"Since the science of Economics is primarily a set of tools, as opposed to a subject matter, then no subject, however offbeat, need by beyond its reach." -Steven Levitt

Help for Economics Students

Students of Economics can have a tough go of things. There is lots to learn and and it becomes increasingly complex as your studies advance. Here are a few things that might help along the way:

• Study maths! And when you are finished...study more maths. I wish I had.

• This website is an excellent source for lecture notes from some top professors on all sorts of topics in Economics.

• Erez Yerushalmi has written some very good guidelines for writing Economics essays at Warwick.

• Thinking about a graduate degree in Economics? Read this first.

• Here are some of the best Economics books out there. I divide them into two categories: Textbooks and popular books.

Blogs, Articles, Op-eds and the like that will help everyone understand Economics a little better

The following links are to people and places I find very useful. I have tried to maintain the focus on jargon-free Economics so most of these are designed to provide a better understanding of the magical world of Economics to anyone and everyone.

• All hail Paul Krugman! Nobel Prize, Grizzly Adams beard and some superb explanations of Economics in the world around us. Some invaluable insight into the current situation.

• Read Brad de Long and you will speak more intelligently. He provides some even-handed analysis, clear and dispassionate.

• Steven Levitt, author of the annoyingly titled "Freakanomics", is far more than a pop culture phenom. He and his co-author Steven Dubner, have an excellent blog covering all things freakonomicy. They really help show how Economics can be used to answer all sorts of questions.

• Planet Money is a place to get clear, jargon-free discussions of Economics and finance. These guys are really good. They have a podcast as well.

• Another great podcast is Econtalk. Yes, I know the name is about as nerdy as you can get but it is excellent. Russ Roberts, an economist at George Mason University, interviews other economists, including some really top people. Roberts is superb, making an effort to keep the conversation simple and clear. He always seems to be making an effort to understand things from a very fundamental level.