This is How I Memorized 98% of Everything in Medical School

Summary

In this educational video, the speaker shares his top three learning techniques that helped him excel in medical school despite not having a naturally strong memory. He emphasizes the importance of understanding first principles, learning the big picture, and connecting outside the box to truly comprehend and master information. The speaker also introduces 'screen tool,' a note-taking application that enhances these learning methods by offering flexibility and organization, making it easier to explore concepts in depth and create comprehensive knowledge structures.

Takeaways

• 😅 The speaker admits to having a poor memory but has mastered techniques to compensate for it.
• 🎓 Despite not having a natural gift for memorization, the speaker excelled in memory-intensive exams and tasks.
• 🔑 The speaker's secret to learning was transforming details into coherent, intuitive concepts rather than relying on memory tricks.
• 📚 Traditional learning techniques were more effective for the speaker than modern fancy techniques like flashcards or memory palaces.
• 🤔 The importance of 'reasoning from first principles' is emphasized, which involves understanding the fundamental truths behind concepts.
• 🧠 The speaker suggests that asking 'why' leads to a deeper understanding and makes learning less dependent on memory.
• 🗺️ Learning the 'big picture' and patterns can aid in remembering specific details, drawing a parallel to the chess study experiment.
• 💡 'Connecting outside the box' is introduced as a technique to find non-intuitive ways to learn and remember information.
• 📱 The speaker recommends using a note-taking application called 'screen tool' to facilitate the learning techniques discussed.
• 🔗 The video is sponsored by 'screen tool', which is presented as a tool to help implement the discussed learning strategies effectively.

Q & A

What is the speaker's secret to memorizing information for medical school?

The speaker's secret is not relying on natural memory but rather using old school learning techniques that transform arbitrary details into coherent, intuitive, and logical concepts, making them less dependent on memory.

What is the significance of 'first principles' in the context of learning as discussed by the speaker?

'First principles' refers to breaking down information to its most fundamental truths and reasoning from there. In learning, it involves asking why things happen the way they do, going beyond surface explanations to understand the underlying logic.

How does the speaker suggest using the 'first principles' technique in learning?

The speaker suggests using the 'first principles' technique by asking questions about seemingly arbitrary details, such as why a certain drug causes a specific side effect, to uncover the logical reasons behind them.

What is the role of the application 'screen tool' in implementing the speaker's learning techniques?

The 'screen tool' application is recommended for its flexibility and speed in switching between ideas and perspectives, allowing for efficient note-taking and annotation of first principles, and for creating organized big picture structures.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of understanding the 'big picture' in learning?

Understanding the 'big picture' helps in learning and remembering specific details more effectively by providing context and patterns that make individual facts more intuitive and less arbitrary.

Can you provide an example of how the speaker applied the 'big picture' technique in their medical studies?

When studying chronic granulomatous disease, the speaker spent time learning about the general classification and features of primary immunodeficiencies to better understand and remember the specific syndrome.

What is the chess experiment mentioned by the speaker, and what does it imply for learning?

The chess experiment showed that chess masters have better memory for positions that could occur in a real game due to recognizing patterns from experience. This implies that learning patterns and big pictures can improve memory for specific details.

What is 'connecting outside the box' as a learning technique, and how does it work?

'Connecting outside the box' is a technique where one finds non-intuitive ways to apply learning principles to subjects that don't typically require them, such as using historical context to remember geographical locations.

How can the 'screen tool' application assist in 'connecting outside the box'?

The 'screen tool' application can assist by allowing users to create flexible and versatile structures that can represent complex connections and patterns, making it easier to visualize and remember information across different subjects.

What are the two options the speaker mentions for using the 'screen tool' application?

The two options mentioned are joining the Early Access plan for a monthly fee with locked pricing and an exclusive community, or joining the waitlist for a one-month free trial and potential participation in a referral program.