Book notes
4 min read

How to win at college- Cal Newport

Transformative Tips for College Success

  1. Create a Sunday Ritual:
    Take control of your Sundays to set the tone for the week ahead. Engage in a focusing ritual each Sunday morning that wakes up your mind and gets your day moving. By mastering your Sundays, you take control of your entire week.
  2. Make Your Bed:
    A clean room creates a focused mind, while a messy room leads to distractions. Maintain an organized living space to reduce distractions, feel in control of your environment, and support ambitious achievement.
  3. Build Study Systems:
    Don't approach studying haphazardly. Create specific study systems to break down tasks into manageable chunks and free up your energy to focus on learning. Without a study system, you risk wasting time, energy, and potential grades.
  4. Befriend a Professor:
    Forge a close relationship with a professor to gain motivation, guidance, and exposure to new possibilities. Professors appreciate interacting with students and being a part of their academic journey. This mutually beneficial relationship offers wonderful opportunities and valuable counsel.
  5. Do One Thing Better Than Anyone Else You Know:
    Strengthen your identity by developing a skill you can be known for. Don't let others dictate how you should feel about yourself. Mastering one activity gives you a sense of certainty and self-assurance, empowering you to conquer your world.
  6. Learn to Give Up:
    Giving up strategically is not a weakness but a tactical skill. When overwhelmed with tasks, learn to delegate or step down from unproductive commitments. Weed out the unnecessary to maximize your productivity and overall life management.
  7. Study in Fifty-Minute Chunks:
    Optimize your studying by breaking it down into fifty-minute chunks with ten-minute breaks in between. This time-management technique maximizes memory retention and provides structure to tackle daunting tasks effectively.
  8. Dress Nicely for Class:
    Dressing nicely boosts your self-confidence, enhances your focus, and signals your readiness to tackle the day's challenges. It also helps create a positive classroom environment.
  9. Decorate Your Room:
    Create a comfortable and inviting living space that attracts visitors and promotes relaxation. A well-designed room contributes to a relaxed state of mind and a thriving social life.
  10. Seek Out Phenomenal Achievers:
    Surround yourself with phenomenal achievers to expand your ambitions and gain inspiration. Cultivate relationships with successful individuals who can provide guidance and serve as sources of excitement and motivation.
  11. Laugh Every Day:
    Seek out opportunities for laughter and joy. Laughter reduces stress, improves your mood, and enhances overall well-being. Embrace humor as a vital part of your college experience.
  12. Sleep Eight Hours a Night:
    Prioritize quality sleep to optimize your cognitive function, memory consolidation, and overall well-being. A well-rested mind and body are better equipped to handle the challenges of college life.
  13. Eat Healthy:
    Fuel your body and mind with nutritious foods. A healthy diet enhances your energy levels, concentration, and overall health, enabling you to excel in your academic pursuits.
  14. Seek Out Fun:
    College life should be more than just academics and responsibilities. Actively seek out fun and enjoyable experiences to enhance your college journey. Participate in social events, join clubs or organizations, explore new hobbies, and make time for recreational activities.

Quotes

Don't let others dictate how you should feel about yourself; strengthen your identity then go conquer your world.
Remember, giving up, when done strategically, is not a weakness. It's simply smart life management.
If you cannot maintain an organized room you will never truly feel that your life is organized.
Keep yourself active and you will keep yourself successful.
Do some good in the world for no other reason than wanting to be a part of the solution. It will redefine your approach to life for the better.
Don't have no regrets, but have plenty of fun along the way. In the end, that is what it is to really win.
cal

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