Newport's words a must-have for students

By: Christina Ashie

Posted: 3/29/07

Spring break is over, and midterm grades are in. Are you left dizzy, wondering why you got a C or D instead of the A or B you were expecting? If so, Cal Newport's study book "How to Become a Straight-A Student" has an equation you need to be familiar with: Red Bull + all-nighters + a group of gripey friends + upcoming exams = failure.

Newport's book is based on an analysis of successful students that used unconventional study habits to do well while studying less. The students in his study all graduated with high GPRs from tier-one universities while maintaining jobs, extracurricular activities and social lives. Newport's thin red book claims - quite convincingly - that the key to success lies in organization and time management.

The first behavior Newport attacks is what he calls "pseudo-working." Pseudo-working generally occurs in some version of the equation listed above. According to Newport's research, a noisy environment, all-nighters and friendly distractions prove to be detrimental to quality studying. Quality studying is what is important, says Newport, not quantity.

The book covers practical steps to pay better attention, take better notes, decide what you should and shouldn't read for class, how to study for exams, and how to choose an essay topic in order to write a spectacular paper. While Newport may be a bit windy in his chapters, the chapter endings rescue the text. Each section ends with a chapter "cheat sheet" that provides a quick overview of ways to apply the techniques of the chapter to your study habits.

Newport's book is very practical. Moreover, its suggestions are easily implemented. The book targets students' weak spots and shows them how to improve. In fact, it's already helped this reader. The book is a much cheaper and less time-consuming alternative to the tutoring sessions you may be considering. After all, who doesn't want to do better and study less?