Comments on: Pruning Your List of What Matters

By: Do you act on ideas, or encourage them to fade away? « TheUniversityBlog

Do you act on ideas, or encourage them to fade away? « TheUniversityBlog — Fri, 28 May 2010 09:02:35 +0000

[...] problem. Everyone thinks about stuff all the time. You have more big ideas than you realise. But you’ve got to drop some. A handful of big projects is manageable. A forever increasing supply may feel safe, but it stops [...]

By: Eugene K

Eugene K — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:57:41 +0000

I know this is a late post, but I found this article interesting and had a few posts (in case you still receive comments).
First of all, can this advice be universal? I don’t think so. Whittling down the things that matter to four may be possible for someone with a few important tasks, like a successful Dean that really wants to be a good golfer. But, how about a mom with young children struggling to make ends meet and taking night classes? There are many variations that you can probably figure out from this one example.
Also your citation of Chad Fowler is inconsistent with your first example. He says list four thing you want to improve. Other than golf, what exactly is the Dean improving? His faith or his family? There is a difference between listing tasks for improvement, listing things one cares about, and listing things one wants to devote attention to. I may really care about my faith, but not necessarily have to devote attention to it, or even feel that I need to learn more about it to practice.
I feel this is one of your weaker articles, but I am still a big fan. I didn’t write just to criticize, but to help improve the site!

By: Dagonet

Dagonet — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:08:27 +0000

Isn’t that a question of being a hedgehog vs a fox?

By: Ann

Ann — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:58:33 +0000

In terms of feedback, Cal, I’d like to see more advice specifically targeted to the actual studying. I do appreciate your more philosophical articles, but I preferred the old ratio. If I’m being honest, I must also admit that these kinds of articles tend to repeat each other, not really adding any new value. Which is, of course, probably due to the summer slump, but you know, my two cents, for what they’re worth. Whatever you choose to do, good luck! I love your blog.

By: Study Hacks

Study Hacks — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:31:06 +0000

How neccessary is it to complete a master’s degree before starting post-doctoral work? Would it provide an edge in admissions? Or would I be fine pursuing post-doctoral studies directly after undergrad?

I assume you mean doctoral studies, not post-doctoral? In computer science, earning your MS is often just one of the steps you take en route to the PhD, so you don't need to arrive with one in advance. Indeed, some schools, like MIT, don't have programs to get an MS in computer science by itself, you can *only* earn one as part of a PhD program. A MEng degree, however, is often useful, as it shows off a little more research experience before applying. But it's not necessary. I came to grad school straight out of dartmouth with only a BA.

By: Andrew Louis

Andrew Louis — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:05:20 +0000

Hi Cal,

I’m a high school student that will be commencing senior year after the summer hols. I’m really glad that I’ve found your blog! I usually hate anything to do with character self-masturbation, but I love how this blog is focused on the overall development of the individual and not just ‘study hacks’. I think one of the reasons why your blog is so popular is because you provide feedback to comments which I haven’t seen any of my favourite bloggers do! I hope that your readers aren’t whittled out of your list!

And I had a question that’s not exactly related to the blogpost.

How neccessary is it to complete a master’s degree before starting post-doctoral work? Would it provide an edge in admissions? Or would I be fine pursuing post-doctoral studies directly after undergrad?

Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I’m assuming you started your Ph.D in MIT right after you finished your undergrad in Dartmouth…

Thanks much!

By: Maureen

Maureen — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 06:20:49 +0000

I, too, read Delves Broughton book. Was alright. I was interested in what the Harvard B-School experience would be like, etc but the author, I found, was a little negative on business people and the greed/pursuit of profit etc.

I agree with the comment re not narrowing your focus in the first few years of university. Take different classes, just as one should read different type of books. Some believe really intelligent people can form parallels and connections between seemingly dissimilar thoughts and topics.

I can see, however, when you reach an elite level of education and accomplishment, as you have, you have to be really focused on what you want to accomplish.

In any event, I hope you keep blogging even after you finish your PhD.

By: My Stance on Grad School | Real Grad School

My Stance on Grad School | Real Grad School — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:34:17 +0000

[...] focus is important in becoming good at something, I think you should become good in more than one thing?—?too much specialization [...]

By: jinap

jinap — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:15:56 +0000

I divide my time into Work/School, Health, Relationships and Hobbies. Even though the categories are broad, I find it helps me keep track of my life.

They are broad enough for flexibility within them, but because the overall focus is on what’s meaningful to me, I automatically narrow down to 1-3 goals within each category in order to keep balance.

By: Study Hacks

Study Hacks — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:42:39 +0000

The salient point is that many students either don’t grasp the opportunities on offer, or they take on far too many and end up without focus. In short, no clear focus is achieved.

Thanks for the sage clarification, Martin.