How to study to get a First at University efficiently and effectively!

Summary

In this video, Joe from Learn Earn Enjoy shares his top tools, tips, and techniques for university success. He discusses effective strategies like using Evernote for organizing notes, Preview for annotating PDFs, and the Pomodoro Technique for focused work intervals. Joe also emphasizes the importance of proofreading with a trusted person, time blocking for better planning, and listening to ambient or lo-fi music for concentration. Additionally, he recommends Neil's Toolbox for automating Harvard-style referencing. These tips helped Joe earn a distinction in his MBA while working full-time.

Takeaways

• 😀 Use Evernote for efficient note-taking, including screen grabs, annotated PDFs, and handwritten notes. Its powerful search function can even find words in images of handwriting.
• 😀 Preview on Mac (or a similar app on Windows) is great for annotating PDFs without needing to print them. Highlight and organize your research articles digitally for easy reference.
• 😀 Having an independent person proofread your work, preferably someone not familiar with the subject, can help you catch mistakes and improve clarity.
• 😀 The Pomodoro Technique, which involves working in 25-minute intervals with short breaks, helps increase focus and productivity, especially for procrastinators.
• 😀 Ambient noise or lo-fi music, without lyrics, can aid concentration while studying. Apps like Teomix and Noisely provide customizable ambient soundscapes for focus.
• 😀 Time blocking in your calendar to schedule specific tasks can increase productivity by making your work time more purposeful and reducing distractions.
• 😀 Combining Pomodoro sessions with ambient noise or music can enhance your focus and efficiency during study or work.
• 😀 Going to specific locations (e.g., the library) for designated tasks can help you focus better than working at home without a structured plan.
• 😀 Neil's Toolbox is a helpful tool for automatically generating Harvard-style references, saving time compared to manual referencing or relying on inconsistent sources like Google Scholar.
• 😀 To maintain consistency in your references, always check that your Harvard reference style matches your university’s specific requirements before submitting assignments.

Q & A

Why does Joe prefer Evernote as a note-taking app?

Joe prefers Evernote because of its robust search function, which allows him to find information quickly across notes, attachments, and even handwritten images. He values the app's ability to organize both handwritten and digital notes, making it easier to retrieve and review past materials, especially for academic work.

What is the main benefit of using Preview (or similar apps) to annotate PDFs?

The main benefit is that it eliminates the need to print out journal articles, allowing users to highlight and annotate PDFs digitally. This not only saves money and space but also helps in organizing the information within the note-taking system like Evernote, which can be searched easily later.

Why does Joe suggest having an independent person proofread your work?

Joe recommends an independent person proofread your work because they can spot mistakes that you might overlook due to being too familiar with the content. They can check the flow, clarity, and grammar without prior knowledge of the topic, ensuring that your work is understandable to a broader audience.

How does the Pomodoro Technique help with procrastination?

The Pomodoro Technique helps with procrastination by breaking work into short, focused intervals (usually 25 minutes) with short breaks in between. This structure encourages concentration on one task at a time, reducing distractions and making it easier to get started and stay on track.

What kind of music does Joe recommend for concentration?

Joe recommends ambient noise or lo-fi music with no lyrics for concentration. He finds that music with lyrics is distracting, but instrumental or ambient sounds (like stormy weather or coffee shop noise) help block out distractions and improve focus.

What is advanced time blocking, and how does Joe use it?

Advanced time blocking involves scheduling specific tasks in advance, often in a calendar, to ensure focused work sessions. Joe combines this technique with the Pomodoro method and ambient music, finding that it helps him use his time more purposefully and reduces the chance of getting distracted.

Why does Joe recommend using Neil's Toolbox for referencing?

Joe recommends Neil's Toolbox because it automates the process of creating Harvard-style references in a simple and consistent manner. He finds it more reliable than other referencing tools, especially when ensuring the format aligns with his university's specific requirements.

What advantage does the search function in Evernote offer, particularly for students?

The search function in Evernote allows students to search through notes, attachments, and even images of handwriting, making it easy to locate specific information without needing to read through entire articles or notes. This can save significant time when reusing sources for assignments.

What are the potential drawbacks of using Evernote's free version?

The free version of Evernote has limitations on note size and monthly upload limits. If you frequently attach large files or images to your notes, you might hit these limits, making the paid versions a better option for those with heavy usage.

Why does Joe believe using physical timers for Pomodoro sessions can be more effective than apps?

Joe believes that using physical timers for Pomodoro sessions can be more effective because it removes the temptation of digital distractions, which are common with apps. The physical timer helps create a more focused, distraction-free environment, aligning with the Pomodoro Technique's goals of strict concentration.