★★★★★ 5
Tried it, it worked!
Format: Paperback
I first have to say I practiced what the author tell us to do, and that semester I got A's on all my classes, and my GPA has improved considerably (I wish I had read this several years ago).
I bought this book at the end of 2011 and decided to put to practice what it says. I was very amazed at my former roommate's 5.0 GPA and scholarship to Stanford once he got his minor in Biology. This guy would just come home, watch movies, go out with his girlfriend, play sports a lot, go dancing, etc. We never saw him cramming or pulling one all-nighter, NOT EVEN ONCE!. The other 2 guys were jealous studying like crazy but with 3.85 GPA. When I asked him about his success he said he wasn't doing anything special, except for staying in school until he finished his homework for the day. It didn't make sense since we saw him at home around 6 pm. "I just divide the work for each assignment unless it is too easy, and I never stay more than 1 or 2 hours doing just one assignment, That helps me usually get over 100% so at the end of the semester I don't have to worry too much about tests and other stuff like that; I don't read the whole thing, EVER! I would never be able to read the 100+ pages required each week, plus memorizing, and then doing an essay, it is ridiculous."
I read a few books about getting A's (I am from Mexico so the grading system is different), but they all said the same: read the whole thing, learn everything to avoid surprises, repeat it but in your own words, make notes in every paragraph, develop mental maps, and so on... This book is different (some of the things are similar but not the same).
Here's the most useful piece of advice I got from it: It is very often more important to know what NOT to study, than what to study. Time is very limited and we shouldn't waste it trying to read all the materials, learn absolutely everything for the tests, etc (especially the night before whatever is due). Your brain will shut off before you can do that, so you're better off knowing what you can and cannot do without burning out.
I also have to say I enjoyed precious nights of deep sleep, and going to the test with a fresh mind (and scent), instead of tired, desperate, stinky, and trying to memorize 5 minutes before the test. This book is a lot about having free time to enjoy (not just getting drunk like some reviewers said) while others are wishing they would have studied earlier. It is a lot about structure and dividing the workload throughout the semester, month, week, day. You need to pay attention since at some point it could get a little tedious, like when he explains how to prepare for an essay. But if you try them they will work; the ultimate goal here is making college less tedious, more enjoyable, and an experience that will enrich your life instead of becoming a very expensive hell. It is also worth mentioning that the author is not giving you something he just though of, but these are common habits among top students attending top universities.
I can also suggest you try the methods in the book and combine them with others such as mnemonics; I memorize whatever information I don't think I'll need in the future, and just pour it on the test, then forget about the rest; I do this ONLY with useless info that won't help me in any other class, and when I know the test will allow it (like multiple choice, short answers, yes/no, etc).
Would definitely recommend it.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2012
