I'm a huge fan of Cal Newport, but unfortunately I have found it not very useful for oral exams. Nice advice, anyway. ( )

Wow! This book was exactly what I needed, and it fell into my hands at the perfect time. I'm returning to University to get my third degree, because I find myself changing careers (again) at the ripe ol' age of 37. But it's been 15 years since I've been in University. I don't remember how to write a research paper, and it's been so long since I've taken an exam that I'm not even sure if they still use scantron and pencil for multiple-choice questions.

So to say I was nervous about embarking on this adventure would be a serious understatement. Luckily, I read Newport's book the week I started school - and I walked away with a newfound confidence and the kind of positive outlook I know I couldn't have mustered on my own.

Newport's strategies are easy to follow, but more importantly, they make a TON of sense! There's so much common sense here, and it's invaluable. For someone like me, who has a 3-year old, a husband, a household, a part time job, and other responsibilities - in addition to a full-time course load, spending the least amount of time to get the best possible grades is the main priority. I've already started applying these strategies in my note-taking, and I can see how it's going to be so much easier to study for tests and exams given the organized note-taking and triaged reading assignment approach.

I'm excited to read more by Cal Newport. I've got DEEP WORK to dive into next! ( )

How to be a straight a student
Lessons and Key Takeaways
Choose three days for writing- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Ha ve a scheduled timeframe- three hours and forty three minutes
Write in blocks of nine chapters
Establish a reading routine- Read whilst listening to music
Create your own syllabus for each writing project on your own terms and work through thegood days and hard days.

Biggest Takeaway

Know how to streamline studying by doing a little bit each day and using a detailed calendar. It will make you look like a rockstar!

Quote in Summary

“Study your materials well by breaking it down into question format and starting on the first problem in order to find the solution.” ( )

This is FULL of very helpful advice. I bought two copies so I would have one to share. ( )

Really interesting methods, fun read! I'm on 'how does the brain learn' kick right now and this, knowingly or not, does an excellent job of matching the brain's natural functions and patterns. ( )