for the Senate. However, he had better luck in the 1994 midterms — an election that saw the GOP gain control of the House for the first time since 1954 — when he was elected as the representative for California's 44th Congressional District. Sadly, Bono was only in office for three years when he sustained injuries while skiing in Nevada and died as a result. His widow, Mary Bono, carried out his term. Although Bono had sponsored an unsuccessful bill about extending copyright, a similar Senate bill passed after he died was named the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act as a tribute.
Arnold Schwarzenegger: The first of two politicians on this list who starred in Predator — I'm not kidding — Arnold Schwarzenegger needs no introduction to anyone who's been alive for the past 30 years. The bodybuilder and action star who was immortalized in 1980s quasi-classics like The Terminator and Conan the Barbarian, became the Republican governor of California in 2003 after a recall election to replace Democrat Gray Davis. He won re-election in 2006, but is term limited and unable to run for re-election in 2010. (Meg Whitman, former eBay CEO, won the GOP primary for the governorship.) The Governator pushed strongly for the opposition of Prop. 66 in the 2004 election, an amendment that would have changed the state's three-strikes law.
Jesse Ventura: Jesse "The Body" Ventura, a wrestler and actor who appeared in Predator and the deeply flawed Abraxas, Guardian of the Universe, was known mainly for his work with the World Wrestling Federation before turning to public service. He became mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, in the 1990 election and served from 1991-1995. After that, he ran as an independent and member of the Reform Party in the 1998 Minnesota governor's race, beating Norm Coleman and Hubert Humphrey (the St. Paul mayor and state attorney general, respectively). He declined to run for a second term, citing undue media scrutiny that focused more on his personal life than political policies. (To which every other politician in the country could have responded: Dude, get in line.)
George Murphy: George Murphy was an old-school song-and-dance man in features like Broadway Melody of 1938 and For Me and My Gal. He even won an honorary Oscar in 1951. After his acting career ended, he became chair of the California Republican State Central Committee in 1953, and in 1964 he successfully ran for one of California's U.S. Senate berths. He served from 1965-1971, and he also chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 1968, when Richard Nixon was elected president. He lost his 1970 bid for re-election in part because of the throat cancer that had necessitated the removal of part of his larynx, rendering him unable to talk above a whisper. He was one of the first actors to break into California politics.
Jack Kelly: Jack Kelly rose to prominence as Bart, brother of James Garner's Bret, on ABC's "Maverick." After a slew of other roles and a gradual waning in his career, Kelly entered local politics in Huntington Beach, California, serving on the city council and later as mayor. He held the mayorship from 1983-1986, and he died of a stroke in 1992.
Ben L. Jones: Ben Jones will forever be known as Cooter, the mechanic character from "The Dukes of Hazzard." After the show ended in 1985, Jones turned his eye to politics. He ran for a seat in the House as a Georgia representative in 1986, though he lost. However, he won in 1988 and 1990, only to face defeat again in 1992 thanks to some redistricting tweaks. He ran again in 1994 but was clobbered by Newt Gingrich in the Republican resurgence. Jones is still an active Democrat, though he hasn't held office since then.
Fred Thompson: Fred Thompson's political and acting careers have overlapped as he's swung between the two, but his major political power didn't come until after he'd become a known on-screen persona. He served as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee during its 1973 investigation of the scandal, and he continued his political work even as his career as a character actor took off in the 1980s. He appeared in No Way Out, The Hunt for Red October, and a slew of other films in which he was often cast as the governmental heavy. His Senate career began in 1994, a nice year for Republican candidates, and he served Tennessee in the Senate until 2003. He served as John McCain's national co-chair during McCain's 2000 presidential bid, and he even made a run for the White House himself in 2008, though he withdrew early in the process.
Helen Gahagan Douglas: Helen Gahagan starred in just one film, 1935's She, before entering public service. She ran in 1944 for the House representing California's 14th Congressional District, and she held that seat from 1945-1951. She ran for the Senate in 1950 and found herself competing against Richard Nixon. Although she managed to popularize the nickname "Tricky Dick," which would follow Nixon for life, he beat her solidly thanks to a rising tide of anti-Communist fear. After that, she left politics.
Bob Dornan: A former Air Force pilot, Bob Dornan starred in 1964's The Starfighters, a film that found ignominious second life as an episode of "Mystery Science Theater 3000." He also had bit parts on series like "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie." After an unsuccessful run for Los Angeles mayor in the early 1970s, Dornan was elected to the House of Representatives in 1976. He served the 27th District from 1977-1983, after which he lost due to redistricting. He returned as a representative from the 38th District in the 1984 election, and served in Congress again from 1985-1997.
Fred Grandy: That's right: Gopher, your yeoman purser from "The Love Boat," became a politician. Interestingly, his political ties began before his showbiz career: At Phillips Exeter Academy, he roomed with David Eisenhower, grandson of the president. After the series ended, Grandy ran as a Republican for the House of Representatives, where he served Iowa's 6th and 5th Districts from 1987-1995. He made a bid for the Republican nomination in the 1994 Iowa gubernatorial race, but lost to incumbent Terry Branstad. He then moved to the private sector, acting as president and CEO of Goodwill Industries from 1995-2000.
John Davis Lodge: John Lodge appeared in films during Hollywood's first golden era, including Little Women and The Little Colonel. After a stint in the Navy during World War II, he joined the GOP and served in the House representing Connecticut's 4th District, a position he held from 1947-1951. After that, he served a Connecticut's governor from 1951-1955. Although he never won another election, he was an ambassador later in his life for Argentina and Switzerland.
Alan Autry: Alan Autry's career has covered more ground than most. He played football for the Green Bay Packers in the 1970s before heading to California to become an actor. His roles included "In the Heat of the Night" and "Grace Under Fire," as well as bit parts on series like "Cheers" and "The A-Team." In 2000, he ran for office and became mayor of Fresno, California, holding office from 2001-2009. During his two terms, he supported efforts to ban gay marriage. His time guiding Fresno saw the city remain financially stable, particularly compared with other California areas.
Sheila Kuehl: Sheila Kuehl is best known for co-starring on "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis," which ran from 1959-1963. After a few other roles, she concentrated on school and career. When she joined the California State Assembly in 1994, she was the first openly gay woman ever elected to that state's legislature. She was elected to the state senate in 2000, where she stayed until 2008.
Some of the funniest commercials of all time weren't intended to be funny, while some of those intended to be funny are just duds. It's weird but true. Thanks to the glorious time-wasting powers of YouTube and other video sites, college students can revisit the memorable ads of their youth with an ease they never would have dreamed of the first time they saw these clips on TV. So stop whatever you're working on and check out these ads, which are classics for all the wrong reasons:
You & Your Johnson: Johnson was an outboard motor company that apparently paid zero attention to slang, which meant their 1980s-era ad about all the fun times to be had with "you and your Johnson" was destined to become a classic. The line about "you, your kids, and your Johnson" is really where the wheels come off.
I Learned It By Watching You: It's a good idea to keep your kids off drugs, but this over-the-top PSA from the late 1980s has become a punch line thanks to its melodramatic acting. It was even parodied on "Scrubs" years later.
Encyclopedia Britannica Kid: This annoying blond kid showed up in a series of ads for Encyclopedia Britannica in the late 1980s and early 1990s (more here and here). The gimmick is that he knows it's an ad and just wants to be cool, or something. Dig the fashion nightmare.
McDLT: The whole concept behind the McDLT was that the beef patty and lettuce/tomato toppings were kept separate in the package until the last possible second, because apparently people in the 1980s had nothing else to worry about. The ad's hilarious, though, for its pitchman: Jason Alexander himself, leading citizens in song in a kind of homage to The Music Man that's all about burgers. It's as awesome as it sounds:
This Bud's for You: Everything in the 1980s was neon. Every. Single. Thing.
Mentos: The Freshmaker: These weird mints from the Netherlands yielded some classic commercials that were funny at the time but have only grown more beloved since then for their cult status and hilariously out-of-touch style. This wordless ad (shot in South Africa) is one of the best-remembered spots for the company.
Baby Born: A creepy doll that actually evacuates the "food" you give it? Who thought of this? Just wait till the doll pees.
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Crossfire: Crossfire is a boardgame where opponents shoot metal balls at each other in an attempt to knock game pieces into a kind of end zone. (It's as safe as it sounds.) The hilarious thing about this ad though is that the two boys shown playing the game are in some dark, futuristic world where the board game is a matter of life and death, and where the loser is sent spinning into oblivion.
Slim Suit: If this ad is to be believed, all you have to do to lose weight is wear this shiny silver suit and then watch TV. It's too good to fail!
One to Grow On: The 1980s was a fantastic era for cheeseball advocacy in the form of earnest public service announcements like One to Grow On, and while most of these were slightly helpful, some of them were just off. Funny then, embarrassing (and funnier) now. Witness this spot in which Jason Bateman talks about the dangers of listening to your radio too loudly in public.
Ninja Turtles vs. Pot: At what elementary school do kids just start throwing around joints in the hall?
Peter Pan Nut: Only Mark Linn-Baker — the inimitable Cousin Larry — could make a commercial for peanut butter honest and funny, even 20 years after the fact. Now I'm hungry.
Cadbury Eggs: I know it's dumb, but a rabbit making chicken noises is always funny. (Same goes for other animals, too.) And now I'm really hungry.
Ayds Candy: This diet suppressant candy is pronounced just like "AIDS," which caused some understandable commercial difficulties in the mid-1980s. A great example of an ad that was only kind of entertaining at the time but has taken on a dark humor since its debut.
He Was Injured. Injured Bad.: We're ending with the best one of the bunch. Most people don't remember what the ad is for (Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield), merely the hilarious story and the punch line from the little kid who tells it. No matter how many times you see it, you'll still laugh. And isn't that the whole point?
Whether you're interested in late night snacking for study fuel, or food on the go, street food just might be in the right place at the right time. These carts are filled with treats from tacos to cupcakes, and can offer more fun and adventure than your average delicious meal. Here are 100 US street food spots you should really check out.
Food Cart Pods
Track down these groupings of food carts to take your pick.
Cartopia: Cartopia is a great place to find the best of Portland's cart eating.
Mississippi Marketplace: Find food carts, artisan crafts, and more at the Mississippi Marketplace in Portland.
Mexican & Taco Trucks
If you're in the mood for something spicy, check out these trucks.
The Taco Truck: The Taco Truck shares gourmet fresh Mexican food in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Bora Bora: Bora Bora is a classic dive taco truck in Portland.
Mexicue: Mexican cuisine and BBQ come together on the NYC Mexicue truck.
Tamale Lady: Find the San Francisco Tamale Lady for the best tamales you'll ever have.
The Pickle: Find Mexican favorites on this Atlanta food truck.
Gardening can be a rewarding and fun way to make your yard look nice and perhaps even grow your own dinner. If you're struggling to get your gardens going, you know how much of a learning curve there can be when it comes to figuring out what makes plants grow and keeps them happy. Get some advice from the experts and an online education in horticulture from these Twitter feeds, filled with gardening tips and ideas to help you become a master gardener.
General Tips
In these feeds, you'll find some great general tips to get you started with gardening.
@GardenAdvice: If you're struggling to embrace your green thumb, find some great advice here from a California gardener.
@gardeningguru: This Kalamazoo, MI, gardener shares basic tips on gardening and more though this site.
@GardeningTweet: Based out of Leeds, this gardener offers up tips on growing, designing and maintaining your garden.
@GardeningHome: Learn how to create a garden that will be envy of the neighborhood with advice on everything from growing plants in containers to creating garden habitats.
@Gardening_Ideas: If you're looking for some great ideas on how to make your gardens prettier and more successful, give this feed a read.
@GardeningforFun: From starting a compost pile to growing plants in water, you'll find just about anything you could want to know about here.
@gardener_tips: The tips on this feed range from the helpful to the bizarre, but nothing is left out.
@plottips: In this feed, you'll find tips to help you grow and harvest your garden.
@gardening_tools: See inspirational gardens and get some ideas on how to improve your own through this feed.
@GreenhouseFever: Learn how to make a greenhouse work, whether large or small, in this feed.
@milegardening: Gardening enthusiast Mark Mile shares his love of growing plants here.
@gardening_tips0: This feed is an excellent place to learn some basic essentials about gardening and landscaping.
@gardeningblog: This feed links to an excellent collection of gardening articles on the website Ewagz.com.
@GardeningTips44: Find a wealth of really useful gardening tips daily in this feed.
@plant21: Keep up with the latest news in the gardening world through this feed.
Urban and Small Space
These feeds will help you create a great garden even if your backyard is a concrete jungle.
@IndoorGardener: If you don't have room for plants outdoors, learn how to grow them well inside from this feed.
@urbangardenersl: This feed is an excellent place to share in the struggles of urban gardening and maybe find a little advice to boot.
@minigarden: Learn more about container gardening, perfect for urban or small spaces, from this feed.
@containerplants: If you don't have room for a full-fledged garden, consider some of the container planting ideas found in this feed.
@growaplant: Check out this feed for some great ideas on growing small and miniature gardens, as well as some links to gardening inspiration.
@TheOrchidLover: This feed will help you learn to grow these beautiful plants in your own home.
@citygalgardening: Follow along as these two city girls share their experiences growing things.
@urbangarden: This University of Illinois professor shares his tips on urban gardening, and a whole lot more, through this feed.
Vegetable Gardens
Get a better idea of how to grow plants you can eat with help from these feeds.
@gardeningtricks: Need some tips and tricks to get your garden up and running? You'll find them here.
@GardeningGuide: Want to learn how to grow your own food? Find tips on vegetable gardening here.
@veggardener: This feed is full of great tips to get the most from your vegetable garden.
@GardenVeggies: Check out this feed for help growing better vegetables from gardening guru Kenny Point.
@vgardening: This feed will show you how to get healthy by growing your own delicious and nutritious vegetables.
@HowtoHerbGarden: This feed offers some tips that can make growing your own seasonings easy and fun.
Organic
Make your garden a green and sustainable one with help from the advice in these feeds.
@growing_organic: This feed will teach you how to create a more environmentally friendly garden in your own backyard.
@OrganicGardenr: This Florida-based blogger, shares tips and tricks for getting your veggies to grow organically in this feed.
@organicdad: This dad shares his advice on green gardening here.
@GardenNaturally: Learn how to get rid of pests and grow your plants bigger the natural way with help from this feed.
@GardeningGuru33: This feed offers some ideas on growing foods organically as well as some more general gardening news items.
Gardening Media
These feeds are home to magazines, newspapers and TV shows that offer gardening advice.
@finegardening: Here you'll find a bevy of gardening advice and some inspirational gardens from Fine Gardening Magazine to get you started on your own gardening project.
@ogmag: You don't have to subscribe to Organic Gardening Magazine to hear the great tips they post on growing green foods in this feed.
@TeleGardening: Hear what gardeners across the pond have to say in this feed from the UK newspaper The Telegraph.
@TimesGardening: The Times offers helpful articles for both novice and expert gardeners in this feed.
@GardenerMag: Through this feed, you'll be able to see some of the informational stories published in Gardener Magazine.
@TheMarthaShow: Martha Stewart offers tips on plants, cooking and more in this feed.
Garden Experts and Businesses
Make sure to give these feeds a read to get help gardening from those who know it best.
@GardeningHelp: Get expert advice from the Missouri Botanical Garden through this feed.
@gardeninggurus: Created by the people behind the World of Gardening website, this feed is full of eBooks, tips and information on how to garden.
@GardenerJack: Here, you'll find helpful advice from a UK gardening superstore.
@BetterGardener: If you've ever wanted to be a better gardener, visit this feed to get expert advice on getting the most out of your plantings.
@topgardentips: Run by Amberol, a gardening company, this feed offers some seriously useful tips to help you create a better garden.
@GraceGardening: This company offers a wide range of gardening products but also advice and factoids about plants on this feed.
@thegardeningpro: Check back with this feed regularly to get some useful advice on growing all kinds of plants.
Location-Based
From the midwest to Australia, these feeds will help you find location-specific gardening advice.
@gardencentral: Find all kinds of great advice and information on gardening from these Australian plant experts.
@BloNoGardening: Learn more about growing plants in the Midwest from this Illinois-based feed.
@CAgardengirl: This feed offers a chance to learn about gardening issues important in California and around the nation.
No matter what you're studying in your online degree program or college classes, reading up on human rights news will educate you on important global issues that shed new light on business, politics and social change. These blogs will show you not only how you can help protect under-served or persecuted communities, but also how you can apply your new understanding of the world to society and business back home.
Institution Blogs
Here you'll find blogs from big human rights organizations like the ACLU and Human Rights Watch.
Human Rights Now: Amnesty International blogs here to share breaking human rights news in the U.S. and abroad.
HRC Back Story: The Human Rights Campaign posts news and stories about protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights.
UN Dispatch: Find out what the UN is working on to promote peace, alleviate poverty, visit places of emergency, and more.
IHRA Blog: Learn more about what's being done in terms of drug-related crimes, drug policies and drug research from the International Harm Reduction Association blog.
Human Rights Watch News: Browse regularly updated news posts about human rights crimes and campaigns in the Middle East, Asia and beyond.
ECHR Blog: Antoine Buyse from the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights at Utrecht University shares his research and other European human rights news.
ACLU Blog: The American Civil Liberties Union maintains this website "because freedom can't blog itself." Find news stories relating to immigration, LGBT rights, prisoner rights, racial justice, and a lot more.
My MADRE: This women's rights group will keep you updated on global conferences, child soldiers, the Haiti recovery, and opportunities within the nonprofit world.
Global Issues
These blogs will update you on the human rights issues affecting people around the world, like poverty, freedom of expression, and international justice.
Global Voices Online: The human rights news blog covers corrupt politicians, detainment, poverty, massacres, and more.
Blogactiv: Read about European-interest social changes and human rights on this multi-lingual blog.
Fight for Human Rights: Care2's human rights blog reads almost like a news feed with photos, reader submissions, and posts about child malnutrition, hunger strikes, capital punishment, and more.
Wronging Rights: This highly opinionated — and wryly funny — blog posts critical comments on international justice and human rights issues.
Talking Rights: From China to child soldiers, find out what's really going on behind the scenes.
The Seminal: This outspoken blog covers issues in Afghanistan, the U.S. economy, American military, and more.
World Bridge Blog: Refugees International discusses threats, newly displaced groups, refugee culture, and other devastating issues.
TED Blog: TED's blog highlights new videos and issues that its lecturers and conferences are supporting, like public health, Afghan society, regions plagued by war, education, disaster relief, and more.
Poverty News Blog: Find out how to help poverty-stricken areas and communities around the world.
Speaking Globally: Read longer posts about the West Bank, Thailand, South Africa, and other regions trying to make it work.
Location Specific
From Israel and Palestine to China, find human rights news dealing with specific regions here.
UK Human Rights Blog: This barrister-written blog shares unbiased legal updates and human rights news.
HLT News: The Holy Land Trust has set up a news blog for educating readers about nonviolence efforts in Palestine, and the campaign to turn the Holy Land and Palestine into a region of respect and tolerance.
HRIC Daily News Brief: Human Rights in China posts news stories from international papers, blogs and websites here for daily updates.
This is Zimbabwe: The Zimbabwe Civic Action Support Group blogs to promote democracy and freedom.
Save Darfur: Get reading roundups, genocide news, war crimes updates and other news stories from Sudan here.
Community, Social Change and Politics
These blogs spread news about social change, gay rights, religion, and more.
Ella's Voice: Read this blog from the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights to read about police brutality, riots, and other social advocacy news.
Censored News: Here you'll find updates about immigration, indigenous peoples and human rights.
Gay Rights: Change.org's Gay Rights blog reports on gays in the military, new legislation and policies, homophobia, and more.
Religion News Blog: This blog reports on extremism, religion and politics, religious violence, fraud, and other issues.
Persecution Blog: This is another religious-interest blog about the persecution of Christians all over the world.
Capital Defense Weekly: Find news and commentary about the law relating to capital defense and the rights of the wrongfully accused.
JustNews Blog: This is the spot for "social justice journalism," where you can read about immigration, protests and more.
Identity Theory: Read about workers' rights and other social justice issues here.
Women and Children
Women and children's issues are shared on the following blogs.
Field Notes: UNICEF blogs to help protect, educate and feed youth around the world.
Live Action Blog: This pro-life blog promotes non-violent awareness of the dangers of abortion.
Children: The World Affairs Blog Network posts job updates and news stories about maternal health, orphans, genital mutilation and more.
fbomb: Health care, rape, fashion, social media, women in the arts and other feminist issues are all addressed on this women's rights blog for young feminists.
Global Sister: Read news stories and commentary about abortion, empowerment, education, UN campaigns and other global-minded women's issues.
Amplify: This blog also appeals to teens and youth interested in promoting women and children's rights in the United States and around the world.
Public Health and Emergencies
Learn about public health projects around the world.
Health Rights Advocate: From landmines to AIDS, this public health watch blog alerts readers to threats and victories around the world.
Take Part: This blog mashes environmental news with public health, human rights and nutrition.
Violence and Peace
Read up on nonviolence campaigns here.
STAND: Students blog to bring awareness to genocide intervention efforts here.
Antiwar Blog: This blog isn't just antiwar: it reports on violent protests, bombings, terrorism and the fight for peace.
Waging Nonviolence: Get the latest updates on nonviolent triumphs and challenges, including sit-ins, "peace armies," cease fires and more.
FOR Blogs: The Fellowship of Reconciliation welcomes blog posts about peace efforts, terrorism, war news, war crimes, and related issues.
Ashoka Peace: Entrepreneurs and social activists learn about the role they can play in promoting nonviolence and tolerance.
Nonviolent Migration: Racism, tolerance, border issues and social change are addressed on this blog hoping for nonviolent migration movements.
Miscellaneous
This collection of blogs includes news from Guantanamo, the EU, the UN, and more.
PhD Studies in Human Rights: Graduate-level students wanting to learn more about new developments and publications regarding human rights issues can turn here.
Community to Protect Journalists Blog: Find out why journalists need their personal and professional rights protected when you keep up with the news stories on this blog.
UN Blog: The Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute blogs about the EU, gender issues, UN treaties and policies, and other human rights issues.
Project Hamad: Get regular updates on the detention of Adel Hamad, as well as general Guantanamo Bay news.
It will probably come as no surprise to learn that many of the movies on this list are foreign, and those that are American are still rooted in the traditions and flavors of a host of old countries. There's something about celebrating meals, real, genuine meals, that seems to thrive the most in stories set outside our modern culture. For lovers of food, from college students on up, these aren't just great movies, but great opportunities to revel in the pure joy of a good meal.
Babette's Feast: Winner of the Academy Award for best foreign-language film, this 1987 Danish movie leads up to a lavish feast that dominates the final act. The meal unites the characters around the table and leads them to reconcile with one another, restoring their spiritual health as much as providing physical nourishment.
Big Night: Directed by Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott, and starring Tucci, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, Tony Shalhoub, and Minnie Driver, Big Night is a dramatic comedy set at an Italian restaurant in 1950s New Jersey. The food and warmth are fantastic additions to a smart, underappreciated modern classic.
Chocolat: Juliette Binoche stars in this delightful comedy about a woman who opens a chocolaterie in a small French village in the late 1950s. Her treats entice the townspeople and lead to heightened passions and heartfelt reconciliations.
Soul Food: Writer-director George Tillman based the characters in Soul Food on his own family members to create a warm, winning tale of a sprawling clan brought together every Sunday for supper. The 1997 film was later turned into a Showtime series that ran for five years, making it the longest-running drama with a predominantly African-American cast in American TV history.
Tampopo: This Japanese comedy is primarily about a pair of men helping a widowed restaurant owner turn her noodle shop into a success, and it features a number of smaller vignettes about the joys of food.
Ratatouille: Pixar's animated ode to cooking is everything you'd expect from the studio: funny, heartwarming, and full of characters possessed of an honest passion for their profession. It even manages to make a rat into a lovable (and hygienic) cooking companion, thanks in part to the voice work of comedian Patton Oswalt.
Eat Drink Man Woman: Ang Lee's winning comedy follows a father and cook trying to manage his three daughters as they pursue love.
American Cuisine: Jason Lee stars in this often overlooked French film about an American chef exploring the world of European food. The plot's pretty light, but the point is just to enjoy the atmosphere.
Tortilla Soup: Based on the aforementioned Eat Drink Man Woman, this American remake focuses on a Mexican-American family headed by a father who prepares elaborate meals for his wife and daughters. It fared well with critics and audiences, and it remains one of the most entertaining, feel-good movies for foodies.
Mostly Martha: Remade a few years later in the U.S. as No Reservations, this 2001 German film is a dramatic romantic comedy about a chef who winds up taking car of her niece when the chef's sister dies in an accident. The food factors heavily into the plot, and the story also includes segments in which the main character talks with her therapist about cooking.
Like Water for Chocolate: This sensual love story from Mexico wowed viewers and became a cross-cultural sensation. Food, cooking, and the art of making a meal run throughout the story.
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover: Writer-director Peter Greenaway's crime drama isn't for everyone, and it takes plenty of dark turns. Yet it remains a popular movie for foodies because of its restaurant setting and the horrible ends met by some of the characters. (Let's just say, you are what you eat.)
Vatel: Based on the life of Francois Vatel, a French chef from the 17th century, this sumptuous revolves around a feast thrown for King Louis XIV. Things get complicated when Vatel gets involved with the king's lover.
Woman on Top: Penelope Cruz stars in this delightful comedy full of food, sex, and love. A great movie for fans of whimsical stories.
Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?: This comedic mystery follows a trio of food lovers and amateur sleuths as they try to figure out who's killing major European chefs. In a twist, each chef is killed in the manner of their signature meal. A great treat for foodies and fans of classic comedy.
What's Cooking?: This 2000 comedy follows four families as they come together for Thanksgiving and deal with a variety of personal problems. A solid comedy-drama and a great look at preparing a variety of meals.
La Grande Bouffe: This 1973 black comedy is as infamous for its sexuality and dark plot as it is for its gargantuan meals. Four men decide to escape to a villa where they plan on sleeping with prostitutes and eating themselves to death. A tough film, but worthy of inclusion.
Dinner Rush: Starring Danny Aiello as a restaurant owner and bookie in Tribeca, this independent film mostly takes place over the course of a single night in one location, the restaurant. A fantastic movie about food and family.
Sideways: Okay, it's a bit of a cheat, since this one's about wine and not food in general. But the foodie passion is on display in the central character's love of good wine. Paul Giamatti and Virginia Madsen give wonderful performances in this bittersweet love story.
Delicatessen: Another dark comedy (there seem to be a lot of these where food is concerned), this early film from Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a marvelous union of food, character, and physical environments.
Summer means a break from classes, outdoor parties, and pool time, but it's also the beginning of hurricane season. Avoid scrambling at the last minute to patch up your house or buy supplies by preparing well ahead of time. Here are 100 home hacks to get you through the whole season.
General Supplies
Use this list to help you collect items you'll need during and after a storm.
Pack a to-go bag: This overnight bag should be easy to take with you if you have to evacuate in a hurry and should include a change of clothes, bottled water, flashlight and important documents.
Cash: ATMs and credit card machines may not work for a while after the storm.
Battery-operated radio: Make sure you have extra batteries too, so that you can keep up with news reports and alerts. Hand-crank radios work well, too.
Secure a two-week supply of prescription medicine: Anyone on prescription medications, as well as pregnant women, should pack a two-week supply of their meds in a sealable plastic bag, clearly labeled. Include instructions for taking the medications, too.
Flashlight and lanterns: Make sure you have a couple of flashlights, candles, matches, lanterns and other alternate sources of light.
Personal hygiene items: It might be hard to get to the store to buy toilet paper, tissues, soap and other sanitary items after the storm.
Extra keys: Having an extra set of keys in your kit is a good idea in case people get separated or if they're lost in a flood or the confusion.
Pet items: Remember food, medicine and water for your pet, too.
Disinfectant: You never know what mess you'll have after a storm.
Checklist: This printable checklist can serve as a guide for your own personal checklist. Give one to each family member to personalize.
Extra batteries: You'll need extra batteries for your radio, flashlights, and other items. Get these early before they all sell out.
Prepare early: Emergency items sell out quickly at the stores, so stock up your kit before hurricane season even starts, and replenish food supplies every six months.
First Aid
These first aid items are a must for every household.
Turn off utilities if you leave: Before evacuating, shut off power, propane gas and water, but leave on natural gas unless told to do so by authorities. A licensed professional is the only one who can turn it back on.
Anchor mobile homes: Pre-1994 construction mobile homes probably aren't anchored well enough to stand even Category 1 hurricanes.
Buy impact resistant glass: Well before you hear about any storms, replace older windows with higher resistance ones.
Prepare your pool: Make sure water drains fro the deck, store toys, and close umbrellas.
Lock windows and doors: Lock up your windows and doors for personal safety and to keep the wind from blowing them open.
Prune trees and shrubs: Loose limbs and plants will fly around easily when the winds pick up.
Get storm shutters: Place these over glass doors, windows and skylights.
Replace stored goods every six months: If you're keeping a kit stocked around the year, replace food items every six months to ensure freshness and safety.
Be aware of boil water alerts: After a storm, you may have to boil water for a few days at least due to flooded wells, spilled sewage and other contamination.
Get out your ice chest: Fill an ice chest with dry ice before and after the storm to keep food cold.
Canned foods: Canned meat, fish, fruits, soups, milk and vegetables are all smart, easy-to-prepare options.
Pick higher calorie foods: You'll need to eat foods with more calories and nutrition per serving to sustain your energy.
Buy perishable foods right before the storm: When everyone else is out buying canned items, you can buy cookies, raisins, dry cereal, pepperoni and cheese that doesn't need to be refrigerated. These will give you more variety but will still last a few days if you don't have power.
Use camping gear: If you have basic camping gear like a small grill, you can make simple meals while the power's out.
Baby formula: Don't forget to store enough baby formula and baby food.
Power Outages
Learn what to do when the power goes out.
Consider a generator: These will make your life much easier during a storm, but understand the carbon monoxide risks and that your neighbors might get angry if you won't share.
Know which foods are safe to eat: This guide explains which foods you can thaw and refreeze, how long they'll last in your refrigerator without power, and which to throw out.
Tell ghost stories: If little kids aren't around, scare yourself with ghost stories during the storm.
Make a fort: Use blankets, furniture and flashlights to make a cozy fort for your family.
Special Needs and Children
The elderly, sick, disabled, pregnant women and children all have special needs during hurricanes.
Minimize stress: Help children cope better by minimizing stressful situations and discussions.
Limit TV time: Don't let your kids watch scary footage of the storm on TV.
Pre-register for special needs shelters: If you think you will have to evacuate and are bringing a special needs or disabled person with you, pre-register to ensure space and adequate care.
Maintain normal routines: Keeping up with a normal routine helps soothe everyone from babies to adults.
Call the doctor: Pregnant women and special needs patients should communicate with their doctors to let them know your plan for riding out the storm or evacuating.
FEMA for Kids: As long as you have power, direct kids to this colorful site that includes games, cartoons, quizzes and information about hurricanes, presented in a friendly manner.
Contact home health care service: If you use a home health care service, call them and ask them to check on you during and after the storm.
Answer children's questions: Welcome questions from children about what to do, what a hurricane is, and how to prepare for it.
Get older kids to help: School-aged children will feel more prepared and maybe even excited if they're allowed to help gather blankets and find batteries.
Bunk with the neighbors: If you're elderly, ask to spend the night at the neighbors' house, or work out some kind of signal for help should you need it and if the phones go out.
Clean up clutter: If the power goes out, or an elderly person is in a new home, he or she may be more likely to fall.
Stay hydrated: People who are sick and the elderly are especially at risk for dehydration.
Know the risks: Disabled individuals will find it harder to evacuate, so know all the obstacles and risks involved in transporting them or keeping them safe in your home.
Evacuating
Find out what to do if an evacuation is in order.
Find a place for pets ahead of time: If you're unable to take your pets with you, make arrangements ahead of time, and never leave your pet chained up or alone on your property. It's cruel.
Get a real map: You may not be able to rely on your GPS, especially if roads are blocked or flooded. Get a real map to help you find your way out.
Plan meeting places: Pick two or three meeting places — one inside your home, one inside your neighborhood, and one outside your neighborhood for whenever the storm hits or where you plan to evacuate.
Sleeping bag: Get a sleeping bag, blankets and pillows ready if you have to evacuate.
Keep your gas tank at least half full: Fill it up all the way unless authorities are rationing it, but even when you're on the road, try not to let your tank get lower than half full.
Plan to stay with friends: Hotels will book up quickly, so plan to stay with friends or family who live inland at least for the first couple of nights.
Emergency contact information: Put doctors' phone numbers and other emergency contact information in your preparedness kit.
Prioritize what's important: You can't take everything with you, but deeds, wills, Social Security cards, birth certificates and important financial statements should be collected.
Use a USB drive: Download important data onto a flash drive and put it in a waterproof, sealable bag or container.
Check home insurance: Do this before hurricane season starts, otherwise updated coverage may not take effect until the following year. Also look into flood insurance.
Write down serial numbers: In case important belongings are stolen or lost in the storm, you'll need serial numbers to get them back.
Set up direct deposit: Ask your employer if you can switch to direct deposit since mail could be interrupted during a storm.
If you feel like your life and finances are overloaded, there's help. You can pare down, simplify, and enjoy life more while living on less. These 101 blog posts will help you do just that, teaching you the art of living well without breaking the bank.
General
Cut back your expenses with the help of these posts.
These days, half the fun of watching a TV show is interacting with other fans through a variety of blogs devoted to everything from celebrity news to pop culture and in-depth analysis. The blogs on this list are invaluable resources for TV fans, whether you want to read about emerging technology or revel in a sarcastic take-down of a trashy reality show. Take a break from studying for your degree and catch up with these blogs about the best and worst the tube has to offer.
Technology
These blogs are all about the hardware, from high-def sets to set-top boxes.
CNET TV Blog: Part of the sprawling CNET empire, this blog offers the latest news about developing technologies. Recommended post: Is This TV Overcompensating?.
PlayOn Blog: Get up-to-date info about emerging tech at this blog from PlayOn, a service that uses your video game console to stream content to your TV. Recommended post: What It Took For Me To Cut The Cable.
Industry News and Gossip
These blogs cover the TV biz from top to bottom, reporting on breaking news and rumors with equal fervor.
The TV Addict: A great all-purpose blog, especially if you're looking for celeb tidbits and photos.
Hulu Blog: A great place to get interviews with stars who've got new or returning series to promote. Plus you can stay in the loop on the latest Hulu developments.
Fancast: News, features, and celebrity stories make this one of the more popular TV blogs going today.
Zap 2 News & Buzz: A fun and light-hearted TV blog with a love for pop culture from the folks at Zap2It.
Popwatch: General coverage of network and cable happenings from Entertainment Weekly.
Criticism and Commentary
The blogs in this area offer incisive commentary and analysis on a variety of shows, and they're hosted by outlets ranging from magazines and newspapers to growing online communities.
Here are a few blogs devoted to certain shows and the activities of the cast and crew, even if the show's no longer in production. (This is, of course, but a random sampling of this type of blog; if your favorite show isn't represented here, there are probably blogs about it just a Google search away.)
If you often find yourself wondering what in the world you should cook for dinner tonight, not to worry, inspiration is only a click away. Twitter offers budding chefs, culinary aficionados and everyday people the chance to find daily recipes that will be healthy, delicious and fun to make. Here are a just a few Twitter feeds worth following if you seek dinner inspiration and a quick cooking education.
Recipes
If you're looking for something to make for dinner, these tools can help you whip something up in no time.
@WholeRecipes: This feed offers healthy recipes from food retailer Whole Foods.
@Videorecipes: Through this feed you'll be able to watch videos on how to prepare a meal or two.
@5sr: With this feed you'll get recipes tweeted right to you, as well as other news and information as well.
@BetterRecipes: Learn how to make something healthier and better with the recipes on this feed.
@SammyWammyWoo: Find recipes for everything from penne to cookies on this feed.
@Home_Recipes: Follow this feed to find great recipes and healthy eating tips.
@recipesforall: Here you'll get a great selection of quick, easy and simple recipes.
@recipebuzz: This feed is home to foods of all kinds, from Pakistani dhal to oatmeal toppings.
@recipebot: Tweet ingredients to this feed and you'll get a delicious recipe back.
@recipejoy: Find amazingly delicious recipes for dinner and desserts here.
@Twecipe: Get a recipe catered to your needs by tweeting ingredients you have at home to this feed.
@FindRecipes: This feed is an awesome place to find all kinds of recipes.
@cookbook: Want a Twitterfied recipe? These have been condensed to 140 characters.
@chef140: This is another feed with condensed recipes that are still easy to follow.
@TinyRecipes: Get short and simple recipes from this feed.
@TheKlutzyCook: This mom shares her favorite recipes here.
@GourmetRecipes: Find a new recipe every week on this feed that will make your mouth water.
@RecipeGeek: Geek out with your love of cooking by making some of the great recipes on this site.
Specialty recipes
Whether you need just desserts, gluten-free meals or an appetizer, these feeds have it all covered.
@winerecipes: Love wine? Try out this feed to find great recipes that cook with it and go well with it.
@ItalianRecipe: Get all the Italian recipes you could want on this feed.
@slow_cooking: If you're into cooking slow and steady, try out the recipes found here.
@CrockPotRecipes: Put your crockpot to good use with some recipes on this feed.
@glutenfreefun: This feed will help you to eat well while avoiding gluten.
@CocktailRecipes: Make dinnertime a little more fun by adding a cocktail or two from these recipes.
@Homesteading: This homesteading mom shares her recipes on this feed.
@EasyDessert: If you've got a sweet tooth, this feed is perfect for finding tasty recipes.
@DessertsRecipes: Find loads of dessert recipes through this feed.
@easy_appetizers: Start your meal off right with these delicious appetizers.
@GourmetFoodie: Try out this feed to find haute cuisine recipes.
Vegan and Veggie
These feeds are great sources of recipes for those who don't eat meat or animal products.
@VeganRecipes: The recipes found here are all vegan and delicious.
@RecipeZ: Try out this feed for tasty, healthy and vegan recipes.
@CookingShow: Not all recipes are vegetarian but the vast majority are vegan, veggie or raw.
@vegrecipeblog: Those who don't eat meat or just want a veggie meal can find ideas here.
@veganbaking: Keep milk and eggs out of your baking with recipes on this feed.
@vegnews: This feed offers veggie news and recipes to readers.
@vegrecipe: Here you'll find a great collection of vegetarian recipes.
These days, everyone needs a little help with their career, but not everyone has the resources to hire a career coach. What should you do if you're in this situation? Read on to find 101 tips for coaching yourself.
General
Use these tips throughout your career.
Talk to an imaginary coach: Pretend you're talking to someone else to explain what you're doing proessionally.
Be honest: These days, there's not a lot that can stay secret or hidden, so be truthful from the beginning.
Don't be late: Just don't be late-with emails, to interviews, to work, ever.
Thank those who have helped you: When you start your new job, don't forget to give thanks back to friends and contacts who helped you with your job search.
Be a resource: Work to be known as a strong resource for others.
Ask if there are any reservations: At the end of an interview, ask if they have any reservations about hiring you so that you'll be able to address issues before you leave.
Be prepared ahead of time: Imagine the types of questions you'll be asked and increase your confidence by coming up with well thought-out answers.
Living off the land isn't just for farmers anymore. Urban gardens are becoming increasingly popular and easy to do. Just about anyone can learn how to take up the practice of urban gardening, and no land is too small. Read these blogs to find out who you can make a garden in the land you've got-even if that land is just a tiny balcony.
General
Take a look into urban gardening with these blogs.
Urban Gardens: Urban Gardens has unlimited thinking for limited spaces.
Urban Garden Casual: Read this blog to bridge gardening with urban and small spaces.
The Corner Yard: The Corner Yard is a family container gardening blog.
The Indoor Gardener: Read this blog to see a studio-apartment dweller’s attempt at indoor gardening.
Every now and then, we all need a little cheering up. Whether you just need a quick post to make you smile or advice for learning how to be happier all the time, these blogs have what you need. Read on to find 100 blog posts that will brighten up your day.
General
Find advice for happiness and more on these posts.
Whether you're using your home office for paying bills, working at a full-time job from home, or studying for your online degree, you need a private space that's conducive to productivity, a positive attitude, and organization. You probably already know that clutter and uncomfortable furniture will restrict your ability to focus, but have you ever considered employing the principles and elements of feng shui to improve your home office? Keep reading for over 40 feng shui tips that will promote efficiency, wealth, good business, and most of all, good energy.
Feng Shui Basics
These basic feng shui principles can be applied to all of your design projects in your office.
Water and wealth: If your house if positioned near water, make sure that your office is located so that the water flows in front of it, which means that wealth will flow towards you.
Have your own room: To promote the best energy and concentration, do not share an office with someone else.
Keep the middle of your office open and clear: The center of the room is known as the 6, 1, 8 star combination and also the "heart of the office." Keep this area open and free from barriers.
Incorporate all 5 elements of feng shui: These are: wood, fire, earth, metal and water, represented by colors like green and brown, red and orange, light brown and light yellow, white and gray, and blue and black respectively.
Embrace change: The third principle of feng shui is that everything is constantly changing. Don't be afraid of change: instead, acknowledge and even embrace change, and your business will prosper.
Have a separate, outdoor entrance for clients: If you welcome clients to your office, don't greet them by walking them through your home first: this distracts them from business and could hurt your meeting.
Don't set up your office the center of your home: Your work will dominate your family and personal life if you set up in the middle of the house, and if you work in your bedroom, you may experience more relationship problems and feel drowsy at work.
Furniture and Windows
Learn how to pick and situate furniture and repair windows according to feng shui.
Repair broken windows: Clean windows and repair or repaint them if needed to enhance the flow of chi.
Choose a curved, kidney-shaped desk: Rounded corners mean good, natural flow and creativity, and a kidney shape mirrors the shape of the human body, helping you feel aligned.
Get a big enough desk: Your desk should be able to handle all the work you have to do and to support you, so don't skimp on size.
Southeast area needs wood elements: Integrate wood elements and colors to the southeast area, which represents prosperity and abundance.
Make sure you can see the door: In a home office, being able to see the door — where your business comes from — is especially important.
Don't face a wall: Directly facing a wall will make you feel like you're in a "dead-end" position.
Keep piles and paperwork hidden: Piles of paper on the floor keep you in the past. Organize papers and piles in cabinets and desk drawers.
Rearrange the office every so often: Every year, or whenever you feel that the energy in your office is draining, rearrange furniture and decorations. Even a few inches makes a big difference.
Space clearings: When changing the purpose of a room, moving into a new house, or when someone has recovered from an illness, do a space clearing by thoroughly cleaning the room and making sure all elements are in order.
Lighting
Good lighting helps you concentrate and can put you in a better mood, so follow these tips.
From plants to fish to the right colors, these decorating tips will finish off your feng shui project.
Create a vision board: If you're having trouble accepting the fact that you can reach your goals, create a vision board filled with images, photographs and objects that will inspire you.
Use blue in the North or Southeast: Using blue to decorate the north side of your office will strengthen your career, and when used in the southeast, benefits wealth and prosperity.
Get an aquarium: Give your business potential a boost by bringing an aquarium with black and blue fish to the North area.
Use plants: Plants represent natural, wood elements and help purify the air.
Do not use mirrors: Mirrors let bad energy bounce back and forth between people, taking control away from you.
Avoid clutter: Don't over-decorate: you'll feel emotionally and mentally cluttered if your office has too much stuff.
You may have already turned to open courses to explore business, science, or liberal arts classes, but the truth is, no matter what kind of online degree you're pursuing or what subject matter you want to explore, you can design your own educational experience with open courseware. For those interested in the fashion industry — whether it's as a designer, photographer, editor, journalist, or archivist — here are 50 free online classes to help you succeed.
Studying Art and Design
These open courses introduce principles of design and will challenge you to critique art and fashion in a new way.
Art and Technology: This class aims to educate students based on the idea that the relationship between art and technology is actually an ancient one. [Capilano University]
Art of Color: Perfect your interpretation and usage of color when you take this course that combines psychology, science and art. [MIT]
The Nature of Creativity: Explore the nature of creativity, what drives it, and how it is realized. [MIT]
Art, Metaphor and Life: By discovering new ways to analyze art and its meaning, you'll have a better understanding of how to communicate feeling through your own designs, or critique someone else's. [Sauk Valley Community College]
Finding information in Arts and History: This can be a helpful course for when you need to research past designers, find sources of inspiration, and more. [The Open University]
Design: Learn more about the processes of design, from brainstorming to execution. [The Open University]
The Elements of Art: Learn about value, color, lines, shape and other key elements here. [Online Art Center]
Art and Culture
Discover how art and fashion have direct relationships with mass culture and consumer culture here.
Modern Art and Mass Culture: Study the relationship between fine art and mass culture, and the ways in which you can use design to express your feelings about culture. [MIT]
Interrogative Design Workshop: Identify your sense of purpose and understand your role as a designer when you take this course. [MIT]
Consumer Culture: Get inside the mind of the consumer, and your potential customer. [MIT]
Fashion and Art History
Take these art history courses to continue to develop your understanding of how art and society are intertwined, to give you a reference point when you analyze fashion, and for inspiration for your own designs.
Philosophy and the Arts: Study the history of aesthetics, high/low culture, and the human spirit in art in this course. [Minnesota State]
Making sense of art history: Find out why it's important to study art, and what characteristics contribute to art that achieves longevity. [The Open University]
Introduction to Art History: In this course, you'll study how art is a reflection of the culture in which it was created. [University of Utah]
Art and Aesthetics in Ancient Greece and Rome: The ancient world is still a popular source of inspiration for many fashion designers today. Learn more about aesthetics from Greek and Roman art here. [University of Houston]
20th Century Art: Discover how politics, mass culture and technology influence art today. [MIT]
Technology
As with other industries, fashionistas and fashionistos need to work with technology to reach customers, communicate with global contacts, and even improve their craft.
Adobe Photoshop Basics: Whether you're designing an editorial layout for a magazine or using Photoshop to play around with your designs, take this course to learn the basics of the program. [About.com]
Web Building Tutorials: Host your portfolio online or learn how to manage a brand's website after taking these tutorials in web design and hosting. [w3schools]
Adobe Illustrator: Take this course to learn how to use the popular program Adobe Illustrator. [Connexions]
Textiles in Ghana: Study the cloth-making industry in Ghana here. [The Open University]
Champagne Rose: This free introductory class tests your understanding of embroidery. [Fritillary and True Embroideries]
Fashion Drawing Tutorial: Here you'll learn how to draw all types of silhouettes, from 1910s – 1940s, as well as how to use fashion design tools like drawing pens, pencils, putty rubber, adhesives, and more. [Fashion-era.com]
MIlan Fashion Campus: This online school features courses you have to pay for, but also awards one free lesson to get you started. [Milan Fashion Campus]
Fashion Design Drawing: Study the essentials of sketching and figure drawing here, as well as techniques for dress design and dress making. [Fashion Design Drawing]
Drawing: Learn how to use tools like charcoal and graphite pencils here. [Online Art Center]
Business
Improve your business skills so that you're prepared to manage your company once it gets off the ground.
Charting Your Course: This course was designed to help artists figure out how to turn their creative talents into respected careers. [Connexions]
Marketing for Small Business: Learn the essentials of market research and developing a unique marketing plan. [Maine SBDC]
Building and Leading Effective Teams: Discover how to recruit quality employees and surround yourself with professionals who support your business. [MIT]
Entrepreneurial Marketing: Find out which marketing strategies you need to master right off the bat. [MIT]
Taxes and Business Strategy: This course will teach you how to set up a tax plan and manage your company's taxes. [MIT]
Social marketing: Many young fashion designers and companies use social networks and platforms to reach customers. Take this class to find out how you can join them. [The Open University]
Start-Up Resource Center Webinars: Chapters in this webinar series will teach you how to protect your idea, find partners and capital, organize a business plan, and plan for the future. [Inc.com]
Making decisions: Become a better manager and decision-maker after taking this course. [The Open University]
My Own Business: This online course teaches everything from e-commerce to financing your business to HR tips to licensing and finding the best place to set up shop. [MyOwnBusiness.com]
An introduction to business cultures: Complement your creative side with this course, which will introduce you to the business world. [The Open University]
Media
Fashionistas interested in photography and journalism can take a look at these courses to prepare them for work in the industry.
Introduction to Photography and Related Media: Learn about analog and digital photography, as well as studio lighting, darkroom techniques, and other skills and concepts that will teach you the basics of photography. [MIT]
Language of the Image: Find out how to take storytelling images and critique other images here. [News University]
Photography and Truth: Consider the power of photography to relate truth and communicate messages. [MIT]
Media in Cultural Context: Popular Readerships: If you want to work for a fashion magazine, take this course to find out how popular readerships influence western culture, and vice versa. [MIT]
Handling Race and Ethnicity: Editors, photographers, casting agents and designers should take this course to better understand how the public reacts to race and images of racial issues. [News University]
In the past two years, Lady Gaga and her other worldly image has transformed the entertainment business, inspired the fashion industry, topped music charts in the United States and in Europe, and won over — and influenced — the ears of everyone from Hollywood to middle American teenagers to young YouTube stars. How did she do it in such a short amount of time (and with so many initial critics?) Lady Gaga's a genius at marketing and branding, and if you're a business owner or just getting an online degree in a business field, you should really take a look at her business plan. Here are 10 brilliant business lessons we can all learn from Lady Gaga.
Go against the grain: During a time when club music basically meant party beats from Caribbean-bred hip-hop stars and pop music regularly crossed with country as well as it did with rock, Lady Gaga broke out onto the scene with European-style, electronica-mixed dance music that brought new energy to middle America, as well as East Coast and Hollywood venues. Once we got a look at her costumes and her over-the-top style, we knew she was bringing something different to the world of entertainment. Lady Gaga took a risk and was the subject of nasty criticism about her avant-garde image, but she kept people talking. And after everyone got used to seeing her performances, TV appearances and paparazzi shots, we all settled down a bit and appreciated that she had the guts to stand out and give us something new.
Create a distinguishable, recognizable brand: When video footage of Lady Gaga's NYU days surfaced, we couldn't believe that the brunette in a simple tube dress was the pantless, bleached blonde megastar who now greets the world in opaque sunglasses and wieldy head attachments and hair accessories. Whether she's photographed in the airport, leaving a club, or on stage at one of her own concerts, Lady Gaga is always done up in her unique style. She's a master at personal branding, and her crazy looks are just a part of the whole Gaga package. Her fashion choices have actually trickled into the mainstream and onto the red carpet, from her frosty lipstick to her bondage-style corsets to her glove fetish. If you're able to create an instantly recognizable image, your brand and your message will speak for itself and will travel much more quickly and effectively than if you have to use weighty explanations to reach customers.
Commit to your image 100%: Do you know how much time and effort it must take to get all dressed up like Lady Gaga every morning? It doesn't matter: the girl is 100% committed to her image, probably because she recognizes that it's her appearance that connects her to her fans. Never give up on your most basic mission and the values of your products or services; otherwise, your customers will become confused about what it is you're really trying to sell them.
Remain open to inspiration: Lady Gaga's got a sound that's totally hers, but she admits to being inspired by everyone from David Bowie and Queen to Michael Jackson and Madonna. In her music videos and costume choices, Gaga also references Marilyn Monroe, Courtney Love, and arguably even Olivia Newton-John. She has a sensible approach to creating music and music videos, and isn't so proud that she denies being inspired by others. Even if you think your image is much different than those who've come before you, accept inspiration from all types of people and experiences. The more well-rounded and educated you are about your industry, the more successful your business will be.
Cultivate a loyal fan base before branching out: Instead of trying to appeal to every type of customer in your early days as an entrepreneur or business professional, do what Lady Gaga did and cultivate a loyal fan base before branching out. Gaga probably knew that the general public would take a little longer to warm up to her outrageous look and new sound, and so she catered to the crowds that loved her right from the start: the fashion industry and the gay community. Gaga has come out publicly as a bisexual and supports many gay causes, and she has performed at Fashion Week, was featured in the January 2010 issue of ELLE magazine, and even debuted her song "Bad Romance" on one of the fashion industry's favorite shows, Gossip Girl. With a loyal fan base already behind her, Gaga was in a better position to win over the rest of the world, too.
Keep learning: Gaga loves the fashion industry, too. This spring, the milliner Philip Treacy confirmed that Lady Gaga has requested an internship at his studio so that she could learn how to design hats. Gaga even submitted a resume, impressing many in the industry who respected her humble and seemingly sincere move to learn something new. As a business owner, you shouldn't settle for what you're already good at and what the public knows you for: keep stretching yourself by going back to school, collaborating with new partners, or finding a new niche to conquer.
Capture international markets: As popular as Lady Gaga is in the United States, our love for her doesn't compare to her European success. AceShowbiz.com reported in April 2010 that her album "The Fame" enjoyed a spot on the European pop charts for 65 weeks, due especially to her song "Telephone," featuring Beyonce, which was number one on the U.K. Singles Chart. "The Fame" won the number one spot on the Albums chart, while in the U.S., "Telephone" sat at number seven. Don't be afraid to capture international customers if they're the ones responding to your efforts first. And if you're already with sales and service in the U.S., explore opportunities for expanding abroad. There could be no limit to your empire if you capture international markets, too.
Have the goods to back yourself up: All of the costumes, pop chart rankings and paparazzi shots wouldn't mean anything if Lady Gaga didn't have some actual talent backing her up. Gaga is a classically trained pianist who studied at NYU's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts before she dropped out to write songs for Def Jam Recordings. If you're all show, your customers will quickly see through your flashy facade, but if you provide quality services and products, your brand will grow steadily and organically, and will be more likely to stick around even during the tough times.
Don't be afraid to break out on your own: Lady Gaga has said that she loved her time at NYU, but she told ELLE magazine, "I thought I could teach myself about art better than the school could. I really felt New York was my teacher and that I needed to bite the bullet and go it alone." If you're confident in your abilities, understand that it's okay to go a less conventional route to achieve your goals. Not everyone needs to get an MBA or suffer through an undergraduate internship to start a successful business. If you already have a specific vision, just go for it.
Experiment within your field: As we mentioned already, Lady Gaga's image is clearly defined and easily recognizable. But that doesn't mean she doesn't experiment. Whether it's trying out for a milliner's internship or finding inspiration from various sources, Lady Gaga loves challenging herself. In fact, before she was as well-known as she is today, Gaga worked as a songwriter for Def Jam as well as a writer for Britney Spears, New Kids on the Block, Fergie and the Pussycat Dolls while at Sony/ATV. She's also done burlesque, performed at Lollapalooza, and collaborated with Grandmaster Melle Mel for a children's audio book. Lady Gaga recognizes that music is a broad field in and of itself, and she doesn't limit herself to one performance type or genre. Just as you should keep learning about your business, continue to experiment well after you've found success.
If you're like many American workers, you may find yourself with the opportunity to work in your own home office. Whether you're telecommuting, running your own business, or just working weekends, a great home office environment is essential. Here, we'll discuss 100 ways to make your home office a great place to work.
Technology
Take advantage of today's technology in your home office.
Get a business line: Project a professional image with a separate phone line for your business.
Use a thumb drive: Back up your work or transfer between computers easily with a USB thumb drive.
Get a better monitor: A bigger, better monitor will be a great help to your eyes.
Add another monitor: You can increase your productivity by adding a second display to your office.
Tiny Improvements
These are just little ways to make a big difference in your home office.
Bring in a plant: Put some greenery in your office with a nice plant.
Do you love eating and studying food? You may enjoy reading foodie books as well. These books are 100 of the all-time best for food lovers to read, whether you're interested in travel or kitchen reference.
General
Learn about anything and everything food from these books.
Life is Meals: Life is Meals offers a short entry about food each day.
Feeding a Yen: Feeding a Yen will help you savor local specialties around the world.
French Lessons: Read French Lessons to learn about the culinary styles of France in travel.
Greetings From the Finger Lakes: Greetings From the Finger Lakes offers a companion for food and wine in America's largest wine region outside of California.
The Dolce Vita Diaries: This couple moves to Italy for the most natural olive oil possible.
Chicago Cooks: Chicago Cooks will give you 25 years of food history.
The Internet might not be the first place you head to when you're craving some delicious foodstuffs, but once you check out these great Twitter feeds it just might be. This list contains some of the best feeds out there for following food news, learning about top chefs and even finding some drool-inducing recipes to make for your next meal, and better yet, you won't need a degree in the culinary arts to appreciate them.
General
These feeds cover a wide range of topics from food-based organizations to daily recipes.
@Foodimentary: Find out all kinds of fun food facts from this feed.
@Foodista: Learn more about the Foodista site, a publicly editable wiki on food, through the information found here.
@Gourmet: This feed is a great source of recipes and news about the food world.
@SlowFoodUSA: Try out this feed to learn more about the slow food movement and how it can help your community.
@thefoodnetwork: Join this social network or just follow their feed to meet people who love food as much as you do.
@dailyfood: Learn all about deals on gourmet foods through this feed's daily postings.
@roadsideonline: If you love to travel and love to eat, this feed with posts about the best roadside meals is sure to please.
@Twecipe: Sign up to follow this feed and get awesome recipes and tips.
Notable Chefs
Check out these feeds to see what well-known culinary masters are cooking up these days.
@ChefMark: Learn more about the work Chef Mark Tafoya does for the Culinary Media Network and his career as a personal chef on this feed.
@dcpatterson: This feed is home to Chef Daniel Patterson of Coi Restaurant, a two-Michelin star establishment in San Francisco.
@CookCarluccio: You may know Antonio Carluccio for his cookbooks about the joys of Italian gastronomy.
@Raymond_Blanc: This French chef is well-known for his restaurants and on-air appearances.
@LukeMangan: Get tweets from the chef behind Glass, Salt, The Palace and Salt Grill on this feed.
@Bridget_CooKs: Check out this chef's feed and website to get some excellent how-to's and recipes.
@chefgui: Author of The Chef's Repertoire, Gui Alinat shares his expertise in cooking through this feed.
@chefmartyrich: Chef Marty Richardson loves to travel and cook along the way.
@dolcedebbie: Executive Chef and Culinary Director at Savory Adventures, Debbie Frangipane posts about her work and life here.
@Gachatz: Head chef at renowned Chicago establishment Alinea, Grant Achatz shares news about the restaurant here.
@vindee: Well-known Indian chef Deeba Rajpal offers insights into her cooking through this feed.
@5MinuteGourmet: Check out this chef's feed to find videos and tips that can help you whip up dinner in a jiffy.
@ChefDaveLA: This feed is home to Chef David Lawrence, a private chef and cookbook author.
Celebrity Chefs
Through these feeds you can follow your favorite celebrity chefs.
@andrewzimmern: Star of Bizarre Foods Andrew Zimmern shares his favorite foods and travels on this feed.
@the_neeleys: Find out more about this food-loving cooking couple and their TV show through this feed.
@bflay: Check with this feed regularly to learn what Chef Bobby Flay is working on.
@GdeLaurentis: Food Network star Giada de Laurentis offers up her cooking expertise here.
@Emeril: Through this feed you can keep up with Chef Emeril Lagasse.
@ChefGuyFieri: Learn about the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and much more on Guy Fieri's feed.
@jamie_oliver: Read through the tweets here to find out more about Jaime Oliver's mission to change the way we eat.
@GaelGreene: This Twitter user has been a restaurant critic for 40 years, has written several books and is now a judge on Top Chef Masters.
@offalchris: Chris Cosentino of Incanto restaurant is known for his offal dishes and his performances on Iron Chef and The Next Iron Chef.
@catcora: Check out this feed to learn more about the work of this Iron Chef.
@Paula_Deen: Learn more about Southern chef Paula Deen and her show here.
@thedeenbros: If you still haven't had your southern food fill, this feed will let you know what Paula's sons are up to.
@tylerflorence: Chef Tyler Florence shares recipes and news about his show here.
@roccodispirito: This chef and author has a new show on A&E.
@marthastewart: Martha Stewart is know for her entertaining and cooking prowess and you'll find lots of great resources on her feed as well.
@Rick_Bayless: Rick Bayless shares photos and inspiration from his show Mexico, One Plate at a Time and his Chicago restaurants here.
@curtis_stone: Chef Curtis Stone offers tips for eating well and entertaining on his feed.
@GordonRamsay01: Here you'll find the feed of celebrity chef and pottymouth Gordon Ramsay.
Food Blogs
These feeds are home to some of the best food blogs out there.
@locovoreblog: Check out this feed to learn more about eating locally and the La Vida Locavore blog.
@101Cookbooks: Heidi Swanson from 101 Cookbooks shares recipes and cooking tips here.
@CandyBlog: If you're a candy lover you'll find all kinds of news and reviews on your favorite on this feed.
@ChewOnThat: The Chew On That blog posts links to its best recipes through this feed.
@foodgawker: Those who like the Food Gawker blog will appreciate this great Twitter counterpart.
@smittenkitchen: If you can't get enough of the Smitten Kitchen, come check out their feed to learn about new recipes.
@sushiday: Blogger Allison Day shares the best sushi info through this feed.
@homesicktexan: Find links to news and recipes from former Texan Lisa Fain here.
@offbeat_eating: Kristen Amico shares insights into cooking sustainably and what she's making today through this site.
@simplyrecipes: Need a good source of recipes? This blog is full of them and you can learn more about their author through this feed.
@bayareabites: This feed is great for those living in San Francisco who want to know where to go to eat.
@thekitchn: Part of the popular Apartment Therapy suite of blogs, this site and its feed offer recipes and tips on keeping your kitchen running smoothly.
@TheDelicious: Blogger Sarah Gim shares insights into her life through this feed.
@Slice: Pizza lovers can find all the information they need in this feed to help them get the best pizza out there.
@phillygrub: This Philly native shares reviews and news on the food world here.
@Jeters: Author of the FoodBat blog Jennifer Fisher offers tweets about her life and the blog.
@seriouseats: Find out more about what's going on with the Serious Eats blog on this site.
@RamblingSpoon: Blogger Karen Coates shares her foodie experiences on this feed.
@thepioneerwoman: Try out this feed to learn more about the adventures of the blogger behind the Pioneer Woman.
@EatingAsia: If you're partial to all foods Asian, check out this feed and its blog to learn more.
@The_Food_Section: Here you'll find tweets from Josh Friedland, editor of the site The Food Section.
@slashfood: Get interesting food news through the feed for Slashfood.
Food Bloggers
These Twitter users are well-known for their blogs and writings on food.
@CateOMalley: This food blogger writes to the site Sweetnicks.com.
@edlevine: The founder of Serious Eats, Ed Levine, tweets here.
@mizmaggieb: Maggie Battista blogs to the Eat Boutique.
@nandita: Hear from blogger Alejandra Ramos of Always Order Dessert on this feed.
@ShunaFish: Shuna Fish is a pastry chef, instructor and blogger at the site Egg Beaters.
@mollyorangette: This feed is home to the author behind the well-known food blog Orangette.
@davidlebovitz: David Lebovitz is known for his food writing and cookbooks and you can get access to his thoughts about work, life and more through this feed.
@clotildenet: This Parisian food writer is the author of the blog Chocolate and Zucchini.
@bitchinkitchen: If you've enjoyed the videos provided by the Bitchin' Kitchen then check out their feed as well.
Food Writers and Critics
Some big names make this list of food writers and critics who use Twitter.
@doriegreenspan: Dorie Greenspan is a well-known cookbook author, blogger and traveler.
@robbwalsh: Check out this feed for tweets from Texas food writer and cookbook author Robb Walsh.
@RuthReichl: Ruth Reichel spent years as the editor of Gourmet magazine and you can hear about her adventures with food here.
@KarenAndAndrew: The authors this feed won a James Beard award for their book The Flavor Bible: What to Drink With What You Eat.
@CarolynJung: Carolyn Jung is known for her food and wine writing — some of which won her a prestigious James Beard Award. Learn more about her thoughts on food here.
@JulieK: On this feed, you'll find Julie Kalivretenos, a food and wellness writer promoting raw, vegan foods.
@norecipes: Marc Matsumoto, a photographer, private chef and writer, offers help on cooking without using a recipe here.
@chezpim: Find great posts about travel and food from writer and blogger Pim Te here.
@MattArmendariz: Matt is a food blogger and writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications.
@steamykitchen: Tweeter Jaden is a food columnist for sites like Discovery and TLC as well as running her own daytime TV show. Check out her feed for insights into her life.
@thefoodgeek: This freelance food writer shares his thoughts on eating, cooking and good food here.
@Ruhlman: You might know Chef Ruhlman from his appearances on No Reservations, but he's a noted chef and writer as well. Check out this feed for news and food commentary.
@GrowEatCook: Learn more about the mission of this writer and cookbook author to help people grow more of what they eat.
@pete_wells: Dining editor for the New York Times, Pete Wells, shares his thoughts on this feed.
@bittman: Mark Bittman is a big name in the food world, primarily for his cookbook How to Cook Everything, a staple of many kitchens. On this feed, you'll see his experiments with food and more.
@johntedge: The writing of John T. Edge often shows up in Gourmet and the New York Times, but you can get some of his insights for free via his feed.
TV Shows
These feeds make it easy to keep up with your favorite food TV shows.
@everydayfoodsan: Sandra of Everyday Food on PBS shares recipes and news about the show here.
@FoodNetwork: Learn about the big events going on on the Food Network here.
@SimplyMingTV: Those who watch Chef Ming Tsai on PBS will enjoy the show's feed as well.
@NoReservations: Follow the travels of Chef Anthony Bourdain through this show's feed.
@IronChefAmerica: This feed will help you keep up with the epic culinary battles on Iron Chef.
@goodeatsfan: Fans of Good Eats will enjoy the updates on the show posted through this feed.
@CookingChannel: You can learn more about this brand new channel and the shows it will offer through these tweets.
Publications
Find great recipes, interviews and more through these food-focused publications.
@fandw: Find out what's new with Food and Wine Magazine from this feed.
@TheAtlanticFood: Here you can read food reviews from The Atlantic.
@nytimesfood: Use this feed to discover what NYTs reviewers thnk of restaurants in the city.
@Cooking_Light: Try subscribing to this feed to find great low-cal recipes and ideas.
@bonappetitemag: Those who are fans of Bon Appetit can get access to recipes and more here.
@finecooking: You don't have to subscribe to Fine Cooking to get access to some of their great content on this feed.
@RachaelRaymag: Get recipes, food ideas and more from Rachael Ray on this feed.
Writing can serve many purposes, as a great creative outlet, to earn a degree, or a way to make a living, but its purely therapeutic benefits are sometimes overlooked. Writing down how you feel, your thoughts about events in your life, and remembering the past can help you become a better, stronger person. Here are a few tips and techniques that will help you use writing as a tool to deal with stress, trauma and frustration in your own life.
Why Write Therapeutically
Not sure why you should pick up a pen and paper and write down your thoughts? Here are some tips on why therapeutic writing is so beneficial.
You can trust it implicitly. Your writing isn't going to spill your secrets to anyone, and if you're worried about someone seeing what you've written you can destroy it when you're done.
It allows you control. When you use writing as a form of therapy you are the one who is in control of what you talk about and how far it goes.
It's portable. You can bring your writing with you anywhere you go, allowing you to get support no matter where you are.
It's a great creative outlet. While its primary function may be to help you deal with emotional issues, writing can also end up being an amazing creative outlet that sparks a lifelong hobby or career.
It can be more or it can end there. With your writing, you can choose to make your thoughts public in a book or a blog, or you can keep it private for the rest of your life. The choice is entirely up to you.
There is no commitment. Since you're not paying for it or utilizing any other services you can stop and start writing whenever you want. If you try it and don't like it you don't have to feel bad stopping.
Techniques
Try out these therapeutic writing techniques to get you started.
Chuck the rules of writing. Many supporters of therapeutic writing encourage the process of a "mind dump" which is basically just writing down anything and everything that comes to mind without any regard to grammar, spelling, sequence or the usual rules of writing. For new writers, it can be a great way to break the ice and get started.
Focus on a theme. It can be pretty general, but focusing on a theme like "childhood" or "people I love" will help you to navigate more easily through your writing and get to know yourself better.
Don't be afraid to create several drafts. Writing about people or events doesn't have to be a one shot type of situation. You can write about things that have made a big difference in your life multiple times, until you feel like you've really understood or dealt with them.
Write letters you'll never send. Sometimes when you're angry or upset with someone it can help to write them letters telling them everything you think or feel about them. You don't have to send these letters if you don't want to, but writing them can help you to move on.
Keep a daily journal. By putting down your feelings in a journal you'll have a ritual of writing set up and you'll be able to easily look back and see where you were at different times in your life.
Just write. Don't spend too much time worrying about what, how well, or how often you're writing. Instead, just write for yourself and worry about everything else later.
Write your autobiography. One way to get started with writing is to set out to write your autobiography. Getting down you major life events on paper can help you understand where you are now.
Write from another point of view. Often we get very wrapped up in the way that we see things and forget that there are other points of view. Consider writing about a big event in your life from the perspective of someone else who was there.
Use prompts. If you're having trouble getting started with your writing, you might want to consider using writing prompts. These can help direct your writing and get you thinking about things you might not have otherwise.
Consider poems. Writing doesn't have to just be in prose form. Poetry can be just as cathartic and helpful and you may find its format more preferable in your own writing.
Track your dreams. Dreams can sometimes tell us things about our lives that conscious thoughts do not, so write down your dreams when you wake up. You may find patterns or discover great inspiration for a story.
Meditate then write. Sometimes clearing out your mind and getting focused can go a long way in getting more out of your writing.
Create fictional situations. Writing therapeutically doesn't always have to be about real life events. Put yourself in fictional situations to gain deeper knowledge of who you really are.
Use stream of consciousness.Famous writers like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf have used this style to create acclaimed writing. You can try it out as well. Just write down what comes to your mind in a single long stream of writing.
Getting More
Use these tips to get the most out of your therapeutic writing.
Go beyond the superficial. Anyone can write about what they did on a given day, but taking your writing beyond that and exploring the meanings of things is essential to getting more out of your experience.
Reread. You might be tempted to just write things down and discard them, but sometimes it can be helpful to revisit what you've written before. It can help you understand your train of thought and why you might have acted as you did.
Find a pen and paper you love. Getting writing tools that make you want to write is helpful in getting you to make writing a habit in your life.
Let your feelings flow. The time you spend therapeutically writing is your own. Don't repress your feelings and instead let them come out. You'll likely feel better afterward.
Don't self-censor. No one has to read your writing except for you, so don't censor what you write or feel you have to leave certain parts out. If you do, that might tell you more about yourself than what you've actually written.
Turn it into something more– or don't. Your writing could be expanded from short stories into a full novel, used to create a fictional story, or if you so choose, forgotten about altogether.
Consider a blog. If you prefer typing to writing then you might want to set up your own blog. It can be made private if you don't want to share and makes it easy to archive your feelings.
Stick with it. Many people struggle with getting started with writing. Even if it's an uphill battle, stick with it and you'll eventually see results.
Let it be. For some, writing and leaving it alone can be the best approach. It can let you unload your feelings and leave them behind rather than continue to carry them with you.
Read your work aloud. It might be hard to do but reading your work aloud can sometimes give you a better understanding of it than simply reading it to yourself.
Brainstorm. Creating mind maps before you write can be helpful in getting your ideas down on paper and giving you something to write about.
Write on topics that move you. Rather than focusing on topics like what you had for dinner, write about things that have been important in your life or that draw an emotional response.
Write about difficult events in your life. These topics are often the hardest to address but are those that you most desperately need to deal with if you want to move past them.
Explore your childhood. Many adult problems begin in childhood, so revisit yours in your writing to see what might have affected you negatively.
Force introspection. Pushing yourself to go beyond just looking at the surface of things and really writing about what makes you tick will give you much better results in your writing.
Realize you can help others. You might be reluctant to share your writing with others, but in some cases, sharing your story could help someone else dealing with a difficult situation.
Look to others for inspiration. There are many people out there who have published books, articles and blogs about their struggles. Look to these for guidance and inspiration in your own writing.
Make it a habit. When you write often, you'll make it a habit which is much more useful than simply doing it everyone once in awhile.
Uses and Benefits
Curious about the benefits of therapeutic writing? These tips offer insights into what you have to gain from trying it and ways you can use it to improve your life.
Improve yourself. Writing can help you more clearly see where you need to improve your actions and how you can change your life. Once you know how you need to change you can more easily move forward with improving yourself.
Feel stronger. When you face some of the troubling events in your life head on you can come out the other side a much stronger and happier person.
Put the past to rest. Some things in life are hard to let go, yet writing them down can sometimes be a way to mentally and physically remove them from your life.
Deepen your self-knowledge. Through writing, you can get to know who you really are and what you really want in life.
Gain empathy. Very often in life we only see events from our own point of view, not realizing that our words or actions may have hurt others. Use your writing as a way to empathize with others and you'll build stronger relationships with those around you.
Explore your habits. It can be easy to fall into ruts and old habits, but writing can help you expose the ways that you're repeating the same things again and again in your life and you'll have the written records to prove it.
Meet your goals. There are many out there who believe that writing down your goals is the first step to achieving them. They might be right, and writing can help you figure out what steps you need to take to end up where you want to be.
Overcome obstacles. We've all faced things in life that seem insurmountable, but through writing you can deal with these things in fictional situations before you ever get there in real life.
Conquer your fears. Sometimes writing down what you're afraid of can help you to realize that you have more power than you thought, or that there is no reason to be afraid in the first place.
Feel better about who you are. Writing can be a great way to improve your self-esteem and self-worth. Take the time to make lists of your best attributes or to make yourself the hero of a story.
Understand your priorities. Through your writing you'll learn what it is you really value in life which can show you how to move forward or repair past mistakes.
Organization is the key to better relationships, communication, and even grades. As a student pursuing an online degree, you've already proved yourself as a driven individual who can focus on particular projects and stay motivated. But beyond schoolwork, everyone needs help from time to time finding creative solutions to organizing time management, closet clutter, garages full of junk, and hopelessly messy desks. Here are 50 best blogs to organize everything in your life.
Life Organizers
These bloggers — many of whom are certified professionals — have fabulous ideas for organizing stuff around the house as well as your busy schedule.
I'm an Organizing Junkie: If you want to live a life of simplicity and order without clutter, head to Laura's blog for easy tricks.
Get Organized!: Declutter your life with help from this blog by a former U.S. Air Force officer turned professional organizer.
Organising Queen: This working mom loves helping others clean up every aspect of their lives, from office shelves to clothes storage.
Creative Organizing: Simplify101's blog is run by Aby Garvey, an organization expert who shares detailed, photo-accessorized posts to help you organize family and more.
Get Organized Now! Weblog: Maria Gracia's blog can help you organize your pantry, your time, and your computer.
SolutionsForYou: This Portland-based professional organizer shares tips for getting started, busting clutter, making better decisions, and more.
Jeri's Organizing and Decluttering News: Jeni is a professional organizer who loves blogging about her favorite products and strategies for decluttering. Photos included.
Organizing LA: Besides learning sweet new tricks from professional organizers, you'll also read recommendations from celebrities.
Organize the Whole Shebang: Krista Colvin's upbeat posts will inspire you to put on your big girl panties and get organized.
The Clutter Diet: People around the world have gotten their organization together with the help of Lorie's The Clutter Diet, which finds unique but easy solutions to clutter.
Unclutterer: Categories on this inspiring home and office organization blog range from hoarding to closets to minimalism to moving.
Peace of Mind Organizing: Read posts about achieving balance, accountability and peace of mind through better organization.
Ian's Messy Desk: Ian's popular blog features tips for organizing your day and your desk.
1-2-3…Get Organized: Professional organizer Beverly Coggins has ideas for getting rid of clutter at home, in the office and in your schedule.
Help Me Get Organized: This organization blog is geared towards women who want a more streamlined, enjoyable life.
Almost Organized: This blog highlights smart web tools for optimizing your life.
Productive and Organized: Stephanie LH Calahan is committed to helping others organize their to-do lists, planners and time.
Family
With kids, an organized house might seem like a far-off dream. But these bloggers have tips for straightening out your home and to-do lists.
Organized Families: From working moms to busy families in need of a new calendar, this blog has tips and tools for all types of families.
Organized Mom: Learn how to streamline to-do lists, your home office, and even your weekends.
Life as an online student can get stressful, especially if you're juggling work and a family life. But even without extra responsibilities, taking care of school can be overwhelming. There are steps you can take to reduce your school-related stress and do a great job.
A major part of reducing stress is managing your time wisely. Plan your schedule ahead of time and break up your study sessions into small, manageable bits of time. Be sure that you have a time set aside for all of your essential tasks so that you won't be anxious about completing them. Practice disciplining yourself so that when it's time to study, you're ready to be productive and get work done.
You can also go a long way in the fight against stress with organization. Disorganization doesn't just create physical clutter-it causes mental clutter as well. By setting up a system that works for you, you'll be able to better keep track of your assignments, due dates, and important papers. Use a file cabinet, and overhaul the system you use on your computer to make organization a priority.
Learn how to let go of what's not important. If a task is not a priority for you, let it go, or do what you absolutely must, but do not dwell on it. Remember what is essential for you to take care of and place your focus on tasks that help you complete what's really important. Similarly, don't be afraid to say no to people who ask you to take on things you can't handle.
For stress that just can't be avoided, find an outlet that helps you feel better. Sports, music, and writing are all popular ways that students relieve stress. Doing something enjoyable can help you blow off steam and improve your focus when it's time to work.
Nutrition and exercise make a difference as well. Eat well to give your body it's best defense against stress. Eat breakfast and space your meals out evenly throughout the day. Stay away from the roller coaster of caffeine and sugar, and be sure to get the vitamins you need. Stay active by walking or joining a gym to ensure that you're getting the exercise you need to stay healthy and alert.
With careful planning and a good attitude, you can keep stress from taking over your life. You will feel better mentally, and your body will thank you for it as well.
As American students continue to travel and study abroad, they bring back cultural learning experiences that aren't just valuable to their own lives and professional prospects — they help enrich our own culture and open our eyes to new ways of doing business and understanding different countries and customs as well. Studying abroad is a priceless opportunity that can teach young people more about their own potential and abilities while broadening their perception of the world and their role in changing it. But besides all that, it's also a whole lot of fun.
Before embarking on a study abroad trip, students have a lot of preparation to take care of, from finalizing packing lists to setting up living arrangements to registering for courses to practicing foreign languages. But beyond the excitement and administrative details, students need to learn how to protect themselves while studying abroad too. From political tensions to everyday street crime, students should do a little research before they leave, as well as keep important websites and telephone numbers handy during the time they are away. A good website to check before you leave is the U.S. State Department's travel website. You can find information about travel alerts and look up country-specific information to learn about public health concerns, terrorist threats, political uprisings, immigration, and more. Use this website when traveling around to new places while you're abroad too, especially if you're going to different countries.
As for local safety, first learn the emergency phone number for your new country and/or city. Also learn the correct words for "Help!" and other emergencies. Talk with students who have studied before in that city and do some Internet research to learn about crime rates, from petty theft to rape to murder. City and country tourism websites also share helpful information for travelers regarding public and personal safety.
As a study abroad student, you'll experience a sense of independence similar to how you felt as a new college freshman. You've proven to your family and friends that you're open to new experiences and meeting new people, but you still need to use precautions when socializing with other students or locals. Don't leave your drink unattended, and try to always go out with at least one other friend whom you trust. When you stay in dorms or hostels, lock your bags or at least your most valuable positions in a locker, and always keep track of your passport. Wherever you are, the same basic personal safety rules apply.
Career experts encourage all professionals and students to keep their resumes current, even if they aren't looking for a job at that moment. Because you never know when an opportunity — whether for networking or for a job switch — will arise, it's a good idea to have your resume in perfect condition at all times. If someone asks for a copy, you should be able to email it or give it to them immediately.
A good way to keep up with your resume is to revise it every time you have your semi-annual performance evaluation with your boss or with HR. You may even want to work on it beforehand and bring it with you to the meeting if you're nervous about recalling all that you did for the company in the last few months. After your meeting, you'll have certain keywords and specific examples in your mind regarding your job performance, your duties, your accomplishments, awards and salary information. Also pay very close attention to the words and concepts your boss likes to focus on, as they will be a clear indicator of what will probably be important to other hiring managers and potential employers.
Besides your regular evaluations, check your resume for grammar and spelling mistakes, formatting errors, and contact information. Your contact information should always be updated, but it's easy to forget if you've moved or changed your phone number or e-mail address. Also remember to add significant volunteer experiences, especially if you served as a leader or founder of the program, as well as continuing education and professional certificate programs you may have completed recently.
After you've added information to your resume to reflect your current abilities and experience, find out how you can delete extra information. After so many years, you won't need to include very old jobs that aren't relevant to your career path anymore. If you're afraid of deleting the information altogether, just cut and paste it into a new document that you can go to in case you ever need it again.
When you read over your updated resume, be critical about how general it is. The difference between a boring resume and a stand-out resume is one that lists very specific accomplishments and uses quantifiers. Use actual numbers when writing about budgets and projects instead of saying "large" or "many." Employers don't have time to trust your judgment: they want to know right away what you've done and exactly how you can help their company. Once you've written your first professional resume, keeping it updated is easy. Just remember to update it with a critical eye, but never be afraid to be honest about your accomplishments.
Open education, the sharing of free resources and ideas via the Internet, is an idea that has garnered much media attention lately. Teachers working together to provide innovative and inspirational resources to enhance their teaching, free of charge, has the potential to shape the future of education in a positive way. So take a look at these awesome open education tools to find ways you can incorporate open education in your curriculum–whether your students are in a traditional K-12 classroom, in higher education, or completing an online degree.
Sharing and Collaborating
These sites offer a place for educators to find open educational resources as well as provide a place for those who want to share their ideas or work collaboratively on projects.
Creative Commons. One of the leaders in the OER movement, Creative Commons offers licenses for those who create open content and also provide access to several search engines to help locate material.
DiscoverEd. Search for open educational resources with this experimental project from Creative Commons.
OCW/OER Search. This Google search engine will look up open and free materials for higher education.
Open Courseware
These institutions offer open courseware available for anyone to access.
VideoLectures.NET. This European project shares open education through academic video sharing.
LearnersTV. Not only can you watch video lectures here, but you will also find science animations and lecture notes.
Harvard@Home. While these videos haven't been updated in the past year, the site is still worth visiting for the awesome video lectures from Harvard events.
Online Reference Material
These open resources are a great way to access reference material for the classroom and for student use.
Purdue Online Writing Lab. This online writing lab has a vast amount of knowledge for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills.
Open Directory Project. This OER project provides links to thousands of open resources online.
Internet Public Library. Students and teachers can visit this online library to find reference material on a wide range of topics.
FREE. The Federal Resources for Educational Excellence is a repository for all teaching and learning resources from federal agencies.
Dictionary.com. Get an online dictionary plus much more with this tool.
The Math Forum @ Drexel. This awesome resource will help both teachers and students with their tools, practice problems and puzzles, and offers a teacher exchange.
Online Etymology Dictionary. This online resource provides the origins and history of many words and phrases.
Bartleby.com. Get access to a massive list of reference books on this site.
Awesome Stories.This site provides original sources from national archives, libraries, universities, museums, and government databases that are just right for research projects.
Fact Monster. Get the facts as well as several reference resources on this site.
Dynamic Periodic Table. This interactive periodic table is easy for any student to use and offers detailed information on each of the specific elements.
refdesk.com. Discover facts, quotes, news, and use searches for a variety of other information all in one place at this site.
Graphing Calculator. Students won't need to invest in an expensive graphing calculator when you share this online resource with them.
Library Spot Grammar/Style. Students and teachers will appreciate the tutorials, how-tos, and style guides provided here to help learn proper grammar and style.
Use these social media tools free of charge to help students work collaboratively in dynamic ways.
Edublogs. Get a free blog for your class on this site that is only for those in education.
Class Blogmeister. This free service, designed just for educators, will have you creating a class blog in no time.
Blogger. While this Google-based blogging platform isn't education-specific, it is free and easy to use.
WordPress. If you are a more experienced blogger looking for more creative opportunities, then check out free WordPress blogs.
21Classes. This free service helps you create classroom homepages as well as manage blogs for students or the class as a whole.
Twitter. Twitter has become an incredible tool for connecting teachers and students in collaborative learning environments.
Edmodo. Edmodo is like Twitter, but just for those in education.
QuoteURL. This Twitter tool helps organize tweets so they are all on one page–helpful for Twitter-based projects.
CiteMe. Students can use this Facebook app to learn about properly formatted citations according to major styles such as APA, Chicago, or MLA.
DoResearch4Me. If your students are relying too heavily on Wikipedia, have them use this Facebook app to find information from reputable online sources.
Hey Math! Challenge. For struggling math students, have them use this Facebook app to watch Flash movies that clearly explain difficult math concepts.
Flashcards. Teachers and students can create flashcards for any subject they are studying with this Facebook app.
Class Notes. Share your class notes, assignments, and reminders with this app.
Wikis
These wikis are all about sharing educational information. While some are on specific topics, others provide more general educational resources.
WikiEducator. Get free content here or sign up to learn how to create and contribute your own content.
eToolBox. This wiki from Wissahickon School District is all about integrating technology into the classroom.
Wikiversity. With over 12,500 resources available here, you will find projects, research, and more on this wiki.
Digitally Speaking. Teachers will find ideas and resources for using technology in the classroom in innovative ways on this wiki.
Educational Origami. Become a part of bringing 21st century learning into the classroom when you visit this wiki.
Welker's Wikinomics. Economics teachers and students can find tons of information on this wiki and are also invited to contribute.
Flat Classroom Project. This project wraps up its fifth year promoting global communication and collaboration between classrooms.
GoAPES. This wiki is for secondary and college-level teachers of life sciences.
Kidpedia. Kidpedia is an online encyclopedia written for and by kids.
Qedoc. This wiki provides learning resources on a variety of subjects, including foreign languages, history, math, science, and business.
Online Books and Texts
These online books and texts offer a new way of providing information to students–free and sometimes open to editing by anyone.
Project Gutenberg. Find tons of free books online here, including everything from classics to text books.
Open Textbooks. The Community College Consortium for Open Educational Resources provides links to over 450 open texts appropriate for the community college level.
Wikibooks. Find textbooks that are not only free to learners, but open to editing by anyone.
Read Print. Teachers and students will find tons of books, stories, and poems available for free here.
Professional Online Education Networks
Join in a professional network for even more ways to collaborate on open education.
NextGen Teachers. If you'd like to be part of an organization that is all about teachers making positive changes in education through technology, then check out this network.
Edutagger. This site facilitates knowledge-sharing by allowing users to find interesting articles and tag them to share with other teachers.
Classroom 2.0. This popular and very active professional networking site focuses on collaborative technology in education.
Education Leadership. Become part of the discussion about what makes effective leaders in education here.
Passionate Teachers. Passionate teachers share ideas, strategies, and resources to promoting quality education on this site.
TeachAde. Get professional resources and connections with other educators here.
The Schools United. Educators around the world connect here to collaborate, communicate, and share resources for education.
Many students and parents of students only look at the report grade that is posted after a semester to judge how well someone performed in his or her courses. The letter grades a student receives pile up and eventually form a grade point average (GPA). It is a fact that many employers ask to see college transcripts and GPAs of potential employees, especially those fresh out of college. There is no understating the relative importance of receiving good grades. However, many students become so stressed out and focused on their grades that they fail to truly grasp the essence of what their professors are trying to teach them. This is where your effort starts to count.
Obviously, solid effort usually translates into solid grades. However, if a student is overly concerned about getting A's, then they may sacrifice the strong study skills that will enable them to properly process and retain all that they are being taught. Cramming and other shortcuts are short-term solutions to doing well on a test or a paper. But, these are not recipes for making a truly strong student.
If we all agree that effort translates into good grades, then shouldn't we grade our effort? You may remember in elementary school your teacher would give you an academic grade and an effort grade. While it was and is possible to "do well" in school without exerting much effort, this is simply not true for the majority of students once they reach college. Many students could skate by all the way through high school with minimal effort, but the stakes are higher and the material is more difficult at the collegiate level. Take some time to consider your effort level every week or so. If you feel like you are coasting through a particular class or classes, then chances are good that you are.
You have spent too much time preparing for college and your parents have spent too much money to enroll you in college to not give near maximum effort in all your courses. Consider this: would you spend $100,000 on something that did not work? Essentially, this is the scenario for many college students. The price tag of tuition is really a price tag on your academic growth. If you are not going to work, then why should you or your parents spend money on you?
Pizza for breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snack isn't just a stereotype, it's a reality for most college students — the girls and guys. It's readily available and easy to make pretty well, so all campus dining halls make it, as well as all the hole-in-the-wall joints that line campus. But if you've started eating pizza every day and night, you aren't just adding extra grip to your love handles. You're in a serious food rut.
College kids aren't expected to have the most cultivated palates in the world, but they're also supposed to be more mature than the picky peanut butter and jelly age. To get out of your pizza rut, you're going to have to accept two facts: that pizza can be more than a slice of greasy pepperoni, and that there are other snacks out there that are just as easy to make but that will give your body and taste buds a bit more variety.
Even real foodies enjoy pizza, at least pizza done right. You don't have to spend money on expensive cheeses or toppings (check out Rocco's white truffle pizza here, for an idea for the future), either, but you can start experimenting with your own homemade pizza. All it take is some sort of bread product and tomato sauce, and you can mix in whatever spices, cheeses, meats, vegetables and toppings as you want. To get in extra veggies between visits home, throw on bell peppers, onions, spinach and chopped grape tomatoes. You can mix cheddar, ricotta and mozzarella cheese for a clever cheese tasting, and hamburger meat, sliced ham, diced chicken and even tofu make good substitutes for pepperoni. Add some salt and other spices to your tomato sauce, and layer everything on top of sliced sandwich rolls, halved bagels, whole wheat hamburger buns or even pita bread.
Making your own pizza is a great, cheap way to experiment with new flavors and foods, but there are similar types of snacks that will satisfy your craving for easy, on-the-go snacking any time of day. Build-your-own tacos and wraps are essentially the same thing, as you can stuff any kind of filling into your tortilla or pita and customize it for any meal of the day. From eggs and potato to chicken and cheese to an assortment of veggies, wraps and tacos offer a healthier but still budget-friendly option for getting out of your pizza rut.
Finding a worthwhile internship can be a painstaking process. You have heard all the reasons why you should try to land an internship, mainly that it will help you find a job after graduation. The question you should really be asking yourself is: what do I want to get out this experience? While internships certainly look great on a resume and they are conducive to building up contacts, your primary goal should be about acquiring skills that will translate into your professional career. Many colleges will award academic credit for the successful completion of an internship related to your major. Treat this experience the same way you would an actual course.
The easiest thing you can do at your internship is to ask questions. The people you are working with will not expect you to have all the answers. Feel free to pick their brains. The company or organization that is sponsoring you would not agree to offer internships if they were not interested in helping students learn about their craft. Granted, some people at your placement will be more helpful than others. For this reason it is important that you introduce yourself to as many different people as possible. Meet people in different departments. By asking questions, you are showing your supervisors and colleagues that you truly care about the operation of the company and how their industry works.
Some people are naturals when it comes to networking. Others feel uncomfortable meeting new people and are afraid they are going to come off as disingenuous. If you are asking people thoughtful questions and treating your superiors (remember you are the low man on the totem pole at your internship placement) with respect, then you are laying a solid foundation for appropriate networking. If you listed your supervisor as a reference when you do apply for jobs, you want them to think of you fondly and as a capable individual that was eager to learn.
Try to take some risks at your internship. Too often, interns are stuck with menial tasks to complete. These are the jobs that actual employees do not want anything to do with. You must take your lumps and do what they ask. However, ask your supervisor for more responsibilities. If you show that you are capable of completing the initial tasks they throw at you, then they will be more likely to offer you more challenging and thought-provoking work. This is how you truly build up your skill set.
Homeschoolers are finding social media outlets such as Twitter to be a valuable resource for connecting with other homeschooling families. Take a look at these Twitter feeds that not only provide opportunities for social connections, but also offer resource exchanges, support, and discourse on related topics such as religion and politics. Whether your children are just starting out in their education or are already working toward an online degree, the following Twitter feeds will provide something of value for your family.
Moms Sharing Resources
These homeschool moms share resources on everything from homeschool curriculum and lessons to meal planning.
@homeschool. This homeschool mom shares resources, posts about events, and more.
@LaurieBluedorn. This Christian homeschooling mom shares resources and more here.
@fivejs. Joy Miller shares what she and her family are doing in their homeschool journey and also posts a few other bonuses such as giveaways and links to articles.
@TammyT. This homeschooling mom shares information and articles on homeschooling, the politics behind homeschooling, and more.
@kristenph. Kristen shares articles on homeschooling, curriculum reviews, and her experience homeschooling four children.
@mrshannigan. This mom of six daughters shares lots of great ideas and resources for homeschooling families.
@KarinKath. Homeschooling her four children, this mom has plenty to share — and does. Look for reading lists, study programs, activities, and more.
@UrbanHomeschool. Rachel is an all-natural mom who shares homeschooling resources as well as resources for parenting, saving money, and more.
@teachmama. With a background in education, this mom shares ways for parents to teach their children every day.
@reflective. Mother of three, this homeschooler shares activities and experiences homeschooling.
@lostcheerio. This homeschooling mom shares resources for other homeschoolers and more.
@maryannkelley. Homeschool resources and menu planning resources are side-by-side here.
@SandraFoyt. The resources linked here range from ice cream freebies to informative articles to free lesson plans for homeschoolers.
@sweetslady. Get lots of great meal planning ideas from this homeschooling mom.
@SAHMinIL. Find homeschool resources, articles, and support from this mom's feed.
@WritingFound. This veteran educator and homeschool mom provides writing tips for students.
Moms Supporting Moms
Twitter offers an excellent way for homeschool moms to connect with other moms for support.
@Homeschool_Mom. With two children at college and two still at home, this mom shares plenty of experience on this feed.
@spirittibee. Homeschooling in Austin, Texas, this mom posts about life as a mom, homeschooling, and inspirational quotes.
@Principled. This mom is homeschooling four with one on the way, and she posts about her experiences as a Christian homeschooling mom.
@RaisingOlives. A popular blogger, this mom of 9 with one on the way writes about homeschooling, natural family living, and living frugally.
@just_aimee. Homeschooling, healthy eating, knitting, and family life all show up on this feed.
@CrazyHmSchlMama. Other homeschool moms will enjoy the suggestions given by this mom and may want to participate in the conversation about homeschooling often initiated here.
@campcreek. Join in the conversation about homeschooling on this Twitter feed.
@HomesteadMommy. This Canadian mom writes about homesteading, homeschooling, and natural living.
@stretchmarkmama. This homeschooling mom in Portland, OR, posts about the activities they do and life in the Pacific Northwest.
@bonnyglen. Melissa Wiley is an author and homeschooling mom tweeting here.
@pinkinghamom. Shiloah Baker posts about homemaking and mothering with her experience of homeschooling her seven children (with one on the way).
@militantmom. A graduate of the USNA and homeschooling mom to 10 children, Debbie Nowak posts about religion, current events, homeschooling, and more.
@shannonentin. This homeschooling/unschooling mom shares support for parenting and homeschooling.
@monicabrand. Homeschooling and family life are the focus of this mom's Twitter feed.
@homewiththeboys. Mom to two boys, this tweeter posts about parenting, homeschooling, and religion.
@TaderDoodles. This homeschooling mom tells it like it is on her Twitter feed.
@AllisonGRH. Allison posts topics on politics, homeschooling, adoption, and more.
@julieunplugged. Read about this homeschool mom who is juggling family and a homeschool online business as a single mom.
Resources
Learn about resources for homeschooling with these Twitter feeds that come from businesses, consultants, and more.
@HSArticles. Find links to tons of great homeschool articles when you follow this feed.
@homeschoolclub. This feed provides links to lots of resources and articles on homeschooling.
@peahdotcom. Heather Gneco shares homeschooling resources and money-saving suggestions here.
@HomeschoolBlogs. Find links to some of the best homeschool blogs on this feed.
@DianeFlynnKeith. This homeschool consultant tweets links to great activities and other homeschool resources.
@StAidensHSchool. Find free resources for homeschool learning and teaching on this feed.
@TheHomeScholar. Lee Binz provides tons of great resources for homeschool high school families.
@kellys3ps. Kelly Malloy posts tons of great activities, printables, games, and more.
@hsbapost. The Homeschool Post is the home of the homeschool blog awards and posts links to great homeschool blogs here.
@Time4Learning. Get lots of great resources for online learning opportunities for homeschoolers of all ages.
@homeschoolcnnct. The Homeschool Connection feed links to online classes and free webinars for Catholic homeschool families.
@LessonPathways. Follow this feed for free online learning resources from Lesson Pathways.
@biguniverse. Big Universe is a literacy site for homeschoolers, teachers, parents, and kids.
@hoas. Homeschooling on a Shoestring posts links to other homeschoolers' blog posts here.
@Schoolsidepress. This educational press posts all sorts of great resources for homeschoolers and teachers.
@hmhomeschoolers. Shelly Hansen posts homeschool resources and news items here.
Special Needs
If your child has special needs, then take a look at these feeds for tips and resources on homeschooling children with special needs.
@gfcfmomofmany. This mom not only homeschools her special needs children, but she faces health issues too.
@learninglink. Lisa Harp is an educational therapist who offers help for children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and other similar learning disabilities.
@nikowa. Homeschooling a special needs child and life in general are the usual topics on this feed.
Social Media and Networking
Homeschoolers will find ways to make new social connections as well as stay on top of the latest news in the social media field with these feeds.
@homeschoolounge. This online community is just for homeschooling moms to stay connected with others and keep up with the latest happenings, giveaways, and more.
@Homeschoolsegue. Beginning with her own website that serves as a place for homeschoolers to connect in person, this mom has expanded and now helps others create their own site and provides tons of great homeschooling resources, to boot.
@SomewhatCrunchy. Mom Cheryl posts about social media and homeschooling here.
@HOTMonline. Heart of the Matter is an online gathering place for homeschool families with a collaborative blog, reviews, giveaways, online conferences, and more.
@MrsCarrington. Blogging and other social media are the focus here with topics on all platforms that range from religion to homeschooling.
@WWAHHMpreneur. Social media, religion, and family feature on this mom's Twitter feed.
Living Frugally
These Twitter feeds provide tips for living frugally, giveaways, and more to help homeschooling families survive on less.
@HappyHousewife. Not only will you learn about tons of great giveaways from this homeschooling mom, but you will also find homeschool-related nuggets interspersed.
@BudgetSavingMom. This mom helps others find freebies, coupons, and more to make running the household on less easier.
@HomeschoolGuide. Find tons of great giveaways and freebies just right for homeschoolers on this feed.
@edifyathome. This feed provides links to online auction items for homeschool families.
@MoneySavingMom. A homeschooling mom, Crystal shares ways to save money around the home and for homeschooling.
@sawickis. Save money with all the great deals posted here by a homeschooling mom.
@SimplisticLivin. Find plenty of great, free resources for homeschoolers here.
@Jalenagraham. Learn about free or inexpensive activities and resources as well as how to sell those items you don't need any more.
Inspiration and Support
Homeschoolers seeking inspiration for their lives and work will find it among these Twitter feeds.
@theirishmommy. This mom shares homeschooling information as well as support for moms.
@AmishPrimitives. This homeschooling mom posts from her boat in Florida and provides inspiration through her family's adventures, the posts on art, and her homeschool mentions.
@SheilaGregoire. Sheila Gregoire writes about homeschooling as well as support for being a good wife and mother.
@TadahMom. This single mom juggles homeschooling 6 of her 8 kids, a job outside the home, and life in general and shares inspiration on her feed.
@KidsAreHeroes. Find out what kids are doing to make the world a better place.
@CharityIdeas. Not only will you find ideas for ways to make a difference in the world, you will also find inspirational quotes, information on how to teach children about charity, and much more.
@israelwayne. Israel Wayne posts inspirational and Bible quotes on his feed.
@MamaArcher. Mama Archer is wife to a minister and homeschooling her nine children in Alaska. She posts plenty of inspirational words here.
@QuoteDigest. Find inspirational quotes on this feed that is all about words of encouragement.
@KristiStephens. Kristi posts about being a godly woman and supportive wife and mother.
Men on Homeschooling
These dads and one young man who was homeschooled himself speak about homeschooling in these feeds.
@JayRyanAstro. A homeschooling dad, Jay Ryan posts lots of great astronomy information and activities.
@homeschoolplan. This dad posts information about what his family is studying and their activities.
@HomeschoolDad. This homeschooling dad shares podcasts, events, and more here.
@scotters. Scott Kuhn posts about family, homeschooling, and a little politics.
@worldschooler. This young man was homeschooled and now writes about homeschooling, unschooling, and travel.
Politics
While politics may not be the focus of these homeschool Twitter feeds, they do provide a fair amount of political information and analysis.
@SpunkyBraun. Karen Braun keeps an eye on politics and news affecting homeschoolers and shares information here.
@lyndaackert. Tweeting from Colorado, this homeschool mom shares events and resources for the area as well as conservative politics.
@tapestryofgrace. An attorney and author, Scott Somerville posts politics and more for Christian conservative homeschoolers.
@msbeeee. Get politics served up from this homeschooling mom on this feed.
@NextGenMovement. Politics and religion are featured on this feed written by two homeschooled teens.
@mom2giqm. Conservative politics, religion, and homeschooling all take the stage on this mom's feed.
@DannyCarlton. This homeschooling dad talks conservative politics here.
@jimmiekersh. A homeschooling dad, Jimmie Kersh posts often about politics.
Homeschool Businesses and Corporate Feeds
While some of these feeds are run by homeschool parents and others offer great opportunities and information for homeschoolers, these are more business-oriented.
@TOSMag. The Old Schoolhouse Magazine tweets here with links to their articles as well as answers to homeschooling questions.
@TimberdoodleCo. This homeschool curriculum provider posts with information on their materials as well as links to other homeschool resources.
@CurrClick_Leah. A homeschool curriculum business run by a homeschool mom, CurrClick posts information, giveaways, and more.
@Terri_Johnson. A homeschooling mom who runs her own business, Terri Johnson posts resources for other homeschool families.
@SimpleSchooling. Find plenty of free resources and more on this curriculum provider's feed.
@HomeSchBoutique. Find inspirational posts alongside links to this homeschooling mom's online business.
@AmandaBinTN. Amanda Bennett posts about discounted homeschooling resources on her feed.
@unkamengifts. While most of the posts here promote this homeschooling mom's business, you will also find inspirational quotes and links to the occasional homeschool resource.
@jcarole. Jennifer Carole shares lots of homeschool resources and activities mixed in with the promotion of an online meeting software.
@VeryVerdant. This homeschooling mom is also going to school herself and posts about her business, education, and homeschooling.
The college newspaper has been around in some form or another since the earliest universities were formed. They are a vital component of the culture of an institution. College students are at the age where they are developing a social conscious and their voices deserve to be heard just as loudly as anyone else's. This is where the school newspaper enters the picture. The students run these periodicals, with faculty members only serving in advisory roles. This does not give the students to simply run whatever stories they feel like; they still have to act with journalistic integrity.
Many professional journalists got their start working for their college newspapers. It is a chance to develop your own writing and reporting style. Typically, an upperclassmen serves as the chief editor of the newspaper and he or she will work with other editors to generate story ideas. Most college papers are printed on a weekly basis, but this does vary from school to school. If you think you are interested in writing for the paper, get involved during your freshman year. It may be a while before you are actually out there covering stories, but you will begin to see the inner workings of the paper.
The college newspaper is responsible for reporting on the issues that are most important for the student body. The paper represents the students' voice on campus. Be assured that the college administration is reading every edition of the paper. It serves as a way for them to be aware of how their students are thinking and feeling. The newspaper can also be a vehicle for change on campus. Many college newspapers break stories about budget concerns that drive the day-to-day operations of the institution. The paper can serve as a rallying cry for students to enact changes in these operations.
Even as the internet and other media push aside newspapers in mainstream America, the college newspaper stands as powerful force. Picture a college campus. Where do the students congregate? They are meeting in the cafeterias, the common rooms in the dorms, and on the quad. There will be copies of the student newspaper in all of these locations. Most newspapers are free which makes for an even larger distribution. Even if you are not compelled to write for the paper, you can be an active participant by reading it and discussing the stories with your peers.
Your course schedule will be monopolized, to some degree; by the requisite classes you need to complete your major. Within your major there are requirement that everyone going for your degree must take. There will be space for you to choose electives in your major and, hopefully, some room for you to take electives outside of your discipline. This is a chance for you take control of your schedule and choose courses that interest you. Take advantage of this opportunity to expand your academic palate.
Speak with your advisor about your interests outside of your major. They can help steer you towards courses that will be enjoyable. Be sure to research how intense your courses in your major are each semester. These courses demand serious attention. If you know you are taking strenuous classes, then find an elective that does not require a tremendous amount of work. Your advisor will be honest with you, but they will not let you simply take the easy way out. Evaluate the courses you must take for your major and then make a sound decision about appropriate electives that will fit your schedule.
Pick the brains of your friends and find out if they have taken any cool and interesting classes. Some will tell you about the easiest class they have ever had. Just remember to calculate how much each class at your school actually costs. Do not simply take a class because it is a blow-off course. Get the most "bang" out of your buck and take a class that you truly think will be academically rewarding. Consult with a friend who you know takes their studies seriously.
Picture this scenario: you are a biology major. You are in labs everyday of the week. One semester you have space in your schedule for an elective. Don't you think it might be nice to have a little change of pace? Maybe take a course about the role of television in society or take that art class that you have heard so much about. College should be a place where you become a well-rounded individual and it provides a chance for you to explore the world. You may have an opportunity like this ever again. Make the most of it and take a class that will stimulate your mind.
Life on a college campus is much different than what you experienced in high school. Chances are that you are living with a total stranger in a dorm on campus where everyone is on a different schedule. Once you start getting into the flow of your courses, you will notice that your workload quickly piles up. Finding a quiet place to get your work done can be challenging to say the least. Even if your roommate is out of the room, you still have to contend with all the buzz around the dorm. Somewhere there is always music blaring, televisions on, and people hanging out. If you have a big exam the next day, you need to find some place to do your last minute cramming.
The best resource available on most college campuses is the library. At the beginning of the year, find an area in the library that is away from the computers, the front entrance, or the checkout counter. As much as we like to think that the library is quiet all the time, there are a lot of different things happening in a college library. Go to the top floor and find a quiet nook where you can get away from all distractions. Some colleges have more than one library. Find the one that seems to always be empty and go there to study. Going to the library will get you away from all your friends that want to go out and party.
The best time to get any work done in your dorm is early in the morning. Work while your roommate is asleep or at class. Chances are good that everyone in the dorm is either sleeping off the night before or at class. This is the only time a dorm is ever quiet. If your roommate is getting ready for the day, put on your headphones and play some classical music or whatever music you can do work to and take advantage of the early hours of the day when there is less temptation to slack off.
Sitting outside on a sunny day and reading or studying is always tempting. It seems so much like the "college" thing to do. Unless you can find an area with little foot traffic and you can be by yourself, this is usually a recipe for disaster. If you try to sit outside in front of your dorm or on the quad, you will be bombarded with friends and other distractions. Those first nice, warm days of spring seem to draw everyone outside. If you are someone who needs to focus to get work done, then this is not a good idea. Go outside when you have finished your work and enjoy the nice weather.
Are you homeschooling or thinking about it? It's a daunting task, but there are lots of great ways to make teaching and learning at home work for your family. Here are 101 hacks that can help your family stay on track.
Organizing
Keep homeschool from taking over your life with these organization hacks.
Assess your commitment: Think about your reasons for homeschooling and what you want to accomplish.
Take some time off: If you're taking your child out of public school, give them a little time off to adjust and try unschooling.
Schedule one-on-one time during naps: When younger children go down for a nap, take the opportunity to use that time for one-on-one instruction with older children.
Prioritize: Schedule the most important things first and everything else will fall into place.
Don't give credit to naysayers: Many people will not be shy about their disapproval of homeschooling-stand your ground and be confident in your decision.
Use unit studies: If you have multiple children at different levels, use themes that can be learned together, while offering assignments that are at each child's pace.
Be consistent: Organization won't happen overnight-let it develop by being consistent.
Trade work with your kids: While your kids are waiting for you to grade their work, have them complete chores for you, like setting the table or playing with your baby.
Writing & Reading
Effectively teach writing and reading with the help of these tips.
Have them dictate a story: If your child doesn't know how to write yet, have them dictate a story to you.
Play board games: Play board games like Monopoly-have your child count the money, and move pieces while counting.
Use math in real life situations: Show your child how math is all around-by cutting pizza into fractions, and figuring tax into the price of a purchase.
Follow up: After a field trip, offer a discussion, question and answers, and write reports on what's been learned.
Set up a store: Use your home's non-perishable goods to create a play grocery store that will help kids learn about math through totals, change, and more.
Track packages: Track the progress of packages coming to your home, and plot out the route on a map.
Supplies
Hack your supply cabinet here.
Borrow, rent, or swap: Get supplies for cheap by borrowing, renting, or swapping with other homeschoolers.
Save empty disposable cups: Keep empty yogurt, pudding, and plastic fruit cups to hold water and paints during art projects.
Keep books for siblings: Instead of getting rid of books, keep them for siblings to use in the future.
Job hunting is a competitive experience. Your opponents are nameless and faceless, and depending on the job, you have lots of them. In order start the career for which you've worked four or five long years, you need every competitive edge. Cover letters are an excellent way market yourself to employers. If done right, they'll help you get more interviews – which aren't easy to come by these days.
As you start composing your cover letter, it's important that you grab the attention of the reader. Tell them who you are and for which position you're applying in two or three sentences. The next couple of paragraphs are the meat of the cover letter – it's where you outline your career goals and highlight the education and experience you've gained that qualifies you for the job. Be sure to tie in specific examples showing why you'd perform the duties of the job effectively. For example, if you're a graphic designer, mention some of the challenges you met at your internship. Did you have to meet strict deadlines? Did you work in a team? Did you undertake any difficult projects that required completion in a short amount of time? All of those experiences would prove valuable to you new employer. Also be sure to research the company and its goals beforehand, and use that information to show you're familiar with their work. It's important they know you want to help them become a better company. Your personal aspirations are unimportant to them, so don't mention how you'd benefit from the job. In the final paragraph, state your availability for an interview and leave your contact information.
Upon completion, proofread it several times and solicit your friends to look it over, especially the ones who are skilled writers. Spelling and grammatical errors can be a death knell, causing your cover letter and resume to be tossed into the recycling bin. Avoid clichés and wordiness. You want it to be easy to read and to the point. Keep your sentences concise and use your space wisely – the letter shouldn't be more than a page in length. It should be professionally formatted with a conservative font. If you're sending a cover letter in paper form, make sure it's not wrinkled or smudged, and sign it personally. How your cover letter is received by a prospective employer is dependent on the amount of care you put into it.
If you're a stay at home mom, you may be interested in benefiting your life with an online education. You could be ready for a new challenge, or want to learn more about the world we live in. Maybe your kids are about to start school, and you're interested in joining or rejoining the workforce. Whatever the reason, online degrees were practically made for stay at home moms, and you should take advantage of the opportunity given by these programs.
With an online degree program, you will have the flexibility that you need to juggle the demands of managing a home with children while still getting a quality education. Online degrees allow you to do your coursework on your own schedule, as long as you complete your work on time. It's entirely possible to take a quiz for your online course while up in the middle of the night on yet another 3AM feeding.
Online degrees tend to be more affordable than traditional colleges as well. They don't have fees for perks that you may not need or have the opportunity to take advantage of, like research labs, gyms, and sprawling campuses. Additionally, the cost of childcare and commuting is completely wiped out. Your supplies will also most likely be much cheaper than a brick and mortar school-instead of books, notebooks, pens, and planners, you could possibly complete an entire degree using no more than your family's computer.
Perhaps the biggest benefit that online degree programs have for stay at home moms is the fact that you can do most or all of your coursework from the comfort of your home. Some courses may require you to visit in person for exams, but the vast majority can be completed without ever leaving your home office. That means you don't have to arrange or pay for childcare or juggle your schedule. You can just sit down when you can carve out time, and take care of your schoolwork without a whole lot of fuss.
Some of the most popular online degree programs for stay at home moms are education, nursing, liberal arts, and business. The careers associated with education and nursing are particularly family-friendly, so even when school is over and you're in the workforce, it is still not difficult to make your family a priority while enjoying the benefits of having a great job.
As a stay at home mom, you should seriously look into the possibility of an online degree. It can offer enrichment to your life and family, and open doors for an excellent career in the future that benefits both you and your family.
A college education is supposed to make you marketable to employers. But these days, simply graduating isn't enough to secure a job in most professions. As more people are attending college and the job market becomes more competitive, you'll need every advantage possible to ensure you start your career immediately after graduation.
During your undergraduate years, it's important that you build on the knowledge and skills you've gained in your program of study by supplementing it with hands-on work experience. Seek out an internship as soon as possible, and have more than one under your belt by the time you graduate. You'll be better prepared to deal with the challenges of working a full-time job, and employers will notice. In many cases, interns are hired by the companies for which they work. Another advantage of interning is the connections you'll make. If you perform your job well and make your bosses happy, they could provide glowing references to potential employers. They might also be able to give you leads to job openings. Networking opportunities in general are aplenty during college, and many students fail to take advantage of them. Cultivate relationships with your professors; few are more familiar with the fields in which they work. Engage in class discussions and visit their office hours. Not only will it enhance your grade, but it could result with them providing you helpful job-related information down the road. Also be sure to participate in networking events and campus organizations. They'll give you the opportunity to expand your social circle. Making friend has its professional benefits too.
Before graduation, utilize the resources provided by your college's career services department. Counselors will help you develop job search skills that'll enhance your chances of finding employment. They'll examine your resume and cover letter in order to ensure they're mistake free, formatted correctly and include the information prospective employers want to see. They'll provide advice pertaining to interview techniques and attire. Many career services departments give students the opportunity to participate in mock interviews; the practice can make a normally nerve-racking process easier to deal manage. To be prepared is half the victory – many people seem to forget this even after graduating college. Take advantage of the opportunities presented while in undergrad that will enhance your chances of achieving the career of your dreams.
Google has been around for ages, and if you're just starting college, you've probably used the search engine for most of your academic life. But there's more to the powerful search tool than just typing in keywords. Here are 56 Google search tricks for all types of students, whether you're in high school, pursuing an online degree, or are just trying to brush up on your own research skills.
Advanced Search
When you're searching for specific material, use Advanced Search to plug in qualifiers that will narrow down your search. Here are more Advanced Search tricks to learn.
Search within a domain: Only let Google bring up .edu or .gov sites, for example, if you want primary sources or authoritative information.
Select file type: This very handy qualifier is useful when you need to quickly find certain types of data or information for a presentation. You can choose to limit results to .pdf, .xls, Google Earth, .doc, .rtf, and more.
: If you're looking to use open source material or unlicensed material, this is a good trick to make sure you're on track.
Exclude terms: Use a minus sign right before a word (-example) to eliminate it from your search results.
Wildcard search: The * key acts as a wildcard in Google search that can be helpful with early stages of research. Google gives the example [Obama voted * on the * bill] to learn about Obama's votes on several different bills.
Blogs: After conducting a search, click on the "Blogs" button under "Show Options" to view only blog posts on the subject.
Limit synonyms: Did you know that Google sometimes finds results that don't match your search exactly, but that use synonyms instead? Type in the + sign before a search to eliminate synonyms and use your words only.
Language: For foreign language or international business or policy classes, or if you just have to have a primary source, use this selector to change language settings.
Where your keywords show up: When you're looking for very specific information or for a specific kind of source, you can use this feature to limit where the keywords show up in your search: the URL, title of the article, in links to the page, or just anywhere in the page.
Find pages that link to the page: Use this feature when you want to do a little more digging. You'll stumble across blog posts, journal articles and news stories that offer more in-depth commentary.
Quotation marks: Put quotation marks around a phrase to let Google know you want that exact phrase in that order.
Scholar Search
Google Scholar is an excellent resource for undergraduate and graduate students who want a quick way to connect to authoritative information from journals and scholarly publications. Use these tips to search Scholar.
Search by author: Scholar recommends using the author's initials, or at least first initial and last name, to increase your results.
Search by journal: Used Scholar's Advanced Search to find articles published in a specific journal or publication.
Limit by date: Make sure you're citing the most updated research by limiting your returns by date.
Find court opinions: If you're searching for court opinions, you can search by state, choose only U.S. federal court opinions, or expand your search to all journals and opinions.
Select collections: Also in Advanced Search is the option to select collections like Chemistry and Materials Science or Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities.
Search Library Links: Under Google Scholar Preferences, you'll find the option to find library access links.
Start with citations, then move offline: Sometimes Google will pull up a citation but not the whole piece because it hasn't found it online. If it looks like a good match for your research, copy it down and bring it to your librarian for help locating it.
Find foreign language journals: Look for primary materials from foreign language journals in Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Spanish and more.
Bibliography Manager: Bibliography Manager is a Scholar feature that lets you add citations in various formats like RefWorks, RefMan, EndNote, and BibTeX. This is found in the Preferences section.
Reference Tools and Tips
Google is full of tricks for pulling up statistics, basic facts and reference material. Check here for great shortcuts for finding definitions and more.
Dictionary: Type the word "define" before the word you want to look up in the Google search bar.
Calculator: Just type in an equation with the = sign to use Google's calculator feature. You can find more calculator operators and symbols here.
Books: Click on the "Books" option under "Shop Options" after entering your search. You'll find Google books on the subject, and can quickly add them to your library or preview them.
Unit conversion: Let Google complete unit conversions for you when you type in a problem, like "4 lbs in kg."
Cooking conversions: When you're trying out mom's recipes at school, use this feature to solve cooking conversions.
Numeric ranges: If you want to know who was president during a certain timeframe, type in "president 1940…1950" for example. You can also use this feature to find results that contain certain dollar amounts or other numerical ranges.
Stock Quotes: For business classes, you can use the Stock Quotes search by typing in the ticker symbol. Google will bring up current stock quotes.
Glossary: Type in a word followed by ~glossary to find glossaries, term lists and dictionary entries for that word.
Package tracking: Find out when your next care package arrives when you use this feature.
Public data: Look up public data by typing in keywords and a location, like "population california."
Area Code Lookup: This feature should be useful when applying for jobs or looking for places to visit in your area for research.
Froogle: Whether you're shopping for the best deal or are conducting market research for a project, use Google's product search tool, Froogle.
Notes and Organization
Keep your research organized with these tricks.
Search within a site: Type "example search term site: example website" to search a keyword or search term within that site only, if you need to use a particular source.
SearchWiki: Use SearchWiki to star and edit your favorite results, even hidden ones.
info:: Find information about a website if you need to verify it or collect data for a citation.
Custom Search Engine: Create your own custom search engine with Google. You can name it, pick the language, and select only certain sites to be searched.
Learn how to assess credibility: This slide explains how to check a page's "about" section, find a date and author, and verify the author's credentials on Google.
Google Toolbar: Great for study groups, this toolbar lets you share websites with friends and translate web pages.
Google is a great tool for finding images, toying around with new media, and locating and connecting with people online. Here are some Google tips to help you maximize Google's cutting edge potential.
Google Maps eye-level perspective: Once you've searched for a particular map, drag the little person icon (located at the top of the zoom in/zoom out bar) anywhere on the map to get an eye-level perspective.
Google Groups: When you want to pull up information from Google Groups only, you can type in the author's name, group name or insubject: and the subject keyword.
Updates: After conducting a search, click on the "Updates" button under "Show Options." You'll get a steady stream of the most updated social media comments about that topic. Clicking "Discussions" will take you to forums Q&A pages.
Google Image Search: You probably know how to use image search, but did you know it's a useful way to ID people and look up foreign language definitions?
Knol: While it may not be the most authoritative search tool, Knol can help you start your research and find out how others around the world are reacting to current events and popular discussion topics.
Recognize faces: Follow this link for instructions on how to get Google to recognize faces, and not bring up other image results when you type in someone's name.
Shortcuts
Use these shortcuts to make your Google searches even faster.
The saying goes that politics is just show business for ugly people, but the men and women on this list were attractive enough — or maybe just persuasive enough — to succeed in both fields. Politics and showbiz are two separate but equally viable routes to money and power, so it's no surprise that some stars decide to try their hand at public policy when they're looking for a career change. Some never quite shake their Hollywood roots, some find equal footing in both arenas, and some use their political careers to completely revolutionize their lives. If you're a 
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Google has been around for ages, and if you're just starting college, you've probably used the search engine for most of your academic life. But there's more to the powerful search tool than just typing in keywords. Here are 56 Google search tricks for all types of students, whether you're in high school, pursuing an