How I Ranked 1st at Medical School - Anki Flashcards Tutorial

Summary

In this informative video, Kenji, a fourth-year medical student and biomedical science graduate from King's College London, shares his groundbreaking method for learning vast amounts of information using Anki, a flashcard software. Kenji explains the basic concept of flashcards and delves into Anki's unique features, including its intelligent algorithms that enhance learning through active recall and spaced repetition. He emphasizes how Anki's ease of use and efficiency in creating flashcards can benefit students across various disciplines, not just in medical school. Through a step-by-step guide, Kenji demonstrates how he incorporates Anki into his study routine, making complex medical concepts easier to memorize and retain. The video concludes with a recommendation for a Skillshare course on mastering Anki, promising a powerful tool for anyone looking to boost their academic performance.

Takeaways

• 📚 Anki is a game-changing flashcard software for learning and memorization, applicable to various fields of study.
• 📱 Anki's platform is mostly free, with the iOS app as a notable exception, making it accessible for students.
• 📈 Utilizes intelligent algorithms for spaced repetition and active recall, enhancing long-term memory retention.
• 🖥 Demonstrates how to convert lecture notes into Anki flashcards for efficient study and information retention.
• 📄 Flashcards in Anki can include both textual information and images, enriching the learning experience.
• 📝 Emphasizes the importance of creating flashcards directly from lecture notes to reinforce understanding.
• ✅ Highlights the flexibility of Anki in creating various types of flashcards, including basic and closed deletion cards.
• 📚 Suggests using Anki for testing oneself on past paper questions to identify and fill knowledge gaps.
• 👨‍💻 Shares a personal journey of discovery and success with Anki, encouraging others to try it.
• 🔥 Recommends a Skillshare course for mastering Anki, underlining the platform's value in learning new skills.
• ⚡ Offers a link to a free Skillshare trial, encouraging viewers to explore new learning opportunities.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is about using Anki, a flashcard software, to upload an unlimited amount of information onto one's mind, particularly for medical students but also applicable to other disciplines.

Who is the speaker of the video?

The speaker of the video is Kenji, a fourth-year medical student and biomedical science graduate studying at King's College London.

How does Kenji describe the concept of a flashcard?

Kenji describes a flashcard as a simple tool, typically a card or paper, with a question on one side and an answer on the other, used to test knowledge and aid memorization for exams or other preparations.

What are the key features of Anki according to Kenji?

Anki is a flashcard software that uses intelligent algorithms for constant self-testing over time, is completely free (except for the iOS app), and incorporates both active recall and spaced repetition to optimize memorization.

Why does Kenji find Anki more applicable in his fourth year of medical school compared to the earlier years?

Kenji finds Anki more applicable in his fourth year because it focuses on memorizing specifics, such as treatment orders and investigation sequences, which is crucial for his clinical rotations, as opposed to the earlier years which were more about understanding broad medical concepts.

How does Kenji use Anki to study after attending a lecture?

After a lecture, Kenji creates handwritten notes on his tablet, translating the lecture content in a way he understands. He then uses these notes to create flashcards in Anki, forming questions to test himself on the knowledge he's gained.

What is the purpose of using Anki while doing past papers?

Using Anki while doing past papers helps Kenji to identify and fill gaps in his knowledge. He adds questions he answers incorrectly or is unsure about into Anki to ensure he retrains himself on that information and gets them right in future exams.

How does Anki's spaced repetition work?

Anki's spaced repetition works by using a rating system where users rate questions as easy, medium, or hard. Based on the difficulty rating, Anki's algorithm resurfaces the cards at optimal intervals, ensuring cards reappear just before the user is about to forget the information.

What is a closed deletion card in Anki?

A closed deletion card in Anki is a type of flashcard where the user can close delete certain sections of the card, focusing only on the parts they need to test themselves on. This allows for targeted memorization and review.

Where did Kenji learn how to use Anki effectively?

Kenji learned how to use Anki effectively from a Skillshare course called 'The Ultimate Guide to Anki' by Ali Abdel.

What is the primary benefit of using Anki according to Kenji's experience?

The primary benefit of using Anki, according to Kenji, is its ability to efficiently upload and retain a large amount of information onto one's mind, particularly useful for memorizing specifics crucial for medical school exams.