After the presents are opened, the wrapping paper is recycled, and the Christmas tree is on the curb, grab a glass of eggnog and take advantage of the downtime to reflect on 2010. What’s happened in your life this year? Has it been a year for the history books, or one better forgotten?

Year-end is the perfect time to take stock of where you’ve been and what you’ve done, good and bad. You might have felt your share of sorrow this year – the death of a parent, a friend relocated, a family crisis. But hopefully you’ve experienced plenty of personal joys, too – the birth of a child, a friendship renewed, a spiritual awakening.

What about your professional life? It’s easy to remember things that went wrong – getting passed over for a promotion, struggling to get along with new management, taking unpaid sick days. But have you taken time to remember everything you’ve accomplished?

Maybe you took some continuing or professional education courses this year, or participated in a professional conference. Perhaps you even took some time to polish your foreign language skills. Make a list, and don’t leave anything out. From exceeding your sales goals to winning a new account, every accomplishment is worth documenting. Managing a successful project may have seemed like a minor accomplishment in 2010, but it can really give your resume a boost for 2011.

If you find yourself coming up short on accomplishments, make a plan to fill in the gaps in the New Year. If you’re lacking knowledge, enroll in a profession-specific course to expand your expertise. If you’ve been told your people skills aren’t cutting it, try a course in interpersonal communication. If you can’t seem to keep up with the latest developments in technology, enroll in a computer/software class to update your technical skills. Education is one of the best ways to fill in classic resume gaps.

Of course, professional development happens outside the classroom, too. Participating in professional conferences is a great way to expand your network and stay up to date on the latest advances in your field – all of which look great on your resume revamp, incidentally. Plus, you never know who you’ll meet at these kinds of events. You just might find a mentor or even a contact for a job at another company.

If your company supports professional development, count yourself lucky and make the most of every opportunity to add to your resume. If, on the other hand, you feel your company has not provided enough avenues for you to grow this year, you’ll just have to take matters into your own hands. Take the initiative to ask your boss for ideas on what you can do to add even more value to the company in 2011. By being proactive about your career growth, you’ll demonstrate commitment to the company and to your own professional development. You’ll increase your marketability in the industry as well.

Who knows? A revamped resume in 2010 could lead to a promotion or even a new career in 2011.

No matter what the New Year brings, may yours be filled with reasons to celebrate!

–Robyn Tellefsen

Wow, another year almost in the books, and so much has happened! Here are some of the top stories of 2010, and what we learned from them to take into the New Year…

The Chilean Miners

If ever there was a story about the power and determination of the human spirit, it was this. I personally kept a browser tab or two up during the entire rescue, and cried along with the rest of the world as everyone erupted into cheers.

Lesson: The day may come when you are tested. Like when you have a work deadline, and your kid’s holiday show, and a case study due for your business management class. Know that you have a team of people on hand to help you dig out of academic trouble if you need it.

The BP Oil Spill

Almost as terrible as the oil spill destruction itself was the worldwide outrage at how BP handled it. It was a PR nightmare for them, not to mention a huge financial disaster.

Lesson: Be accountable. Better yet, be prepared! Things sometimes do go wrong, so you’ll need to have a plan of action for when they do. That goes for your career (when’s the last time you updated your resume?), your education (study every day, even when there’s no exam!), and life in general.

Unemployment Crisis

Almost 10% of the country is currently unemployed. Talk about a national crisis, not to mention one of the toughest job markets that we’ve ever seen! What more is there to say?

Lesson: There aren’t many jobs that are recession-proof, but some industries have a better survival rate than others (like health care). See which other careers have staying power, and consider a new career direction in 2011.

Haiti Earthquake

Some of the most heartbreaking images of the year have come out of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. And once it again, we’ve learned that people can pull together for the greater good to help others when it really counts.

Lesson: You can put your skills to good use. No matter what field you’re in or are pursuing, there is always a way you can give back, even if it’s not a traditional service role.

Wikileaks

No matter which side of the Wikileaks controversy you’re on, one thing’s for certain: Privacy is becoming more and more of a rare thing.

Lesson: Once it’s out there, it’s out there. Watch what you post online — employers and potential schools will be checking to see what you’ve been up to.

Social media is Staying Put

Case in point: Mark Zuckerberg is Time’s Person of the Year. If you weren’t on Facebook in 2009, chances are you took the plunge this year. Next up? Trying out that Twitter thing. Why? For one thing, you could be missing out.

Lesson: More than ever, people are finding out about job opportunities using social media. At the very least, you should have an up-to-date LinkedIn profile. Make 2011 the year you start branding yourself.

Well there you have it… a look back, and a look ahead. What are some of the lessons you learned this year?

-Dawn Papandrea

If you’re a busy adult student, you probably don’t need another self-help or career-planning manual this holiday season. (Who has time to read more books, anyway?) You want tools for the classroom and the workplace, stuff you don’t have to buy yourself. Forward this wish list to a few friends, and you might just get a gift you’ll actually use and enjoy this year.

When You Need to Tote Your Stuff
You thought your backpack days were over, but you’ve got to get your stuff from point A to point B somehow. Laptop cases are cool, but where are all your books going to fit? Instead of buying a bunch of different bags, try an all-in-one deal – a laptop backpack. We like this 17” Professional Laptop Backpack, which features a sleek, grown-up design. It’s definitely not your kid’s backpack. $79.99 at Case Logic. Prerequisite: Laptop

When You Need a Way-Cool Techie Tool
Why hold your iPad in your hands when it can stand all on its own? With an iPad FlexStand, you can work at the perfect angle, portrait or landscape, and keep your iPad protected at the same time. Say oooh and aaah, and get it for $19.99 at ThinkGeek. Prerequisite: iPad

When You Need to Not Ruin Your Eyesight
Your eyes aren’t what they used to be… and if they are, you want to keep them that way. Enter every adult student’s must-have tool: a book light. There are tons to choose from, including mini lights, travel lights, book light magnifiers, etc. But we think the LED Clip-On Reading Light is super-fun. This baby clips right on to your glasses so you can take the light with you wherever you go. $14.99 at Panther Vision. Prerequisite: Books

When You Need to Transfer Files
No student’s tool kit is complete without a good flash drive. You’ll need this storage device so you can take your work with you and keep it secure. A flash drive is especially necessary for students who regularly uses multiple computers. The SanDisk Cruzer is known as the best USB drive in the biz, featuring its own protective casing and crush resistance up to 2,000 lbs. $33.99 for 4GB storage at SanDisk. Prerequisite: Computer

When You Need to Make a Good Impression
No matter how lovely your business cards, you’ll lose major points if you dole them straight out of the box they came in. What you need is a nifty case that showcases your unique personality and “brand.” If, for example, you work with computers in any way, shape, or form, consider this Business Card Case, which features a groovy recycled circuit board cover. $28.95 at Motherboard Gifts. Prerequisite: Business cards

When You Need a Pick-Me-Up
Yes, there will be days when your presentation at work or school didn’t go over like you’d hoped, or when you wonder why you decided to change careers in the first place. Sounds like somebody needs a Pep Talk! These Nifty Notes are sure to brighten your day, or at least give you a chuckle. Whether you need to hear something like “They’re all haters” or “Hug it out,” a 4 x 5.25 piece of paper is a cheap cure for what ails you. $4.50 at Knock Knock. Prerequisite: A tough day

When You Need More Than 24 Hours in a Day
Adult students don’t have it as easy as teenagers do – nobody’s making your bed, cooking your dinner, or doing your laundry. But there are people out there who will do your housekeeping for you (if you pay them, of course). Take Merry Maids – in addition to dusting, vacuuming, washing, and sanitizing, some offices of this international company will even help you pack and unpack your stuff when you’re moving. How’s that for a great gift? Prices vary according to individual needs. Prerequisite: A house, apartment, co-op, condo, trailer, or any other crash pad

–Robyn Tellefsen