30 Songs To Motivate Success

Whoever you are, listening to a song you connect with can be a great way to motivate you to persevere and succeed.

In our GO MAD training we were asked to bring a song that inspired or motivated us. We then went around the room and explained why we had chosen that particular song. 

After putting them all on a playlist to play during the breaks, our trainer spoke about the power of words and positive thinking. He explained that we can create new neural pathways in our brains through the use of repetition.

This could be some kind of message, quote or affirmation that we say to ourselves daily (or many times daily). Equally, it could be a song we listen to in order to re-affirm a belief, or to make us feel happy, inspired, motivated etc.

How To: Communicate With An Autistic Student

Do you really know how to communicate with an autistic student? We have summarised Special Needs Teacher, Victoria Honeybourne's vibrant article into a list of techniques to help you.

Being autistic herself, Victoria has given us a great insight into the inner workings of an autistic student and we couldn't wait to share it with you!

Before we get going...

Tip: Be sure to check the tips at the end of the sections!

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Young people, in general, are like sponges. They subconsciously absorb the attitudes and beliefs that the adults around them reflect.

World Poetry Day

It's World Poetry Day today so, of course, it's the perfect time to remember our favourite poems!

Now, this isn't the first time we've thought about our favourite poems. When Nottingham was made a 'City of Literature' by UNESCO, we pulled together a list of our most treasured poems and why.

We still feel so honoured that Nottingham is a recognised City of Literature so we pulled together a few poems that really capture the essence of Nottingham for us. The poems we have chosen are about cities over the world but they really remind us why we love Nottingham so much. 

Cities are great, vibrant places to live and study and our favourite will always be Nottingham.

6 Steps to Mindfulness

I can't do this. It's all too much. Why can't I get this right?

No matter what you're studying, there will be some points of your course where you will need high levels of cognitive control, emotional stability and self-awareness. Rather unhelpfully, it's often when you're striving so hard for those things that they're harder to attain.

Mindfulness can help you manage the normal stresses of student life effectively, enabling you to remain calm, be able to focus and work in a way which is enjoyable, creative and productive.

Mindfulness is about being more aware of what is happening and having more choice on how to respond to life's challenges. It is a skill we all have and can be improved through exercises and practice.

Children Are Trees

Last week I was sitting in the conservatory of a very good friend of mine looking out at his garden. He broke my gaze by asking me what my role at the University actually was. I found myself telling him all about how we work to develop growth mind-sets, nurture tenacity and grit and sow the seeds of determination...

"A bit like gardening, then." he said.

"What do you mean exactly?" I answered.