How to Be a High School Superstar

This book can help your teenager develop an interest and discover opportunities. Top students across America have used the methods. Cal Newport shares their stories.

The main idea is that a student ought to identify an interest and develop knowledge and skills in that domain. The author shares an intentional method for doing so. The purpose is to help teens attract the attention of top colleges and universities. But the book is worth reading even if entering a top college is not the goal.  It can help your student identify a life vocation.

Summary

Newport emphasizes that identifying an interest requires setting aside time for constructive leisure. This is because a real interest cannot be contrived; it must be genuine. The interest must also drive one to serve people in ways that people value. In other words, one must go beyond an interest in ping-pong or extracurricular activities that anyone can do.

The book has three parts: unscheduling, focus, and innovation.

Overscheduling is a common problem, according to Newport. Many bright students do too much of what ultimately does not matter, such as taking challenging courses designed to impress college administrators. Underscheduling requires avoiding what does not matter and completing homework quickly so that evenings and weekends are free for the necessary trial and error to identify an interest. Students need time for reading, experimentation, volunteering, developing relationships, and working.

To complete schoolwork quickly, students must learn to study effectively and efficiently. Newport dedicates a portion of the book to examining the study habits of top students.

Next, regarding focus, Newport explains how to identify meaningful extracurricular activities. Not only should teens immerse themselves in the activities, but they should also investigate how others became effective in a given area. (This can be done by reading biographies.)

Finally, he explains how to innovate and turn an interest into something inexplicable and impressive. This can be achieved over time by volunteering and serving a particular community, gaining trust, and gradually taking on larger and more complicated projects as one gains experience, character, and knowledge.

All of this is explained in detail with many examples.

He shares how one high school student started a company and a successful entrepreneurship blog, leading to many opportunities. Another student became a teacher’s assistant and eventually transformed student reading programs. Another wrote a book, leading to speaking opportunities and significant relationships that helped the student become a sought-after expert and commentator.

In closing, this is the best career advancement book I’ve ever read. It could help your teen develop a plan of action and identify a calling earlier than most.

I have read the book twice and found it personally helpful. Parents should read the book first; it could help them in their endeavors and in guiding their students.

How to Be a High School Superstar