Study with Me + Anki Flashcard Method - Ali Abdaal

Summary

In this study with me video, the creator shares their day off as they prepare for the MRCP medical exam. They start late but dive into studying neurology, their weakest subject, using a mind map for an overview. The creator emphasizes the importance of active recall and spaced repetition, using Anki flashcards for quick capture of new information. They also take breaks to practice Japanese with Rosetta Stone, watch YouTube, and spend time with friends, demonstrating a balanced approach to studying.

Takeaways

• 🕒 The video creator set an early alarm but woke up later, emphasizing the struggle with morning routines.
• 🏠 After waking up, the creator spent time on personal hygiene and household chores before starting to study, highlighting the importance of a clean environment for productivity.
• 📚 The study session focused on neurology, the creator's weakest subject, showcasing the strategy of targeting weak areas first.
• 🧠 The use of a mind map to categorize neurology topics was emphasized, illustrating the value of organizing information for better understanding.
• 📝 The creator used a combination of online notes and a presentation to create the mind map, demonstrating the utility of various resources in study preparation.
• 🔁 The concept of 'quick capture' was introduced, showing how to efficiently convert new information into flashcards using Anki.
• 📱 The video mentioned the use of Anki over Quizlet due to the speed of input, underlining the importance of efficiency in study techniques.
• 🌐 The creator took a break to practice Japanese on Rosetta Stone, indicating the value of breaks and diversifying study methods.
• 📊 The afternoon was spent continuing with online questions and using the 'quick capture' method to create flashcards, reinforcing the active learning process.
• 📊 The creator converted the neurology syllabus into toggle lists on Notion, showing how digital tools can aid in study organization and active recall.
• 🎵 The use of a study playlist was mentioned, suggesting that music can be a helpful tool to maintain focus and motivation during study sessions.
• 👫 Studying with a friend was highlighted as a way to add variety and make the study process more engaging.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video?

The purpose of the video is to document a day in the life of the content creator while studying for the MRCP medical exam, sharing study techniques and strategies along the way.

Why did the content creator set the alarm for 7:00 a.m.?

The content creator set the alarm for 7:00 a.m. to start the day early and appear as a motivational and productive member of society.

What is the first subject the content creator decides to study?

The first subject the content creator decides to study is neurology, which is identified as their weakest area.

How does the content creator approach studying neurology?

The content creator approaches studying neurology by first scoping the subject, categorizing topics into sensible categories using a mind map, and then reviewing questions on an online question bank.

What is the significance of using a mind map in the study process?

Using a mind map helps the content creator to have a big picture view and a structured skeleton of the content, which aids in understanding where new information fits within the broader subject.

What is the content creator's strategy for dealing with questions they get wrong or find new?

The content creator's strategy is to turn everything they get wrong or find new into flashcards on Anki, utilizing active recall and spaced repetition for effective studying.

What is the concept of 'quick capture' as mentioned in the video?

'Quick capture' is a productivity concept where ideas or information are quickly and efficiently recorded into an app or notebook to free up cognitive load and ensure effective note-taking or task management.

Why does the content creator choose Anki over other flashcard software?

The content creator chooses Anki over other flashcard software because it is faster to input new flashcards, which is crucial for their quick capture method of generating study materials.

What language does the content creator practice and how does Rosetta Stone assist in the learning process?

The content creator practices Japanese, and Rosetta Stone assists by making language learning interactive and game-like, integrating grammar into scenarios and using voice recognition for pronunciation practice.

How does the content creator integrate new information into their study materials?

The content creator integrates new information by copying and pasting it into Anki for flashcards and Notion for organized note-taking, which aids in active recall and spaced repetition.

What does the content creator do to change the scenery while studying?

To change the scenery, the content creator moves to a different location, such as the sofa, and also incorporates music from a study playlist to keep themselves entertained and motivated.

How does the content creator's friend Jake contribute to the study session?

Jake contributes to the study session by joining the content creator to review Anki flashcards together, providing a social and collaborative aspect to the study process.

Outlines

00:00

📚 A Day in the Life of Studying for MRCP

The video begins with the host welcoming viewers to a study session focused on preparing for the MRCP medical exam. Despite setting an early alarm, the host wakes up late and spends the morning on routine tasks. At 10:45, the study session starts with a focus on neurology, the host's weakest subject. A mind map is created to categorize topics and understand the subject's structure. The host then spends time on an online question bank, converting incorrect or new information into flashcards using Anki, a study technique that emphasizes active recall and spaced repetition. The video also features a break to chat with the host's grandma and a discussion on the 'quick capture' productivity method. The host also promotes Rosetta Stone for language learning, sharing personal experiences and a discount code.

05:02

🌟 Productivity and Study Techniques

In the second paragraph, the host continues with the study routine, emphasizing the use of 'quick capture' to efficiently create flashcards in Anki. The host also mentions using Notion to organize study materials and the importance of not reinventing the wheel by copying pasted notes instead of writing them from scratch. The video includes a brief interlude for language learning with Rosetta Stone and a return to studying with a focus on online questions and flashcard creation. The host also discusses the importance of active recall and spaced repetition over traditional note-taking. The day wraps up with a change of scenery on the sofa, a study break with a friend, and a switch to hematology before ending the study session with social activities and a Game of Thrones viewing party.

Keywords

💡MRCP

MRCP stands for Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, which is a postgraduate examination for medical practitioners specializing in medicine. In the video, the creator is preparing for this exam, which is a significant part of the content. The script mentions studying for the MRCP as the main focus of the 'study with me' video, indicating the importance of this exam in the medical profession.

💡Neurology

Neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. The video script highlights that the creator is focusing on neurology as their weakest subject for the MRCP exam. This is evident when the creator decides to tackle neurology first, using a mind map to categorize topics, which demonstrates the complexity and importance of this subject in their study routine.

💡Mind Map

A mind map is a diagram used to represent relationships between concepts or ideas. In the context of the video, the creator uses a mind map to organize the various topics within neurology, providing a 'big picture' view of the subject. This method aids in visualizing and memorizing complex information, which is crucial for effective studying and is a key strategy shared in the video.

💡Active Recall

Active recall is a learning technique where one actively tries to remember information without looking at the material. The video script mentions active recall as one of the most important components of effective studying. The creator uses this technique by reviewing flashcards and questions, which is exemplified by the process of creating and reviewing Anki flashcards throughout the video.

💡Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals over time, which is proven to enhance long-term memory. The video emphasizes spaced repetition as a core study technique, particularly through the use of Anki flashcards, which are designed to show information at optimal intervals for memorization.

💡Anki

Anki is a flashcard application that employs spaced repetition to help with memorization. The video script describes the creator's strategy of using Anki to convert new or difficult information into flashcards for review. This tool is central to the creator's study process, as it allows for quick capture of information and efficient review, aligning with the principles of active recall and spaced repetition.

💡Quick Capture

Quick capture refers to the ability to efficiently and swiftly record information as it comes to mind or as it is learned. In the video, the creator applies the concept of quick capture to their study routine by immediately turning new or incorrect information from question banks into Anki flashcards. This method is highlighted as a way to streamline the study process and ensure that new information is quickly integrated into the learning system.

💡Productivity

Productivity in the video is discussed in the context of effective study techniques and time management. The creator shares various strategies to enhance productivity, such as quick capture and the use of digital tools like Anki. The video is itself a 'study with me' format, which is intended to motivate and provide a productive study session for viewers, showcasing how to make the most of a day off for studying.

💡Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone is a language-learning software that the video creator uses to learn Japanese. It is mentioned as a tool that gamifies language learning and includes voice recognition for pronunciation practice. The video script includes a sponsored segment for Rosetta Stone, where the creator shares their positive experience with the platform, indicating its role in their language learning journey outside of their medical studies.

💡Notion

Notion is a note-taking and organization app that the creator uses to convert their neurology syllabus into organized toggle lists. The video script describes how the creator finds this app helpful for reinforcing the structure of the subject matter and for creating a bank of notes on difficult or new topics. Notion is presented as a valuable tool for consolidating study materials and facilitating active recall during revision.

💡Study with Me

The 'study with me' genre refers to videos where creators document their study sessions, often with the intent to motivate and provide company for viewers who are also studying. The video script is for a 'study with me' video, which includes the creator's day off work dedicated to studying for the MRCP exam. This format is meant to be inspiring and provide a transparent look into effective study habits, as demonstrated by the creator's techniques and routines shared throughout the video.

Highlights

The video features a day in the life of a medical student preparing for the MRCP exam.

The student shares effective study techniques for mastering complex medical subjects.

An alarm is humorously set for 7:00 a.m. but the student wakes up at 9:30 a.m. instead.

Morning routine includes showering, replying to emails, and cleaning the house before starting to study.

Neurology is identified as the weakest subject and becomes the focus of the study session.

A mind map is created to categorize neurology topics, providing a big picture view.

The mind map is sourced from online notes and a college senior's presentation.

The concept of 'quick capture' is introduced for efficient note-taking and flashcard creation.

Anki flashcard software is used for active recall and spaced repetition during study.

The student converts incorrect or new information into flashcards for future review.

Rosetta Stone is used for a Japanese language break, sponsored by the company.

The student discusses the integration of grammar into practical scenarios in language learning.

A break at 3 p.m. includes watching YouTube videos and planning a recipe for overnight oats.

Notion is used to organize the neurology syllabus into toggle lists for better study structure.

The student advocates against writing personal notes, favoring copying and pasting for efficiency.

A study playlist on Spotify is used to maintain an entertaining study environment.

A friend joins for a collaborative Anki review session, adding variety to the study routine.

The video concludes with a switch to hematology study and plans for a Game of Thrones night.

Transcripts

hey guys welcome back to the channel and

to another study with me video isn't

that exciting as usual I'll be taking

you through a day off work where I'm

studying for a medical exam called the

MRCP and I'll be sharing my study

techniques along the way for whatever

it's worth I actually set my alarm for

7:00 a.m. that morning because I wanted

to seem like a motivational and

productive member of society and I

turned it off and went back to bed until

half past 9:00 I then got up and spent

an hour having a shower replying to some

emails in the toilet and then cleaning

the house because obviously the house

needs to be cleaned before I can start

doing any work from 10:45 I decide to

start studying and because I've already

made a list of all the subjects in my

exam I decide to tackle my weakest one

and that's neurology so having decided

that step one is to scope the subject ie

find out what all the various topics are

within the subject and categorized them

into sensible categories using a mind

map that way I've got the big picture

view in my mind a skeleton as it were of

the content so that when I come across

new bits I know exactly where they slot

into the big picture I make this mind

map partly from a set of notes I found

on the internet and partly from a

presentation that one of our seniors in

college gave us a shout out to Martha

for the amazing teaching session at this

point it's 11:30 and I've got a solid

overview of all of neurology and so I

take a quick break and spend half an

hour chatting to my grandma in Pakistan

thereby signalling what a wonderful

grandson

I am from noon onwards i bash through

questions on past medicine an online

question bank that everyone uses for

medical exams in the UK I select just

the neurology questions because that's

what I'm doing today and as I'm going

through them I'm turning everything I

get wrong or everything that's new to me

into a flash card on Anki I'm gonna

explain this in a bit more detail

because this is basically my whole

strategy for past paper questions in the

world of productivity there's an idea

called quick capture for example if

you're building an effective to-do list

or note-taking system you want to be

able to capture any idea you have

quickly and efficiently into whatever

app or notebook you're using for example

lots of to-do list apps have keyboard

shortcuts that you can use to quick

capture an idea as it comes to you or to

send stuff from other apps to your to-do

list the point is that this should be so

quick and easy to do that you might as

well get stuff out of your brain and

into your system so I've taken this idea

and I've applied it to revision in the

past I used to just bash through

questions and read through explanations

for questions are done wrong but as you

might know if you've watched my

evidence-based study tips videos the

most important components of effective

studying are number one active recall

and number two spaced repetition

flashcard software like Anki inquisitor

has both of these concepts built into it

but a big reason why people don't like

using flashcards is because it takes

absolutely ages to make your own

flashcards yeah you could just download

a deck from the internet but those tend

to be less effective and a lot less

customized than making your own and in

my opinion the best of both worlds is to

make your own flashcards but to make the

process of making them a super super

quick so my technique for going through

online question banks is to use split

screen to answer the questions on one

side and then if I get something wrong

or find some new information in the

explanations I'll copy and paste it

straight into Anki and turn it into a

big flashcard I'll then review those

flashcards fairly regularly so that over

time anything that was new to me on the

question Bank gets uploaded to my brain

I'll talk about this in more detail in a

bit but first at around 1:00 p.m. I

decide to take a break and practice some

Japanese on rosetta stone who are very

kindly sponsoring this video she was

even sure what they Muhsin

I've been using rosetta stone for almost

a year now and I love how it makes

language learning into a game and rather

than teaching you the grammar and stuff

in a dry way it integrates those into

the scenarios so you can figure out

sentence structures and vocabulary along

the way it's also got a really cool

voice recognition that checks your

pronunciation of words and phrases so

you can try and sound a bit more like a

native speaker

and since starting using rosetta stone I

found myself using my new Japanese

skills in day-to-day life for example

just before playing squash I might say

to my opponent oh my ah motion there or

if I'm trying to interpret a CT scan at

work I might drop a cheeky hungee cure

Shangaan anyway if you fancy learning a

language you should definitely check out

rosetta stone and you can use my code in

the video description below to get 50%

off any subscription plan especially if

you're going away somewhere interesting

over the summer and hope you're quite a

fun use of your time to try and learn

the language before you get there anyway

with that said let's get back to

studying for the next couple of hours I

continue to bash through online

questions and quick capture every piece

of new information into Anki if I come

across anything that's completely new I

google it and try my best to understand

it before I shove it into an key for

memorization by the way if you're

wondering why I'm using an key rather

than Quizlet it's because while quizzing

it has a prettier design in putting

stuff into Anke is a lot faster than in

putting it into Quizlet and because this

method relies

on quikcapture to generate flashcards

efficiently I value speed of input far

more than prettiness of design at around

3 p.m. I decide I'm gonna be a complete

waste mount for a few hours and so I

watched some YouTube videos including

Neil Gaiman's commencement speech video

which is pretty solid I do some singing

and research some recipes for overnight

loops which inspires me to take a trip

to Waitrose and buy some ingredients

because I'm a classy guy when I get home

it's about 5 p.m. and I spend the next

half an hour editing a video which gives

me a burst of energy that I can use to

sustain myself while studying until

dinnertime at 5:30 I spent some time

converting the sketched out neurology

syllabus I made in the morning into an

organized set of toggle lists on notion

my new favorite note-taking app this

further reinforced is the skeleton of

the subject in my head

it also means that when I come across

something that's particularly new or

tricky I can copy and paste it into

notion at the same time as making a

flashcard this means that over time I

build up a bank of copy pasted notes for

anything I found difficult so that if

I'm doing a speed revision session I can

blitz through each subject and try my

best to actively recall the contents of

each topic by the way in case anyone's

wondering why I copy and paste notes

rather than writing them myself it's

because I consider writing my own notes

to be a complete waste of time

especially in a subject like medicine

where others have already done the work

for me there is absolutely no point

reinventing the wheel and the evidence

from hundreds of studies has shown that

summarizing content is a very

inefficient study technique and

absolutely sucks in comparison to things

like active recall and spaced repetition

I talk about this a lot more in my

evidence-based study tips video series

which will be linked down below from

6:15 onwards I'll review some more

questions and past medicine and

quikcapture everything into Anki and

notion I decided I want a change of

scenery so I lounge on the sofa and

something I forgot to mention earlier is

that while doing all of the studying

I've got my study with me

public playlist on Spotify playing

through my Amazon echo speakers sadly

not sponsored and so I'm hearing banger

instrumentals from films TV shows and

games to keep myself entertained as I

study again I'll put a link to the

playlist in the video description if you

want to check it out at 7 p.m. my friend

Jake rocks up to the house and we decide

to bash through some of the Anki

questions together because he's also

taking the MRCP we used to do this back

when we were in medical school together

with our other friends so it's a nice

throwback activity and adds some variety

to the otherwise fairly monotonous day

from 8 p.m. I decided to change things

up a bit and do some hematology for half

an hour and then at 8:30 I decide have

had enough of studying for one day and

so I watched some YouTube videos on

Tulsa

friends arrive for Game of Thrones night

with take away from gbk to see us

through the episode and so ends this

study with me video I hope you found it

at least partly useful and I'll

definitely make a video talking more

about the quick capture and Anki

technique in a lot more detail if you've

got any other questions please do leave

them in a comment below and I'll do my

best to reply to everyone if you liked

the video please give it a thumbs up if

you haven't subscribed to the channel

yet then please consider doing so thank

you for watching a cheeky arigato

gozaimasu - rosetta stone for sponsoring

the video and I'll see you in the next

one sayonara