Comments on: Monday Master Class: The Biggest Source of Stress that Most Students Ignore http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/ Demystifying Sustainable Success Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:47:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: David http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-12689 David Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:13:28 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-12689 Thanks for the great perspective on things! It helps tremendously. I just had one concern. I came into college with many dual enrollment classes completed, around 25 credits, all As and Bs. Thus far in college I have taken 12 credits (3 classes) a semester with a 3.65 average and for 2 of those credits each semester I am a T.A. for a chem class. I was accepted into a clinical research fellowship this summer and will be doing volunteering (both are at the hospital my dad works at as a physician). Throughout the week, I usually play intramural basketball and go to my youth group meetings. Should I be doing more in terms of classes, even though I can keep that same schedule (3 classes and 2 credit T.A. for 12 credits a semester) for these next 4 years (I am ending my freshman year) and can graduate on time and with a great gpa for med school. Take care. Thanks for the great perspective on things! It helps tremendously. I just had one concern. I came into college with many dual enrollment classes completed, around 25 credits, all As and Bs. Thus far in college I have taken 12 credits (3 classes) a semester with a 3.65 average and for 2 of those credits each semester I am a T.A. for a chem class. I was accepted into a clinical research fellowship this summer and will be doing volunteering (both are at the hospital my dad works at as a physician). Throughout the week, I usually play intramural basketball and go to my youth group meetings. Should I be doing more in terms of classes, even though I can keep that same schedule (3 classes and 2 credit T.A. for 12 credits a semester) for these next 4 years (I am ending my freshman year) and can graduate on time and with a great gpa for med school. Take care.

]]> By: Laurenne http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-12431 Laurenne Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:58:27 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-12431 Thank you for helping me come to a great realization- I don't have to triple concentrate after all. I put myself through 8 AP's and an two extra college classes during my last 2 years of high school, which has put me a year ahead in college. With all of my liberal arts credits out of the way, I thought I might completely inundate myself in business classes for the next 3 or 4 years. Through this article, I've realized that these extra credits are a blessing, meaning, I don't have to take a full course load and I probably don't need a triple concentration anyhow. Thank again, what a blessing to have read this now and not years in the future. Thank you for helping me come to a great realization- I don’t have to triple concentrate after all.

I put myself through 8 AP’s and an two extra college classes during my last 2 years of high school, which has put me a year ahead in college. With all of my liberal arts credits out of the way, I thought I might completely inundate myself in business classes for the next 3 or 4 years. Through this article, I’ve realized that these extra credits are a blessing, meaning, I don’t have to take a full course load and I probably don’t need a triple concentration anyhow.

Thank again, what a blessing to have read this now and not years in the future.

]]> By: natasha http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-11761 natasha Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:17:34 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-11761 thanks. that makes sense. thanks. that makes sense.

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-11742 Study Hacks Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:48:28 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-11742 <blockquote>so im taking 15 credits this semester: russian, history like class, social science class and professional writing. I have a couple hours between my afternoon courses and a few hours in the evening after my last class which ends at 7 pm. I work from 830 til 12 am on the other days when I dont have the 2 hour ( 5 to 7 pm) class.</blockquote> You might be okay if you take advantage of the morning as well. With only four classes, in the time between 8 am and 7 pm has to have more than just "a couple of hours" free.

so im taking 15 credits this semester: russian, history like class, social science class and professional writing.
I have a couple hours between my afternoon courses and a few hours in the evening after my last class which ends at 7 pm. I work from 830 til 12 am on the other days when I dont have the 2 hour ( 5 to 7 pm) class.

You might be okay if you take advantage of the morning as well. With only four classes, in the time between 8 am and 7 pm has to have more than just “a couple of hours” free.

]]> By: natasha http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-11738 natasha Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:20:27 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-11738 never mind. my class schedule doesnt work for the 9 am. otherwise, what is ur best advice? never mind. my class schedule doesnt work for the 9 am. otherwise, what is ur best advice?

]]> By: natasha http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-11737 natasha Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:18:22 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-11737 so im taking 15 credits this semester: russian, history like class, social science class and professional writing. I have a couple hours between my afternoon courses and a few hours in the evening after my last class which ends at 7 pm. I work from 830 til 12 am on the other days when I dont have the 2 hour ( 5 to 7 pm) class. Am I doing too much, and should I schedule for the 9 am class instead of the 1020 so I have more free time? so im taking 15 credits this semester: russian, history like class, social science class and professional writing.

I have a couple hours between my afternoon courses and a few hours in the evening after my last class which ends at 7 pm. I work from 830 til 12 am on the other days when I dont have the 2 hour ( 5 to 7 pm) class.

Am I doing too much, and should I schedule for the 9 am class instead of the 1020 so I have more free time?

]]> By: J http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-10459 J Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:53:53 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-10459 Thank you so much for this. I took around 20 credits last semester, and got a B+ in Organic I and a B in a biological science class. Now I'm taking 21 and will likely get a B in Organic II and would actually love a B in Calc II. I'm set to get A's in everything else, but they'll be relatively low compared to what I would have gotten if I had more sense about course planning. I feel like an idiot because if I were smarter about all this I could have straight A's and would actually enjoy my organic chemistry class. I'll be much smarter about that in the future. You've helped lift the guilt I've often associated with a light courseload. Thank you. Thank you so much for this. I took around 20 credits last semester, and got a B+ in Organic I and a B in a biological science class. Now I’m taking 21 and will likely get a B in Organic II and would actually love a B in Calc II. I’m set to get A’s in everything else, but they’ll be relatively low compared to what I would have gotten if I had more sense about course planning.

I feel like an idiot because if I were smarter about all this I could have straight A’s and would actually enjoy my organic chemistry class. I’ll be much smarter about that in the future. You’ve helped lift the guilt I’ve often associated with a light courseload. Thank you.

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-9993 Study Hacks Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:52:28 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-9993 <blockquote><p>I’m currently a Junior, double majoring in Finance and Marketing (not to get a job that mixes them both, but because I really don’t know which I’d rather major in - I’m truly interested in both).</p></blockquote> <p>I have a pretty clear point of view on this topic: Drop a major. Graduate in four years. </p> <p>The two points to keep in mind, is that a) employers don't care as much about your major as you think; and b) doing exceptional in something is better than doing lots of things.</p> <p>Here are two relevant articles:</p> <p>http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/26/diligence-vs-ability-rethinking-what-impresses-employers/</p> <p>http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/10/24/does-your-college-major-matter/</p>

I’m currently a Junior, double majoring in Finance and Marketing (not to get a job that mixes them both, but because I really don’t know which I’d rather major in - I’m truly interested in both).

I have a pretty clear point of view on this topic: Drop a major. Graduate in four years.

The two points to keep in mind, is that a) employers don’t care as much about your major as you think; and b) doing exceptional in something is better than doing lots of things.

Here are two relevant articles:

http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/26/diligence-vs-ability-rethinking-what-impresses-employers/

http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/10/24/does-your-college-major-matter/

]]> By: Rachel http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-9989 Rachel Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:23:52 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-9989 @ Anna Just don't finish in 4 years. Take 5 years. I also agree with Kimberly that my main source of guilt about only taking 12 credits is money. The price for a full-schedule is fixed, so the price of 12 credits is the same as 18. So, the longer I have to stay in college, the more money I waste. Is it better to save money by really cramming it in, ending up with a B average? Or is it better to take an extra semester or two, spending thousands of extra dollars, and end up an A average? Practically speaking, it's better to overload yourself to the point where you can just manage a B-average- that's all most jobs really want to see, anyway. But, I just can't handle the stress of more than 12 credits, so I have resigned to waste some money. @ Anna Just don’t finish in 4 years. Take 5 years.

I also agree with Kimberly that my main source of guilt about only taking 12 credits is money. The price for a full-schedule is fixed, so the price of 12 credits is the same as 18. So, the longer I have to stay in college, the more money I waste. Is it better to save money by really cramming it in, ending up with a B average? Or is it better to take an extra semester or two, spending thousands of extra dollars, and end up an A average?

Practically speaking, it’s better to overload yourself to the point where you can just manage a B-average- that’s all most jobs really want to see, anyway.

But, I just can’t handle the stress of more than 12 credits, so I have resigned to waste some money.

]]> By: Anna http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-9799 Anna Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:25:39 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/08/04/monday-master-class-the-biggest-source-of-stress-that-most-students-ignore/#comment-9799 After reading a lot of your articles, especially the ones about course loads and simplicity, I'd really like to know what your advice would be for me! I'm currently a Junior, double majoring in Finance and Marketing (not to get a job that mixes them both, but because I really don't know which I'd rather major in - I'm truly interested in both). I also figured that having two would widen my job opportunities, since I'd have a wider range of subjects studied. The only problem is the amount of courses I have to complete in order to graduate in 4 years. I'd be taking 18 hours next semester (6 3-credit courses), and 21 hours both semesters senior year! I even considered taking a few courses over this upcoming summer, but I need that time to get my first internship, in order to get a job when I graduate! If you could give me your take on this problem, I'd really appreciate the advice! After reading a lot of your articles, especially the ones about course loads and simplicity, I’d really like to know what your advice would be for me!
I’m currently a Junior, double majoring in Finance and Marketing (not to get a job that mixes them both, but because I really don’t know which I’d rather major in - I’m truly interested in both).
I also figured that having two would widen my job opportunities, since I’d have a wider range of subjects studied.
The only problem is the amount of courses I have to complete in order to graduate in 4 years. I’d be taking 18 hours next semester (6 3-credit courses), and 21 hours both semesters senior year! I even considered taking a few courses over this upcoming summer, but I need that time to get my first internship, in order to get a job when I graduate!
If you could give me your take on this problem, I’d really appreciate the advice!

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