Although the author have good intentions, the author had clearly been out of college for a long time before writing this book. He suggests that students approach every reading assignments as a twelve-step process. He asks you to write down what you already know about the subject, what you expect to learn, read the assignment 3 separate times, write and rewrite your notes, create charts and graphics, pictures, and devise mnemonics to memorize concepts.

This might help a highly-ambitious high school student with nothing productive to do with his time, but it is impossible to apply in college. The author gives a 1 page sample and spends 200 pages explaining how to take notes on this single page. Doing every steps he advocates takes hours for a single page; how can you expect to do all this if you have to read thousands of pages, which is what colleges usually require. This book does not delivers on it's title.

For a good study-guide written by an actual college student who describes methods that are successfully used by real students and not a simple hypothetical method, get Cal Newports How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less.

Adam Robinson presents some interesting advice. However, the book keeps repeating itself and it seems to assume that we have infinite time to study. It is better suit to high school than college.

Just over a year ago, I was walking through Borders when I noticed this book and laughed to myself at its prominently displayed and clichéd promise of MAXIMUM GRADES.

"Oh great, I've seen this before," I thought. "Only suckers and suckers' parents buy these books, anyway." I walked away.

After all, who doesn't want maximum grades? Or, for that matter, a shorter waistband, to become a magnet for beautiful women, or to have an instant multi-million dollar bank account?

This was some kind of scheme, right? WRONG!!! VERY, VERY WRONG!!!

I was not a bad student when I bought What Smart Students Know, but I certainly was not a SMART student either. I can proudly say, as a soon-to-graduate high school senior who has meticulously applied Robinson's methods in my own life (and seen my grades go up DRAMATICALLY as a result), that THIS IS A BOOK THAT CHANGES PEOPLE- NOT JUST ACADEMICALLY, BUT PHILOSOPHICALLY AND EVEN EMOTIONALLY.

Perhaps the single most powerful element of Robinson's book is his promise of OPTIMUM LEARNING. Not the most readily graspable concept, I understand. But it's there... AND HE MEANS IT.

At a time when more and more students are applying to Ivy League colleges and when universities are becoming increasingly discerning of high school performance, it's easy to loose sight of what's really important in the rat race for an A.

Robinson refuses...no... DEMANDS his readers to preserve, both in themselves and their communities, the understanding that grades are nothing more than a necessary evil, and that they should not dictate either a student's self-esteem or his drive to learn, challenge, and better himself.

For those of you who at this point are thinking exactly what I was when I first saw this book, take note:

I speak NOT from the view of a student who was desperately failing in school when he bought this book- quite the contrary- but from that of a CONVERTED SKEPTIC who has found a textual diamond in the rough. I've never liked school, but this book taught me how to handle and exploit it without wasting any time.

Top FIVE Lessons I learned from What Smart Students Know:

5. The first step in the learning process is about recognizing one's purpose in learning: Why am I studying zoology, anyway? What do I already know about zoology? Is the primate chapter more or less important that than the amphibians one?

4. How to listen in class... Not all lectures were created equally. Crazy as it now seems, I used to delude myself that they were.

3. How to take notes... don't waist your time rewriting everything... repetition, obsessive re-reading, and, worst of all, rote memorization can get you good grades- maybe even perfect grades- but they can only erect an illusory monument of REAL, LONG-LASTING, PERSONALLY MEANINGFUL LEARNING.

2. Attitude is everything. Don't get me wrong, School sucks. But that shouldn't get in the way of your education (c.f. Mark Twain)!

1. YOU ARE YOUR OWN BEST TEACHER... PERIOD.
Near the beginning of the book, Robinson aptly quotes Winston Churchill in saying, "I am always ready to learn, but I do not always like being taught."

Churchill's call should resonate with every high school and college student in America.

What is the educational crisis really about? Robinson asks. It is the fruition of a long history of misconceptions about how students think and learn. Education begins with the STUDENT, not the system that "educates" him.

In What Smart Students Know, readers of all levels ("whether you're getting straight A's or struggling for C's") will meet their ally in Robinson. His aim is to debunk conventional wisdoms and rewire students, academically and philosophically, to learn with SELF-SUFFICIENCY... and teach them to get straight A's along the way without it becoming an all-consuming motive.

I got this book along with The Rocket Review, The Rocket Review Revolution: The Ultimate Guide to the New SAT (Third Edition) (Rocketreview Revolution: The Ultimate Guide to the New SAT) which I wrote a review on as well, because it really is my favorite SAT book. Either way, I never made time to read "What Smart Students Know" until I was bored on the train coming home. I usually never buy into these books that promises improvements in grades or even SAT's instantly, but this is actually a book that I ended up taking to college because I found it so useful.

The way the author writes is straight, so there isn't time wasted on trying to figure out what the author is trying to tell you, it is easy to follow. The graphics are great, it's funny and I will be honest it really does show you most efficient way to learn as much as you want to learn, and get whatever GPA you want to get. It is a book that I strongly recommend and because it isn't expensive and it isn't a hard read or long I don't understand why anyone wouldn't spend $15 and actually get a book that, depending on what you want to do with it, will help you save time, and open your eyes in school. In my class I had a really good friend, who never studied yet, would come into class, finish a test in half the time and get an A. While I study for hours at night, and wake up early in the morning to study one more time so its fresh in my head. I started reading this book, and it essentially became my guide because it is a book that you don't have to sit and read through all at once but you can use it as a reference and that is why it is so useful, it lowers stress for studying because it tells you what is most effective in order to get that A.

Bottom Line: You don't buy the book to get a 200 on your IQ test, rather, it is a book that teaches you how to get the best grades in school and not have to spend hours.

I was skeptical about this book when I received it, my brain yelled waste of money and time (properly due to its ridiculous subtitle). This nagging thought stayed with me through the first few pages where the author raved on and on how much my life would improve due to his little book. But I persisted and alas I cannot find words to express how happy I am about this choice.

The author shows you how to learn any subject so it sticks, without the classical emphasis on repetition. Here for the fist time was I explained how to positively control and use the thoughts that hurl though my head when I read something. How to keep up focus when the text is just plain boring and keep your head clear when you are absolutely lost in a hard subject.

Not a simple feat and I am baffled as to why one can go though almost 20 years of public school, high school, college and university without ever being thought how to learn efficiently.

I often get remarks from my colleagues about how I master my field, and just how smart I must be, but all I can ever tell them is that I am as stupid (or gifted) as the rest of you. The only difference is that when I now open a book, I do it with a purpose, with a plan. I am going to rule this subject and master it completely.

Since reading this book I have begun telling everyone about it (to the degree where I even thought about mailing a copy to the ministry of education) - it really is that good. So If you want to go into the exam room with that extra zing of self consciousness, knowing that you cannot fail, that the best grade is marked for you, then read this book.

This certainly ranks up there. My other choices for 2007, hands down:

1) How To Ace Your Way Through College & Still Have a Life
2) The MLA Handbook
3) Fiske Guide to Colleges

Dr. Vernon M
Cambridge, MA

I read the book from cover to cover and even tabbed pertinent pages. The method instructed within the book is feasible and effective. I read this in college and I will recommend it to any young student I know, because it's never too early or late to learn how to study properly. Make your study time worth your time... totally recommended.

I used this book in college. It was the most helpful book I had on doing well in college.

The things I still use today and use when I teach is the idea of "Pro Questions."

I impressed many of my profs in college 13 years ago with this trick and could come up with questions that my profs never thought of. Made me look like a real thinker.

Also you really do learn the subject much deeper then just by forcing subjects in your memory to pass the class.

I can honestly say that my retention rate even 13 years after college is still not to bad.

The down side to this book is that it is work. It will take more time but you will learn and understand more but as you develop the skills from this book you will learn quicker and easier because you will be building a stronger base.

I still have this book and an English reference book from college.

I'm saving it for my daughter.

The main point of this amazing book is that you will teach yourself best, not an instructor in high school or college, a tutor, your mom, your boss, your spouse, your best friend, but the person who knows when you get tired, when you are hungry, when you are cranky--yourself! That can be a very important lesson. You are in control of what you learn. Granted you are going to need other people to show you and talk you through learning, but teaching yourself is empowering.

The other smart student principles and key lists are also very thought provoking and essentially highlight how school at all levels is a game. But it is a game worth playing.

I think a lot of the reviewers are forgetting that Mr. Robinson has mentioned that What Smart Students Know is to use what works best for them. He demonstrates a note-taking method that works for him, but if it doesn't work for you throw it out and teach yourself one that works. My advice would be that each situation (class, job etc.) might cause you to modify your note-taking. For example, for some of my classes I would take notes in a paper notebook and then type them before each test and have about 6 pages to review. For other classes there would be no need to type my notes because I would be typing a review sheet. For other classes such as my Italian language class I NEVER took notes.

One of the many great morals of this book is find out what works for you and use it. Don't worry about what everyone else is doing or about what the "experts" say. Be your own expert. There is a very popular note-taking method "Cambridge" by name which involves making two columns and filling in matching information from class notes and text books. This method never worked for me no matter how many times I tried it. So what--throw it out. Use what works.

I found what works for me and stopped worrying about what all the experts said because Adam Robinson's book game me the courage to play the Smart Student game. I was always angry that school seemed to focus on everything but learning, which is what I wanted to do most. But I learned how to play so that I could maximize my learning and my grades! I graduated magna cum laude, a member of 4 honor societies (including Phi Beta Kappa), and won the award for most outstanding undergraduate in the History Department at my University.

Free your mind; read What Smart Students Know. Keep in mind you decide what is hogwash and what is inspired. Then use it and be happy.

This book has only a few basic ideas. The author says the same things over and over again in different ways. He uses many tricks to fill up space and waste your time. Take my word for it, look into the other books.

In most schools, textbooks are a given. History is taught from a textbook, science is taught from a textbook, as are most other subjects. The problem with most textbooks is that they are usually dull, often poorly written, and difficult to read. Presenting only one point of view, they don't give the big picture.

Adam Robinson, who has been empowering students with his standardized test-taking strategies for 25 years, brings us the book What Smart Students Know. He is quick to say that a 100% textbook approach to learning a subject is not ideal; in fact, despite the fact that most of us would consider him a genius, he himself had no interest in school. But he was very good at playing the game, earning top scores, and in the end, gaining satisfaction from learning how to learn.

In this book, Robinson speaks right to students, explaining how to maximize learning. He tells how to how to get interested in the text you are assigned, how to take charge of your own learning, and how to learn more from a textbook in a shorter period of time. He tells us where to start if you really don't understand a topic, and how to decide what information is important. His premise is that anyone can learn to be a smart student.

This book is an insightful look into how top students approach learning. I was one of the top students in my graduating class in college, and unconsciously used many of the techniques that Robinson recommends. When I was a tutor to other college students, I would show them how to ask themselves questions before reading the test, how to outline the material, and how to memorize through mnemonics, but this book goes way beyond that.

In "What Smart Students Know," Robinson gives us twelve questions to ask ourselves when studying any subject. Questions include "What's the big picture here?" "How can I organize this information?" There is a chapter dedicated to each of the twelve questions.

Even if your student is already a hard-working, high-scoring student, he or she will benefit from Robinson's work. They will be able to study in less time and with less stress.

If your teen has a difficult time reading and understanding the assigned textbooks at school, step in and help him. Read one chapter at a time and show your student how to apply the techniques. Help your student replace ineffective habits with these super-charged learning habits, and I'll bet you pick up some learning techniques along the way, too.

...whether they get A's or not.

I've never been a "good student", but I've always liked school and been intelligent. I would get very frustrated seeing less intelligent people get straight A's while I was struggling to pass classes. Last semester I got this book, and already I'm doing better in school that ever before. I don't do everything the book suggests, but I keep the organization techniques in mind, and I make sure that I have multiple sources for every class (one of the tips that has helped alot). I have recommended this to all my friends who say they want to do better in school.

Now graduate school doesn't look so frightening.
-Breann Burton, Physics major

If you want to excel in school- you want to read this book. This book is written with amazing techniques. If you read it from cover to cover than you will excel in school. Someone like myself that has a learning disability I was able to improve my learning techniques that helped me achieve a 3.5 GPA from a 2.1 GPA. I learned stuff in this book that I nevered learned in high school or my undergraduate school. I am preparing to homeschool my daughter and this book will be utilized throughout her coursework. Easy to read, which means easy to understand and easy to apply the techniques. I wish I had this book back in grade school than I think I would't have struggled as much in high school or college. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to excel in school and succeed in life.

If you want to excel in school- you want to read this book. This book is written with amazing techniques. If you read it from cover to cover than you will excel in school. Someone like myself that has a learning disability I was able to improve my learning techniques that helped me achieve a 3.5 GPA from a 2.1 GPA. I learned stuff in this book that I nevered learned in high school or my undergraduate school. I am preparing to homeschool my daughter and this book will be utilized throughout her coursework. Easy to read, which means easy to understand and easy to apply the techniques. I wish I had this book back in grade school than I think I would't have struggled as much in high school or college. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to excel in school and succeed in life.

I'm like halfway through this book, and I have to say, it's a lot to take in. I especially don't get the part where he says that any student trying to memorize everything in his book is missing the point, but I find that I have to persistenly remind myself on the major questions or else I completely forget them and confuse myself on the subsequent questions. Overall, the change in attitude depends on the reader's own patience and how open minded they are. Change is also scary so it's a lot more comfortable and safe to read through this and then go back to the old study habits of mindlessly going over notes. Robinson's goal is to help students surpass the superficial study methods that are extremely tedious and completely unmotivating up to the point where we can go back to a time when learning was suppose to be just that: learning. Students are so concerned with grades these days that they've lost complete meaning of what it means to learn; they're only motivating factor is the fear of failure but this is not enough to truly emerge themselves into anything. Robinson is also extremely patient and goes over everything in such detail so that the reader will have complete understanding of it, and says that for every 5 pages it takes for him to explain everything, it will only take 5 seconds of us to do it in our head once we've mastered it. His repetitions are purposely there so that it can be engraved into our minds and that it can come up to the point where we subconsciously use his methods in the most effective way.

Over the past 2 years I have purchased a half dozen or so books on the topic of improving grades. This book provides an "actionable" system rather than just a laundry list of ideas. The other books were not wrong it is just that they did not provide a method of implementation. We are in the process of working through the book a chapter at a time so it is too early to tell if it will work. However, since we now have an action plan, I feel more confident that we will see improvement.

Over the past 2 years I have purchased a half dozen or so books on the topic of improving grades. This book provides an "actionable" system rather than just a laundry list of ideas. The other books were not wrong it is just that they did not provide a method of implementation. We are in the process of working through the book a chapter at a time so it is too early to tell if it will work. However, since we now have an action plan, I feel more confident that we will see improvement.

To achieve international standards, and improve students' performance on objective tests, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) in Viet Nam has decreed some changes in education policies and methodologies. This text is very useful to me as an Education Consultant and English Teacher in Ha Noi, Viet Nam for use with my students of all levels.

To achieve international standards, and improve students' performance on objective tests, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) in Viet Nam has decreed some changes in education policies and methodologies. This text is very useful to me as an Education Consultant and English Teacher in Ha Noi, Viet Nam for use with my students of all levels.

My mother purchased this title for me when I was in high school, but the title instantly turned me off, and so I relegated it to the top shelf in my closet. WHAT A MISTAKE! I graduated from high school (gpa 2.9) without ever really applying myself and didn't finally pick up this book until my senior year of college (gpa 2.9). What I really picked up from the book and I believe you will as well, is that learning can be its own reward, regardless of whether you made the top grade or graduated first in your class. Believe me, I never thought I'd being saying THAT when I was in high school. So even if you don't do all the procedures outlined in the book, it's still worth the read to gain a greater appreciation for the self determination necessary in learning. I am deeply indebted to the author.

You get the following out of this book: attitude adjustment towards learning, organizational skills, time management, and some learning tricks like mnemonics. It also goes into preparing for a test and how not to stress out.

I'm already out of school and I got this book just to see if I missed any tricks I learned during school. Funny enough I had all these so called tricks down in high school and I would say that school was really easy for me. I would go to study groups and people looked at me with awe as I would play video games and then ace the test the following day.

This is where the book comes in; it would have been more useful for my friends to really realize what I was doing. I simply was just organizing data as it was being presented to me and hence I got great grades. The book tends to flash words like "This is so easy" and "You have to be focused or this won't work." I was really hoping to see some ancient genius secrets but it's really about organizing data and being "hyped." I think this book failed to mention any real relationship developments with teachers. I've always thought 5 minutes before class to discuss missed points was helpful. It also enabled the teacher to go over those points again because they know they didn't do a good job if the good student didn't get it. Honestly this book feels like a "Learning for dummies" book.

This is something teachers should be teaching their students. It's not geared towards a teacher though and our teaching infrastructure in American schools is so poor that the teacher's message only gets out to 10 of 30 kids in a classroom. I'm not sure if the numbers accurate but in my classes the top 10 were the ones that got the higher letter grade while everyone else got the average or below grade.

This book could have been structured better and if it was it would probably be standard curriculum. If you get this book for your child, plan to spend some time helping them understand it. If you're a teacher, watch the movie "Stand and Deliver." All it takes is one teacher to teach right and the whole class can pass with the higher letter grade.

This is a great book! I was skeptical and embarrassed to buy a book that is titled, "what smart students know". Surely, if any students catch you reading this book they will think you are a retard. The reason is there is a fad going on now. The fad is summarized by the following: "I spend the least amount of time studying and I get all A's. I don't spend the whole night studying! Heck I don't even study, I don't come to class. I'm just naturally brilliant." Many, many college students are emulating this fad. Everyone wants to say they don't study, because let's face it studying is nerdy. And the worst part is they tell average students like you not to study hard, which confuses you even more and makes you think I don't belong in a Engineering program. The fact is, they do study or have picked up books like this so they can maximize understanding and minimize study time. No one will admit it! There is nothing in this book that you couln't have figured out for yourself, but it may take years and years to figure everything out. By that time you'll be ready to pass that info on to your son! Here is a quick collection of logical steps that will turn any C student into a "B+" student at the least. Great book! Down side is the author used the phrase, "smart students" in every paragraph, making it sound like they are god-like! There are some repititious sentences and redundant material but this only makes up 5% of the book. The Cyberlearning procedure can be used for any major from underwater basket weaving to Engineering. This book is 30% for the high school kid and 70% for the college kid. Any student, or just about any average joe who wants to sharpen his reading, thinking, analytical, problem solving skills can benefit from this book. Now you too can take part in the fad and pretend like you don't really spend time studying and yet you get A's. Man are you smart, pat yourself in the back. This book is well priced! For $12, and 274 pages, this is steal!

This is a great book! I was skeptical and embarrassed to buy a book that is titled, "what smart students know". Surely, if any students catch you reading this book they will think you are a retard. The reason is there is a fad going on now. The fad is summarized by the following: "I spend the least amount of time studying and I get all A's. I don't spend the whole night studying! Heck I don't even study, I don't come to class. I'm just naturally brilliant." Many, many college students are emulating this fad. Everyone wants to say they don't study, because let's face it studying is nerdy. And the worst part is they tell average students like you not to study hard, which confuses you even more and makes you think I don't belong in a Engineering program. The fact is, they do study or have picked up books like this so they can maximize understanding and minimize study time. No one will admit it! There is nothing in this book that you couln't have figured out for yourself, but it may take years and years to figure everything out. By that time you'll be ready to pass that info on to your son! Here is a quick collection of logical steps that will turn any C student into a "B+" student at the least. Great book! Down side is the author used the phrase, "smart students" in every paragraph, making it sound like they are god-like! There are some repititious sentences and redundant material but this only makes up 5% of the book. The Cyberlearning procedure can be used for any major from underwater basket weaving to Engineering. This book is 30% for the high school kid and 70% for the college kid. Any student, or just about any average joe who wants to sharpen his reading, thinking, analytical, problem solving skills can benefit from this book. Now you too can take part in the fad and pretend like you don't really spend time studying and yet you get A's. Man are you smart, pat yourself in the back. This book is well priced! For $12, and 274 pages, this is steal!

This book works, there is no denying that. But it is infact WAY too time consuming. I don't have that much time or that much paper! I'm sure there is a more effecient way to study and I'm sure plenty of "smart students" would agree with me. (ps. I'm 16, #35/600 in my class, an IB and AP student, and involved in many activities. If you have a life, try another book.)

Originally, I was worried about my grades and knew that I was going to do whatever it takes to raise my GPA. I saw that this book was written by a co-author of the princeton review. So, I decided to purchase this book. It was well worth the money in my case. Because of this very book, I am an honor student in Community College!!

I will concede by saying that there are some draw backs. If you were to impart all of his stategies, it would be time consuming. This was stated in an earlier review. If you are in high school or a freshman entering college get this book with how to study in college.
Again, this is worth your money, but not for the full price, buy a used copy!!
This is the best book!!

First off I'd like to say that I haven't read the whole book. I just read the excerpt and the part about the attitude and maximum efficiency. Second, I'd like to introduce myself - I'm a straight-A student and #1 in the 2006 class at a Senior High School. I think this would entitle me to speak on behalf of the "smart" students.

I should say that I completely agree with Adam Robinson's notion that attitude does matter. But it's not the attitude that he describes. For example, I have never ever felt that one can excel better by himself than just in school. My motto is simple: don't sleep during lectures, try to make a logical sense of all that's being done, quiz yourself occasionally, and voila! That's all it takes to understand the material. The attitude I am talking about is the attitude towards learning. I think school is fun, because you get to learn a lot of interesting stuff, hang out with interesting people, and show off! Yes, showing off what you know is a great thing, people might jokingly regard that with scorn, but c'mon let's be frank, when I hear about some guy being a genius or supersmart, I know that 80% of what they say is bogus. How? Because I know that 80% of what people say about me is bogus. It always seems such an easy thing for you, but for others it seems impossible. My point is: go on and show off what you have.

Now my most important advice on acing the material - quiz yourself. Even if you're not going to take the SAT or the AP tests, get those books and try out those questions. You learn A LOT from multiplce choice questions. And be sure to read all the choices, every sentence there is packed with information. One question is worth about a page of material and it takes you less than a minute to read through a question - the gain there is obvious! And if you REALLY want to learn the material - DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN to stay awake during lectures and to listen to the lecturer - I know it's hard, but it is possible. Have a bottle of water ready to take a gulp everytime you feel sleepy. Lectures are the key.

And also, if you really really want to do well in a specific class - grab the front seat. The closer you are to the front, the better your chances of passing the class, trust me.

This book isn't going to teach you how to magically get straight A's... In fact you'll be taking more notes than you usually would from just dry studying.

What the author teaches you is to get more involved with the subject, rather than just trying to memorize the material. Thru the process of creating your own questions, examples and diagrams, you'll create a better understanding of the material.

By changing your views, and aspects of understanding the material, you'll actually do better on tests.

While you'll actually taking 8 times as many notes, you're cutting down your study times by 80 percent. Since you're the teacher AND the student.

He also introduces a idea that is new to me... A summary sheet, it's essentially a sheet of paper with an outline of the main idea titles. Under the titles, there are short-hand notes and diagrams printed very small so it can fit on the sheet. Basically it's a comprehensive, personalized sheet of paper used to outline all important facts for the comprehensive exam or final.

Robinson endorses the idea of only learning the points that you think are important, which is kind of a risky idea to Magna candidates. But overall, he provides a breakdown and refreshment of ideas that should be in your routine for studying.

No doubt, this is the ONLY book you need for this genre or subject.

(...)

As some wag put it, if you don't have time to do it right the first time, when will you have time to do it again?

Robinson leads you by the hand and walks you through a superior method of learning in the first half of the book. He then shows you how to methodically create a critical thinking machine. Part IV, How Smart Students Get Their Grades is worth the price of admission - Time Management, Test Writing, Paper Writing, all concisely laid out.

As a teacher, I have used this book for two semesters as a text in my study skills class at a community college. Each class that tries Robinson's techniques has improved grades. We have supplemented it with material found on the internet. Robinson is somewhat weak on math courses, but the principles have been applied successfully by my students to science, math, history, literature, writing, and other courses. They are thrilled that their grades have gone up (although I think they were a pair of pretty sharp groups to start with).

As a teacher, I have used this book for two semesters as a text in my study skills class at a community college. Each class that tries Robinson's techniques has improved grades. We have supplemented it with material found on the internet. Robinson is somewhat weak on math courses, but the principles have been applied successfully by my students to science, math, history, literature, writing, and other courses. They are thrilled that their grades have gone up (although I think they were a pair of pretty sharp groups to start with).

If this book is so good whay has it not been updeated in all these years?

I have received this book on March 2004 from my father. When I got it, I started to read the book through the school year. I found out many helpful hints and strategies that I can use in school to excell more. I really thank Adam for this book,

I didn't like it. The note writing seemed to complicated for me (don't know if i'm just lazy or dumn or it just too too much time) i just didn't find it that helpful. But it sounds like others did, diff'rent strokes..

This book could reshape a student's thinking about education, for example, blaming a teacher or a school for not teaching still does not help students learn. The student must learn to want and find learning. This book shows the student several ways to put knowledge in the student's head as part of the student's day. What the teacher or school board is doing or not doing may help or hinder the student but at the end of the day, what matters is what the student put in his or her head as an act of the student's responsibility for himself or herself.

My guess is the author (perhaps he has a touch of Luddite as expressed in his take on computers in the last part of the book) prefers verbal to math subjects. That is why the math suggestions may touch a responsive chord for math haters. The book provides concrete techniques.

I was honestly very excited when I initially read this book. Then I proceeded to apply the 12 questions to the actual book so that I could learn it thoroughly. As with other study techniques I have tried from other books I found that this one is just too time consuming. I also have tried to apply it all of this past semester and I have had time to implement only about 20 or 30% of it. It's just not simple and concise enough to be effective.
Mr. Robinson's views on the education system are dead on, and I totally agree with him and then some. I am more extreme than him in that I believe that not only are textbooks and classes boring and not very applicable to real life, but that texts are, in fact, among the most poorly written non-fiction books in existence and totally useless with regards to actually learning a subject so that it may be applied effectively; I also believe that most if not all classes in high school and college are completely useless to the point that the whole system is just unredeemable. Oh, by the way, I am a junior at Tulane University. This is coming from someone attending one of the best colleges in the country.

Like the other reviewers, I was and am super-impressed with the learning techniques Robinson advocates. A few of the reviewers, however, object that to use all of the techniques requires too much time or effort.

These reviewers miss Robinson's primary point: that traditional "learning" methods are boring, time-consuming, AND ineffective. Think of the methods as a football quarter-back's "playbook:" you don't have to run EVERY play in the book in EVERY game. Robinson himself says that the methods do not apply in every course, and that some methods apply more in some types of courses than others. Robinson does NOT tell students to employ ALL the methods ALL the time.

Another point I'd like to make is that any new set of learning techniques takes time. Heck, typing took me forever to master; but now that I've invested the time it saves me WAY more than the time I spent learning it.

Finally, Robinson's point is that HOWEVER MUCH time you have to devote to your studies, whether it's an hour a day per college course or an hour per week for a high school course -- whatever -- your time is best employed using these methods. If you're short of time, or the test isn't so important, Robinson says to cut back on the methods to fit your time budget and the importance of the test.

The more time you have, and the more important the test, the more you should use Robinson's methods. The less time you have, simply cut back. No biggie.

Either that, or go back to wasting all your time with the old "learning" methods of rereading your notes ad infinitum until test time.

Good luck!

I was honestly very excited when I initially read this book. Then I proceeded to apply the 12 questions to the actual book so that I could learn it thoroughly. As with other study techniques I have tried from other books I found that this one is just too time consuming. I also have tried to apply it all of this past semester and I have had time to implement only about 20 or 30% of it. It's just not simple and concise enough to be effective.
Mr. Robinson's views on the education system are dead on, and I totally agree with him and then some. I am more extreme than him in that I believe that not only are textbooks and classes boring and not very applicable to real life, but that texts are, in fact, among the most poorly written non-fiction books in existence and totally useless with regards to actually learning a subject so that it may be applied effectively; I also believe that most if not all classes in high school and college are completely useless to the point that the whole system is just unredeemable. Oh, by the way, I am a junior at Tulane University. This is coming from someone attending one of the best colleges in the country.

I read books upon books upon books on how to improve my studying. I'm a Network Administrator so I read as much if not more than a Medical Doctor (I know, I've argued with my family practioniar). This is simply the best book I've ever read on the subject. I've read serveral books that are no where descriptive or indepth as this one. It is the complete solution, other books only focus on one skill where this book cover them all.
One thing I like to do that the book has left out is teach the table of contents. After I finish a book (usually a computer book) I go the table of contents and lecture to myself on each chapter and each important topic. It sound funny and you look stupid doing it, but if you can describe the what the chapter and topics are about than you know the book and subject. Some people like to do the index but that is a little extreme if taken to seriously. Yes it is time consuming but so is rereading. If you teach the table of contents, you'll not only know enough to pass the test, but you'll have the all important understanding of it (if you can explain it differently than the text book that is). And if you can't teach the table of contents than you know what you need to review. Of course this is just a tool to add to the tool chest he gives you. But i've found it highly effective. I'm probably the only person I know who isn't confused by the a computer registry :)

Though WHAT SMART STUDENTS KNOW is intended as an aid for people attending school, I would also highly recommend it for those who, like me, are not currently enrolled but are interested in what is sometimes referred to as "un-schooling," i.e., clearing one's mind of the backward concepts upon which schooling is founded. Author Adam Robinson argues that one of the most backward concepts taught in school is that if you do not enjoy attending, fail to get good grades, and do not learn in the way lesson plans are structured, then there is something wrong with you. "More likely," he corrects, "there is something wrong with school." He does not mince words. The epilogue includes an open letter to teachers, parents, students, school administrators, and politicians, that reveals Robinson's real reason for writing this book: he hates what school does to students.

Robinson is "angry at how school produces submissive students with battered egos." This is exactly what happened to me. I never liked school ("hate" would be a better word for how I felt). I thought this meant that I was stupid (this self-appraisal was aided by the fact that my first grade teacher claimed I had learning disabilities; Robinson sheds light on this outrageous phenomenon, explaining that teachers often use this label as punishment for rebellious, independently-minded students). I eventually developed a phobia of reading and felt guilty about the fact that I enjoy learning on my own, in my own time (going public on Amazon.com with what I have learned has been a great source of personal growth for me). Thanks to WHAT SMART STUDENTS KNOW, I realize that I was never stupid and there was never anything shameful about the fact that I learn better on my own. In fact, Robinson says that we are all our own best teachers, that no one teaches us better than we teach ourselves. Ironically, Robinson has taught me that I in fact possess the attitude necessary for success in school, an attitude built upon the conviction that learning is not important only when it is being graded. Learning happens all the time, in all aspects of life, not just in schools.

I really can't praise this book enough. Adam Robinson has helped liberate my soul. I know that sounds a bit verbose, but I believe this is only because we underestimate the extent to which our school experience shapes our self-conception. As John Taylor Gatto, an associate of Robinson and whose praise appears on this book's jacket (Gatto was voted "Teacher of the Year" several years running in New York City and state), has explained, schools are largely prison-like institutions where we are often abused. We carry this abuse, the damage done to our self-esteem, with us throughout our lives (it wasn't until reading Gatto that I realized how ridiculous it is that economic success is often closely linked to performance in school; for elaboration on this, I recommend Gatto's THE UNDERGROUND HISTORY OF AMERICAN EDUCATION). John Taylor Gatto says that in reality it only takes about 100 hours to learn how to read, write, and do basic math. The trick, he says, is to wait until the student is interested in learning the particular subject, and then move quickly. Why, if the basics can be learned rather easily, does basic schooling take 12 years? Because, according to Gatto, the real goal of compulsory education is to teach students to conform, to become pegs in the corporate system of the nation - they feel they need 12 years to achieve this objective. The aim of totalitarian education, Gatto claims, is not to teach conviction, but destroy the capacity to form any. I had thought there was something wrong with me for resisting this lesson. WHAT SMART STUDENTS KNOW has taught me that I had it right from the start: there is nothing wrong with me; there is something wrong with school!

Andrew Parodi

I have been teaching college for 15 years and have always struggled to understand why students do so poorly on assignments. This book opened my eyes - the techniques mirror what I did in school (I thought everyone studied like I did...wrong!). I now use this book in a study skills class I teach. About 95% of my students LOVE this book (and I'm not exaggerating). I think almost all of them have learned something new. In fact many reported that they now feel better about themselves and their grades. Some suggestions are time consuming (and even I would hesitate to do them), but most are little things that students can do to change their habits. He also accurately portrays college professors, textbooks, and the educational system.

The book is well-written and organized, but the problem is the techniques are so time-consuming, if you did all of them, you'd never finish your work on time. It doesn't really deal with the boredom factor very well though it claims to.

Textbooks are boring. He claims that its our approach to the textbook. This belies the fact that some textbooks are full of completely irrelevant information. There is no way to relate to it. Maybe his ideas about organizing information help. argh.
Well, whatever the magic secret is, the book alone isn't enough. I think the other people who liked the book had some knowledge or ability that, added to this book, made it all come together, but me.. no.

The book is well-written and organized, but the problem is the techniques are so time-consuming, if you did all of them, you'd never finish your work on time. It doesn't really deal with the boredom factor very well though it claims to.

Textbooks are boring. He claims that its our approach to the textbook. This belies the fact that some textbooks are full of completely irrelevant information. There is no way to relate to it. Maybe his ideas about organizing information help. argh.
Well, whatever the magic secret is, the book alone isn't enough. I think the other people who liked the book had some knowledge or ability that, added to this book, made it all come together, but me.. no.

I have 3 children apporaching college age and wish to provide them with every advantage possible to help them excel. Following days of bookstore searches, I bought numerous books on SAT preparation, study improvement and college entrance assistance. Among these was Adam Robinson's "What Smart Students Know." In this book we found a gem among the usual stacks of study guides, vocabulary lists and practice tests.

Robinson provides the reader with insights that cannot be obtained elsewhere. He shows the student how to analyze shortcomings and use this knowledge to perform better in their studies. At times one seems to almost find oneself entering the mind of a standardized test preparer thereby developing a much better understanding of the test itself. Mr. Robinson's experience in this area provides an added benefit. Clearly years of research, as well as trial and error were involved in the preparation of this book.

The reader is taken from preparation to practice to success in a methodical and thorough way. Problems are taken apart and analized in an attempt to discard habits and routines that yield unsatifactory results. Once these problem areas are understood, the reader is encouraged to develop his own improved approach to study and test taking through a series of ideas and suggestions.

Perhaps most striking is the fact that this book is appropriate for all age levels. College students preparing for graduate level tests as well as students approaching the high school years will benefit from its teachings. It is more than a book to be read, but rather a way of learning that should be absorbed, over and over, by students, parents and educators. A must read for all.

I have 3 children apporaching college age and wish to provide them with every advantage possible to help them excel. Following days of bookstore searches, I bought numerous books on SAT preparation, study improvement and college entrance assistance. Among these was Adam Robinson's "What Smart Students Know." In this book we found a gem among the usual stacks of study guides, vocabulary lists and practice tests.

Robinson provides the reader with insights that cannot be obtained elsewhere. He shows the student how to analyze shortcomings and use this knowledge to perform better in their studies. At times one seems to almost find oneself entering the mind of a standardized test preparer thereby developing a much better understanding of the test itself. Mr. Robinson's experience in this area provides an added benefit. Clearly years of research, as well as trial and error were involved in the preparation of this book.

The reader is taken from preparation to practice to success in a methodical and thorough way. Problems are taken apart and analized in an attempt to discard habits and routines that yield unsatifactory results. Once these problem areas are understood, the reader is encouraged to develop his own improved approach to study and test taking through a series of ideas and suggestions.

Perhaps most striking is the fact that this book is appropriate for all age levels. College students preparing for graduate level tests as well as students approaching the high school years will benefit from its teachings. It is more than a book to be read, but rather a way of learning that should be absorbed, over and over, by students, parents and educators. A must read for all.

I thought this book was great because it tells you specifically how to go about studying. It isn't some stupid rant that tells you to do your assingments on time and suck up to the teacher. This book gives it to you straight and describes how learning should be done: how you should go about reading; how you should go about note-taking; how you approach assingments...etc.

I have always been really successful in the classroom but I found myself burning out and starting to not care anymore, plus, being a college student, I do want to have a good time too. This book has helped me out a lot. I have re-structured how I go about completing assingments and I have found the materical more interesting and more satisfying to learn. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn.

A well organised book that uses simple straightforward prose to put forth an effective strategy for learning. It includes useful information for organising notes, completing assignments and preparing for exams. One of the better books on strategies for learning.

I have never writen a review for a book before but this is by far the most useful book I have read on how to study and I feel I really need to express it's usefulness. This book has completely changed the way I study. I have cut the amount of time I study at least by half and am now getting all A's. I didn't think that would ever be possible but the basic 12 steps that the author walks you through really do work! The author studied habits of "smart students" and organized them in a useful and easy to understand way. There are step-by-step instructions of what to do to study more effectively, take better notes from books as well as in class and how to study for different subjects. This book is well worth the money and is easy to use. I went through the book in about a week and it was time very well spent.

I have never writen a review for a book before but this is by far the most useful book I have read on how to study and I feel I really need to express it's usefulness. This book has completely changed the way I study. I have cut the amount of time I study at least by half and am now getting all A's. I didn't think that would ever be possible but the basic 12 steps that the author walks you through really do work! The author studied habits of "smart students" and organized them in a useful and easy to understand way. There are step-by-step instructions of what to do to study more effectively, take better notes from books as well as in class and how to study for different subjects. This book is well worth the money and is easy to use. I went through the book in about a week and it was time very well spent.

This book does a wonderful job of describing principles of learning success. It describes ways to learn well but also how to enjoy the process! It is all broken down into 12 simple principles that can be applied in any academic setting. Another book that is great for doing well in school is SURVEY OF 300 A+ STUDENTS: A+ STUDENTS DESCRIBE THEIR STRATEGIES (Kenneth Green) which takes it to the next level.

This book does a wonderful job of describing principles of learning success. It describes ways to learn well but also how to enjoy the process! It is all broken down into 12 simple principles that can be applied in any academic setting. Another book that is great for doing well in school is SURVEY OF 300 A+ STUDENTS: A+ STUDENTS DESCRIBE THEIR STRATEGIES (Kenneth Green) which takes it to the next level.