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How to Become a Straight-A Student
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Looking to jumpstart your GPA? Most college students believe that straight A's can be achieved only through cramming and painful all-nighters at the library. But Cal Newport knows that real straight-A students don't study harder--they study smarter. A breakthrough approach to acing academic assignments, from quizzes and exams to essays and papers, "How to Become a Straight
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Paperback, 217 pages
Published
December 26th 2006
by Three Rivers Press
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Start your review of How to Become a Straight-A Student
Dec 16, 2013
Controlli
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
every Uni student
What you won't find in it:
1. praise of mind mapping
2. doing ALL the readings + assignments
What surprised me:
1. time management technique
2. note taking in the Q/E/C method
3. Quiz-and-Recall + flash-cards
4. how to write a paper without wasting precious time
I would've liked more insight on:
1. how to take notes from readings
2. reading techniques
I liked that he understands how TIME escapes the average student. ...more
I bought this book for my son as a high school graduation gift, expecting it to be abandoned, unread, like so many "parents advice" books given to teenagers. But over the summer he poured through it, and told me it was actually "really good."
My son is now a junior at challenging university, and I am certainly proud of his success. He has not only been able to earn impressive grades, but he has had a BALANCED social life; become an officer in a fraternity; and participated in club sports. "This b ...more
My son is now a junior at challenging university, and I am certainly proud of his success. He has not only been able to earn impressive grades, but he has had a BALANCED social life; become an officer in a fraternity; and participated in club sports. "This b ...more
I have a few issues with this book.
First of all, it contains lots of fluff. Cal suggests that the smart student skims where necessary. I did so with the case studies and all the fluff, and got through in an hour - and I am by no means a fast reader. Also, half the book was not relevant to me as I am taking technical courses.
Second, the book's general attitude toward studying is terrible. It basically treats all studying as something that should be finished in the least time possible, so that tim ...more
First of all, it contains lots of fluff. Cal suggests that the smart student skims where necessary. I did so with the case studies and all the fluff, and got through in an hour - and I am by no means a fast reader. Also, half the book was not relevant to me as I am taking technical courses.
Second, the book's general attitude toward studying is terrible. It basically treats all studying as something that should be finished in the least time possible, so that tim ...more
I'll admit I skimmed through this one. That being said, the reason I did is because the material presented here is the exact same (almost word-for-word) as his previous book on college. I would read recommend reading Newport's previous book instead since that one feels more like the author is connecting with the reading. I did appreciate the interviews Newport conducted for this book but his last book gave the exact same information.
...more
Is it possible to be in love with a book? In preparation for my return to school, I decided I could earn a lot better grades and study more efficiently. This book had been recommended on a blog I frequent, and I was not disappointed. All the study tips I knew were wrong! This book opened my eyes to the more efficient way of studying and having control of your education and grades. I want to give this book to every high school and college student, as they can be applied in both environments. Grea
...more
SHORT TIPS. The three main points I got from this book were: 1. Don't cram; space out reading; make a schedule. 2. Take careful "smart notes" with the Question, Evidence, Conclusion format and don't leave any stone unturned when it comes to notes. 3. Study in quiet places in 40 minutes intervals with 5-10 minute breaks in the MORNING, not at night.
...more
If we look at my grades from this semester (all two of them), I'm a straight A student so that makes me qualified to criticize this book, right?
How to Become a Straight A Student attempts to provide study advice that has been recommended by other students. Since my last semester was not great, I had hoped reading this book would help me figure out more and better ways to study as well as open my mind to new techniques.
As a whole, this book seemed to think a little too highly of itself. I mean, ...more
How to Become a Straight A Student attempts to provide study advice that has been recommended by other students. Since my last semester was not great, I had hoped reading this book would help me figure out more and better ways to study as well as open my mind to new techniques.
As a whole, this book seemed to think a little too highly of itself. I mean, ...more
Actually helped my GPA wtf
Update: The tips that were given actually helped me get straight As :O
Update: The tips that were given actually helped me get straight As :O
All I can say is read the book. It will equip you to become the student you never thought you could be. I don't want to say another word, I just want you to read the book.
...more
Author makes some valid points on time management, test-taking,and essay writing. He uses analogies and examples offered by other straight-A students.
The aspect I felt this book lack in, was just some specifics directed towards technical vs. non-technical courses. Don't get me wrong, this book is not a general overview of regular habits straight-A students have adapted; it does have a specifics in that matter. But when it comes to, perhaps how to study for calculus vs. french, it's a little bog ...more
The aspect I felt this book lack in, was just some specifics directed towards technical vs. non-technical courses. Don't get me wrong, this book is not a general overview of regular habits straight-A students have adapted; it does have a specifics in that matter. But when it comes to, perhaps how to study for calculus vs. french, it's a little bog ...more
nice re-read before a new semester :)))
It may be a bit strange to think why I would pick a book like this and read it after so many years of academia. The following were some of the reasons I could come up with,
Although I was not a straight-A student at college (a decade earlier), I did score a lot of As (more than 80%). Getting to them was not an easy task, I had to follow a series of shortcuts and techniques. I wanted to check whether some of the techniques appeared in the book or not. The answer was both Yes and No.
...more
Although I was not a straight-A student at college (a decade earlier), I did score a lot of As (more than 80%). Getting to them was not an easy task, I had to follow a series of shortcuts and techniques. I wanted to check whether some of the techniques appeared in the book or not. The answer was both Yes and No.
...more
This is a good book for anyone, not just college students. At least the first part is, where he gives the advice on managing your day and "declaring war to procrastination".
I liked the book because it is straight forward, just like the tips Cal gives. Every sentence has it's place, and every one is very clear. I wouldn't expect nothing else from the author of a book on becoming an effective student! He gives concrete examples of how the advice given is applied, so the reader can fully grasp it a ...more
I liked the book because it is straight forward, just like the tips Cal gives. Every sentence has it's place, and every one is very clear. I wouldn't expect nothing else from the author of a book on becoming an effective student! He gives concrete examples of how the advice given is applied, so the reader can fully grasp it a ...more
Not sure this book is considered as the last book or the first book of the year or the taking-me-2-year-to-read book :( anw it’s really worth every penny and minute to read @.@ I’m surprised myself for these compliments to a self help book that really helps honestly...
Your bookshelf speaks for you. So yes, I wanted to figure out how an excellent student looks like and right way realized how absolutely stupid I was in the university after my graduation 2 years ago... Of course some advice, especi ...more
Your bookshelf speaks for you. So yes, I wanted to figure out how an excellent student looks like and right way realized how absolutely stupid I was in the university after my graduation 2 years ago... Of course some advice, especi ...more
buncha well-known shit and bollocks
this is, more or less, a waste of time; just reade Deep Work tbh
this is, more or less, a waste of time; just reade Deep Work tbh
I loved this book! I am an adult student on the 15-year route to completing my bachelors degree and feel that as I am plodding along, I am somehow just surviving and not thriving in the attainment of my education. I came upon this book by accident while searching for books about time management and downloaded it on a whim. This was by far the best idea ever.
Newport spent time researching the success strategies of straight-A students from major competitive colleges across the country and compiled ...more
Newport spent time researching the success strategies of straight-A students from major competitive colleges across the country and compiled ...more
This book could also be called, "How to Become an Efficient Student and Also Have Time to Do Other Things," but I guess that's too long of a title. It seems that becoming an efficient student lends itself to becoming a Straight-A student, anyway.
"How to Become a Straight-A Student" is thorough for students seeking to transform their studying habits if they've been cramming their whole lives. But there is a lot in this book that could help anyone become a more productive person.
I'm on my winter ...more
"How to Become a Straight-A Student" is thorough for students seeking to transform their studying habits if they've been cramming their whole lives. But there is a lot in this book that could help anyone become a more productive person.
I'm on my winter ...more
Really enjoyed reading about Straight-A students tips and tricks to become a better student.
Found this book quite helpful, and extremely well made. I appreciated the Cheat Sheet sections after each parts, it was a great way of sticking it into our memory and I would definitely come back to these during my school time, very useful.
I would recommend reading this book alongside How To Win At College from the same author, these two books are really well made and easy to follow.
Found this book quite helpful, and extremely well made. I appreciated the Cheat Sheet sections after each parts, it was a great way of sticking it into our memory and I would definitely come back to these during my school time, very useful.
I would recommend reading this book alongside How To Win At College from the same author, these two books are really well made and easy to follow.
When I saw How to Become a Straight A Student by Cal Newport on the library shelf I instantly decided I needed to check it out. I was interested to see the plan featured for scoring high while studying less. How to Become a Straight A Student is split into three parts. The first parts focuses on studying basics. I really found that planning your day by calendar might be really useful. I think if you plan your day out in advance as the book suggested you should remember all the tasks you need to
...more
It's a really good book. I wish, I should have read it during my college time, it would have been totally different. Here are the key Ideas that I took:
1. Having time table and proper time management is really important.
2. Limit Procrastination, if you don't compromise with your goal, you will have to put lots of effort later.
3. Long study hours are not good at all. Split it up.
4. Find your optimal study technique When? Where? and How to?
5. Quiz method is the most effective method of study.
6 ...more
1. Having time table and proper time management is really important.
2. Limit Procrastination, if you don't compromise with your goal, you will have to put lots of effort later.
3. Long study hours are not good at all. Split it up.
4. Find your optimal study technique When? Where? and How to?
5. Quiz method is the most effective method of study.
6 ...more
Contains some pretty helpful tips. The author really did his research by asking many straight A college students about their techniques. Makes me a lot more motivated to study properly and I'll gladly put these techniques to use.
...more
Good, straightforward advice and tactics. The only issue is the portrayal of university life! I think some of these tactics will be very hard to put in medical and engineering background universities. Other than that, this book can be used as a preliminary study guide....
Nov 21, 2020
Hirdesh
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
20nov_20dec
I was A class too,,
it has many things i did,,,,
it has many things i did,,,,
I am a Big fan of Cal Newport . So Good They Can't Ignore You , Digital minimalism is one of his finest works. As I was starting my journey on being a student again ,it was harder just to think about all the process of studying again. I was intrigued by this book in hopes that it can give me some insight .
First 2 section of the books .
1) Study Basic
2) quizzes and exams
These 2 had few of the concepts I liked. No rocket science here. Its something we all know but tend to often forget it :) an ...more
First 2 section of the books .
1) Study Basic
2) quizzes and exams
These 2 had few of the concepts I liked. No rocket science here. Its something we all know but tend to often forget it :) an ...more
This is the single most useful, specific, and accurate book I have ever read to improve performance in college. The concepts in here are strictly for university/college students, and not well-adapted for the less-rigorous high school curriculum. The most useful chapter in the book may very well be it's approach to time management, and I highly recommend it's method. The rest of the book provides procedures for more specific work encountered through college, like essays and note-taking. The metho
...more
How to Become a Straight-A Student is a great book on the practical application of learning study skills. Every strategy listed in the book has worked for me. The examples provided have been a great guide when trying to put theory into practice. I love how every concept is easy to understand. The best part has to be not jumping through any flaming hoops in order to apply these strategies. The downside is that the book isn't very comprehensive. It tells you to not read the material unless you are
...more
One Word: AMAZING.
This will be a short review because I don't have that much to say.
Pros: This book show some realistic teqniques that are easy to follow and show results. We know yep you need to study, you need to do papers, exams and get good grades...Many books say what you need to do, but this one shows you how. It is really practical and real-life-college-adapted and it is working great for me.
cons: It focuses more on non-technical careers, so some parts are difficult to apply for technica ...more
This will be a short review because I don't have that much to say.
Pros: This book show some realistic teqniques that are easy to follow and show results. We know yep you need to study, you need to do papers, exams and get good grades...Many books say what you need to do, but this one shows you how. It is really practical and real-life-college-adapted and it is working great for me.
cons: It focuses more on non-technical careers, so some parts are difficult to apply for technica ...more
HOW TO BECOME A STRAIGHT-A STUDENT – Cal Newport
I first want to mention that I absolutely adore Cal Newport’s writing style. He has the capability to convey his advices in approximately 290 pages. I appreciate the density of the book. One could assume that the book is rather dull owing to the topic but Cal Newport somehow achieved that I never felt bored throughout the entire book.
This book showed me more efficient ways of studying and I happily try them out for myself!
I first want to mention that I absolutely adore Cal Newport’s writing style. He has the capability to convey his advices in approximately 290 pages. I appreciate the density of the book. One could assume that the book is rather dull owing to the topic but Cal Newport somehow achieved that I never felt bored throughout the entire book.
This book showed me more efficient ways of studying and I happily try them out for myself!
I was pretty much interested to read tis book since I was about to start my graduate student life.The book didn't disappoint me. As the name of the book it suggests siempre good techniques and reasons to follow it.
...more
Better late than never.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What other tips would you give that isn't already in the book? | 1 | 43 | Aug 06, 2014 02:14AM |
Readers also enjoyed
Cal Newport is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University, and the author most recently of Deep Work, a book which argues that focus is the new I.Q. in the modern workplace, and So Good They Can’t Ignore You, a book which debunks the long-held belief that “follow your passion” is good advice. He has also written three popular books of unconventional advice for students. Hi
...more
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“(1) Jot down new tasks and assignments on your list during the day; (2) next morning, transfer these new items from your list onto your calendar; and (3) then take a couple of minutes to plan your day.”
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“All the people I ever admired and respected led balanced lives—studying hard, partying hard, as well as being involved in activities and getting a decent amount of sleep each night. I really think this is the only logically defensible way of doing things.” Chris, a straight-A college student”
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