Summary of "To Do Well In College: Don't Work Hard, Work Efficiently"

Key Wellness and Productivity Strategies for Doing Well in College

Work Efficiently, Not Harder

Success in college is about maximizing efficiency in studying and attending classes rather than just putting in more hours.

Pre-Class Reading

Read the assigned material before class to build background knowledge.
Even partial understanding before lecture helps absorb more during class.

Note-Taking

Take notes during class to stay attentive and create a resource for review.
Take notes while reading to enhance comprehension and retention.

Post-Class Review

Spend about 15 minutes revising and consolidating notes taken from reading and lecture to deepen understanding.

Efficient Study Breakdown

Reading + note-taking: ~2 hours per reading, yielding ~50% comprehension.
One-hour lecture with notes: boosts comprehension to ~95%.
15-minute note revision post-class: increases comprehension to ~99%.
Final review before exams (~3 hours): reinforces retention (~94%).
Total efficient study time for a semester (~15 readings): ~52 hours for an A/A- grade.

Inefficient Study Habits to Avoid

Skimming readings without note-taking leads to low comprehension (~5%) and poor retention.
Attending lectures without notes or prior reading yields low comprehension (~25%).
Skipping note revision and cramming before exams results in low retention (~20-55%) and poor grades despite more hours spent (~60 hours).

Notes as a Time-Saving Tool

Though note-taking seems time-consuming, it actually saves time by improving comprehension and retention, reducing the need for excessive cramming.

Analogy to Bodybuilding

Just like a bodybuilder maximizes gains by focusing fully on lifting during gym time, students should focus fully during class and study sessions. Avoid distractions such as phones and unnecessary breaks to make the most of study time.

General Advice

Distribute effort evenly across the semester to avoid stress and last-minute cramming.
Use lecture time as an opportunity to clarify and deepen understanding since professors are experts on exam content.