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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I am a huge fan of Thomas Frank's YouTube Channel. He is a great talker and the way he presents concepts is easy to follow because he knows exactly when to use examples, quotes and personal experience. What I like most about his videos is the fact, that they are not too long but full of useful information and resources.
So why do I chose a four star rating, instead of a five star rating, when I like Thomas Frank's way of making videos so much?
When I chose to download this free pdf copy of his first book, I already watched his videos for years and I am very used to his speaking style. His writing style is not much different, at least not in this book, so maybe if you are not used to his humor, his way of summarizing other author's books or recommendation of resources, you might need a few chapters to get used to it.
I personally think that his way of summarizing different book chapters, concepts and theories, plus mixing in personal experiences and easy examples can be extremely helpful if you need are seeking help to learn how to learn.
I read through the entire book once, but I plan on going back to certain chapters and try to implement Frank's tips into my personal study habits. The book is so well structured that it is absolutely easy to find remember and search back later on.
The pdf version comes with a huge advantage: It has links to every resource Thomas Frank suggests and sometimes it even has links to his videos, in which he explains his concepts even further.
But this is also the part where my main critics come in: In the first part of the book there is an overview. The ten steps are listed, but not linked to the actual chapters. He linked resources, videos etc. why not use hyperlinks to easily access the chapters later on?
The second critic I have, is the fact that I am not a huge fan of Evernote and Google. I like most of his resources and recommendations, but you should definitely not use everything blindly and search for the safety of your data to maybe search for alternatives later on. He does it often, but especially with Evernote, Frank does not offer an Alternative.
As he is an MIT graduate, it would have been at least nice if he had a little note on being critical with Apps, websites etc.
The last thing I want to mention is that he talks a lot about videos and podcasts but he does not mention different learning types and I think he missed a huge opportunity here. I always liked to read a lot, I never had real problems understanding texts, even when they got more difficult in university, but I eventually figured out, that I am more of an visual and auditiv learner. Especially watching videos help me understand math and computer science concepts more than simply reading about it. There are four types of learners and you should definitely try to find out which one you are, to use the resources mentioned in this book more efficently.
Another note: Of course this book has little parts where Thomas Frank advertises his work and himself. He wants you to watch his videos, listen to his podcast, read his website and support his work, because this is what he does for a living. Since this book is for free (if you subscribe to his website), I personally think it is completely okay to do so. This book does not read like an advertisment, he rather puts his own stuff in just like he recommends apps, websites, books and speaches from different people.
All in all "10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades" is a great book if you want to get started on improving your studying and grades no mater if you are still in school or already in college. It is only 83 pages long and easy to understand. It is well structured and written in a way that you can easily come back and reread the chapters to really implement his recommendations and tips into you everyday life. At least I know, that I definitley will.
So why do I chose a four star rating, instead of a five star rating, when I like Thomas Frank's way of making videos so much?
When I chose to download this free pdf copy of his first book, I already watched his videos for years and I am very used to his speaking style. His writing style is not much different, at least not in this book, so maybe if you are not used to his humor, his way of summarizing other author's books or recommendation of resources, you might need a few chapters to get used to it.
I personally think that his way of summarizing different book chapters, concepts and theories, plus mixing in personal experiences and easy examples can be extremely helpful if you need are seeking help to learn how to learn.
I read through the entire book once, but I plan on going back to certain chapters and try to implement Frank's tips into my personal study habits. The book is so well structured that it is absolutely easy to find remember and search back later on.
The pdf version comes with a huge advantage: It has links to every resource Thomas Frank suggests and sometimes it even has links to his videos, in which he explains his concepts even further.
But this is also the part where my main critics come in: In the first part of the book there is an overview. The ten steps are listed, but not linked to the actual chapters. He linked resources, videos etc. why not use hyperlinks to easily access the chapters later on?
The second critic I have, is the fact that I am not a huge fan of Evernote and Google. I like most of his resources and recommendations, but you should definitely not use everything blindly and search for the safety of your data to maybe search for alternatives later on. He does it often, but especially with Evernote, Frank does not offer an Alternative.
As he is an MIT graduate, it would have been at least nice if he had a little note on being critical with Apps, websites etc.
The last thing I want to mention is that he talks a lot about videos and podcasts but he does not mention different learning types and I think he missed a huge opportunity here. I always liked to read a lot, I never had real problems understanding texts, even when they got more difficult in university, but I eventually figured out, that I am more of an visual and auditiv learner. Especially watching videos help me understand math and computer science concepts more than simply reading about it. There are four types of learners and you should definitely try to find out which one you are, to use the resources mentioned in this book more efficently.
Another note: Of course this book has little parts where Thomas Frank advertises his work and himself. He wants you to watch his videos, listen to his podcast, read his website and support his work, because this is what he does for a living. Since this book is for free (if you subscribe to his website), I personally think it is completely okay to do so. This book does not read like an advertisment, he rather puts his own stuff in just like he recommends apps, websites, books and speaches from different people.
All in all "10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades" is a great book if you want to get started on improving your studying and grades no mater if you are still in school or already in college. It is only 83 pages long and easy to understand. It is well structured and written in a way that you can easily come back and reread the chapters to really implement his recommendations and tips into you everyday life. At least I know, that I definitley will.
- Holy bananas pancakes !
I really really enjoyed this book!!!!!!
It's a short and well-structure book that give us some good tips and suggestions about how to get better grades, stay more organized, adquire some habits and, as a results, become a more productive student (and straight As).
The language is very dynamic and fluid like we're having a friendly conversation with the author (or watching his channel - sometimes, when I was reading, his voice popped up in my head like an audiobook), sometimes I've felt that I was talking with my NERD friends (I'm a little nerd too, so it's a compliment) specially with all those gamer's exemples and parallels made to emphasize some ideas and some(all)times, sarcasm, made me laugh out loud.
I'm not in college anymore (my major degrees in chemistry is about to happen in July), but I'll start to study by myself for post-graduation degrees, IELTS certification, and life goes on stuff, and that book also helped to view a plan to organize my schedule better, make plans and stay organized to achieve my goals.
I just think it should be bigger and with less links, and more visual and on page examples about what he is suggesting (I've owned the free edition - thank you very much, Thomas Frank - but I printed it to read, and in many pages I've got trilled to my phone again just to see some hiperlink, so, yes, even if the text format goes messy, that would be awesome!)
I've made a LOTS of notes and underlines, highlights, circles and every type of rubric available to point out important things in this book, so, now, I need to summarize and try to apply it :)
I really really enjoyed this book!!!!!!
It's a short and well-structure book that give us some good tips and suggestions about how to get better grades, stay more organized, adquire some habits and, as a results, become a more productive student (and straight As).
The language is very dynamic and fluid like we're having a friendly conversation with the author (or watching his channel - sometimes, when I was reading, his voice popped up in my head like an audiobook), sometimes I've felt that I was talking with my NERD friends (I'm a little nerd too, so it's a compliment) specially with all those gamer's exemples and parallels made to emphasize some ideas and some(all)times, sarcasm, made me laugh out loud.
I'm not in college anymore (my major degrees in chemistry is about to happen in July), but I'll start to study by myself for post-graduation degrees, IELTS certification, and life goes on stuff, and that book also helped to view a plan to organize my schedule better, make plans and stay organized to achieve my goals.
I just think it should be bigger and with less links, and more visual and on page examples about what he is suggesting (I've owned the free edition - thank you very much, Thomas Frank - but I printed it to read, and in many pages I've got trilled to my phone again just to see some hiperlink, so, yes, even if the text format goes messy, that would be awesome!)
I've made a LOTS of notes and underlines, highlights, circles and every type of rubric available to point out important things in this book, so, now, I need to summarize and try to apply it :)
For a free book, really good! While it is essentially a long blog post, or script for one of the authors YouTube videos, it is fun to read as the style is informative yet casual and occasionally fun, and I think it can definitely be a good thing for the average college freshman to read.
As someone going to university, which is organised a bit differently, a teensy bit older than that average freshman and already deeply into the YouTube and blogging community around school and studying, not everything in this book was super new to me, but due to the style, it was still enjoyable.
Looove that the author also emphasizes the importance of balance, sleep, and exercise, and keeps their tips approachable and actionable; this is no unattainable perfect machine student lifestyle.
As someone going to university, which is organised a bit differently, a teensy bit older than that average freshman and already deeply into the YouTube and blogging community around school and studying, not everything in this book was super new to me, but due to the style, it was still enjoyable.
Looove that the author also emphasizes the importance of balance, sleep, and exercise, and keeps their tips approachable and actionable; this is no unattainable perfect machine student lifestyle.
3.5 ⭐
Reading some practical/self-helpy stuff to prepare myself for possible grad studies. Sometimes this genre of books seems really underwhelming and obvious in the short term but the advice sticks with me in the long term. Lots of useful tips that I wish I hadn't learned the hard way! This would be great pre-reading before college or even highschool tbh.
Reading some practical/self-helpy stuff to prepare myself for possible grad studies. Sometimes this genre of books seems really underwhelming and obvious in the short term but the advice sticks with me in the long term. Lots of useful tips that I wish I hadn't learned the hard way! This would be great pre-reading before college or even highschool tbh.
This is honestly an awsome book and I highly suggest any student to go read it. While the book is geared towards a college student, the lessons apply to all students and life in general. Its also free on his website, so yay for all access education! He also points you towards a bunch of helpful books, so another bonus. I promise i’m #notsponsored , I just found this book motivating after a pretty bad personal semester.
Thomas practices what he preaches in his podcasts and YouTube channel and here he also writes what he preaches. Repetition perhaps to his fanbase but very valuable to every student. I'm just now returning to uni as an adult and... I needed the repititon to get myself in shape for this semester. Really appreciated the strategies for handling group projects... Will take them to heart.
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
This good man single-handedly saved my school year. Easy read, and 100% worth it.
This book was , absolutely, a solution for me .
Thomas Frank did it all to make the book a reference for students and learners in general .It contains plenty tools , clear ways and detailed techniques on how to upgrade your learning process. In addition to that,there are many quotes and book recommendations that held the same topic.
Personally, I took the challenge to read it in one day and I couldn't put it down not because the pressure of the time but because it was highly informative , also as the writer mentioned you can read one step and take it into action,so that way, it will be more beneficial for you .
Since I followed Thomas Frank on youtube , I can relate to what he was talking about in the book but as a book lover , it was better to read those information than watch a youtube video .
I highly recommend it for anyone who want to boost his self-development story .
Thomas Frank did it all to make the book a reference for students and learners in general .It contains plenty tools , clear ways and detailed techniques on how to upgrade your learning process. In addition to that,there are many quotes and book recommendations that held the same topic.
Personally, I took the challenge to read it in one day and I couldn't put it down not because the pressure of the time but because it was highly informative , also as the writer mentioned you can read one step and take it into action,so that way, it will be more beneficial for you .
Since I followed Thomas Frank on youtube , I can relate to what he was talking about in the book but as a book lover , it was better to read those information than watch a youtube video .
I highly recommend it for anyone who want to boost his self-development story .
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced