Comments on: The Unheralded Splendor of the A* Strategy http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/ Demystifying Sustainable Success Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:36:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: How to get the most out of life « Merely Musings http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-10844 How to get the most out of life « Merely Musings Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:00:59 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-10844 [...] Study Hacks, maintained by Cal Newport. The key focus behind this blog is the concept of achieving A* grades, following the Straight-A Method and Zen Valedictorianism concepts to achieve it. Basically, this [...] […] Study Hacks, maintained by Cal Newport. The key focus behind this blog is the concept of achieving A* grades, following the Straight-A Method and Zen Valedictorianism concepts to achieve it. Basically, this […]

]]> By: Study Hacks » Blog Archive » How to Build a Paper Research Wiki http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8774 Study Hacks » Blog Archive » How to Build a Paper Research Wiki Mon, 11 May 2009 21:11:23 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8774 [...] Wiki-driven writing enjoys two important advantages. First, the structure of the wiki helps you structure your research. Plugging your research into a clear information hierarchy is superior to simply creating a large pile of stuff. Second, working through these different levels forces you to do lots of high-level thinking before you get to the outlining and writing phase. In some sense, your paper research wiki requires you to master the nuances and complexity of the topic before you think about what you want to say about it. I can tell you from experiences, this is the approach that generates A* results. [...] […] Wiki-driven writing enjoys two important advantages. First, the structure of the wiki helps you structure your research. Plugging your research into a clear information hierarchy is superior to simply creating a large pile of stuff. Second, working through these different levels forces you to do lots of high-level thinking before you get to the outlining and writing phase. In some sense, your paper research wiki requires you to master the nuances and complexity of the topic before you think about what you want to say about it. I can tell you from experiences, this is the approach that generates A* results. […]

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8572 Study Hacks Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:29:38 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8572 <blockquote>Good Will Hunting rules. Like when he burns that proof and says “You know how easy this shit is for me?” What a great scene.</blockquote> At MIT, one of my favorite hobbies is to walk up to whiteboards where people are working on a proof, scribble ten lines of made-up equations. Scrawl qed. Turn and give them the "you know how easy this shit is for me" line. Then walk away. <blockquote>The problem with the GWH strategy can be summed up in one simple statement: YOU’RE NOT THAT SMART.</blockquote> Amen. There is a <em>tenured</em> professor down the hall who is my same age! He's as close to a genius as there is in the real world. Here's the thing: he can't solve proofs in a flash either. No one can! Classes take time no matter how smart you are! <blockquote>I think the GWH tends to be a peculiar male trait</blockquote> I don't know...I get a lot of e-mails from students neck-deep in GWH-fueled misery. The gender mix is pretty equal... <blockquote>Carol Dweck’s done some good research on this subject: people who tend to think that intelligence is fixed and that hard work actually means you’re not that smart.</blockquote> Thanks for the links. I love Dweck's work. An interesting anecdotal observation is that this fixed intelligence mindset is specifically American. In other countries, grades and workload seem to be more connected with work ethic. If you meet a grind, you don't think "wow, what a genius," you think instead "what a diligent worker."

Good Will Hunting rules. Like when he burns that proof and says “You know how easy this shit is for me?” What a great scene.

At MIT, one of my favorite hobbies is to walk up to whiteboards where people are working on a proof, scribble ten lines of made-up equations. Scrawl qed. Turn and give them the “you know how easy this shit is for me” line. Then walk away.

The problem with the GWH strategy can be summed up in one simple statement: YOU’RE NOT THAT SMART.

Amen. There is a tenured professor down the hall who is my same age! He’s as close to a genius as there is in the real world. Here’s the thing: he can’t solve proofs in a flash either. No one can! Classes take time no matter how smart you are!

I think the GWH tends to be a peculiar male trait

I don’t know…I get a lot of e-mails from students neck-deep in GWH-fueled misery. The gender mix is pretty equal…

Carol Dweck’s done some good research on this subject: people who tend to think that intelligence is fixed and that hard work actually means you’re not that smart.

Thanks for the links. I love Dweck’s work. An interesting anecdotal observation is that this fixed intelligence mindset is specifically American. In other countries, grades and workload seem to be more connected with work ethic. If you meet a grind, you don’t think “wow, what a genius,” you think instead “what a diligent worker.”

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8571 Study Hacks Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:21:04 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8571 <blockquote><p>given the cost per credit hour at public universities, I’m afraid I don’t have the money to do this.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>Important Clarification:</strong> I don't advise that you take less than the normal course load for your school. I'm suggesting, instead, that you balance the courses you take so your schedule is not killer. For example, if you take 4 courses per semester, and two are major courses, than balance them with an elective that fascinates you, or an intro course in a new subject, or a seminar-based course that has its work concentrated in a final paper not weekly assignments, etc.</p> <p>Even just introducing variety into the type of material can make a big difference. At Dartmouth, for example, I majored in computer science and minored in Art History. Each semester I would mix the two types of courses. It's not that one type of course was necessarily easier than the other, but they had such different demands on my mind that they helped prevent overload. When I got tired writing proofs I could shift to reading essays, and vice versa.</p> <p>I updated the post to include this clarification.</p>

given the cost per credit hour at public universities, I’m afraid I don’t have the money to do this.

Important Clarification: I don’t advise that you take less than the normal course load for your school. I’m suggesting, instead, that you balance the courses you take so your schedule is not killer. For example, if you take 4 courses per semester, and two are major courses, than balance them with an elective that fascinates you, or an intro course in a new subject, or a seminar-based course that has its work concentrated in a final paper not weekly assignments, etc.

Even just introducing variety into the type of material can make a big difference. At Dartmouth, for example, I majored in computer science and minored in Art History. Each semester I would mix the two types of courses. It’s not that one type of course was necessarily easier than the other, but they had such different demands on my mind that they helped prevent overload. When I got tired writing proofs I could shift to reading essays, and vice versa.

I updated the post to include this clarification.

]]> By: PirateDoctor.com » Blog Archive » Monthly Roundup http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8568 PirateDoctor.com » Blog Archive » Monthly Roundup Mon, 13 Apr 2009 05:32:48 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8568 [...] Study Hacks - “The A Strategy“ [...] […] Study Hacks - “The A Strategy“ […]

]]> By: RT Wolf http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8566 RT Wolf Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:32:51 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8566 BTW, I was just talking to someone the other day about being obsessed with intelligence and he said that he really admired Good Will Hunting. I realized that I did, too, when I used to think that intelligence meant getting it the first time or understanding it immediately or solving it in a brilliant manner. Instead now I try to look up to those who get their goals effectively and efficiently. BTW, I was just talking to someone the other day about being obsessed with intelligence and he said that he really admired Good Will Hunting. I realized that I did, too, when I used to think that intelligence meant getting it the first time or understanding it immediately or solving it in a brilliant manner.

Instead now I try to look up to those who get their goals effectively and efficiently.

]]> By: RT Wolf http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8565 RT Wolf Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:28:15 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8565 Carol Dweck's done some good research on this subject: people who tend to think that intelligence is fixed and that hard work actually means you're not that smart. This obsession with being smart gets ingrained when well-meaning adults tell a growing child that they're smart when they get the right answer. Too bad in real life you have to get the wrong answer, many, many times before you get the right one. So seeing a wrong answer as meaning you're not smart just kills you. More info about this issue here: http://www.mind-manual.com/blog/index.php/2008/09/28/improving-self-awareness-to-achieve-your-goals/ http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/ http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2007/marapr/features/dweck.html Carol Dweck’s done some good research on this subject: people who tend to think that intelligence is fixed and that hard work actually means you’re not that smart. This obsession with being smart gets ingrained when well-meaning adults tell a growing child that they’re smart when they get the right answer. Too bad in real life you have to get the wrong answer, many, many times before you get the right one. So seeing a wrong answer as meaning you’re not smart just kills you. More info about this issue here:

http://www.mind-manual.com/blog/index.php/2008/09/28/improving-self-awareness-to-achieve-your-goals/
http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/
http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2007/marapr/features/dweck.html

]]> By: Wilhelm Scream http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8562 Wilhelm Scream Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:45:56 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8562 I think the GWH tends to be a peculiar male trait. Women tend to admit (not totally, but more) how hard they have or have not worked. I suppose it helps being able to cry on a friend's shoulder and complain that you worked way to hard to have gotten a C. Maybe men should cry more. I think the GWH tends to be a peculiar male trait. Women tend to admit (not totally, but more) how hard they have or have not worked. I suppose it helps being able to cry on a friend’s shoulder and complain that you worked way to hard to have gotten a C. Maybe men should cry more.

]]> By: M. http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8559 M. Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:05:41 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8559 Great post - Last month I visited MIT as a prospective student, and a junior bragged about how little sleep he got, how hardcore his schedule was, etc. Other students spoke with grudging admiration of people who took over 5 courses a semester and never attended classes, but got As anyway. It was laughable (although I liked the school). I’m sure this problem goes beyond MIT, but I bet it pops up quite frequently at tech schools in particular. Great post - Last month I visited MIT as a prospective student, and a junior bragged about how little sleep he got, how hardcore his schedule was, etc. Other students spoke with grudging admiration of people who took over 5 courses a semester and never attended classes, but got As anyway. It was laughable (although I liked the school). I’m sure this problem goes beyond MIT, but I bet it pops up quite frequently at tech schools in particular.

]]> By: M. http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8558 M. Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:21:04 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/04/10/the-unheralded-splendor-of-the-a-strategy/#comment-8558 Great post - Last month I visited MIT as a prospective student, and a student bragged about how little sleep he got, how hardcore his schedule was, etc. Other students spoke with grudging admiration of people who took over 5 courses a semester and never attended classes, but got As anyway. It was laughable (although I liked the school). I'm sure this problem goes beyond MIT, but I bet it pops up quite frequently at tech schools in particular. Great post - Last month I visited MIT as a prospective student, and a student bragged about how little sleep he got, how hardcore his schedule was, etc. Other students spoke with grudging admiration of people who took over 5 courses a semester and never attended classes, but got As anyway. It was laughable (although I liked the school). I’m sure this problem goes beyond MIT, but I bet it pops up quite frequently at tech schools in particular.

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