“However, if you are able to diverse your basic set of courses with -aligned- part-time jobs and/or additional courses you might actually find yourself in an even more creative and learning enhancing environment/setting than would be the effect of keeping your courses narrowed.”

I must admit I didn’t think of this. Excellent point! If I understand you correctly it’s basically about using extra courses/jobs as leverage for your aligned goals. I totally agree.

“However, in the vast majority of cases the brain cannot, will not and should not completely out-strip out animal instincts – making a too brain-perfect strategy unrealistic and doomed to implode.”

Also a very good point. In this, and the white space time management post, I purposefully simplify the thought patterns. You rightfully point out where my arguments are weak due to over-simplification. In my latest post, “Beware of perfect conditions” I’m trying to problematize the balance between a perfect strategy and a real world application of it. Would love to see you feedback there.

My experience is that firstly you need to distinguish between the elementary and advanced stages of your education;
- At an elementary stage using a shallow but wide-spread learning net, combined with more-than-usual networking, constitute the most effective method for discovering your passions what borders you wish to traverse in life.
- At an advanced stage it’s not about doing less (albeit I really liked your white time space management entry) but about alignment of learning stimulus. In my opinion the chief reason that reducing/narrowing your courses enhances your learning intake is that entailed activities usually thus provide for a better alignment of your perceived learning stimulus. However, if you are able to diverse your basic set of courses with -aligned- part-time jobs and/or additional courses you might actually find yourself in an even more creative and learning enhancing environment/setting than would be the effect of keeping your courses narrowed.

Furthermore, under rational and logical circumstances, I would agree with your past two entries.

Yet, one is rarely acting long-term rationally. Diving head-first into a series of commitments may restrain your creativity compared to a well executed white time space management or in-depth studying sessions – but – the latter convey a serious flaw: our short-term inner desire for being lazy, cozy and comfortably tucked away on a full tummy and the fact that our contemporary intrinsic existence will always be present within a short-term stadium. It is thanks to a well-functioning brain that we can diverse from this long-term destructive path and your lines of thought strike me as perfectly in line with what our brains might wish for. However, in the vast majority of cases the brain cannot, will not and should not completely out-strip out animal instincts – making a too brain-perfect strategy unrealistic and doomed to implode. External restrictions/demands/pressure provided by commitments assist the brain-force against the laziness instincts, meaning that removing them will likely cause your short-term self to overtake your long-term self.

Naturally, it varies by the individual and I can but contribute with personal experiences. I would, however, like to advocate careful consideration before diving into a white time space management – or you might find yourself with a bit more white space than was intended for a priori.

I would also mention the value of extracurricular activities (societies, clubs, student-run companies, etc.). In my experience that’s where you build the deepest relationships.