How To Become A Straight-A Student

Newport argues that most students mistake long hours for productive studying, when the real formula for success is, “work accomplished = time spent x intensity of focus” (16). His research reveals why many students burn out despite poor results. Pseudo-work involves sitting in libraries for several hours at a time while constantly checking one’s phone, chatting with friends, or passively re-reading notes. Instead, schedule multiple one-hour sessions of complete focus in distraction-free environments. A computer science student, for example, might complete calculus problem sets in a quiet study carrel with their phone turned off, finishing in two focused hours what previously took six scattered hours in their dorm room. This approach frees up substantial time for sleep, socializing, and other activities that actually enhance academic performance through improved mental health and stress reduction.

Newport advocates for transforming classroom attendance from passive information recording into active learning. He argues that this ultimately reduces one’s total study time. His approach involves organizing notes around the question-evidence-conclusion structure that mirrors how professors think. When taking notes in nontechnical courses, identify the central question being explored, capture the supporting evidence discussed, and formulate clear conclusions that synthesize the material. In technical courses like physics or calculus, focus exclusively on detailed step-by-step problem examples rather than attempting to transcribe theoretical explanations.