I Used Anki Every Day for One Year, Here's What Happened

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their transformative experience using Anki for over a year. Initially struggling with motivation and effective use, they discovered the importance of optimal settings, creating quality flashcards, and embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. They emphasize the necessity of daily practice to develop a habit and the profound benefits of Anki in retaining information and enhancing recall, especially under pressure. The speaker concludes by encouraging viewers to give Anki a try, suggesting it can revolutionize their learning experience.

Takeaways

• 📅 The speaker used Anki daily for over a year, breaking their streak at 355 days, but continued using it for several more months.
• 🚀 Starting with Anki can be challenging, especially transitioning from traditional study methods to active recall.
• 🔧 Finding the right settings in Anki is crucial to avoid cards being too easy or too difficult, which can affect motivation.
• 📝 Creating effective Anki cards is key; they should be simple and contain one piece of information each, following the minimum information principle.
• 💡 It's important to embrace making mistakes with Anki cards as it's part of the learning process and helps identify knowledge gaps.
• 🌟 Regular use of Anki leads to better retention and quicker recall of information, which is beneficial for exams and daily life.
• 🔄 Consistency is critical; skipping days can lead to a backlog of reviews, so developing a daily habit is essential.
• 🕒 Setting aside a specific time each day for Anki reviews can help establish it as a non-negotiable part of the routine.
• 🤔 If struggling with Anki, consider whether the topic of study is enjoyable or if the issue lies with the study method itself.
• 🌈 Long-term use of Anki can lead to information becoming second nature, aiding significantly in high-pressure situations like OSCE exams.
• 🔚 Even after stopping Anki use post-exams, the retained knowledge forms long-term memory connections that remain accessible.

Q & A

How long has the speaker been using Anki?

The speaker has been using Anki for over a year, with a daily streak of 355 days before breaking it, and continued using it for about 15 months in total.

What was the speaker's initial experience with Anki?

Initially, the speaker found it difficult to start using Anki daily and even quit at one point, feeling it was not helpful and too challenging.

What was the main issue the speaker had with Anki settings?

The main issue was that the settings were wrong, leading to cards being either too easy, causing loss of focus, or too hard, making Anki a chore.

What does the speaker mean by 'good cards' in Anki?

'Good cards' refer to cards that are simple, contain one piece of information following the minimum information principle, and are neither too easy nor too difficult.

How does the speaker feel about getting cards wrong in Anki?

The speaker encourages embracing mistakes in Anki as part of the learning process, stating that it's okay to get things wrong as it helps identify knowledge gaps.

What advice does the speaker give for making Anki a daily habit?

The speaker advises setting a specific time for Anki each day, such as after breakfast, and treating it as a non-negotiable part of the routine.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of reviewing Anki every day?

Reviewing Anki daily is emphasized to avoid a backlog of reviews and to ensure the information becomes second nature, aiding in quick recall.

What benefits has the speaker noticed from using Anki?

The speaker noticed improved recall, better information retention, quicker access to knowledge, and increased confidence in their medical knowledge.

How does the speaker suggest using Anki can help in high-pressure situations like OSCE exams?

Anki helps by making information recall almost second nature, allowing for calm and effective navigation of high-pressure situations.

What is the speaker's current stance on using Anki after finishing medical school?

The speaker has stopped using Anki after finishing medical school exams but acknowledges that the knowledge gained through Anki remains.

What additional resources does the speaker offer for those interested in learning more about Anki?

The speaker has created a playlist called 'Master Anki Series for Medical School' and suggests checking it out for more detailed guidance on using Anki.