Comments on: A Simple Method for Developing an Innovative Activity http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/ Decoding Patterns of Success Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ashley http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-25631 Ashley Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:42:22 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-25631 Worried One: I'd start your own OR help out online with one. But yes, it's pretty easy to start a club (how else did the clubs at your school get started?) The hard part is getting people to join and take action in it. Worried One: I’d start your own OR help out online with one. But yes, it’s pretty easy to start a club (how else did the clubs at your school get started?) The hard part is getting people to join and take action in it.

]]> By: Worried One http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-24308 Worried One Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:39:39 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-24308 I don't know if questions here are still being answered, but regardless of that I'd just like to say THANK YOU so much for all of the information you post here! It's really helping me a lot as I'm trying to figure out how to get those leadership roles and actually do something meaningful within my areas of interest. I'd also just like to ask you a few questions. If I am interested in activism and NGOs, but there aren't any in my area that I can intern for, what should I do? And this question is more for the students who are here, but... do teachers/administrators at your school actually take you seriously when you tell them you want to start a club? I don’t know if questions here are still being answered, but regardless of that I’d just like to say THANK YOU so much for all of the information you post here! It’s really helping me a lot as I’m trying to figure out how to get those leadership roles and actually do something meaningful within my areas of interest.

I’d also just like to ask you a few questions. If I am interested in activism and NGOs, but there aren’t any in my area that I can intern for, what should I do? And this question is more for the students who are here, but… do teachers/administrators at your school actually take you seriously when you tell them you want to start a club?

]]> By: Long http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-20336 Long Sat, 11 Dec 2010 15:33:06 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-20336 what if the grad school you are looking at is for something creative, such as music composition or painting? and your grades are far from perfect, but they show an improvement towards the end? How would you distinguish yourself in that situation? what if the grad school you are looking at is for something creative, such as music composition or painting? and your grades are far from perfect, but they show an improvement towards the end? How would you distinguish yourself in that situation?

]]> By: Study Hacks » Blog Archive » An Open Letter to Students on the Danger of Seeing School as a Trial to Survive http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-15698 Study Hacks » Blog Archive » An Open Letter to Students on the Danger of Seeing School as a Trial to Survive Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:18:36 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-15698 [...] accepted to Stanford with a weekday routine that included a two hour, head-clearing hike, and how Sarah got into Princeton with a schedule that allowed her to finish her schoolwork before [...]

[...] accepted to Stanford with a weekday routine that included a two hour, head-clearing hike, and how Sarah got into Princeton with a schedule that allowed her to finish her schoolwork before [...]

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-12707 Study Hacks Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:45:43 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-12707 <blockquote>I’m a high school freshman and the only thing I am really passionate about is history and psychology. How do I create a innovative activity with that?</blockquote> Follow the method from my original article on innovation: join a related community, pay your dues, than start searching for opportunities. <blockquote>do colleges for post-grad also consider exceptional achievements as those described above when taking in students</blockquote> Extracurriculars are much less important for grad school admissions. What dominates is your grades and research experience. Remember, grad school admissions is conducted by professors. They aren't trying to build an "interesting" class; they're trying to hire students who can jump right into their research projects and start making their life easier.

I’m a high school freshman and the only thing I am really passionate about is history and psychology. How do I create a innovative activity with that?

Follow the method from my original article on innovation: join a related community, pay your dues, than start searching for opportunities.

do colleges for post-grad also consider exceptional achievements as those described above when taking in students

Extracurriculars are much less important for grad school admissions. What dominates is your grades and research experience. Remember, grad school admissions is conducted by professors. They aren’t trying to build an “interesting” class; they’re trying to hire students who can jump right into their research projects and start making their life easier.

]]> By: Sakhi http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-12696 Sakhi Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:00:53 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-12696 Hi, I've been reading your blog for a while now, and I really like it. However, this is the first time I'm commenting, mainly because I have a question about the american education system - do colleges for post-grad also consider exceptional achievements as those described above when taking in students? (I plan to do undergrad in one of the aforementioned countries, India, where you generally get into colleges only by getting amazing grades and passing common entrance exams.) Hi,

I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, and I really like it. However, this is the first time I’m commenting, mainly because I have a question about the american education system – do colleges for post-grad also consider exceptional achievements as those described above when taking in students? (I plan to do undergrad in one of the aforementioned countries, India, where you generally get into colleges only by getting amazing grades and passing common entrance exams.)

]]> By: Claudia http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-12680 Claudia Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:00:23 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-12680 It's easier to find an innovative activity if your into math and science, but what about a history nerd like me? I'm a high school freshman and the only thing I am really passionate about is history and psychology. How do I create a innovative activity with that? I can't make a website or start a business. Any ideas? It’s easier to find an innovative activity if your into math and science, but what about a history nerd like me? I’m a high school freshman and the only thing I am really passionate about is history and psychology. How do I create a innovative activity with that? I can’t make a website or start a business. Any ideas?

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-7997 Study Hacks Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:51:54 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-7997 <blockquote>What about writing a business plan for my high school’s robotics team…helping it grow and expand into the school community? I’m in the middle of that now…and a couple months ago, it is something I NEVER would have thought about.</blockquote> You cannot predict in advance which path will lead to innovation -- otherwise, it wouldn't be so surprising! If this sounds like something really interesting to you, then go for it, follow-through, then see what new opportunities it generates.

What about writing a business plan for my high school’s robotics team…helping it grow and expand into the school community? I’m in the middle of that now…and a couple months ago, it is something I NEVER would have thought about.

You cannot predict in advance which path will lead to innovation — otherwise, it wouldn’t be so surprising! If this sounds like something really interesting to you, then go for it, follow-through, then see what new opportunities it generates.

]]> By: rupss http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-7995 rupss Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:39:45 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-7995 What about writing a business plan for my high school's robotics team...helping it grow and expand into the school community? I'm in the middle of that now...and a couple months ago, it is something I NEVER would have thought about. What about writing a business plan for my high school’s robotics team…helping it grow and expand into the school community? I’m in the middle of that now…and a couple months ago, it is something I NEVER would have thought about.

]]> By: Ashley http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-7784 Ashley Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:37:30 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/10/01/a-simple-method-for-developing-an-innovative-activity/#comment-7784 I think the emphasis on "paying your dues" is a bit overhyped especially for the Gen Y generation. The most important thing is getting the information and experience to allow you to see the possibilities and take action on them. I would recommend contacting people about how they achieved what you want to do/think would be cool to do, research, information interviewing and job shadowing to see what's out there and then try to replicate it on a high school/college/local level. Another idea is to think of what you want to change in the world whether it's the elimination of a social injustice or a bad business model and work on ways to make it better, not limiting yourself to only being a student or a teenager or [insert excuse]. Find out what actions you have to take and make it happen while always trying to think out of the box. I think the emphasis on “paying your dues” is a bit overhyped especially for the Gen Y generation. The most important thing is getting the information and experience to allow you to see the possibilities and take action on them. I would recommend contacting people about how they achieved what you want to do/think would be cool to do, research, information interviewing and job shadowing to see what’s out there and then try to replicate it on a high school/college/local level. Another idea is to think of what you want to change in the world whether it’s the elimination of a social injustice or a bad business model and work on ways to make it better, not limiting yourself to only being a student or a teenager or [insert excuse]. Find out what actions you have to take and make it happen while always trying to think out of the box.

]]>