Site News: Where is Joshua?

Again, I am not posting regularly. I'm very sorry.

If you are wondering what I am up to, here is a short list:
Creating new layout for site
Writing an essay for the Queen's Purpose of Life Essay Competition
Working as a research assistant

It doesn't seem like much, but those three things take up more time than I would have expected. So bear with me, more posts will be coming. After this week, the pace should pick up!

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If you enjoyed these learning tips and motivational strategies, maybe you'll enjoy the other posts. Please bookmark this page (Ctrl-D) or check out the archive/categories to the right. Better yet, tell a friend! (Click the envelope below this.)

More posting, moving and a re-design

Even though this is the umpteenth time I've had to do this, I would like to apologize for my hiatus. As a result of exams and an overabundance of Korean food (don't ask), I have been shirking my duties to you. This summer will be filled with change.

A new post is coming later tonight.

I am going to create more pillar posts. Personally, I like when people offer specific plans for implementing ideas, but this site has been lacking in that department. Although high level thinking is important for setting priorities and understanding your goals, sometimes it helps to have those little specific tips that make studying easier. I will be analyzing what successful students do to succeed, and I will post my findings here over the summer.

As well, I'd like to continue to post about random things that I find interesting. In an attempt to fill the void that Collision Detection has left in my heart, I would like to post about cool/crazy/weird science topics that I read about, or anything else that strikes my fancy. I promise that it will not take away from the core postings, this will merely be icing.

In other news, I plan on purchasing a real hosting plan in the near future and redesigning the site. I'd like to make this site more accessible to new visitors, and have people more easily find topics important to them. While the new blogger layout tools allow for more flexibility, they are still lacking in many areas (namely technical ones). This move, however, may be slow in coming as I haven't programmed for a while, and I don't have much experience in the non-basic scripting languages. But a lack of knowledge never stopped me from trying before!

Sorry if you just fell asleep in the previous paragraphs, but now you up-to-date on my plans for this site over the summer. If you have any input, suggestions, concerns or really good math jokes, I'd love to hear them. You can email me at: joshua[at]gravyway[dot]com (remember to replace the [at] and [dot]) or just comment below.

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If you enjoyed these learning tips and motivational strategies, maybe you'll enjoy the other posts. Please bookmark this page (Ctrl-D) or check out the archive/categories to the right. Better yet, tell a friend! (Click the envelope below this.)

EduBlogger Event 07!

Hey guys, here is some more information about the EduBlogger Event going on right now. Note that if you are in the Eastern Time Zone, you have to add 3 hours from these times. So my post will appear at 5PM (not 11AM as I said before, apparently I was confused).


It´s all about new & revolutionary education concepts & ideas - meet speakers and attendees in the comment box for great conversations.

WHEN: Saturday, 03/31/07

WHERE: Steli Efti´s Supercool Blog

WHAT: New Post and Speaker Every Half Hour
First Session: 10am - 1pm Pacific Time (GMT -7hrs)
Second Session: 2pm - 5pm Pacific Time (GMT -7hrs)

WHO:

10:00 - hj barraza on Decentralised Learning Services for Developing Countries

10:30 - Jon Bennett on Differentiation for Dummies

11:00 - Florence Meichel on New technology and knowledge accessibility

11:30 - Peter Haslam on The Need for Self-Directed Learning

12:00 - Liz Strauss on The Ergonomics of You

12:30 - Michael Beck on Long Term Memory / Human Computer Storage Techniques

- break -

02:00 - Joshua Hwang on Zen of Studying

02:30 - TONNET on Socialnetworking Phenomena & the Impact on Education

03:00 - Pat Aroune on Community of practice as a model for change in today's schools

03:30 - Steve Dembo on Is anonymity critical to the success of the edu blogosphere?

04:00 - Steli Efti on The 7 lessons we learned at school that could possibly ruin our lifes

04:30 - Tiara Shafiq with a bonus post

05:00 - Open discussion about education...

Bring a link to leave that shares something you know about education, learning & life!

Let´s Rock´N´Roll!

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If you enjoyed these learning tips and motivational strategies, maybe you'll enjoy the other posts. Please bookmark this page (Ctrl-D) or check out the archive/categories to the right. Better yet, tell a friend! (Click the envelope below this.)

EduBlogger Event07?!

I am pleased to announce that yours truly, Joshua, will be taking part in a virtual education event, EduBlogger Event 07, this Saturday, March 31st. And of course, you are invited.

So the first question: What does this mean?

All day Saturday, people on the educational blogosphere (yeah, I said it) will be posting various topics for discussion at the Supercool School blog, and then there will be an online discussion in the comments section regarding the post.

Second question: Is this for real?

Hell yes! Check out the post on Steli Efti's site to get some more information. My post will come at 11AM Eastern time (2PM Pacific), and I'll be around to answer questions and discuss the "Zen of Studying".

I'd like to thank Steli Efti for hosting this event, and for inviting me to post. It's going to be a great one, so come check it out!

This Saturday! Be there! You don't even need pants!

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If you enjoyed these learning tips and motivational strategies, maybe you'll enjoy the other posts. Please bookmark this page (Ctrl-D) or check out the archive/categories to the right. Better yet, tell a friend! (Click the envelope below this.)

What this site is about

If this is your first time here or you'd just like some reminding, I'll give you the scoop on Learning, The Gravy Way.

This is a site where Danny and I (Joshua) try to offer students advice on how to achieve more academically and with greater ease and enjoyment. Once in a while, we may even have some tips or musings on life in general.

While Danny and I have differing writing styles, we hope that they complement each other: aiding others in divergent ways.

The best way to understand what this site is about, however, is to read it! So go for it. Don't worry, we'll be here.

The 104th Carnival of Education

Ah yes, even though this is already 2 (almost 3 days late) , I would like to thank Carol at The Median Sib for hosting the 104th Carnival of Education. And of course I would like to thank her for linking to The Gravy Way.

But to anyone from the carnival reading this: The title was taken from Dr. Brad Hoge's post at the HUNBlog, as my post was a follow up to his comments regarding constructivism/constructionism and the problems surrounding test-making.

If you don't know what a carnival is - in terms of the internet - it is basically an assortment of submitted links regarding a single topic: in this case, it is a Carnival of Education. Most of the links are submissions from other teachers; as a student (and sort of a teacher), I find it interesting to read things from this perspective. The learner seeing from the teachers point of view.

So go and check it out. It's awesome.

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If you enjoyed these learning tips and motivational strategies, maybe you'll enjoy the other posts. Please bookmark this page (Ctrl-D) or check out the archive/categories to the right. Better yet, tell a friend! (Click the envelope below this.)

Welcome Danny!

I'd like to formally introduce Danny Dang to The Gravy Way. Since he has already given his intro in the previous post, I cannot add more on that front.

However, I will use this opportunity to praise Danny. Danny Dang is an intelligent, creative, ambitious, sexually attractive man (there's more but I don't want to make people envious of him). When he contacted me about contributing to this site, I was tingling with excitement, because I know he'll bring a lot of amazing advice from a different perspective.

This is going to be a Dang-tastic new year!

(Sorry about being so slow on the introduction Danny. I'll blame it on jetlag and the alignment of position of Venus.)

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If you enjoyed these learning tips and motivational strategies, maybe you'll enjoy the other posts. Please bookmark this page (Ctrl-D) or check out the archive/categories to the right. Better yet, tell a friend! (Click the envelope below this.)

Making an Entrance from Stage Left.

Since Josh is a little slow on the times and hasn't bothered to introduce me, I shall introduce myself. For those that know Josh prior to being consumed with medicine then you probably know me, otherwise you're going to read some posts by yours truly, Danny Dang.

My posts will be centered around the same topics with a twist of anthropology. Less what to do, and more why and how. Most of my academic posts will be focused on Business and/or Math, as that's my program at the University of Waterloo. So for you crazy Queen's commerce kids, keep an eye out as I will be discussing studying for my CSC and eventually the CFA exams.

As Josh aspires to be a doctor someday, I aspire to be an senior investment banker on the sell-side or a portfolio manager on the buy-side.

Well stay tuned, as I will be posting in the next day or so.

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If you enjoyed these learning tips and motivational strategies, maybe you'll enjoy the other posts. Please bookmark this page (Ctrl-D) or check out the archive/categories to the right. Better yet, tell a friend! (Click the envelope below this.)

The GOL! Club

As usual, my posting frequency has gone down. Once again, I am sorry for the delay. Hopefully an explanation of my doings will show why.

I have just started a club at Queen's University called the GOL! Club (Goal-Oriented Living) and it is taking a surprisingly large amount of my time. In fact, it has its own website. As a result of this preparation, I have not been posting.

However, all is not lost. I have scheduled 2 interviews -- one with a medical student and one with a doctor and professor of "history of medicine" -- and once I have either transcribed them or uploaded them (I will be recording the interviews), you may partake in the sexy, sexy new information. Oh, and I am lining up another interview with a husband and wife physician team: Drs. Fernette and Brock Eide of the Eide Neurolearning Blog. It is quite an interesting site, I must add. I always was a sucker for the nature of knowledge acquision.

Even if you are not planning on pursuing medicine as a career, I have a feeling that you may find the interviews interesting, enlightening and even educational!

Education? From this site? Who would have thunk it?

So in closing: Visit The GOL! Club's website. It's awesome, you may even set some goals!

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If you enjoyed these learning tips and motivational strategies, maybe you'll enjoy the other posts. Please bookmark this page (Ctrl-D) or check out the archive/categories to the right. Better yet, tell a friend! (Click the envelope below this.)

Image Problems Resolved

Wow, I forgot that free image hosting isn't reliable.

Well, if you were unfortunate enough to see all of those crazy notices from putfile about my pictures expiring, I'm sorry.

Things should be resolved now. However, if you notice any broken or screwed up images, please do not hesitate to email me or comment on this post. By the way, if you notice any broken links or glaring errors in general, you would be doing me a great service by telling me.

I'd like to thank Jessica for alerting me so quickly to this image craziness. Thanks.

I'll be posting an update tomorrow in the evening about "Your life's direction". Enjoy the rest of the site for the rest of the time.

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If you enjoyed these learning tips and motivational strategies, maybe you'll enjoy the other posts. Please bookmark this page (Ctrl-D) or check out the archive/categories to the right. Better yet, tell a friend! (Click the envelope below this.)

I'm back, for real

I'm very sorry about my insanely long hiatus. I hope that you can appreciate my position. The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) was on the 19th -- last Saturday -- so I was very busy studying for it. It is one of the most important tests I have taken, as it is necessary in order to even apply for most medical schools.

If you would like some MCAT advice, I'm very willing to dole it out. Just email me at: joshua[at]gravyway[dot]com

I plan on writing a post on the MCAT in the near future (this week), but if you are eager, just email me.

Since the MCAT is over now (it went pretty well if you were wondering), I will resume regular posting frequency -- which should be once every 2-3 days.

I am also planning on starting a club regarding goal setting at Queen's. (Yes, I do believe effective goal setting is that important.) The reason I tell you this is that I will be working on getting it off the ground and creating an associated website. This may or may not impact the time I have for posting. Right now, I'm assuming that a lot of the material will crossover between the two groups; I will link between them accordingly.

So where is your new post? It will come around the afternoon of the 21st. Which is actually today, if you are paying attention to the timestamp.

You may commence rejoicing now.

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If you enjoyed these learning tips and motivational strategies, maybe you'll enjoy the other posts. Please bookmark this page (Ctrl-D) or check out the archive/categories to the right. Better yet, tell a friend! (Click the envelope below this.)

Carnival of Education

As an educational blogger, I've found there are many others out there who share a passion for teaching and education alike. So I'd like to link to the 66th Carnival of Education over at HUNBlog.

If you don't know what a carnival is in an internet sense, basically it is a collection of links all relating to one topic (education in this case). The host and links change weekly or monthly.

Specifically the HUNBlog from Professor Brad Hoge is an interesting read for me, as he speaks from the perspective of a science professor, and I am a student of the sciences.

I'd like to thank Professor Hoge for linking to this site, specifically to the How to Keep Mentally Active in the Summer post -- which is always good to check out... Hint hint.

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The Gravy Way Might Move

Right now I am entertaining the thought of moving The Gravy Way, from Blogger to WordPress. There seems to be less functionality here (certain technical features like TrackBacks are missing), but it sure is convenient.

I'm still deciding, but I thought I would just let you guys know. If there is protesting in the streets, I won't move. However, for some reason I don't think that's going to happen.

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If you enjoyed this post, maybe you'll enjoy the others. Please bookmark this page (Ctrl-D) or check out the archive/categories to the right. Better yet, tell a friend!

Little Help?

I was wondering if anyone wanted me to talk about any specific problems or solutions you have regarding learning and such. I'd like to know where to focus my attention in the coming weeks, especially since the exam season is coming to a close.

I was thinking of ways to keep your mind active in the summer, or something like that.

As well, I was hoping that if you like my site you could do any or none of the following:

• Tell people about it.
• Keep coming back (to bookmark press Ctrl-D).
• Tell me ways I can improve the site/content.
• Tell me what you like.
  

I promise I will read all the comments and emails I receive. And for the comments made within the posts, sorry if I didn't reply. I really do appreciate all the good things people have said. Oh, but could we try not using any names that end in "poo" on the internet... Thanks.

So thanks again for the support and just for visiting, there's a new post right below this one. Unless you were here like 5 minutes ago.

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New Post on Sunday

OK, I know it's been a little while since I've posted, and for that I apologize sincerely. I've been studying pretty intensely for my exams (especially for the Anatomy practical exam), so I haven't put as much energy as I would like towards new content.

I have written an article about problems-based learning, which I will type up and post tomorrow. Oh, if you are wondering why I'm not posting it now, it's because I'm excrutiatingly tired. Learning about the penile urethra takes more energy than you would expect.

Once again, sorry for the delay. I will try to write a few more posts to make up for the down-time.

Ooh, I just remembered something: Thanks to those who have been leaving comments, I really appreciate them. (Yes, even that one from Jason.)

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Introduction

There are so many different ways people choose to learn. I have my own style that works very well for me most of the time. There are a lot of little tricks that I use in order to learn. At the same time, I'm very curious to find out how other people learn, and what techniques work for them.

This site is more of an experiment in how people study and acquire knowledge. I'll put down what techniques I've learned over the years, and eventually I'd like to find what works for other people.

In the future, this may expand past learning in an academic sense, because I'm always interested in self-improvement in all facets of my life; however, let's stick to one thing at a time.