Comments on: The Notebook Method: How Pen and Paper Can Transform You Into a Star Student http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/ Decoding Patterns of Success Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:27:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jessie http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-27076 Jessie Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:56:11 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-27076 Ok, so this is a somewhat obsessive question...but what size notebook is best for this purpose? A5 or A4? Lol :P Ok, so this is a somewhat obsessive question…but what size notebook is best for this purpose? A5 or A4? Lol :P

]]> By: usa-chan http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-25644 usa-chan Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:43:46 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-25644 I love holding a pencil in my hand and writing down my thoughts. Its very relaxing, whether I'm journaling or studying it helps me concentrate. I love holding a pencil in my hand and writing down my thoughts. Its very relaxing, whether I’m journaling or studying it helps me concentrate.

]]> By: Aaron http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-13102 Aaron Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:51:45 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-13102 Curiously enough, this is similar to the method I use for designing websites or code (especially object oriented code). I don't go into the woods (it's cold here), instead I do it in-between classes or when I'm too tired in class to stay awake (in which case being awake, alert, and distracted is superior to simply being asleep); but the general idea is the same: I don't have a laptop, my notes are all taken on paper, so I start writing and diagramming, and all those questions of how X does Y or how I'll do Z get written down for later, letting me ponder. That "letting me ponder" is important, more than most seem to realize; it's funny how often I run across a smart capable person who doesn't need me to answer their questions if they'd just realize that they could ponder it over and figure it out. Of course after I finish the lovely notebook period, there's all that messy work with actually doing it... Basically, as Daisy said before me, it's just a something that I liked, that worked, that used up time that was otherwise wasted, never really thought of it as a "strategy", but now that I do I realize this by far the superior way to design a website. Though because of the constant "redesign" aspect it can be nice to do it on a whiteboard; on the other hand re-drawing things in a notebook allows you to keep track of progression and return to or re-incorporate an old design. Curiously enough, this is similar to the method I use for designing websites or code (especially object oriented code). I don’t go into the woods (it’s cold here), instead I do it in-between classes or when I’m too tired in class to stay awake (in which case being awake, alert, and distracted is superior to simply being asleep); but the general idea is the same: I don’t have a laptop, my notes are all taken on paper, so I start writing and diagramming, and all those questions of how X does Y or how I’ll do Z get written down for later, letting me ponder. That “letting me ponder” is important, more than most seem to realize; it’s funny how often I run across a smart capable person who doesn’t need me to answer their questions if they’d just realize that they could ponder it over and figure it out. Of course after I finish the lovely notebook period, there’s all that messy work with actually doing it…

Basically, as Daisy said before me, it’s just a something that I liked, that worked, that used up time that was otherwise wasted, never really thought of it as a “strategy”, but now that I do I realize this by far the superior way to design a website. Though because of the constant “redesign” aspect it can be nice to do it on a whiteboard; on the other hand re-drawing things in a notebook allows you to keep track of progression and return to or re-incorporate an old design.

]]> By: January Email to Students « Learn, Unlearn, Relearn http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-11941 January Email to Students « Learn, Unlearn, Relearn Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:29:25 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-11941 [...] way a Pen and Paper can make you a star student?  Sure they can, if you know how to use these powerful tools to your [...]

[...] way a Pen and Paper can make you a star student?  Sure they can, if you know how to use these powerful tools to your [...]

]]> By: Ophelie http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9622 Ophelie Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:43:38 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9622 This is such a simple idea, but it makes so much sense! I start every day by writing in a notebook, journal-style, because it helps me clarify my thoughts. Why wouldn't I do the same thing for my classes? This is such a simple idea, but it makes so much sense! I start every day by writing in a notebook, journal-style, because it helps me clarify my thoughts. Why wouldn’t I do the same thing for my classes?

]]> By: 60naranja http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9582 60naranja Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:47:37 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9582 @Eileen: I'm glad that you have a more enlightened approach to organization in elementary and middle school. In contrast, where I did 1st through 7th grade each class had its own, specialized requirements (in English one year, you might have to have a specific type of composition notebook, whereas the next year you might need a 3/4" three-ring binder with five divisions that would only ever be used for that class). Every assignment had to start with the same heading. The school actually produced its own assignment notebook, which you could never be without. A system like this can, I think, set in place overly rigid ideas of what it means to work and be productive. In contrast, this post is free of these bureaucratic details. You just get a notebook and a pen that you like and use them in a way that makes sense to you, without worrying about offending someone's sensibilities by scribbling something out (unacceptable penmanship!) or drawing arrows across the page to connect important ideas (distracting!) before you distill your work into a clear, legible summary. The only requirements here seem to be that you articulate your thoughts in rigorous detail, and that you concentrate on nothing else for a few hours. So I think it does represent something that many students may really never have tried. @Eileen:

I’m glad that you have a more enlightened approach to organization in elementary and middle school. In contrast, where I did 1st through 7th grade each class had its own, specialized requirements (in English one year, you might have to have a specific type of composition notebook, whereas the next year you might need a 3/4″ three-ring binder with five divisions that would only ever be used for that class). Every assignment had to start with the same heading. The school actually produced its own assignment notebook, which you could never be without. A system like this can, I think, set in place overly rigid ideas of what it means to work and be productive.

In contrast, this post is free of these bureaucratic details. You just get a notebook and a pen that you like and use them in a way that makes sense to you, without worrying about offending someone’s sensibilities by scribbling something out (unacceptable penmanship!) or drawing arrows across the page to connect important ideas (distracting!) before you distill your work into a clear, legible summary. The only requirements here seem to be that you articulate your thoughts in rigorous detail, and that you concentrate on nothing else for a few hours. So I think it does represent something that many students may really never have tried.

]]> By: Study Hacks » Blog Archive » The Unsinkable Student Organization System http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9568 Study Hacks » Blog Archive » The Unsinkable Student Organization System Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:56:32 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9568 [...] buy a physical notebook to capture study plans, etc. Also, a physical notebook allows you to use the notebook method, which is perhaps my favorite study techniques of all [...]

[...] buy a physical notebook to capture study plans, etc. Also, a physical notebook allows you to use the notebook method, which is perhaps my favorite study techniques of all [...]

]]> By: Athrisa http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9423 Athrisa Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:22:30 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9423 I love writing things down! It's also just physically sitting and writing it down that makes it so comforting. Do you have any more ways to keep from getting distracted by things like email and facebook and stuff? Becaause that's what I know is one of my biggest weaknesses for studying and working. I love writing things down! It’s also just physically sitting and writing it down that makes it so comforting.
Do you have any more ways to keep from getting distracted by things like email and facebook and stuff? Becaause that’s what I know is one of my biggest weaknesses for studying and working.

]]> By: forget xbox repair centers http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9384 forget xbox repair centers Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:04:04 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9384 <strong>forget xbox repair centers...</strong> Xbox fault? Would you prefer a 3 month wait or a guataneed fix in under an hour?...

forget xbox repair centers…

Xbox fault? Would you prefer a 3 month wait or a guataneed fix in under an hour?…

]]> By: Lessons in Life And Leadership: Major Richard Winters (Part 2) « Letters From The Porch http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9370 Lessons in Life And Leadership: Major Richard Winters (Part 2) « Letters From The Porch Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:59:46 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/20/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/#comment-9370 [...] information each day, and have to make decisions based on them. Cal Newport, author of Study Hacks, wrote a post about how a pen, paper, and a solitary environment can transform you into an A* student, or a good decision maker. Solitude and self thought was tough (and sometimes still is) for me [...]

[...] information each day, and have to make decisions based on them. Cal Newport, author of Study Hacks, wrote a post about how a pen, paper, and a solitary environment can transform you into an A* student, or a good decision maker. Solitude and self thought was tough (and sometimes still is) for me [...]

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