Juan David's Newsletter - August 30, 2020
The Hidden 30-Year-Old Rules Before Reading/Studying, CS, and Weekly Reviews.
Hey everyone,
First Week of College = Done!
I probably studied more this week than I did throughout high school. Just kidding but I realized that engineering isn’t easy and requires a high degree of dedication. This week was good example of what the next four years will be like. Let’s get it!
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This week’s essay is about a set of rules you should do before reading and studying I discovered in an old book a few years ago (it’s not on even Google).
Welcome to the ones of you who have joined us since last Sunday! If you’re reading this but haven’t subscribed, join hundreds of curious and fascinating people by subscribing here!
As always, scroll down to find out this week’s Curiosities 🙀🧨🤩!
The Hidden 30-Year-Old Rules Before Reading or Studying
If you prefer, you can read this essay on my website.
In 2017, I had just learned English and had found this place where there were free books called the library. I got a membership and checked out four or five books. I finished reading them in the next six months and I could not believe how good these books were.
I wanted to read more and I could not stand to read just one book every month or so because 1) it was too slow, 2) I’d get bored, 3) There are too many good books. What did I do? I went back to the library and picked up one of the most influential books I’ve ever read titled Speed Reading by Steve Moidel.
This book wasn’t about speed reading but about focus, learning how to learn, space-repetition, and memory. And sure, you can learn to read faster [1].
In this essay, I will share the strategies and exercises you can do before reading or studying any topic.
Here we go!
Curiosities 🙀🧨🤩
Curiosity #1
I’ve been teaching myself programming but I haven’t really been consistent. I decided to teach myself and add it to my schedule like a normal class.
Do you have any recommendations or favorite resources?
This is what people have shared with me so far:
OSSU: Path to a free self-taught education in Computer Science (really complete)!
BEST: [Teach yourself with projects]
I’ll keep you guys updated on how it goes! Even if you don’t want to do CS, knowing programming will be like knowing how to use docs or excel.
Curiosity #2
In one of my engineering classes, we‘re learning CAD (Computer-aided design).
I’ve never used that before! And at first, it seemed daunting, frustrating, and confusing. The learning curve is really steep!
After the frustration passed, I decided to teach myself outside of class and become GREAT. I did that this week and found this series of videos on YouTube.
From frustrated and confused to enjoyable and encouraging about the opportunities and possibilities ahead.
If you’re interested in learning CAD or 3D Modeling, check out the video series HERE.
Here are two of the designs I created this week:
Curiosity #3
One of my favorite all-time thinkers is Richard Hamming. I admire how actively he tried to pursue great work while solving important problems in his field.
This book showed me what it takes to do great work and the importance of actually wanting to do great work, in order to do great work. Hamming wasn’t just waiting to work on important problems, he’d asked himself what the important problems were and would then try to solve them.
Most people don’t ask themselves why they do what they do nor what the important problems are. Therefore, most people don’t do great work.
Avoid mindlessness, and be intentional is one of the most important messages of the book.
This book taught me the importance of questioning what and why I’m doing what I’m doing while always trying to pursue great work.
Check out the book HERE.
Curiosity #4
Two weeks ago, I started doing Weekly Reviews and it’s one of the most helpful things I’ve ever done.
Weekly Reviews are KEY because you reflect on mistakes, what you’d like to change, what happened during the week, and so on. You notice your mistakes, reflect on how to avoid them, and keep going.
For instance, this morning when I was going over my weekly review, I realized lots of my goals were similar or identical to others’. That meant two things 1) I was imitating other people, 2) I wasn’t being true to myself and need to think about what I want.
Simple but powerful hack that probably changed the course of my life.
Check out my weekly review template. Let me know if you have any questions by replying.
Curiosity #5
One of the best public speakers I know is my friend Robbie. He has put so much time into public speaking that you can learn so much by listening to him speak.
Before we finish talking, I asked him for any feedback. He told that I should work on speed. He believes so much in the art of public speaking and speaking well. He said,
Speaking well isn't just for speeches. It's an opportunity to move and change people.
I was talking to some friends yesterday and one of our friends was making a mistake he knew he was making and I told them this quote:
“A fool person never learns from his mistakes.
A smart person learns from his mistakes.
A wise person learns from the mistakes of others.”
-Unknown
They were blown away and asked if the quote was mine but I told them I wish I was that wise hahaha. Have a great week!
Until next week,
Juan David Campolargo
Tried applying to 42? (wrt CS education)