My A*A*A*A* A-level Workflow (Cambridge Student)

Summary

In this video, Ray, a Cambridge student studying physics, shares his six-step workflow for studying A-levels effectively. He emphasizes the importance of using the exam board's specification guide to structure his learning, taking rough notes in class, and actively engaging with the material. Ray then discusses how he transforms his notes into flashcards using spaced repetition and active recall techniques with the Anki app. He also highlights the necessity of applying learned content through practice questions and tackling past papers, especially in the weeks leading up to exams. Ray's approach involves continuous review, understanding, and application of the material, and he encourages viewers to adapt his methods to suit their individual learning styles.

Takeaways

• 📚 Use the specification guide to structure your learning and ensure you cover all required topics.
• 📒 Take rough notes in class focusing on understanding the material rather than meticulous note-taking.
• 🔗 Relate new information to what you already know to reinforce learning and make connections.
• ✍️ Organize and expand your class notes using online resources to fill gaps and enhance understanding.
• 📝 Transform detailed notes into flashcards for spaced repetition and active recall using an app like Anki.
• 🔁 Regularly review flashcards to reinforce memory over time, adjusting the frequency based on your recall ability.
• 📉 Engage with practice questions to apply what you've learned, using teacher-provided questions or online resources.
• 📅 Begin past paper practice two to three months before exams, gradually increasing the frequency as exams approach.
• 🤔 Address misunderstandings by seeking clarification from teachers or online resources between past paper attempts.
• 📈 Learn from mistakes by maintaining a mistakes file and adjusting your study materials to prevent recurring errors.
• 🚀 Tailor the workflow to your personal learning style, making adjustments as needed to ensure effectiveness.
• 💡 Remember to pause and reflect on past papers rather than rushing through them to improve understanding and scores.

Q & A

What is the role of the specification guide in Ray's study workflow?

The specification guide serves as a roadmap for Ray's learning, helping him to not get lost in class, see how the topic fits into a wider picture, and ensuring that all topics are covered.

How does Ray approach note-taking during class?

Ray takes rough notes during class, focusing more on understanding the material than transcribing everything. He emphasizes engagement with the material and making connections with prior knowledge.

What learning techniques does Ray use to enhance his class notes?

Ray uses space repetition and active recall. He types up his notes into a Word document, adds to them using online resources, and then turns them into flashcards for review.

How does the use of Anki help Ray in his study process?

Anki helps Ray by implementing space repetition and active recall, deciding when to review each piece of content based on his performance. This allows him to consistently review and retain information over time.

What is the significance of doing practice questions in Ray's workflow?

Practice questions are vital for applying the content Ray has learned. They help him to understand the application of concepts and identify any gaps in his knowledge.

How does Ray prepare for exams using past papers?

Ray starts doing past papers two to three months before his exams, gradually increasing the frequency. He also reviews papers he scored low on and uses the time between to clarify misunderstandings and learn from mistakes.

What is Ray's approach to handling misunderstandings when doing past papers?

Ray uses online resources, YouTube, or seeks help from his teachers to clarify misunderstandings. He then reattempts the same or similar questions to ensure his understanding has improved.

How does Ray deal with common mistakes when doing past papers?

Ray maintains a mistakes file for each subject, organized by main topics. He reviews and learns from these mistakes, adjusting his flashcards and developing strategies to reduce the chances of repeating them.

What advice does Ray give about not blindly following his workflow?

Ray advises viewers not to copy his workflow exactly but to pay attention and make changes as needed to suit their individual learning styles and needs.

How does Ray organize his notes and flashcards using the specification?

Ray uses the specification to know what counts as a topic and where it begins and ends. This helps him organize his notes and flashcards in a structured manner.

What are the three main advantages Ray identifies in his approach to adding to class notes?

The three main advantages are: 1) Reviewing and understanding the topic soon after covering it, 2) Having everything on one document to see the topic as a whole and how everything relates, and 3) Capturing the best parts of various online resources to make sense of the content.

What does Ray suggest for students who want a system to follow for practice questions if their teachers don't provide one?

Ray suggests watching Ali Abdullah's retrospective timetable video for a system to follow for practice questions.