I am pleased to share a sneak peek from The GPA Strategy before it is published on August 16. This excerpt is Chapter 9: Making the Most of Class Time by Mastering Note-taking and Engagement. I’d love to know your favorite quote from this sample. Feel free to send me your feedback.

Thanks for letting me share my excitement. I can’t wait until my book is ready to

launch. Enjoy your sneak peek!

Sincerely,

John

Chapter 9: Making the Most of Class Time by Mastering Note-taking and Engagement

In Chapter 8, we examined the importance of fiercely protecting your time schedule so that you have the time to consistently make progress towards your academic success. As a college student, your classes serve as the backbone of your entire academic experience. These 50 to 75 minutes or longer blocks are incredible opportunities to absorb important and valuable knowledge from subject matter experts. But like your need to consistently prioritize your schedule, you must have an intentional and effective strategy for using that class time effectively. If you are not actively engaged during the class session, a huge opportunity for learning the material may be lost.

This chapter examines effective strategies for being fully engaged and purposeful during every class section. We’ll cover tips for maximizing your focus and attention, as well as note-taking systems for capturing concepts in a way that actually works.

The Power of Intentional Class Presence

Think about it: you’re paying thousands of dollars for the privilege of being taught by highly educated professionals that are providing you with information needed to achieve your goals. You have to choose how you’re going to approach this investment. Every lecture and discussion you’re part of is an investment in your future. Much like responsible savings or investment strategies are designed to protect your money and allow it to grow, wasting class time through inattention (such as checking in on social media or browsing the Internet) or taking sloppy notes essentially means that instead of investing that hard-earned money, you are spending it on intangibles that may be worthless in the future.

Therefore, showing up to each class ready to fully engage creates a mindset primed for absorbing the important information and explanations. Like a sponge, you’ll be able to synthesize core concepts as they’re presented, mentally connect ideas to a deeper understanding, identify areas that you need to invest additional time researching or studying, or ask insightful questions to strengthen your knowledge. When you commit to being intentionally present, you’re getting your maximum return on investment from each class session.

The full chapter is available at: https://johnrhoffman.com/the-gpa-strategy/sneak-peek-from-the-gpa-strategy/