Comments on: The Radical Simplicity Manifesto: Doing Less and Living More at College

By: Bookmark Sunday #7: Time and Exploration | The Hub of Gen Y Unconvention

Bookmark Sunday #7: Time and Exploration | The Hub of Gen Y Unconvention — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:21:42 +0000

[...] your curiosity. Underscheduling disciplines help you keep that curiosity which may otherwise be surrendered in favor of punishing [...]

By: Claire

Claire — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 07:42:38 +0000

I’ve been trying to use suggestions from Study Hacks for years, and this year (my junior year) I definitely kept things in consideration when choosing my classes and making my schedules. However, I hit the same wall as I always do: working. Now, the deal is that to get all the money federal work study offers, I need to work at least 12-15 hours a week without missing any days during the duration of the school year. I know for sure that I’m not the only one in this boat, and I’ve already dropped choir– my only extra-curricular since coming to college, and a huge form of stress relief– because no matter how efficient I try to be, working make my schedule too unmanageable otherwise. I was wondering if you ever addressed this and I just missed it, or if not, there’s any good way to approach working. Even if you manage to get jobs that can give you special skill sets, work is still work and it takes up more time than a regular extracurricular.

By: ryan

ryan — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:31:44 +0000

I’m brand new to you/your blog, and my first impression was “I’m not quite sure about this whole simplicity thing, I think I should try to do a bunch of stuff”.

I gotta tell you, this post WAYYYY changed my mind about that, and what’s better, you are now one of my favorite people for that line about having pretentious conversations over pirated Coltrane MP3s! that’s so funny

Anyways, I look forward to reading around the rest of your site and picking up a book or two of yours

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:24:07 +0000

I just bought your book How to Win at College, and in it you promote the double-major (albeit a distributively convenient double-major) and taking hard courses to maximize your potential learning in college. Yet, on this site, you seem to advocate a single major and easier classes. What changed your mind?

By: R.S

R.S — Sun, 16 May 2010 17:12:06 +0000

I think you meant “quality” trumps “quantity”.
Nice post btw!

By: The whirl of life and doing what you want « TheUniversityBlog

The whirl of life and doing what you want « TheUniversityBlog — Thu, 13 May 2010 08:16:39 +0000

[...] the past with my Make Time for Time series. I also recommend Cal Newport’s articles on the Radical Simplicity Manifesto and becoming a Zen Valedictorian. Time isn’t always on your side, but you have more power [...]

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:20:44 +0000

“Quality trumps quality.”

Did you mean quality trumps quantity? And yes, I back that 100%.

By: Wellington Grey

Wellington Grey — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:39:18 +0000

I can’t agree with the one-major rule. Yes, if you’re just doing two (or three!) majors to look impressive that’s a bad idea. BUT, I think moving between two different worlds can be a major eye-opener. I ended up doing the rather unusual dual-major combination of physics and sociology in college and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

By: Pete

Pete — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:43:58 +0000

I believe (2)…quality trumps quality should read quality trumps quantity
what has helped me mechanically is to take my time-consuming but not too intellectually deep classes — talking frsh/soph labs here — in the evening after supper when possible. This keeps day-time for study & concentration.

By: Study Hacks

Study Hacks — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:15:33 +0000

Before I entered university I read this post, and I have to say it’s really helpful. I’m significantly less stressed, while my peers are all burning out. And it’s only been four months into uni.

Glad to hear it. I would love to hear some specifics of your story if you get the chance…