Study Tips that got me through Pre-Med, MCAT, and PhD in Immunology

Summary

In this video, sponsored by Skillshare, the speaker shares their academic journey from a Premed undergrad to a PhD student in immunology, emphasizing effective study techniques. They discuss the use of Anki for memorization, studying in the exam environment, to-do lists for time management, and leveraging Skillshare for productivity and skill development. The speaker also shares personal tips on maintaining focus, such as watching lectures at double speed and using background videos for stimulation without distraction, along with the Pomodoro Technique for productive breaks.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker has a strong academic background with a pre-med degree, MCAT experience, and is currently a direct entry PhD student in immunology and medical research.
• 📚 They have developed effective study habits over six years, focusing on memorization, smart studying, and time management to balance academic and personal life.
• 🔖 Anki flashcards are highlighted as an essential tool for memorization, which the speaker uses regularly for exams and research.
• 🏛 The speaker uses environmental conditioning by studying in the same setting as the exam to mentally prepare for the test environment.
• 📝 Writing notes by hand is recommended for exams that require paper-based responses to practice writing and recall.
• 📝 To-do lists are a daily habit for managing tasks and deadlines, with a distinction between weekly and daily lists for big picture and immediate tasks.
• 📅 The Microsoft To-Do app is praised for managing weekly tasks, while daily tasks are written on paper for a satisfying sense of achievement.
• 🌐 Skillshare is mentioned as a resource for learning new skills and improving productivity, with classes taught by industry professionals.
• 🎨 The speaker is interested in creativity and design software, using Skillshare to learn tools like Adobe Illustrator for a more diverse skill set.
• 📺 Watching lectures at double speed is a technique to save time and improve note-taking by focusing on key points.
• 🤝 Engaging with classmates and professors, such as attending office hours, is important for building professional relationships.
• 🎥 Having background noise like Netflix or YouTube while studying can help maintain focus for extended periods without boredom.
• 🕒 The Pomodoro Technique is adapted for shorter study intervals and productive breaks, with the Flow app recommended for customization.

Q & A

What educational background does the speaker have?

The speaker has a Premed undergraduate degree specializing in human biology and molecular biology research, and is currently a direct entry PhD student in immunology and medical research at a top research institute in Canada.

What are the key study tips the speaker uses to memorize information effectively?

The speaker uses Anki cards for memorization, studies in the environment similar to the exam setting, and practices writing full sentences on paper to improve memorization and recall.

How does the speaker manage their time and stay organized?

The speaker uses to-do lists, including a weekly to-do list for big picture items and a daily to-do list for tasks that can be completed within a few hours, and finds the Microsoft To-Do app helpful for this purpose.

What is the significance of studying in the same environment as the exam?

Studying in the same environment as the exam helps set the mind to 'exam mode' and familiarizes the student with the conditions they will face during the actual exam, reducing discomfort and increasing focus.

How does the speaker use the Pomodoro Technique to enhance productivity?

The speaker customizes the Pomodoro Technique by studying for 30 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break, using the Flow app to manage these sessions, and ensuring breaks are productive by avoiding the use of a phone.

What is the role of Skillshare in the speaker's learning process?

Skillshare is an online platform that the speaker uses to access classes taught by industry professionals, helping to elevate career skills, develop new skills, and increase productivity.

How does the speaker engage with recorded lectures to enhance their study efficiency?

The speaker watches recorded lectures at twice the normal speed, which helps to cut down study time and forces them to take more effective notes by focusing on key points.

What is the speaker's approach to maintaining engagement while studying for long periods?

The speaker plays TV shows or videos in the background as a form of white noise to stay engaged without distraction, allowing them to study for longer periods without losing focus.

How does the speaker utilize their downtime to learn new skills?

During downtime, the speaker uses Skillshare to learn new skills such as creativity and design software like Adobe Illustrator, aiming to demonstrate a diverse skill set on their resume.

What is the speaker's strategy for building relationships with professors?

The speaker makes an effort to interact with classmates during tutorial or lab sessions and attends professors' office hours or emails them with questions to build a professional rapport for potential future opportunities.

How does the speaker ensure that their daily to-do list is effective and motivating?

The speaker ensures that the daily to-do list contains attainable goals that can be completed within a day, which is satisfying to check off and helps maintain motivation.