Are you working on a piece of writing and feel like everyone else has already written about the same thing? Are you looking for a way to make the topic fresh?

Stop for 5 minutes and tune into Jen and Michael’s top tips on how to find a new approach to writing about a popular topic.

You can find more great advice on writing here:

• https://www.theopennotebook.com/2018/11/27/finding-the-science-in-any-story/

• https://www.fromthelabbench.com/from-the-lab-bench-science-blog/blogging-tips-for-science-bloggers-from-science-bloggers

• https://royalsociety.org/blog/2017/08/writing-popular-science-as-a-scientist/

Have you got a group project coming up? Maybe you’ve had some bad experiences of working in a team before and you’re wondering how to make it better this time? Drop everything for 5 minutes and tune in.

In this week’s episode, Jen and Michael share their top tips on how to work harmoniously and productively in a group.

You can find more great advice here:

• https://students.unimelb.edu.au/academic-skills/resources/communicating-in-class/communicating-with-peers/working-in-groups

• https://learningcenters.rutgers.edu/resources/guide-working-groups

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/key-working-effectively-team-akhil-aggarwal/

• https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/catalogs/tip-sheets/teamwork-skills-being-effective-group-member

Have you lost your motivation? Do you need to get lots of things done, but you’re finding it hard to get started? Wondering how to get your mojo back?

Stop for five minutes and tune into this week’s episode of ‘Listen To This If….’ for Jen and Michael’s advice on how to rediscover your motivation.

You can find more great advice here:

• https://jamesclear.com/motivation

• https://www.ifocusandwrite.com/post/how-to-get-your-motivation-back-as-a-scientist

• https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/level-up-your-motivation

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/click-here-for-happiness/202212/5-science-based-tips-to-boost-self-motivation

Are you graduating soon, or have you recently graduated? Are you looking for ways to get ahead in your career?

Take a five-minute break to listen to Jen and Michael’s top tips on how to kickstart your career.

You can find more great advice here:

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/networking-tips-early-career-scientists-lessons-from-science-tpfke/

• https://conductscience.com/10-networking-tips-to-kickstart-your-graduate-career/

• https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/12-networking-tips-for-students-who-want-to-get-the-best-jobs/

• https://cheekyscientist.com/networking-tips/

Transcript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/jq8p

Is your writing too formal? Too boring? Or too hard to read? Have you been given the feedback that you need to make your writing more conversational?

Take five minutes to tune into Jen and Michael’s top tips on how to make your writing easier to read.

You can find more great advice here:

• https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-conversationally

• https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/developing-people-and-skills/mrc/the-secrets-of-science-writing/

• https://entomologytoday.org/2014/11/25/5-ways-to-improve-your-science-writing/

Transcript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/7t8p

It's that time of year when many of us are feeling overwhelmed by our to-do lists. If you have a big task on your list that you’re struggling to make headway with, it’s time for your 5-minute Friday pep talk.

Join Jen and Michael for their top tips on how to manage a sense of overwhelm and get stuff done!

You can find more great advice here:

• https://www.calm.com/blog/what-to-do-when-you-feel-overwhelmed

• https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/12/well/mind/task-paralysis.html

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-manage-any-overwhelming-large-project-ellen-delap-cpo-3xuwc/

• https://hbr.org/2019/10/how-to-deal-with-constantly-feeling-overwhelmed

Transcript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/qj8p

Got a talk coming up? Worried your powerpoint slides are boring? Think your audience might get distracted or even doze off while you’re talking?

Stop for 5 minutes and tune into Jen and Michael’s top tips on how to improve your Powerpoint slides.

You can find more great advice here:

• https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/how-to-avoid-death-by-powerpoint

• https://www.student.unsw.edu.au/design-tips

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwpi1Lm6dFo

• https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/this-working-life/how-to-avoid-death-by-powerpoint/104210448

Transcript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/3jsp

Keen to start a new habit? Maybe you want to exercise regularly, read more papers or get more writing done? Well, if you’ve got 5 minutes, Jen and Michael are back with a new season of Listen To This If….

This week they’re giving you a quick Friday pep talk with their top tips on how to get started with a new habit. Listen now!

You can find more great advice here:

• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-long-does-it-really-take-to-form-a-habit/

• https://jamesclear.com/three-steps-habit-change

• https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/easy-science-backed-hack-habits

• https://theconversation.com/heres-what-happens-in-your-brain-when-youre-trying-to-make-or-break-a-habit-201189

Transcript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/6jsp