Skip to content

The Unsinkable Student Organization System - Study Hacks - Cal Newport

Metadata

  • Author:
  • Full Title: The Unsinkable Student Organization System - Study Hacks - Cal Newport
  • Category: #Type/Highlight/Article
  • URL: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2009/08/25/the-unsinkable-student-organization-system/

Highlights

  • what seems like a smart, comprehensive system to today you, will be later seen as a terrible prison that blackens your heart and steals your freedom by the future you
  • As you might have guessed, this future you will abandon your smart system and fall back into unorganized chaos
  • Rule #1: One Class = One Notebook + One Folder
  • Note: Instead of Class, think Project
  • Rule #3: Use a Calendar Backup Notebook. As I’ve pleaded many times before, you must keep a calendar that you check at the same time every day. (I like Google’s calendar, but anything works.) This simple addition to your student life will save you significant stress. In addition to this calendar, however, my unsinkable organization system asks that you keep a small spiral-bound notebook with you at all times. When you encounter a date, appointment, or deadline, record it in this notebook. When you next review your calendar, add the dates from your notebook. (If you use a time management system like GTDCS, this can be the same notebook you use for task capture.) This ensures that you’re never scratching your head to remember what you’re responsible for and when.