Law School Study With Me – My Killer Lecture Note Taking Method

Summary

In this insightful 'Study With Me' video, Liam, a Cambridge graduate and law student, shares his effective strategies for taking lecture notes. He begins with a refreshing morning routine, emphasizing the importance of creating a topic skeleton from lecture materials. During lectures, he condenses key information into a hierarchical bullet-point format, prioritizing understanding over verbatim notes. After lectures, Liam grapples with challenging topics using simple explanations and visual aids. He concludes with practical tips for better study habits, encouraging viewers to engage and share their interests for future content.

Takeaways

• 😀 Establish a Morning Routine: Start your day with a consistent routine that includes hydration and a tidy workspace to enhance focus.
• 📅 Create a Topic Skeleton: Familiarize yourself with lecture materials by outlining key topics and subtopics before attending the lecture.
• 📝 Use Bullet Points: Instead of transcribing lectures verbatim, condense information into hierarchical bullet points to capture key ideas effectively.
• 🔍 Focus on Key Information: Pay attention to extracting the most important points during the lecture rather than writing down everything.
• ✍️ Annotate Your Notes: Mark areas in your notes where you want to add information from handouts or slides after the lecture.
• 🌟 Highlight Important Terms: Use bold text for key terms and proper titles for sections to make reviewing notes easier later.
• 🔗 Link Related Concepts: Use numbers and color coding to connect related ideas within your notes for better understanding.
• 🤔 Grapple with Difficult Topics: Spend extra time clarifying complex concepts by explaining them to yourself in simple terms.
• 📊 Visualize Ideas: Draw diagrams to link concepts together and create a pictorial representation for better comprehension.
• ⏳ Balance Study and Life: Allocate time for studying while also making room for social interactions and family to maintain overall well-being.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Liam's video?

Liam's video primarily focuses on his study routine and effective note-taking strategies as he prepares for law school.

Why did Liam allow himself to wake up later than usual?

Liam allowed himself to wake up later than usual because he had been studying and working on his website until around midnight the previous night.

What is the purpose of creating a 'topic skeleton' before a lecture?

Creating a 'topic skeleton' helps Liam familiarize himself with the lecture material, providing a clear outline that visualizes how subtopics fit together.

How does Liam condense lecture notes during class?

Liam condenses lecture notes by summarizing key points into a hierarchical bullet-point format, focusing on extracting essential information rather than transcribing every word.

What technique does Liam suggest for those attending live lectures?

Liam suggests experimenting with handwriting notes during live lectures to help focus on key information and improve understanding.

How does Liam recommend enhancing the clarity of his notes?

Liam recommends enhancing note clarity by properly titling sections, using bold for key terms, and color-coding links between related ideas.

What does Liam do after completing the lecture notes?

After completing his lecture notes, Liam spends time grappling with difficult concepts, often simplifying them in his own words and using diagrams to visualize relationships.

What are some of Liam's top tips for effective note-taking?

Liam's top tips include investing in an external monitor to avoid hunching over, using asterisks and question marks for further exploration, and applying logic to real-life examples.

Why does Liam emphasize the importance of understanding topics deeply?

Liam emphasizes the importance of understanding topics deeply so that he can explain them clearly, even to a five-year-old, which indicates a thorough grasp of the material.

How does Liam balance his academic work with personal life?

Liam balances his academic work with personal life by making time for family and friends, as demonstrated when he takes a break to spend time with his girlfriend and cousin.