Comments on: The Shadow Course: A Simple Technique to Produce Extraordinary Work http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/ Decoding Patterns of Success Tue, 22 May 2012 11:52:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Liza http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-25772 Liza Sat, 17 Sep 2011 17:45:24 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-25772 I think I really need to implement shadow courses. Just finished my third week in college and recently studying has made me feel a bit burned out. My theory for this is that I keep skipping around from subject to subject in a study session, which probably is what gives me headaches. Perhaps if I spent an hour a week devoted on one subject than 2 or 3, I won't feel as stretched (or rushed). Cal, what are your thoughts on this? Does this plan seem to be what your shadow course idea entails? I think I really need to implement shadow courses. Just finished my third week in college and recently studying has made me feel a bit burned out. My theory for this is that I keep skipping around from subject to subject in a study session, which probably is what gives me headaches.

Perhaps if I spent an hour a week devoted on one subject than 2 or 3, I won’t feel as stretched (or rushed). Cal, what are your thoughts on this? Does this plan seem to be what your shadow course idea entails?

]]> By: Amber http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-16009 Amber Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:53:09 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-16009 Cal, This post is a bit old, I know, but I am intrigued with the idea. How would this work in practice? I have 4 classes, thus you recommend devoting 1hr/class every week as a shadow course. Does this mean I set aside a 4hr block of time to work on advanced exam prep for each class, an hour at a time?--this seems contrary to your advice on tackling work in small chunks of intense focus. Or does it mean setting aside 4 separate 1 hour chunks devoted to each class every week (this seems useful, but doesn't really fit the shadow class metaphor you have set up, as a typical 'class' does not meet 4x/wk)? Or perhaps something like 2hrs two days a week to work on advanced exam prep 2 classes at a time? Perhaps I'm over-thinking this. I am interested in the theory, but would like more info about applying this method in practice. Cal,

This post is a bit old, I know, but I am intrigued with the idea. How would this work in practice? I have 4 classes, thus you recommend devoting 1hr/class every week as a shadow course. Does this mean I set aside a 4hr block of time to work on advanced exam prep for each class, an hour at a time?–this seems contrary to your advice on tackling work in small chunks of intense focus. Or does it mean setting aside 4 separate 1 hour chunks devoted to each class every week (this seems useful, but doesn’t really fit the shadow class metaphor you have set up, as a typical ‘class’ does not meet 4x/wk)? Or perhaps something like 2hrs two days a week to work on advanced exam prep 2 classes at a time?

Perhaps I’m over-thinking this. I am interested in the theory, but would like more info about applying this method in practice.

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-9900 Study Hacks Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:15:01 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-9900 <blockquote>As of now, I’m juggling tests, homework, and time to day-dream, all the while feeling less stressed out. Thanks a ton!</blockquote> Excellent! Thanks for the update...

As of now, I’m juggling tests, homework, and time to day-dream, all the while feeling less stressed out. Thanks a ton!

Excellent! Thanks for the update…

]]> By: Stephanie http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-9899 Stephanie Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:34:02 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-9899 Hello! I'm the student from Taiwan who emailed you a month (I think?) ago, and I've applied the autopilot schedule ever since my practice exam grades slapped me in the face. It's a bit different, for I have to stay at school until 9 at night from Monday to Friday for study periods, and rather trying to finish all the homework on that day, I schedule a subject to study. I feel more at ease knowing I just have to concentrate on this particular subject rather than studying on something, but worrying about another. It's surprisingly efficient, and I wonder why I never came across your blog before @@ And the oddest thing is...even when the blackboard is scrawled with homework, I manage to get everything done. Well, almost everything. But it's a satisfying method to soothe my dying sense of security, I nearly went insane when I realized just how many textbooks I have to review before mid-January. (We have 6 core subjects and 3 Science subjects that we're not actually required to do better on. Using my non-existent math skills, I have 24 textbooks to study for my core subjects, add that with 3, and I have 27 books. I have 99 days left till liftoff) As of now, I'm juggling tests, homework, and time to day-dream, all the while feeling less stressed out. Thanks a ton! Hello! I’m the student from Taiwan who emailed you a month (I think?) ago, and I’ve applied the autopilot schedule ever since my practice exam grades slapped me in the face. It’s a bit different, for I have to stay at school until 9 at night from Monday to Friday for study periods, and rather trying to finish all the homework on that day, I schedule a subject to study. I feel more at ease knowing I just have to concentrate on this particular subject rather than studying on something, but worrying about another. It’s surprisingly efficient, and I wonder why I never came across your blog before @@

And the oddest thing is…even when the blackboard is scrawled with homework, I manage to get everything done. Well, almost everything.

But it’s a satisfying method to soothe my dying sense of security, I nearly went insane when I realized just how many textbooks I have to review before mid-January. (We have 6 core subjects and 3 Science subjects that we’re not actually required to do better on. Using my non-existent math skills, I have 24 textbooks to study for my core subjects, add that with 3, and I have 27 books. I have 99 days left till liftoff)

As of now, I’m juggling tests, homework, and time to day-dream, all the while feeling less stressed out. Thanks a ton!

]]> By: Aaron http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-9360 Aaron Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:59:02 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-9360 As a long time reader, and an incoming freshman, this is one technique which I will certainly implement first semester. Back in high school (I say that as if it were eons ago) I was simply bogged down with doing every assignment as it came up--which usually led to day-before-the-exam work. Despite being able to do well in high school, I understand that college isn't going to simply be more difficult, but it will also be more worthy of my time and effort. After all, we're working with "big ideas" now, eh? I'll let you know how it works out. As a long time reader, and an incoming freshman, this is one technique which I will certainly implement first semester. Back in high school (I say that as if it were eons ago) I was simply bogged down with doing every assignment as it came up–which usually led to day-before-the-exam work. Despite being able to do well in high school, I understand that college isn’t going to simply be more difficult, but it will also be more worthy of my time and effort. After all, we’re working with “big ideas” now, eh?

I’ll let you know how it works out.

]]> By: Essay http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-8921 Essay Thu, 28 May 2009 03:53:02 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-8921 <p>Extremely well implemented studying techniques. We all do need such techniques so we could draw out our maximum potential in our respective field of study.</p> <p>Well done!</p> Extremely well implemented studying techniques. We all do need such techniques so we could draw out our maximum potential in our respective field of study.

Well done!

]]> By: Aurooba http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-8762 Aurooba Sat, 09 May 2009 17:16:46 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-8762 I love this!!! To me, this honestly sounds so much better than the auto-pilot, even though it's just an optimization of the auto-pilot. This has more appeal for me, echoing Nate above, it's a great way to apply the useful studying techniques you offer in in one single process. Thank you! I love this!!! To me, this honestly sounds so much better than the auto-pilot, even though it’s just an optimization of the auto-pilot. This has more appeal for me, echoing Nate above, it’s a great way to apply the useful studying techniques you offer in in one single process.

Thank you!

]]> By: Stefan | StudySuccessful.com http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-8733 Stefan | StudySuccessful.com Tue, 05 May 2009 20:06:29 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-8733 A good article! Starting ridiculously is early is really ridiculous when you do it. It is just like: 'Hmm, I have to finish this paper in about 12 weeks, why am I already doing it?' But after 11 weeks, when you are just tweaking the last things about it and you see your fellow students not having sleep because of that paper, it's just great. That feeling, is all worth it, not to mention your grades ;) Stefan A good article!
Starting ridiculously is early is really ridiculous when you do it. It is just like: ‘Hmm, I have to finish this paper in about 12 weeks, why am I already doing it?’ But after 11 weeks, when you are just tweaking the last things about it and you see your fellow students not having sleep because of that paper, it’s just great. That feeling, is all worth it, not to mention your grades ;)

Stefan

]]> By: rupss http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-8731 rupss Tue, 05 May 2009 00:07:51 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-8731 this is great. for high school students, your shadow course could simply be your free period. this is great. for high school students, your shadow course could simply be your free period.

]]> By: Nate http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-8730 Nate Mon, 04 May 2009 21:16:47 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/05/04/the-shadow-course-a-simple-technique-to-produce-extraordinary-work/#comment-8730 It's nice to see a proper way to implement all of your studying techniques into one process! What a great companion post to the auto-pilot schedule. It’s nice to see a proper way to implement all of your studying techniques into one process!

What a great companion post to the auto-pilot schedule.

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