I stopped taking notes in medical school

TL;DR

The author shares their experience of revamping their study approach by skipping classes, using flashcards, and setting clear goals.

Transcript

here's the truth school didn't teach me how to study in high school i was forced to go to class i was told to hand write notes and couldn't bring a laptop not that i had one but still then in college suddenly everything moved digitally and learning became self-directed but i didn't realize i had to adapt so i kept studying like i did in high school... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎓 Attending lectures in a large classroom setting can be ineffective and distracting, leading to difficulty in keeping up with the material.
• 🎧 Recorded lectures provide the flexibility to study at your own pace and create a focused learning environment.
• 📚 Taking detailed notes may not be an effective study strategy; instead, using flashcards and active recall can lead to better retention of information.
• 🚀 Setting clear goals for self-study is crucial for effective learning and time management.
• 🔍 Using a systematic approach like SQ3R (skim, question, rephrase, recall, repetition) can enhance understanding and retention of material.
• 🧠 Teaching concepts back at a simplified level can be a useful way to gauge one's own understanding of the topic.
• 📝 Flashcards, combined with spaced repetition using platforms like RemNote, promote active recall and efficient review of key concepts. ⌛ Skipping classes and focusing on self-directed learning can lead to improved grades and a better work-life balance.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did the author stop attending lectures in college?

The author stopped attending lectures because they found them unhelpful and distracting, preferring to watch recorded lectures at their own pace.

Q: What study method did the author use instead of traditional note-taking?

Instead of traditional note-taking, the author used flashcards to study, following a modified version of SQ3R (skim, question, rephrase, recall, repetition).

Q: How did the author improve their grades and achieve work-life balance?

The author improved their grades and achieved work-life balance by setting clear goals, organizing their study schedule, and focusing on self-directed learning.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The author stopped attending lectures in college because they found them unhelpful and distracting, opting to watch recorded lectures at their own pace instead.

• Instead of taking traditional notes, the author used flashcards to study, employing a modified version of SQ3R (skim, question, rephrase, recall, repetition).

• Setting clear goals and organizing their study schedule helped the author improve their grades and achieve a better work-life balance.