What the Hell is Study Hacks?
Features: Pulling It All Together March 27th. 2009, 1:23amThe Study Hacks Philosophy
It occured to me recently that I should write a short post that explains what Study Hacks is all about — something I can point people to when they stumble, for the first time, into our quirky little world of note-taking strategies and rants about focus. So here we go…
The purpose of Study Hacks is clear: to help students succeed without stress.
My philosophy for achieving this goal can be reduced to three simple rules:
- Do fewer things.
- Do them better.
- Know why you’re doing them.
All of the important advice on this site circles back to these same three themes. Folks, I’ve been obsessing over this stuff for years. Trust me, this is what works.
Some Notes…
If you stick around here long enough, you’ll learn that I have an obsession with simplicity. I hate the warped understanding of impressiveness that leads students to try to do many, many things.
I think the happiest, most successful students know why they are at college, and they believe this answer. They also tend to do very little, but the small amount of things they do, they do exceptionally well. They recognize that in the end, the world rewards those who are so good they can’t be ignored. By contrast, we forget about the burnt out triple-major who joined 10 clubs to show leadership and managed to earn a 3.9 without ever once impressing a professor.
I applaud the student who adopts a balanced and reasonable courseload, and leaves enough free time in his schedule that he can saturate himself in the material – letting it get inside his head and stew for a while; the type of student who tolerates a little boredom as the price you pay for doing stuff well.
I think studying is an art and should be taken seriously. (I even wrote a whole book about this.) Most students are terrible at studying. The best students, however, are like scholastic maestros: their methods for note-taking, reviewing, and paperwriting are magical in their efficiency.
I have a weird obsession with reducing e-mail (even though I don’t get much).
I harbor an inexplicable hostility towards business majors.
And I have an extremely low threshold for labelling something a “method.”
These are the ideas that drive Study Hacks. It’s not for everyone. But for some of us, it just seems to make a hell of a lot of sense.
March 27th, 2009 at 2:52 am
Ha! I somehow missed the hostile post about business majors. One of my English professors mentioned how a lot of her friends who got a degree in English literature are CEO’s of companies.
March 27th, 2009 at 3:33 am
Time to get over your irritation with business majors. The world needs all types.
I love your blog, read it every day and glean a ton of useful and practical advice from it. Plus, I have both of your books and Straight A rocks!
Signed,
A business major
March 27th, 2009 at 7:38 am
I share the idea that studying is an art.
I really like your blog, I should read your books, as soon as I have some sort of creditcard so I can pay oversea
March 27th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Weird! Weird! Not wierd! Argh….
By the way, how *does* one get a 3.9 without once impressing the professor? Surely if you’re getting As, and the professor has standards, you’re producing something insightful or exceeding expectations?
March 27th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I was being somewhat facetious. I don’t really dislike business majors, but I realized, going back through my archives, that I tend to hammer on them pretty hard!
Through diligence with a lack of any real engagement in the issues. You’d be surprised…
March 27th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I know everyone’s on your case about ‘disliking’ business majors, but I have to agree it shouldn’t be a fall-back major for students who don’t know what else to take.
That being said, as a business major planning to become a professional accountant, if I were to take a different major I would definitely be putting myself at a disadvantage since ALL of the courses required to obtain a designation will be complete upon my graduation. If I took a different major I would still be eligible for designation; however, it would take me many more years to complete.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I was trying to be a little funny with those last lines, but it seems they’ve become a little distracting. Oh well.
March 27th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Hey Cal! I like this post a lot..even for people that’ve been reading your blog for a while, it’s a good reminder/reinforcement.
March 28th, 2009 at 2:02 am
For business there’s the PMBA, that’s all you need
Study Hacks is analogous to Maxwell’s Eqts of E&M.
This isn’t some “expert’s” advice, this is real stuff that works.
@DutchSchoolKid, I bought the pdf online, no delievery time~ yay!
Get a friend or professor to use their card.
March 29th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Hey Cal,
I am a college student in Taiwan. Just wanting to let you know how much I’ve benefited from your site: I got a 4.0 last semester, in fact I was #2 in my department; I am currently participating in two clubs one is Model UN and the other is World Volunteer Service. I am totally not a socially isolated nerd. I really appreciate your blog and your book!! When will you publish your third book?
March 29th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Nice post Cal. BTW, I remember you mentioning in a previous post, something about “The Grade Whisperer.” That’s sounds very intriguing. When’s that coming?
March 29th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I believe it’s slated for next year around this time. But it focused on college admissions, so you probably won’t find it as relevant.
Soon! I can’t say exactly when, but I have a few “cases” in progress via e-mail, and look forward to transforming them into the first posts in this series.
March 29th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
These are the ideas that drive Study Hacks. It’s not for everyone. But for some of us, it just seems to make a hell of a lot of sense.
This was the best line, loved it Cal – cause studying less to get more is my way of life!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Hi, I’m a struggling fourteen year old. I’m smart, but I just CAN’T find the determination to apply myself to school. I cruise through my classes, making straight 90′s and not really giving a damn. I’m in all honors, etc. etc, but my heart isn’t in it.
I want to major/pursue a career in computers. I haven’t quite decided which area of study I want to pursue, but it makes it so much harder sitting through a 55-minute class about the STATE OF GEORGIA knowing I’m sitting in school for 8 hours a day, but not making any progress towards my dream. I realize I need to try the best that I can in school, because grades are important for admissions to high schools/colleges, but that alone just isn’t enough incentive for me. (Shocking, I know.)
I just discovered your website this morning, by Googling “How to make school more exciting.” I like hearing what you have to say, and maybe your hacks will help me do better!
Its worth a try, right?
April 1st, 2009 at 12:39 pm
This is pretty common. There are two things that help. First, launch a campaign to master the technical skills of being a student. Your goal should be to streamline your efforts to the point where there’s barely a second of wasted, in efficient pseudo-work. This will make the schoolwork less a burden. (A good place to get started is in my archives.)
Second, resist at all costs building up a busy extracurricular schedule full of things you think you should be doing. This is a sure path to deep procrastination and burnout. Find something you can start/join right now that’s related to coputers. And start poring your extracurricular attention into that.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I decided last night around midnight that that was sort of what I wanted to do. I realized my problem was that life in general is a bore, and that I needed more fun in my life.
So, I’ve started keeping a notebook, journaling my day’s events, and the general idea is to increase fun, and motivation as a result.
I’ve been toying with the idea of making it into a blog, (written in HTML), so that I can practice my web design skills and continue my “mission” at the same time. Its been really hard, not having friends around, I moved from New Jersey to Atlanta about a year ago and I don’t have any REAL friends down here in Georgia.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Believe it or not, the motivation for my sudden action was a comedy routine.
If you haven’t seen “If I”, by Demetri Martin, I strongly encourage you to watch it. It’s the story of the life of a chronic overachiever, where his desire to succeed ends up becoming his downfall. At times it is sad, and others its downright hilarious.
Thanks a lot for the great tips here on your site, I’ll start reading as soon as I get home. I’m in Language Arts, supposed to be researching for a reasearch paper I have to write. I don’t even know what to write it ON.
May 1st, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Hey there. As a current undergrad at your alma mater, I’m finding your blog extremely helpful for getting my life back under control. I had a rather difficult fall semester that consisted of me taking a physics class for which I was not well prepared (8.012) and ended up failing despite every vain effort to keep up. Nowadays, after stumbling upon your blog, I’ve slowly seen an increase in my productivity and mental attitude. Thanks!
May 1st, 2009 at 6:27 pm
You should share what techniques in particular are helping. I’ve found my readers like to here about real life trials of the advice.
May 7th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
[...] Grade Whisperer is an occasional feature in which I use the Study Hacks philosophy of do less, do better, and know why, to help students overcome their academic [...]
May 22nd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
[...] Grade Whisperer is an occasional feature in which I use the Study Hacks philosophy of do less, do better, and know why, to help students overcome their academic [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
[...] Grade Whisperer is an occasional feature in which I use the Study Hacks philosophy of do less, do better, and know why, to help students overcome their academic [...]
July 29th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
[...] it big time in Uni You assume that the amount of work is the only variable that can be changed. Cal Newport did a lot of surveying of successful students and found that good work habits are a lot more [...]
August 5th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
I’m glad I stumbled over this site. I’m dead scared of classes at my college, GT(obviously I’m an incoming freshman). But I’m much more optimistic now that I have your site. Thanks!
September 16th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
[...] the Study Hacks philosophy of doing less, doing better, and knowing why has improved your life, please consider taking a few moments to spread those same benefits to [...]
October 9th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
[...] Grade Whisperer is an occasional feature in which I use the Study Hacks philosophy of do less, do better, and know why, to help students overcome their academic [...]
October 13th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
[...] Grade Whisperer is an occasional feature in which I use the Study Hacks philosophy of do less, do better, and know why, to help students overcome their academic [...]
November 5th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
[...] Grade Whisperer is an occasional feature in which I use the Study Hacks philosophy of do less, do better, and know why, to help students overcome their academic [...]
November 24th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
[...] one post in 2 months. so where does the new inspiration come from?? well it comes from this site: studyhacks. And it reminded me of why i started RP. its time to really apply RP to life and am starting it [...]
December 17th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
[...] Grade Whisperer is an occasional feature in which I use the Study Hacks philosophy of do less, do better, and know why, to help students overcome their academic [...]
December 18th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
“Ha! I somehow missed the hostile post about business majors. One of my English professors mentioned how a lot of her friends who got a degree in English literature are CEO’s of companies.”
Exception–not a rule.
Of course an English Professor is going to have friends who are *shocking* english majors.
And hell, I’ve been a CEO of a company since age 19–sure-I STARTED the company.
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:37 am
Hi cal, I’m a first year english literature and language student who’s just come across your inspiratonal ‘give yourself a good pep talk’ site ! Thankyou! Ive just had some pretty crummy ( that’s rubbish to you americans….I’m english by the way!) results for last semester.My biggest problem is time mangagement skills, mother of three children..just given job up to study full time, and feeling a little out of touch with academic learning at the moment. Anyway your simple, but very effective words of wisdom have been very helpful this morning…. so thankyou, I’ll make sure to look at the site regularly.
All the best with all your ventures,
Penelope
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Penelope, a professor I had here at MIT told me the story of having her first child while a graduate student. She claims that it actually improved her performance (evidenced, I guess, by her professorship at MIT). The key for her was this realization that her time was limited — her day now only offering a small number of unambiguously “open” slots. So she started to attack those slots with intensity, focusing on the absolutely most important steps toward her academic goals.
In other words, viewed the right day, your unique constraints as a mother might help you fall into the schedule of intense attacks that many students struggle with.
February 17th, 2010 at 2:58 am
I am a living example that the methods of Study Hacks works!! I’m a freshman on my spring semester of college now. Fall semester was a disaster. I was doing psuedo-work, I procrastinated— everything I was doing was extremely wrong! So, I basically crashed and burned during Fall semester finals. So, over christmas break, I found this website and ready EVERY single article. I’ve been applying basically all these methods. And, I got rid of Facebook (distractions). Now, I’m getting A’s in every one of my courses plus I am completely stress free!!!
I love it! Thank you Cal Newport!
May 24th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
“I harbor an inexplicable hostility towards business majors”
- At first glance I read “an inexplicable hospitality”.
Then I re-read. I empathize with you, and do not understand fully understand the motives behind knowledge when it comes to Business students.
I see a business major and think to myself, “I pick physics over your text book any day:)”
Having said that, I’m sure they’re great people!
August 7th, 2010 at 11:34 am
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September 1st, 2010 at 1:27 pm
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September 24th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Hi cal, Just wanted to ask whether this also works for medicine courses? They’re much more stressful and the course load is extremely high! Thanks
September 29th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Hey Cal,
Wish I had found your web site sooner. My kids could all have benefited from less work….Have a senior in HS now. Any last minute things I can do to help him relax and enjoy?
September 29th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Consider getting him a copy of my latest book: it can establish a mindset that will last into college and beyond.
January 21st, 2011 at 9:44 pm
[...] all Study Hack readers, pre-meds are among the most skeptical. They tell me that although they like my philosophy of doing a small number of things well, this is impossible for them. Their course load is too demanding. Filling most waking hours with [...]
August 15th, 2011 at 2:46 am
Hello-
I read your book “How To Become a High School Superstar,” and I still feel the book’s advice was too vague for me. I’m a high school junior that has volunteered at numerous organizations for the city (library, festivals, museums), yet I still feel I lack some important connections. What would your advice be, for say, getting involved with my city’s local government?
September 18th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Cal,
As a first generations college student I wish I would have known about this sight when I was first starting out in school. It would have saved me a few headaches. Would you mind if I cited you and a few of your ideas for my blog for first generation college students?
October 28th, 2011 at 1:18 am
[...] Study Hacks, and I highly recommend skimming through his site and understanding his version of the “do fewer, do better, and know why” philosophy. 2. Hell Yeah and What do you hate not doing?: These two articles are short and [...]
December 8th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
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December 9th, 2011 at 6:59 am
about this topic, this letter is interesting, Feynman and Wolfram!
http://www.lettersofnote.com/2010/06/you-dont-understand-ordinary-people.html
December 9th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
[...] http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/27/what-the-hell-is-study-hacks/ [...]
June 3rd, 2012 at 12:47 am
I dig this article – however, I am a student currently enrolled and my biggest folly is that I DO want to do a million things all at once… and I DO them… all at once. I find that my biggest hurdle is that I feel like I don’t have enough TIME to do it all (not in daily life, but in life in general) Being a creative writing major, I took up taking classes for graphic design (wanted to do my minor in digital media at my university, but found that the scheduled classes there were WAY out of wack to be easily integrated into my already full schedule of 5 classes a semester PLUS my full-time office job). Plus I volunteer at two separate organizations. I guess my question is, when would you pass judgement that one would be “spreading yourself too thin?”
July 4th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Nice one. I can’t understands how anybody can choose business over something practical. And maybe even interesting to them. I actually like entrepreneurs, but I don’t like to study it in uni. I rather be street educated than a business major.