How to Stayed Organised During A-levels/uni (A*A*A*)

Summary

In this informative video, James, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Manchester, shares his strategies for staying organized while preparing for A-levels and exams. He emphasizes the importance of digital note-taking using Anki and OneNote to create a 'second brain' that consolidates lecture notes, past papers, and study materials into a single, easily accessible location. James also highlights the benefits of active recall and spaced repetition for effective studying. Additionally, he advocates for an analog system to manage time and tasks, using a weekly and daily planning approach to balance academic and personal goals. By overpreparing and teaching oneself before lectures, James suggests cultivating a deeper understanding and sparking curiosity. His method involves time blocking, setting study limits, and doubling the estimated time for tasks to ensure efficiency. The video concludes with the message of intentionality in planning one's day and life, encouraging viewers to focus on what's essential for personal satisfaction and success.

Takeaways

• 📚 Use digital note-taking tools like Anki and OneNote to create a 'second brain' for organizing and synthesizing lecture notes and past papers.
• 💻 Having an iPad can help eliminate paper clutter and centralize all study materials for quick and easy access.
• 🔍 Active recall and spaced repetition are key study strategies for retaining information, which are built into tools like Anki.
• 📈 Focus on creating high-quality flashcards and completing past papers to prepare for exams effectively.
• 📈 Before exams, concentrate on active review and revising with digital flashcards until the material is firmly embedded in memory.
• 📷 A digital system allows for the integration of various resources like screenshots from textbooks and videos from platforms like YouTube.
• 📚 Overprepare by teaching yourself the subject before it's covered in class to gain a deeper understanding and spark curiosity.
• 🗓️ Utilize an analog system for time and task management by creating weekly and daily plans to organize your tasks and activities.
• ⏰ Time blocking is a useful technique for planning your day by allocating specific time slots for different tasks.
• 🔄 Be flexible with your plans and adjust them as needed during the day to ensure you're making the most of your time.
• 🧘‍♂️ Intentionally planning your day can lead to a more satisfying life by focusing on what truly matters to you.
• 🌟 Efficiency in time management can lead to the discovery of new opportunities and the creation of fulfilling projects, like starting a YouTube channel.

Q & A

What is the first step James suggests for staying organized for A levels and GCSEs?

The first step is to take digital notes and create a second brain using Anki and OneNote, synthesizing all lecture slides and past papers into one place for easy access.

What are the advantages of using an iPad for studying according to James?

An iPad allows you to eliminate paper and have all your study materials in one place, accessible with a single click, making it quick and easy to start studying.

How does James use Anki to improve his study efficiency?

James uses Anki to create flashcards for important questions and parts of the curriculum. He also relies on Anki's built-in active recall and spaced repetition to study effectively.

What is the second step James recommends for staying organized?

The second step is using an analog system for time and task management, which includes making a weekly and daily plan to organize tasks and activities.

How does James use YouTube and Google to deepen his understanding of the subject before lectures?

James teaches himself the subject before the teacher does by using YouTube and Google to gain a deeper understanding and spark curiosity about the subject matter.

What is the weekly panel template that James uses for planning?

The weekly panel template is an analog system that allows James to map out his tasks for the week, dividing the page into sections for university work and other personal activities.

What is the method James uses for his daily planning?

James uses Cal Newport's time blocking method, where he breaks his day into blocks of time and plans his activities accordingly.

How does James approach studying within his daily plan?

James tries to constrain his study time to a specific period each day, such as from 9 to 5, and he advises doubling the estimated time for each task to account for unforeseen challenges.

What is the importance of reviewing flashcards actively when using Anki?

Actively reviewing flashcards helps to reinforce the material in your memory and link concepts together, which is crucial for exam preparation.

How does James ensure he is intentional with his time and activities?

James sets aside time to sit down and plan his day and week, considering the disciplines in his life and how he wants to spend his time to achieve satisfaction and happiness.

What is the philosophy James suggests building around your day for better results?

James suggests focusing on what makes you happy and what's essential, keeping digital notes and using an analog system for tasks and time to be more intentional and aware of what's important.

Why did James create a YouTube channel?

James created a YouTube channel as a way to utilize his free time efficiently and to share knowledge that could help others, stemming from his increased time awareness and organization.