By Alex Leggatt

Durham Universitys Bill Bryson Library will now remain open 24/7 throughout the whole of term time, beginning at the start of next term.

Saul Cahill, Ex-Student Unions Undergraduate Academic Officer, made the announcement in July through the SU website.

He described campaign[ing] for a library that was open 24/7 throughout the entirety of term time as one of his key pledges following his election to the role last year.

Cahill said that he was thrilled to announce the policy: During my election campaign, students talked to me about the added flexibility that extended opening hours could provide, as well as the benefits to students who worked or have caring responsibilities.

I am confident that these extra opening hours will deliver a library that is there for students when they need it, but wont pressure students into feeling like they need it for longer than they do. Most of all, I hope this extra flexibility will prove useful to you over the rest of your studies!

The policy, first proposed by Stuart Goldie (Science Postgraduate Faculty Rep), was passed following a year-long campaign.

Following ongoing work with the Library, Security and Estates & Buildings in Epiphany term 2019, the policy was trialled during exam period in Easter term and reviewed.

The initial SU assembly noted that there was a growing trend among UK universities to offer full time 24/7 library access, with numerous campaigns attempting to lobby for 24/7 library access in recent years.

However, the assembly also noted that students were under increasing pressure to perform well at university, with an FOI request revealing that 1141 undergraduates (8.5% of the student body) were being seen by University counsellors in the academic year from October 2016 July 2017.

The SU recognised that actively lobbying the University to spend funds facilitating all hours working may contribute to the growing problems with student mental health.

The assembly thus required suitable evidence to support the motion, and resolved to investigate the pros and cons of library 24/7 opening, research which Mr Cahill was mandated to undertake.

The research included analysing three years worth of data from the University Library, which found that there was a demand for 24/7 opening outside of what is currently available.

The analysis also found that there was very little difference in library usage between the last week of ordinary opening hours in Epiphany Term and the following week when the library is open 24/7.

This suggested that the main cause of increased library use was pressure from assessments rather than opening hours. Cahill revealed that the University Library will be working alongside library security to monitor students wellbeing in the library, as well as working with the SU to promote healthy study habits through the Revise Wise campaign.

The university introduced 200 new study spaces and a new cafe in February earlier this year, to address complaints that there were not enough library seats for the number of students using the library.

Image by @durhamuni via Twitter

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Bill Bryson Library to now remain open 24/7 - Palatinate

Dishonored 2

Arkanes Dishonored 2 has just been added to Xbox Game Pass, the subscription-based service that gives you access to more than 100 games for about $10 a month. (For $15 a month, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also grants you access to a library of PC games, as well as Xbox Live Gold.) Dishonored 2 will take up about 55 gigabytes of hard-drive space, which is fairly average these days, and is certainly worth a look. It holds a score of 88 on Metacritic, and took home more than 100 game-of-the-year awards in 2016.

The Dishonored sequel joins a nice selection of other Bethesda titles in the services console library. Currently, Xbox Game Pass includes 2016s Doom, Fallout 3, Fallout 4, Oblivion, Prey, Rage, The Elder Scrolls Online, Wolfenstein: The New Order, and Wolfenstein: The New Colossus. Outside of Bethesda, Game Pass also has such gems as the Batman: Arkham trilogy, Forza Horizon 4, a ton of Gears of War and Halo offerings, Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid V, Minecraft, Quantum Break, Superhot, and so on. Its a treasure trove right now.

Given the number of playtime hours you can easily squeeze out of something like Fallout 4, ESO, or Oblivion, theres really no better time to take Game Pass for a test driveespecially with Obsidians The Outer Worlds just around the corner.

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Dishonored 2 Joins Other Bethesda Hits In The Xbox Game Pass Library - Forbes

The British Library, London. (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

A new project of the British Library, entitled Discovering Sacred Texts, has begun uploading images of manuscripts and early printed versions of some of the worlds most sacred religious texts, including dozens of Jewish works.

One of the earliest surviving manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible from the 10th century is among the collection, as well as important printed versions of the Bible from the 16th century; a rare manuscript of the Talmud which survived the book burnings of medieval Europe; the first complete printed text of the Mishna from 15th century Naples, and other texts.

One of the jewels of the collection are fragments of the First Gaster Bible, dating from the 10th century and likely produced in Egypt.

The fragments held by the British Library come from the Ketuvim, or Writings, section of the Hebrew Bible and include portions sections from the Books of Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel and Ruth.

Images available on the British Librarys online exhibition demonstrate the beauty of the original manuscript with its gold embellishments of scrolls, spirals, foliage, interwoven buds, palmettes and golden chains, executed in an Islamic-style typical of the age and location.

Another special item available on the online collection is a manuscript of two tractates from the Babylonian Talmud dating from 1290, including 102 folio pages.

As the collection notes, manuscripts of the Talmud were frequently condemned by Christian leaders, leading to mass burnings of many such manuscripts during the medieval era, such as in Paris in 1242.

Very few Talmudic manuscripts survived this period as a result.

Another remarkable item which is part of the Discovering Sacred Texts online collection is a manuscript of Maimonides renowned work of Jewish thought and philosophy The Guide for the Perplexed, written by the revered rabbi in 1190.

The British Librarys Hebrew manuscript, produced in Spain, dates from 1325 and is decorated with around 200 colorful illuminations and decorative embellishments.

The project was supported by Dangoor Education since its inception and by Allchurches Trust, alongside other funders.

I am delighted to be involved in such an important and innovative project which will bring to the public for the first time some of the worlds oldest and most sacred texts, said David Dangoor, head of Dangoor Education. These texts form the bedrock of our human civilization, and when compared and contrasted by their viewers, will demonstrate that our sacred texts all speak a similar language of humanity, compassion and the norms of a fair and equitable society. They all have much to teach us and it is extremely welcome that they are now more accessible.

A curated selection of the collection items representing these faiths will be on physical display in the British Librarys free, permanent Treasures Gallery to coincide with the launch of Discovering Sacred Texts.

This site gives free access to an incredible range of texts, videos and curated articles relating to some of the worlds major faiths, which we hope will provide an invaluable tool for students, teachers and lifelong learners all over the world, Alex Whitfield, head of learning at the British Library, commented.

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Rare Jewish texts showcased in British Library online collection - The Jerusalem Post

OpenAthens unveils new embeddable version of organisation discovery service Wayfinder

Single sign-on provider OpenAthens has announced the launch of its new embeddable version of Wayfinder organisational discovery service.

Committed to empowering library users spanning a wide range of industries, whether they are a PhD student, a hospital clinician or a research scientist, OpenAthens has created Wayfinder to simplify and support access to online resources.

It enables users to rely on a single secure login to access all the online resources their organisation subscribes to they simply enter their home organisation or email address into the search bar to login.

The service is now available as a tool or overlay that can be embedded in any publisher or librarys website as well as in hosted form.

David Orrell, software architect at OpenAthens demonstrated the discovery service at the recent REFEDS 40th meeting in June to representatives from other identity federations around the world.

Wayfinder was developed in response to a growing need for easier access to valuable content with many publishers losing revenue on subscriptions as frustrated users move away from legitimate sites to free pirate sites.

The organisation discovery service encompasses many of the recommendations from the Resource Access for the 21st Century (RA21) initiative, a two-year project looking at how to create a seamless user experience for access to online resources.

NISO and STM-led RA21 has worked hard towards resolving some of the fundamental issues associated with accessing online content via federated single sign-on.

The OpenAthens team collaborated with the initiative to inform the pilot work on improving the user journey and developed organisation discovery service Wayfinder alongside the project using agile methods and user-centred design.

With Wayfinder, a users search automatically covers all known identity federations a publisher is a member of, without the user needing to be aware of them. This means learners and researchers can log in securely just once to all the multiple online resources that their organisations subscribe to, with their user privacy preserved.

OpenAthens e-resource manager Adam Snook said:

Wayfinder makes it quick and easy for users to access all their subscribed content online. Until now, the battle to protect valuable content from misuse has often resulted in lengthy complicated processes for accessing content which drives users away from legitimate sites and means they resort to using stolen content on pirate sites just to save time.

We must design these digital content systems with the users needs at their core if publishers and libraries are to remain relevant and keep their resources available to as wide an audience as possible. Wayfinder is a great example of where user-centred design produces something that works for everyone, facilitating access while offering security and protection.

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Our team of developers will continue to work on refining Wayfinder to make it available to as many organisations as possible.

OpenAthens will be at the Frankfurt Book Fair on 16-18 October 2019 where members of the sales team will be on hand to discuss this latest version of Wayfinder. Find the team in hall 4.2 in the International Library Centre.

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If libraries are to remain relevant they must design digital content systems with the user's needs at their core - FE News

The wait is finally over digital access to legendary animator Bill Plymptons feature film library is less than three weeks away, thanks to his new distribution deal with Shout! Factory.

With a unique visual style and subversive sense of humor, often referred to as sick and twisted, but in a good way, award-winning animator Bill Plympton has spent the past thirty years on the forefront of indie animation, creating groundbreaking works that have earned him both a rabid fanbase and international critical acclaim. On October 15th, 2019, Shout! Factory is bringing his feature films to all major digital platforms, including Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon Video. In addition, Hair High, Mutant Aliens and I Married a Strange Person! feature brand-new HD transfers.

Winner of the recent 2019 Webby Awards Best Animated Series for Trump Bites, Plympton has also been honored over the years with the Cannes Film Festivals Jury Prize and was nominated twice for an Academy Award. He began his career as an illustrator and nationally syndicated cartoonist before making his first animated short, Boomtown, in 1983. Plymptons work has spanned from commercials and music videos to full-length animated features, as well as the animated shorts which he is best known for.

Bill Plympton Feature Film Library Synopses:

A low-rent bounty hunter named Rod Rosse, the one-man posse, gets entangled in a web of danger when he takes on a job from an ex-biker/ex-wrestler turned U.S. senator named "Deathface."

When a scheming woman drives a wedge of jealousy into Jake and Ellas perfect courtship, insecurity and hatred spell out an untimely fate. With only the help of a disgraced magician and his forbidden "soul machine," Ella takes the form of Jake's numerous lovers, desperately fighting through malfunction and deceit as the couple tries to reclaim their destiny.

A morally bankrupt man wakes up one morning to find wings sprouting from his back that make him do good deeds, throwing him unwillingly into a battle for his own soul. Presented by Terry Gilliam.

An outrageous Gothic myth from the 1950s, Hair High is the legend of Cherri and Spud, a teenage couple who are murdered on prom night and left for dead at the bottom of Echo Lake. Exactly one year later, their skeletal remains come back to life and they return to the prom for revenge and their justly deserved crowns. This release features a brand-new HD transfer.

20 Years after astronaut Earl Jensens ship was sabotaged and Jensen was left for dead, he returns to Earth to take revenge on the man who was responsible. Backing Jensen up is a ragtag gang of mutant aliens from outer space. Soon these deadly but lovable aliens reveal their secret powers and not even the worlds strongest army can stop them from accomplishing their mission! This release features a brand-new HD transfer.

This high-spirited and sexually charged comedy is about a young husband who gains the power to make his fantasies into reality. The couple has to battle an ambitious TV executive and a slimy Army colonel who want this power for themselves. This release features a brand-new HD transfer.

Del is a songwriter for the obnoxious Mr. Mega, and in love with Didi, Mega's secretary. His quest to write a hit tune brings him to the wacky world of Flooby Nooby, where he just might learn to write songs from the heart.

Source: Shout! Factory

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Bill Plympton's Feature Library Coming to Main Digital Platforms October 15 - Animation World Network

(WTVF) A 25-year-old native Tennessean wowed the judges of "The Voice" with his rendition of "Just My Imagination" by The Temptations during the show's September 30 episode.

Within seconds of beginning blind audition, judges Blake Shelton, John Legend and Gwen Stefani hit their buzzers for their chance to be Calvin Lockett's coach. Ultimately, Lockett chose to join Stefani's team.

Lockett began singing at the church where both of his parents are pastors, Christ The Healer Church in Clarksville. His parents were cheering him on from the stageside during the audition.

He first became interested in pursuing music when he sang his first solo at the age of 13.

The former Austin Peay student now lives in Durham, North Carolina and hopes to jumpstart his music career on "The Voice." Lockett said the show would help him expand his reach beyond singing in the church.

"Winning 'The Voice' would mean a lot, it would mean a lot to my family," Lockett said after his audition. "For my family and back home, it would mean a lot."

The judges called Lockett's performance relaxing and masterful. Legend and Shelton agreed they each haven't heard someone sound like him before.

Lockett told judge Kelly Clarkson he's interested in making singer-songwriter R&B music.

Originally posted here:

Middle Tennessean wows judges on 'The Voice' - NewsChannel5.com

There are a few things as important as a good nights rest. Anyone can relate to feeling from the morning after having a good sleep; its usually a light, ecstatic and peaceful one. Its also one thats about 7-9hrs long.

However, due to our busy schedules and hectic lifestyles as humans in the 21st century, we barely get any sleep at all. Poor sleep is a major cause of stress and weight gain, and puts out at the risk of contracting illnesses. It can also cause a loss of appetite.

In contrast, when you get a good nights sleep, youll find your concentration heighten as you get even more productivity. It also improves athletic performance.

However, it may be hard to find a good sleep on a steady after several years of going without it. So is there something you need to do to find good sleep?

Yes! With few changes in your lifestyle choices, you can begin to experience a much deeper sleep.

Mild to intense workouts are great at battling insomnia and restless leg syndrome. Depending on your daily schedule and body weight, you can engage in as many exercises as you can during the week, and you can choose to either stick to a routine or not.

Some workouts that are recommended include cardio workouts such as running, swimming, and cycling. Engaging in sporting activities that increase the heartbeat rate is very good for the body. Strength conditioning workouts (like weightlifting) are also great for relaxing the body.

A lot of people feel sedated after a little weightlifting in the evening time followed by a warm shower. This however depends on your personal experience; you may feel a burst of adrenaline after working out and it may lead to insomnia which is not what you want.

Practicing yoga is also good for stretching the body, which helps it to relax better. If you already practice yoga, try being more present with it when next youre engaged in it. This eases the mind of endless thinking and calms the body.

The bedroom is a major factor that determines the quality of your nights rest. This has a lot to do with setup and lighting of the room in which you sleep. If youre like most people, youll prefer sleeping with the lights off and the curtain drapes down. However, a creative way of sleeping with lesser lighting is the use of blue or UV lighting. Sleep quality is known to improve with lower lighting.

The temperature of the bedroom also plays a part in getting better sleep. Just a few degrees lower than the temperature of a cool day is just fine for most people. You can slowly adjust to what feels just right for you.

For some people, listening to lovely music helps them to achieve a deeper sleep. Theres no harm in trying to find out whether it works for you too. As regards noise, you may be prone to experience sleep disorders if you live in neighborhoods with clubs that run all night.

It doesnt really occur to people but what you feed your body plays an important role in the grade of sleep you get. You can make changes to your sleep quality by tweaking a few things in your diet to add ingredients with the appropriate characteristics. Some ingredients (like almonds) are rich in melatonin, a hormone that is in charge of the sleep-cycle. Other food items to add to your grocery shopping list for better sleep quality include kiwi, tart cherry juice, seafood, walnuts, and teas like passionflower tea and chamomile tea.

Also you may want to start paying attention to the time you have your meals, most importantly your dinner. Eating at late hours can adversely affect your bodys secretion of melatonin hence the kind of sleep you get. It can also lead to excess weight gain.

Furthermore, minimize your alcohol intake. If possible reduce it to zero. More importantly, do not take alcohol before going to bed. It can aggravate sleep disorders and cause snoring.

Have you ever wondered why it felt more comfortable the last time you slept in a hotel than in your own bed? Its precisely because that they pick out only soft and fluffy mattresses. Regardless of whether you are a back, side or stomach sleeper, a comfortable bed is going to give you a good nights rest and one that entails waking up without any form of pain.

Sleeping on a comfortable bed improves your sleep quality and relieves back pain. The Eight Sleep Jupiter+9(read review) bed is a really cool and comfy mattress. It has a smart system that can connect to your smartphone, track your sleep schedule and even warm up any chosen side of the bed.

It could be a hot shower just before going to bed, or a brisk walk in the cool breeze of the evening. It could even be taking a walk in the park with your loved ones, just do anything that helps you stay relaxed and present.

You could try listening to music that helps you relax, or read a really interesting book/novel. Meditating for about 15 minutes everyday can also bring calm to your body. So, if it works for you, totally go for it. In truth, the more the body experiences calmness while youre awake, the more itll learn to relax when youre asleep.

In addition to that, you can schedule for a massage from time to time. Massages are great for loosening tense muscles, especially around your neck and back. This helps the body to relax more during sleep.

If you think you can afford that personal vacation youve always wanted to go on, then you should do that. A trip away from the busy and crowded life you may be used to is one of the best ways to relax.

With these interesting tips, you can make changes to your lifestyle to get more restful sleep. Some other things you can do to enjoy better sleep include taking melatonin supplements and sticking to a sleeping schedule. If you feel that you need to consult a doctor before making these decisions, then feel free to do so.

Continue reading here:

5 Changes that You Need To Make in Your Lifestyle for a Good Sleep - CLNS Media

Last night we dreamt about Ikea lighting. It's not that odd: Realhomes.com took at trip to Ikea this week and a decent amount of time was spent marveling at the latest lighting innovations (more on that tomorrow).

Anyway, back to the lighting. There was a massive range of new buys we'd not seen in the flesh. More pleasing still was the amount of smart lighting on sale. And we mean techy smart, as well as just, well, smart.

And while for some smart lighting might be a turn off (no pun intended), if it's low tech enough that your gran can embrace it, it's really worth having in your bedroom. The great news? Your bedroom revamp doesn't need to be dramatic to benefit from most of these (quite seriously) life-improving lighting solutions.

So, whether youre thinking new lighting as a working parent, for a uni student or for an excitable little one, keep scrolling...

For more bedroom lighting ideas, see our design gallery.

(Image credit: Ikea)

Kids up in the night unsettled by the dark? Other half crashing into furniture? Forever stubbing your toe as you stumble into bed long after your partner has gone to bed? This clever idea will put paid to all that: a remote controlled light strip fixed under the bed (above). Turn it on as you come into the room; it won't disturb your partner/kids/the dog but it will light your way to bed. Genius.

(Image credit: Ikea)

Ikea has both battery and mains-run light strips; and you'll need to use the TRDFRI Remote control, 15 to control it. This clever little gadget (above) can remote control up to 10 Ikea LED light bulbs, light panels or light doors at a time. And when we say 'control', we mean dim, switch on and off, choose colours and change light from warm to cold. You can even use the TRDFRI gateway and IKEA Home smart app to create groups of lights to control in different ways. You can even use it to control lights inside a dark wardrobe. Count us in.

(Image credit: Ikea)

(Image credit: Ikea)

Bedroom lighting is the key to relaxation. After a hard day, going back to a bedroom, dimly lit with an emerald hue can't fail to relax you. This Tokabo table lamp is a moody piece perfect for the bedroom you want to turn into a restful haven.

What else about it will aid restful calm? The price: it's only 8.

(Image credit: Ikea)

Hanging pendant lights in a cluster over dining tables has been a thing for a while. Now, so is hanging them over a bed to create that 'look at me!' vibe you really want in a bedroom. It's a brilliant ruse in both traditional and contemporary bedrooms, and it needn't cost a fortune: these SOLLEFTE lamp shades are just 5 each.

(Image credit: Ikea)

Lets be honest, we are pretty much never going to get tired of fairy lights, are we? But that doesnt mean we cant revamp the classic sparkling beauties and opt for a fluffy, scrunchy, floral alternative. The cute white netting on Ikeas new fairy lights softens the glow of the LED and makes them the ideal bedroom lighting option.

One (of the many) wonderful things about fairy lights is their versatility when styling them. Drape them over your mirror, on the railings of your bed, or embrace the boho vibe and create a living wall, with plants or polaroids. LIVSR LED lighting chain with 24 lights, tulle white, 12.

(Image credit: Ikea)

If you're looking for total relaxation, an escape from the real (and virtual) world, where you can get lost in a book and sleep and unwind, these are definitely the lights for you. There's no denying that candles are a timeless classic when it comes to warm light. However, there's also little denying the fact that there are a few health and safety issues there. That's why the led block candle is our holy grail, creating a tranquil and warm ambience and giving a classic look to your bedroom.

We love the Godaftom LED block candle in/out is just 7 for a set of two.

(Image credit: Ikea)

So, you've noticed the price tag and are asking yourself, how could Ikea betray us like that? But, not so fast, this is a lamp and speaker in one. If you're somebody who likes to drift off with your favourite relaxing music lulling in the background, it's your lucky day.

The aesthetic is simple and blends well into any interior, meaning that your technology needn't be an eyesore. It's also ideal for when space is at a premium.SYMFONISK Table lamp with WiFi speaker, 150. Alternatively, opt for a speaker pillow (we've just compiled a fab guide).

(Image credit: Ikea)

We love a bedroom hack. This one (above) is made by creating a lit DIY bedside table with two Mosslanda picture ledges and a Molgan light. Take look at our step by step to learn how to make it yourself it only costs a tenner!

Go here to see the original:

7 ways Ikea lighting can revolutionise your bedroom revamps - Real Homes

When it comes to homework, teachers have heard every excuse in the book, and for good reason; it's hard for students to focus on homework when there's so much of it to do.

Students are devoting hours each evening to their take-home assignments, some say to the tune of 17.5 hours per week.

In a survey of 1,000 Brainly users comprised of students in middle and high school, 70% said they have trouble focusing on their homework.

Brainly, the world's largest online learning community, asked respondents to pick any of the following five options that distract them from their homework at least once a week. Here are the results:

Changing habits like these takes repetition and dedication. Luckily, there are five actionable habits students can use to make homework more focused, more efficient, and eventually more successful. They can be easily remembered with this simple acronym:

Nearly half of the respondents cited environment-related options as a diversion from homework. This included 46% of middle-school students choosing video games, 51% of high-schoolers selecting social media, and 39% overall picking a noisy home environment.

It's essential to make after-school workspaces as clean, quiet, and distraction-free as possible. Clean means organized and clear of disturbing clutter. Check the writing surface and surrounding area. How much more likely would a student be to grab a device sitting at arm's reach than if it's put away?

Another crucial aspect of this process is noise. Separation from attention-grabbing sounds, like TVs and chatty family members, keeps a student's mind following the pages their eyes are seeing. Another good tip is to put phones on silent (not vibrate) and place it face down, far away from the desk. This ensures students aren't encouraged to check it habitually and can focus on the task at hand.

Try and keep the designated homework space as consistent as possible. Stick with a repetitive location whenever possible, which will allow a student's brain to put on its thinking cap more quickly. And just say "no" to homework in bed!

Although necessary for college resumes, extracurricular activities proved to be detrimental to homework productivity for 24.5% of respondents. Jobs and work affected 12% of middle school students, as opposed to 25% of high school students. Of the users Brainly surveyed, those in middle school said they have more time to finish their homework. 40% said "always/yes," as opposed to 28% of high school students. Only 6% said "rarely/no," as compared to 13% of highschoolers.

Balance is critical to keeping a sane, realistic after-school schedule. If students are overloaded with extracurricular activities, they'll struggle to find time for everything else. At the same time, if they spend too much time on homework they'll start to lose quality in their answers. If students have activities after work, they should make to also schedule in homework time. Furthermore, if a student is finding it hard to fit all their homework into their schedule, it might be time to reconsider chosen activities. The key to prioritizing success is to plan.

A problem set or multi-page assignment can look insurmountable, especially if someone's not feeling totally comfortable with the material from class. It's easy to get lost in preparation. Don't waste time trying to understand everything; get hands-on and hit problems one issue at a time.

Something started is one step closer to being finished! Break the questions down into what is already known, and use those parts to work towards the answer. Taking a step towards the solution makes a person more invested in getting there. If a snag is hit while trying to answer the problem or question, that's a great time to go back into the concepts to try and find the specific resource. Students can use a glossary, textbook, or notes from class for a reminder of what was taught.

As long as they're scheduled and not abused, taking breaks can actually help a student finish their homework! A quick pause can help to rejuvenate some of that motivation that got them started.

If stress sets in, take the opportunity for a quick break. Students can close their eyes and take a few deep breaths. If it helps, put on some relaxing music. Another way to take a proactive break is to do something active. Stand up and stretch to get more oxygen flowing to the brain. If this is a more extended break, do some quick physical exercises or walk around outside for a few minutes. Everyone gets through their work a lot faster when their minds are feeling alert!

Even a regulated screen break can help students refocus. Taking a minute to check newsfeeds, respond to messages, or play a quick game can enable the brain to decompress and ready itself for the challenge ahead. Be careful to limit these breaks so as not to waste time. To start, keep it at 10 to 15 minutes and try to accomplish at least an hour of work before taking another one.

Whether it's a tough question or just a seemingly endless assignment, it's easy just to give up. But, when a student is equipped with everything they need and keeps their focus forward, they can get through it.

Start by getting equipped with everything needed. Finish by keeping the focus forward and knowing when to move on. Before starting, gather everything that can help with the homework. Textbooks, print-outs, and websites all qualify. This way, when a student gets stuck, they've got everything that could help right in front of them. If resources have ran out, it's best for the student to take their best guess, make a note, and move on.

These are all critical steps to success. Use what is known to make the best possible educated guess, and remember to ask a teacher or mentor about it the next day. And move on quickly, so the brain stays motivated to attack what's next.

For information about the survey methodology and key takeaways, visit https://brainly.com/insights/homework-distractions/.

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CUTTING EDGE Pat Fadden with one of his mowers at Westport Golf Club.Pic: Michael McLaughlin

NORMALLY I would start work at 7am, but the week before the Cups and Shields national finals recently it was 5.30am or 6am and wed work straight through to 3pm.We get the hole changing and pin positioning out of the way first, before cutting the greens, which needs to be done before the golfers go out, but the longer you can leave that the better, as they grow very fast.If you cut the greens at 6am, theyll have a half days growth by 6pm, and that could be quite a lot because its such a fine cut. We cut them seven days a week. We also double cut the fairways leading up to the championship.On other weeks, my mornings usually start with mechanical work on all our machinery. We have so much that theres always something breaking down. Other morning work would include checking the course to see what needs to be done, drainage work, raking bunkers and general repair work. Westport Golf Course is 270 acres of parkland course, so its very growthy compared to a links course. Weve a team of seven; five full-time and two lads for the summer. The weather is everything for us. Its an uphill battle when its raining because the course always needs to be cut and maintained. Bad weather means you sometimes have to do jobs twice. I first started as a greenskeeper in Westport Golf Course in 1974 and have been there since. It took ten years to receive your greenskeeper certificate back then. The whole job has changed an awful lot now. When we started back then, we were tipping out sand and soil mix on the greens by shovel and trailer. All cutting machines were pedestrian too - there was no such thing as a ride-on mower!Back then it took four men over four hours to cut the 18 greens, where as now, one person can do it in less than three. Standards back then were not as high as they are now though. Ive seen over the years the standard were able to have the course at. Its all down to money and having a good committee like we have at the moment. They give you what you need in terms of machinery, and when you have the committee and staff pulling together, it makes a huge difference. I really enjoy the outdoor work. I could never see myself working inside. What you see at 7am on a nice morning in Westport Golf Course is just beautiful scenery; you couldnt find a nicer place in the world. Mind you, you dont get an awful lot of beautiful mornings, but when you do it makes up for the bad ones. I played golf myself for a few years, but I found it hard to go back on the course when youre finished a hard days work. At the time I was playing, I was also working seven days a week so it was hard to find time in the evenings and weekends. I always enjoyed it and meant to go back, but Im also doing a bit of farming and landscaping and I dont have much time other than that. One of my main hobbies is playing music and I have done it in the pubs all my life. Myself and a friend, Mick McLoughlin, used to do it together but not anymore. I play the banjo and guitar and it was all session stuff in the pubs. It was very enjoyable and I loved it, but we always said that if it ever became work then we would pack it up, and in the end it did, because the atmosphere in the pubs changed through the years. One of the more satisfying parts of my job is when you get nice comments about the course from complete strangers. They might come up to you, tourists, and tell you that theyve played such and such a course recently, some of which would be Irish Open courses, and you might hear that they think Westport is actually better. There was a great feeling in the club when Westport won the Junior Cup recently. It very easily could happen that a club was hosting the tournament and might not have a team in it, so to win it in your home course meant a lot. Gar Golden [who passed away on September 20] was heavily involved in the club for years and I dealt with him a lot. He was gentleman to deal with at all times and no doubt he would have loved to have been part of it.

In conversation with Ger Flanagan

FactfileName: Pat FaddenFrom: Carrowholly, WestportOccupation: Head Greenskeeper at Westport Golf Club

Quickfire questions

Tell me something about yourself we dont know?I love fishing. I have a boat and I like to bring it out on Clew Bay. Unfortunately I dont get enough time to do as much as I would like.

Favourite place in the world?Probably Westport. Ive been in a lot of places and theyre lovely to visit, but overall, I dont think you will improve on Westport.

What do you miss most about being a child?I had a good childhood. I cant say I particularly miss anything, apart from the way of life and the pace of it. It was a lot easier and more relaxing when times were slower, but now, the more technology that comes in, the less time we have to do other things.

Whats the best advice you were ever given?As regards work, I remember we heard one time that someone was complaining about the course. I remember saying to the late John Hanlon that theres no thanks for the work we do, and he said: If youre looking for thanks, you will never get it. It stuck with me.

Who was your first hero?A lot of mine would be in music. I was never into big sporting heroes. Music was my thing. I remember seeing Roy Orbison when he was huge in the Starlight in Westport, people often cant believe that. It was amazing to see at the time.

Most famous person you ever met?I was very friendly with Matt Molloy and his late wife, Geraldine, so I met a lot of musicians through them in the bar. The favourite I met was John Prine. I played a few songs with him. Real down to earth, genuine gentleman. For a man who wrote so many songs for so many famous people, all he wanted to do was sit down and hear me singing something. He was very genuine.

Three things always in fridge?Red meat usually Im afraid, cheese and probably fish of some kind.

What makes you nervous?I dont tend to get too nervous if I can help it. I dont think I get nerves with anything to do with work. I just like to take life as it comes. I try not to worry about things; if they dont work out, there is a reason.

Whats your most prized possession?If I was to save something if everything else was going, it would be my guitar.

If money was no object what would you do?I always loved to travel. It was great to come home, but I love seeing other places; how the ordinary way of live music and golf courses is done in other places. One of my favourite places is New Orleans.

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A Day in the Life: Greenkeeper Pat Fadden - Mayo News