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c_hayman's review against another edition
5.0
An insightful book that contains helpful strategies for any high school and college student to improve their grades.
The author did a splendid job of detailing how to implement each step towards better grades as well as throwing humour in also.
I learned quite a bit from the book and will also definitely implement the strategies discussed in the book.
The author did a splendid job of detailing how to implement each step towards better grades as well as throwing humour in also.
I learned quite a bit from the book and will also definitely implement the strategies discussed in the book.
gcbxandie's review against another edition
5.0
Very useful. Thomas breaks down these techniques and methods into simple steps that can be immediately put to use. I'll definitely be referring to the essay-writing tips for all my future papers!
arbarraclough's review against another edition
5.0
I've been a long time fan of Thomas' so it came as no surprise to me that the book was filled with a lot of great content - partnered with his engaging writing style - but I'm believe that if you've watched his YouTube videos and his Skillshare course, you'll find that a lot of the content covered is the same. Still a good read and would recommend.
mindfulbanter's review against another edition
5.0
This book was pretty great! I already knew a lot of the things Thomas pointed out since I learned it in my many psychology classes and just from innate organizational skills, but I did pick up a few tips that I'll be trying to implement throughout the next year in school. This is great for anyone trying to be more productively in their studies, no matter what level you're in.
lolagreen's review against another edition
2.0
Overall, I felt Thomas Frank had good advice to offer on how to succeed in college and various methods to use to work smarter. But sadly, I felt a large portion of the material in this book was repeat information found in multiple videos on his or the College Info Geek YouTube channel. Therefore, I found the information of value but wouldn't recommend to most people who have consumed his content on YouTube.
This book was also heavily written with a male reader in mind. Many of the metaphors, analogies, and jokes centered on stereotypically male interests like video games and interests in dating women. For example, here's a quote from the book, "Write like you're dancing with the girl of your dreams and you're spinning her around and she's smiling so brightly..." Moments like these really took me out of the reading experience because I was reminded constantly that this book was not written for me, a woman of color, but probably written for a cishet man.
Lastly, although much of the advice was centered on how to achieve more while doing less work, there was strong "toxic productivity" vibes throughout. For example, he wrote an anecdote about a fellow content creator who found a woman on Craigslist that he paid to sit with him while he worked and if he procrastinated, she would have to slap him in the face. This was written as an extreme option for accountability and passed off as a "joke" but it was not far off from his own practice of using a platform that charged him money if he failed to reach specified goals. Productivity is good but I do feel there is a point where it's taken too far. And even though some extremes were intended to be jokes, I fully believe that some readers will still take those extremes based off this book.
This book was also heavily written with a male reader in mind. Many of the metaphors, analogies, and jokes centered on stereotypically male interests like video games and interests in dating women. For example, here's a quote from the book, "Write like you're dancing with the girl of your dreams and you're spinning her around and she's smiling so brightly..." Moments like these really took me out of the reading experience because I was reminded constantly that this book was not written for me, a woman of color, but probably written for a cishet man.
Lastly, although much of the advice was centered on how to achieve more while doing less work, there was strong "toxic productivity" vibes throughout. For example, he wrote an anecdote about a fellow content creator who found a woman on Craigslist that he paid to sit with him while he worked and if he procrastinated, she would have to slap him in the face. This was written as an extreme option for accountability and passed off as a "joke" but it was not far off from his own practice of using a platform that charged him money if he failed to reach specified goals. Productivity is good but I do feel there is a point where it's taken too far. And even though some extremes were intended to be jokes, I fully believe that some readers will still take those extremes based off this book.
brianzhamilton's review against another edition
3.0
Good book to read if you’re a Thomas Frank fan and/or about to enter college. There are a lot of things I wish I’d read and known before college, and this book makes a nice addition for college preparation. It’s a very short read/listen.
singuyen's review against another edition
4.0
This book offers great tips on studying and getting good grades, from paying attention in class, taking effective notes, to defeating procrastination, and making group work efficient. I would recommend this short book to every student out there who want to find a way to be smarter with their studying and actually enjoy the process of learning.
The book also summarizes some topics that are covered in "How to Become a Straight-A Student" by Cal Newport, which I also read a while ago. In that book, Newport went deeper into each strategy that he suggested, which is something that Frank's book may not do as well. However, I really appreciate his sharing the organizing tips and other personal tips that have helped him throughout college and now into his career.
The book also summarizes some topics that are covered in "How to Become a Straight-A Student" by Cal Newport, which I also read a while ago. In that book, Newport went deeper into each strategy that he suggested, which is something that Frank's book may not do as well. However, I really appreciate his sharing the organizing tips and other personal tips that have helped him throughout college and now into his career.