Comments on: The Zen Valedictorian: A Radical New Model for Getting the Most Out of College http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/ Demystifying Student Success Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:48:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: The College System http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-7151 The College System Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:30:09 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-7151 [...] there any compromise? Compromising geneally isn't a good idea. Study Hacks ? Blog Archive ? The Zen Valedictorian: A Radical New Model for Getting the Most Out of ... The best path isn't to overload your schedule but to do something remarkable. __________________ I [...] […] there any compromise? Compromising geneally isn’t a good idea. Study Hacks ? Blog Archive ? The Zen Valedictorian: A Radical New Model for Getting the Most Out of … The best path isn’t to overload your schedule but to do something remarkable. __________________ I […]

]]> By: Scott H Young » Friday Links 08-04-25 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5544 Scott H Young » Friday Links 08-04-25 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:00:38 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5544 [...] The Zen Valedictorian - Cal Newport’s advice for being relaxed without curbing your ambition. Although the advice is aimed towards university students, the productivity tips can apply to almost everyone. The motto? “Do Less. Live More. Get Ahead.” [...] […] The Zen Valedictorian - Cal Newport’s advice for being relaxed without curbing your ambition. Although the advice is aimed towards university students, the productivity tips can apply to almost everyone. The motto? “Do Less. Live More. Get Ahead.” […]

]]> By: Study Hacks » Blog Archive » How to Become a Zen Valedictorian: Decreasing Your Stress Without Decreasing Your Ambition http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5467 Study Hacks » Blog Archive » How to Become a Zen Valedictorian: Decreasing Your Stress Without Decreasing Your Ambition Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:25:20 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5467 [...] week, I introduced the Zen Valedictorian Philosophy. This concept captures the general approach to student life that I’ve been promoting on this [...] […] week, I introduced the Zen Valedictorian Philosophy. This concept captures the general approach to student life that I’ve been promoting on this […]

]]> By: Eating Cheap, Fast and Good! Pt. 1 | Mindful Ink http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5463 Eating Cheap, Fast and Good! Pt. 1 | Mindful Ink Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:24:11 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5463 [...] is such a thing as overextending yourself.  Cal Newport puts it well when he discusses “The Grind.”) Still, one must eat and there are some things you can do to help yourself, without making [...] […] is such a thing as overextending yourself.  Cal Newport puts it well when he discusses “The Grind.”) Still, one must eat and there are some things you can do to help yourself, without making […]

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5455 Study Hacks Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:14:37 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5455 @Chris: That story really emphasizes how set we get in our story lines about being a student. It's funny what sort of things start to sound absurd when you take the time to step back and ask: "why is this true?" @Chris:

That story really emphasizes how set we get in our story lines about being a student. It’s funny what sort of things start to sound absurd when you take the time to step back and ask: “why is this true?”

]]> By: Chris Yeh http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5452 Chris Yeh Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:32:47 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5452 As a valedictorian, I definitely agree with your assessment. The key to being a zen valedictorian is focusing on doing what you enjoy, rather than pursuing the grim and joyless path of the grind. Funny story--when I was named valedictorian of my high school, they passed over several of the most notorious grinds. People were so upset that they demanded a recount. Then when I still came out on top, they started circulating a petition to abolish the valedictorian award. What a typical grind approach! As a valedictorian, I definitely agree with your assessment. The key to being a zen valedictorian is focusing on doing what you enjoy, rather than pursuing the grim and joyless path of the grind.

Funny story–when I was named valedictorian of my high school, they passed over several of the most notorious grinds. People were so upset that they demanded a recount. Then when I still came out on top, they started circulating a petition to abolish the valedictorian award. What a typical grind approach!

]]> By: Justin http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5450 Justin Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:52:06 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5450 yep the grind students sounds more like me. LOL. Great post ! yep the grind students sounds more like me. LOL. Great post !

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5437 Study Hacks Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:34:10 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5437 @David: True. Whether we like it or not, almost anything you do in college will be adjusted relative to the perceived "goodness" of your school. @Jason: Stay tuned. Over the next few weeks I'm going to build up the Zen Valedictorian framework which will help you keep your transformation on track. Interestingly, productivity will play just a small part... @malcolm: More than the linear nature of learning, I think the lack of understanding of impressiveness leads to trouble. Students are cut loose in the college environment and told: "go start your life." They have no idea what this means. Grinding is simple. It's easy to understand. It's highly visible. So that's becomes the default. @Albert: Stay tuned... @Sajeda: We don't yet have any deals with publishers from the Indian sub-continent. Right now it's in China, Taiwan, and South Korea. @Jen: I should put you in touch with my editor. :) Actually, right now, I'm still filling out the concept. Sort of like my opus. I'm hoping my interactions with you guys will help me figure out if what I have here is important. @Maggie: Great. A post I want to write down the line -- after I've filled in the ZV concept more -- is how the same principles apply to the high school student looking to get into college as well as the graduate student. @David:

True. Whether we like it or not, almost anything you do in college will be adjusted relative to the perceived “goodness” of your school.

@Jason:

Stay tuned. Over the next few weeks I’m going to build up the Zen Valedictorian framework which will help you keep your transformation on track. Interestingly, productivity will play just a small part…

@malcolm:

More than the linear nature of learning, I think the lack of understanding of impressiveness leads to trouble. Students are cut loose in the college environment and told: “go start your life.” They have no idea what this means. Grinding is simple. It’s easy to understand. It’s highly visible. So that’s becomes the default.

@Albert:

Stay tuned…

@Sajeda:

We don’t yet have any deals with publishers from the Indian sub-continent. Right now it’s in China, Taiwan, and South Korea.

@Jen:

I should put you in touch with my editor. :) Actually, right now, I’m still filling out the concept. Sort of like my opus. I’m hoping my interactions with you guys will help me figure out if what I have here is important.

@Maggie:

Great. A post I want to write down the line — after I’ve filled in the ZV concept more — is how the same principles apply to the high school student looking to get into college as well as the graduate student.

]]> By: Maggie http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5432 Maggie Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:56:01 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5432 Great post! Although I am not yet an undergraduate student, but I already find your advices helpful and will use them in college. Thanks! Great post! Although I am not yet an undergraduate student, but I already find your advices helpful and will use them in college. Thanks!

]]> By: Jen K http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5427 Jen K Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:59:51 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/04/11/the-zen-valedictorian-a-radical-new-model-for-getting-the-most-out-of-college/#comment-5427 I believe that if I saw a book titled "Zen Valedictorian", I would be compelled to buy it, just because. :-) If it happened to be written by you, I'd simply have to buy two. My undergraduate studies have had stellar results already, and all thanks to the approaches detailed in your books. Thank you! I believe that if I saw a book titled “Zen Valedictorian”, I would be compelled to buy it, just because. :-) If it happened to be written by you, I’d simply have to buy two.

My undergraduate studies have had stellar results already, and all thanks to the approaches detailed in your books. Thank you!

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