I kept my 4.0 GPA intact!

Since the new system went into effect, here is how I scored on my exams for the rest of the semester:

Class 1 (ACCT): 98,92,73 (final not required)
Class 2 (US HIST): 106,102,96 (did not get final grade back)
Class 3 (W. HIST): 100,100,94
Class 4 (POLS): 100,100,150 (final was out of 150)

Thanks again Cal for the inspiration and the tools to make this work!

What would you recommend to keep up with this kind of courseload?

My whole blog is full of advice for how to tackle school work efficiently. Most of my readers take 4 - 5 courses a semester. Start with my post on the straight-A method (in the sidebar.)

However, I noticed that this schedule would not work for a grad student, because the work load is so much heavier.

See my above answer…

This blog post is great and all if you’re only taking 4 classes (which I assume amounts to 12 credits). I could afford the review and work sessions to keep up with that kind of load as well.

However, I feel like this kind of schedule would be impossible for me considering the load I have. At my university, if you are in the College of Business Admin you are required to double major (yes, required). I have to take 135 credits total to graduate, and the only way for me to actually get out in 4 years is to take 18 credits my next three semesters. I noticed Jay’s classload is composed mostly of “soft” classes as well (besides Accounting). I don’t have that ability. My classes are all numbers or programming based–from Applied Business Econ to Managerial Accounting, or from Java to Database Management. And on top of that I have a Business Law class, which is a nightmare.

I know you advocate not overloading yourself, but I NEED to in order to get out in four years. What would you recommend to keep up with this kind of courseload?

Sorry, another question: can you clarify, for the storytelling method, how you would define the significance of a lecture?

I’m a physiotherapy student and I’ve been trying to implement the advice you give in your blog and the red book. It’s been hard since I’m a bad procrastinator but there have been some positive changes and I’m happy about that.

I really enjoyed this post because it shows that everyone regardless of age should learn how to study properly. I hope that in the future you could feature how a student taking a technical course without maths employ the straight-A method. Currently I am making quick-draw questions to memorize facts and using the storytelling method to describe how the body functions. It would be nice if I could read about how a real-life example studies for a similar type of course.

SAT IIs, ACTs, Finals, College Essays, and College Applications.. all within the span of 1-2 weeks!

Nazim, search for my article on the the visual panic schedule. That will help. The article on the 4D method might help some as well.

Do you check your mail? I sent you one to the author(at) . . . address because I’m in a jam (putting it lightly.)

I do respond to all student e-mails. Recently I’ve been averaging about a 7 - 14 day latency on responses.

It’s flu season in full bloom. Do you have any suggestions for not lagging behind when you’re sick? I got downed with the flu on Friday. . .

See me recent rapid-fire advice post. One of the questions I answered covered this topic.

Have you a twitter account?

Nope. This blog is your one-stop shop for everything Cal.

If you could find out for me which drum corps he was in, that would be great.

I do know. But I’ll leave it up to Jay to decide whether he wants to share that information. (If he does, he can leave a comment here.)

I’m having trouble compressing your strategies into a coherent whole. How would you simplify it so that it is easily understandable? Say, how would you explain it to a first or second grader?

See this:

http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/27/what-the-hell-is-study-hacks/

In short: do less; do better; know why.

If you interested in just the technical aspects of studying (which falls under “do better”), then read this:

http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/03/09/the-straight-a-method-how-to-ace-college-courses/