With Christmas around the corner, your friends and family may well be asking for present suggestions. Why not surprise them this year and ask for some study-related books which can really help you as you progress through university.

Here are our 5 suggestions of books we have been impressed with recently:

Academic success: a student’s guide to studying at university 
Jean Brick, Nick Wilson & Denna Wong (£14.99)

This book is an excellent guide to university study, particularly academic writing. It will help you navigate the difference between opinion and position while helping you to develop your own academic voice. You’ll find lots of useful textual examples to help you along the way. The book delivers exactly what the title promised: everything a student needs to be successful in their studies.  

We also have a copy in our library – classmark: LB2395.B75 2019

Mindfulness for Students  Stella Cottrell (£9.99) 

Mindfulness is a hot topic at the moment. There are dozens of books on it and even the NHS has pages on mindfulness to promote well-being. This book takes the concept and applies it to study in unique ways. Cottrell describes mindfulness as ‘being fully present in the moment’ and frames it as a pathway to greater self-acceptance and self-awareness.

Why not give it a go?

Critical Thinking  Tom Chatfield (£16.99) 

This excellent book provides a fresh and colourful introduction to critical thinking – and we do mean fresh! Where else have you seen a book with associated BuzzFeed quizzes!?!  Chatfield’s approach is so entertaining, you’ll probably forget you’re studying. The book offers you opportunity to develop a full understanding of how to spot and evaluate an argument. It will also help you develop your critical writing too and the book includes a number of spaces to write in as you develop your own thinking. Not only is this book a brilliant introduction to critical thinking, it is also beautiful! You’ll find it full of activities, pictures, annotations and highlighting – all making this book incredibly approachable.  

We also have a copy in our library – classmark: BF441.C4 2018

Academic Writing and Dyslexia  Adrian J. Wallbank (£20.54)

Subtitled “a Visual Guide to Writing at University” this is an excellent book for all students who appreciate a visual approach to learning – not just those with dyslexia.

It covers important concepts such as critical writing, essay structure and effective paragraphs but does it with a visual twist that can help you picture things more clearly.

Of course, if you do have dyslexia it goes without saying that this is a must for your Christmas stocking!

Brain Rules  John Medina (£9.56)

This much loved book is a refreshingly understandable and often funny take on how your brain functions in the workplace or study environment. Each chapter covers a topic like exercise, sleep, stress or memory, showing how your brain reacts and giving rules on how to make your brain work better.

With stories of real people, backed up with research from peer-reviewed journals it is as engaging as it is intellectually persuasive.

Whatever books you get for Christmas, be they non-fiction or fiction, reading will always make you a more educated, informed and interesting person!