CPE 357 is a lot of work for most students. Detailed analysis from prior quarters suggests the median student spends 12 to 15 hours per week on the class. Perhaps more concerning is the range for individual students is from less than 10 hours to more than 40 hours per week! And, surprisingly, course grades are inversely correlated with effort, i.e., 'A' students spend the least amount of time on the class and 'D' and 'F' students the most!
While there are many plausible explanations for this effort-to-outcome disparity and, certainly, not just one cause, I posit that one important reason is the different work habits of students and that stronger students have developed more effective work habits. The podcast you just will be listening to is about creative and “deep work” like programming and explores how we can facilitate doing such work more effectively.
My hope is that listening to the podcast and completing this reaction to it will motivating you to self-reflect on your current work habits and consider changing them to help you spend less earning the grade you want in this class!
Listen to the You 2.0: The Value Of 'Deep Work' In An Age Of Distraction podcast
Then complete Reactions to the You 2.0 Podcast