

#774
Mentioned in 26 episodes
How to be a High School Superstar
a Revolutionary plan to get into college by standing out (without burning out)
Book • 2010
In this book, Cal Newport argues that high school students can achieve admission to top colleges without the typical heavy course loads and overwhelming activity schedules.
He introduces the concept of the 'relaxed superstar,' students who lead uncluttered, low-stress, and authentic lives while focusing on a few meaningful activities.
Newport provides practical advice on why doing less can be more impressive, why demonstrating passion is less important than being interesting, and why accomplishments that are hard to explain are better than those that are hard to do.
The book is based on extensive interviews and cutting-edge science, offering step-by-step instructions for adopting the relaxed superstar lifestyle.
He introduces the concept of the 'relaxed superstar,' students who lead uncluttered, low-stress, and authentic lives while focusing on a few meaningful activities.
Newport provides practical advice on why doing less can be more impressive, why demonstrating passion is less important than being interesting, and why accomplishments that are hard to explain are better than those that are hard to do.
The book is based on extensive interviews and cutting-edge science, offering step-by-step instructions for adopting the relaxed superstar lifestyle.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 26 episodes
Mentioned by 

as a book for college students.


Cal Newport

1,229 snips
Ep. 340: Productivity Rain Dances
Recommended by 

as a guide for high school students to build a relaxed yet successful high school career.


Cal Newport

1,203 snips
Ep. 317: The 10-Year Rule
Mentioned by 

as a book he wrote years ago.


Cal Newport

878 snips
Ep. 279: Confronting Overload
Mentioned by 

as one of the student advice books he wrote.


Cal Newport

798 snips
IN-DEPTH: The Art of Non-Conformity (w/ Chris Guillebeau)
Mentioned by 

as a book offering advice on productivity for high school students.


Cal Newport

468 snips
Ep. 226: The Productivity Dragon
Mentioned by 

as a guide for high school students to excel academically without excessive stress.


Cal Newport

203 snips
Ep. 169: How Do I Manage My Time?
Mentioned by 

as a resource for high school students.


Cal Newport

188 snips
Ep. 220: The Two Types of Ambition
Mentioned by 

as a book that adapts study habit ideas from "How to Become a Straight-A Student" to the high school setting.


Cal Newport

179 snips
Ep. 8: Fleeing a Collapsing Career, Taking Notes on Books, Building a Deep Life | DEEP QUESTIONS
Mentioned by 

as a book addressing college admissions stress.


Cal Newport

141 snips
Ep. 171: Is Slow Productivity the Solution to Burnout?
Mentioned by 

as a book offering advice on college admissions, applicable to competitive med school admissions.


Cal Newport

77 snips
Ep. 176: CALLS: Taming Information Overload
Mentioned by Jesse Miller as a source of wisdom for life.

52 snips
Ep. 191: Can We Fix the Internet?
Mentioned by 

when discussing a book on competitive college admissions.


Cal Newport

52 snips
Ep. 61: How Should I Tackle Big Projects?
Mentioned by 

when discussing his work on student success and burnout.


Cal Newport

43 snips
Ep. 40: Habit Tune-Up: Optimal Notebook Usage, Quarterly Planning, and Combating Burn Out
Mentioned by 

as a book he wrote about nine years prior, focusing on habits for young people to become more interesting.


Cal Newport

35 snips
Ep. 12: Habit Tune-Up: Office Hours, Rabbit Holes, Perfectionism, Phones as Escape, and Making Deep Work Deeper
Mentioned by 

as a book that offers advice on college admissions.


Cal Newport

29 snips
Ep. 111: How Do I Tame Distracting Thoughts?
Mentioned by 

as one of 

's books, focusing on how to be successful in high school.


Rob Wiblin


Cal Newport

27 snips
#106 – Cal Newport on an industrial revolution for office work
Mentioned by 

when discussing the transition from student advice book writer to mainstream idea hardcover book writer.


Cal Newport

19 snips
Ep. 139: Am I Good at Time Management or Just Lazy?
Mentioned by 

as a book on how to become a high school superstar.


Cal Newport

18 snips
Ep. 65: Is Productivity Bad?
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book his oldest son enjoyed.

Mike Schmitz

12 snips
171: Communication & Focus
Mentioned by 

as a book geared towards high school students.


Cal Newport

12 snips
Ep. 13: Where I Work, Convincing Students to Disconnect, and Applying Deep Work to Deep Social Problems | DEEP QUESTIONS