Comments on: Some Thoughts On Grad School http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/ Decoding Patterns of Success Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:53:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anand http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-27036 Anand Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:05:44 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-27036 Hi Cal! I wish I'd seen this before. I've arrived at pretty much all the same conclusions, but <em>after</em> spending half a year in grad school. Looking back at the last 4 months ... ouch. But the first 1 (and a half) suggestions are really true. I now get my work done in the morning before my first class, so after that I can focus on classes and developing math skils. Again, Thanks! Hi Cal! I wish I’d seen this before. I’ve arrived at pretty much all the same conclusions, but after spending half a year in grad school. Looking back at the last 4 months … ouch. But the first 1 (and a half) suggestions are really true. I now get my work done in the morning before my first class, so after that I can focus on classes and developing math skils.

Again, Thanks!

]]> By: Hacking your study time « ChineseQuest http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-26403 Hacking your study time « ChineseQuest Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:53:59 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-26403 [...] has been very informative on this front. Cal Newport has written some great articles on successful students (the rest of this post won’t make much sense if you haven’t read that article), the [...]

[...] has been very informative on this front. Cal Newport has written some great articles on successful students (the rest of this post won’t make much sense if you haven’t read that article), the [...]

]]> By: Survival guide for your first year of graduate school | jbdeaton.com http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-25787 Survival guide for your first year of graduate school | jbdeaton.com Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:52:33 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-25787 [...] Cal Newport: Some Thoughts on Grad School [...]

[...] Cal Newport: Some Thoughts on Grad School [...]

]]> By: Harshit http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-25540 Harshit Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:57:57 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-25540 Nice post ! Nice post !

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-18627 Study Hacks Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:49:20 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-18627 <blockquote>We often joke about Maths PhD not working a lot (a couple of us have close friends in math department). </blockquote> It's possible that us theory types had it easier. <blockquote>I know that the idea that people might want to get a PhD and teach at a SLAC (small liberal arts college) is abhorrent to research snobs, but it is a fact: Not everyone loves research.</blockquote> That being said, a quality SLAC is still going to hire you primarily based on your research record. <blockquote>Some of us have thought through the idea of marriage with great time and care and have come to the conclusion that it’s not worth it.</blockquote> Notice, I'm not advising your to get married. I'm saying instead to take your cues about stress, schedule, work habits, from those who are married.

We often joke about Maths PhD not working a lot (a couple of us have close friends in math department).

It’s possible that us theory types had it easier.

I know that the idea that people might want to get a PhD and teach at a SLAC (small liberal arts college) is abhorrent to research snobs, but it is a fact: Not everyone loves research.

That being said, a quality SLAC is still going to hire you primarily based on your research record.

Some of us have thought through the idea of marriage with great time and care and have come to the conclusion that it’s not worth it.

Notice, I’m not advising your to get married. I’m saying instead to take your cues about stress, schedule, work habits, from those who are married.

]]> By: Shawn http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-18624 Shawn Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:36:10 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-18624 # 6 is a little odd! but may be true as a generalisation. Some of us have thought through the idea of marriage with great time and care and have come to the conclusion that it's not worth it. Excellent article otherwise. # 6 is a little odd! but may be true as a generalisation. Some of us have thought through the idea of marriage with great time and care and have come to the conclusion that it’s not worth it. Excellent article otherwise.

]]> By: Kevin http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-18443 Kevin Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:10:27 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-18443 #1 assumes that everyone who gets a PhD wants to go to a Research 1 school. I know that the idea that people might want to get a PhD and teach at a SLAC (small liberal arts college) is abhorrent to research snobs, but it is a fact: Not everyone loves research. I didn't notice anything about teaching in your post. Is teaching not important in your program, or is it more like pumping chemical toilets ( Well, I guess if you're going to a Research 1, it doesn't matter to you if you've left a mass of confused, disgruntled students in your wake as long as you've done your precious research. To hell with the undergrads--you're there to do research! #1 assumes that everyone who gets a PhD wants to go to a Research 1 school. I know that the idea that people might want to get a PhD and teach at a SLAC (small liberal arts college) is abhorrent to research snobs, but it is a fact: Not everyone loves research.

I didn’t notice anything about teaching in your post. Is teaching not important in your program, or is it more like pumping chemical toilets ( Well, I guess if you’re going to a Research 1, it doesn’t matter to you if you’ve left a mass of confused, disgruntled students in your wake as long as you’ve done your precious research. To hell with the undergrads–you’re there to do research!

]]> By: alias http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-17937 alias Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:21:58 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-17937 Hi Cal, I think your post is slightly misleading. From my perspective, academic workload is highly dependent on which domain of study you're in. I know nobody in mine who can achieve the basic requirements without having to work at least 55 hours + /week. We often joke about Maths PhD not working a lot (a couple of us have close friends in math department). I still agree that a fixed schedule is a great thing and does improve productivity, but saying that you can achieve a PhD in 40 hours/week is, in my opinion, an understatement. Hi Cal,

I think your post is slightly misleading. From my perspective, academic workload is highly dependent on which domain of study you’re in. I know nobody in mine who can achieve the basic requirements without having to work at least 55 hours + /week. We often joke about Maths PhD not working a lot (a couple of us have close friends in math department).

I still agree that a fixed schedule is a great thing and does improve productivity, but saying that you can achieve a PhD in 40 hours/week is, in my opinion, an understatement.

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-13612 Study Hacks Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:25:14 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-13612 <blockquote>Could you please help me with your views of going wid good research or flexible course structure</blockquote> Go to the school with the better reputation. The quality of your research (which, to a large degree, comes from the quality of your advisors) trumps. <blockquote>Just wondering if you could talk more about #8. In particular, how do you decide what your research mission is in the first place? How do you know if it’s worthwhile or not?</blockquote> My article on James McLurkin and stretch churn is a great place to start. Basically: get to the bleeding edge; once there, potential research missions will become much more apparent.

Could you please help me with your views of going wid good research or flexible course structure

Go to the school with the better reputation. The quality of your research (which, to a large degree, comes from the quality of your advisors) trumps.

Just wondering if you could talk more about #8. In particular, how do you decide what your research mission is in the first place? How do you know if it’s worthwhile or not?

My article on James McLurkin and stretch churn is a great place to start. Basically: get to the bleeding edge; once there, potential research missions will become much more apparent.

]]> By: Jatin Kataria http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-13607 Jatin Kataria Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:44:28 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/12/some-thoughts-on-grad-school/#comment-13607 Hi Cal, This is my first question in your blog. Cal I am a prospective MS student and I am right now deciding between universities(wont mention names) one of which has with good research going on but with hectic non flexible credits policy and other has flexible course structure but with not that great research.Both have good profs If i go with good research then the hectic rigid credit policy wont give me time to indulge into researcg and if i go for flexible credit policy thn i can devote my time to do sth innovative Could you please help me with your views of going wid good research or flexible course structure Hi Cal,
This is my first question in your blog. Cal I am a prospective MS student and I am right now deciding between universities(wont mention names) one of which has with good research going on but with hectic non flexible credits policy and other has flexible course structure but with not that great research.Both have good profs

If i go with good research then the hectic rigid credit policy wont give me time to indulge into researcg and if i go for flexible credit policy thn i can devote my time to do sth innovative

Could you please help me with your views of going wid good research or flexible course structure

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