Customer Reviews

How To Study In College Seventh Edition

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Before I bought this book, I was a borderline 2nd year engineering student, and that's putting it lightly. After reading through it, my grades jumped high enough to get me into grad school, and I got straight A's in all my MSc courses. I also got an MBA later on.

Now that isn't just because of Pauk, but I would never have done it without his marvelous advice from 'How to Study in College.' When I read the book, I felt like I was being talked to by someone GENUINELY interested in HELPING ME do better. Not what you expect from someone who spent decades teaching at a stuffy Ivy League university (Cornell).

Pauk is no charlatan. He does not preach. All he offers are research-based techniques that have stood the test of time. In other words, through his years helping real students, he has found real techniques that have achieved real results. This is not theoretical stuff. And his systems are flexible, offering a variety of solutions to the various dilemmas students face. In the book, Pauk himself says not to follow every single one of his methods, but to pick and choose what suits the reader. This is indeed a practical man.

How practical? Well, Pauk even goes into details like how your room should be lighted and how to correctly lie down for powernaps.

Moreover, I have found that much of his advice, for example on time management, taking care of yourself, and memorization, are just as applicable in the working world. I refer to it all the time, and even today find it sincere, practical, and timeless. This is right up there with Shrunk and Wright on any person's list of must reads.

One final note: Pauk's advice is clearly more geared towards students taking qualitative subjects rather than math/science/engineering courses. However, the general lessons can help anyone, no matter what one is studying. This is THE book, the original, the one and only, the legend. There is no substitute.

I have been recommending this classic book for 20 years. Mr. Pauk has the gift of communicating very explicit, practical advice in a warm and engaging way. He comes across as a sort of kindly doctor on a house call to a hypochondriac: "Yes, I've listened to all of your excuses for failure; now let's figure out, together, how to get some success." Before you shell out money on a "learning center," or a study-skills coach, or something similar, you owe it to yourself to get this book. Approach it seriously, do as Pauk teaches, and you will be pulled irresistibly toward better grades, higher self-esteem, and a sense of gratitude toward this author. He's the best friend an anguished student could ever have.

There are some things in life you should do. One of them is to read, study and apply the techniques outlined in this book. I was normally an average student making average grades. Fortunately, my wife and I took a class in 1989 on "Reading & Study Skills" improvement. This was the text that was used. My grades have improved(A's and B's now)due to this class and this text. It takes work to succeed in any class. This book definately will help you improve your grades in college or high school. I have used it to help teach others how to improve their study skills. You can develop better study habits if you follow the steps in this book.

I have been teaching from Pauk's How to Study in College for many of the last 30 years. Although I have tried other similar textbooks, but none have been as successful with student's as Pauk's. How to Study in College provides solid, time proven strategies that, if used, will help a student fulfill his or her academic goals. The strategy most often used by my college students is Pauk's Cornell Notetaking Method. Included in this textbook are also chapters about listening skills, test-taking strategies, and the power of asking questions. The major change in the seventh edition is a greater emphasis on vocabulary. Beyond revisions in the vocabulary chapter, are two improvements included at the end of each chapter. The first improvement is the addition of an etymology section. One word is highlighted at the end of each chapter, with it's history and current use explained. The second revision is that instead of just listing words in the vocabulary improvement section with three possible synonyms from which a student may choose, words are now being given in context, usually within a quote. The added twist here is that an instructor can discuss the person being quoted, thereby adding historical perspective to students' often too lean knowledge of history. This book is, then, and excellent one for courses that emphasize study strategies and reading comprehension. It is also a textbook that is eminently useable by a student without benefit of an instructor.

Let me be frank. I'm a high school dropout and I've had this book for a long time. I'm not going anywhere right now. I'm nineteen years old. I have read nearly one-hundred different study books and motivational books and I can honestly say that if there were one that was going to get me on the right track, it would have been Walter Pauk's How to Study in College. He gives great information in common sense context and backed by complete, legitimate research. The book is not even solely about studying in college, it's about developing yourself into an educated person.

Parents, this book would make a great gift for a troubled child. If he/she has any intelligence whatsoever, he/she will read it without much encouragement. This book is worth it's weight in gold.

After looking up the current edition of this book for a friend, I notice the prior review was very negative. So, I decided I should relate my experience for balance. I begged the dean to allow me to return to school in 1976 (I was a sophmore with a 0.9 GPA -- I was on the seven year plan). He said he would give me a one semester shot. I needed help real bad! I was in the book store and saw this book (Second Edition). I bought it, read it, and followed its recommendations religiously. I took 15 hours that semester and made four A's and one C (I had made only one A prior). The dean decided to let me stay. I took 18 hours the next semester and made straight A's. By the time I graduated in 1978, I had raised by overall GPA to 2.9 and my major GPA to 3.8! THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY WORTH IT! I still have my original copy. I recommend to anyone who asks how to succeed in college. I tell them my story and show them the book.

I descovered this book while on a summer internship at Cornell University back in 1992. I was told that all Cornell students were required to take a 2-week course their freshman year to study this book. This book does not simply say, as many other study guides do, organize your time; this book provides you with various model schedules that simulate very well the busy lives of students. The note taking section was FABULOUS. I can't praise this book enough. It is most definately worh the money!!!!

I bought this book my freshman year in college 10 years ago,and used it all through my Bachelor's degree and then in again whilepursuing my Master's Degree. It's an excellent book and I plan on buying it for my brother who's going through college now.

I was fortunate to get a copy from my Grandma, who happened to get the book at a garage sale. The book is great!!! I have increased my GPA from a 2.50 to a 3.2 @ ucla because I began to practice some of the various study habits it mentions in the book. I must say, it definately deserves 5 stars.

i originally bought this book to help me with some study skills for a self study program. i have not taken classes in over six years and needed to refresh my study skills. this book addresses all aspects of studying and school. althought I did not read all chapters because some did not apply to me during my current study situation, I found this book very helpful for my situation. it addresses all aspect of studying in college. the cost seems high because it is more like a text for a college class but well worth the investment.