How I Memorise Everything WITHOUT Flashcards/Revision Cards | Active Recall & Spaced Repetition

Summary

In this video, Hibber, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Manchester, shares an innovative study technique that combines the benefits of revision cards with the detail of traditional note-taking. She explains why she avoids traditional flashcards due to their limitations in space and organization. Instead, she advocates for a method where notes are structured with questions on one side of the page and detailed answers on the other, allowing for active recall and spaced repetition. This approach not only facilitates memorization but also keeps all study material organized in one notebook, making it an effective and efficient study strategy for exams.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker dislikes using physical revision cards due to their limited space and messiness.
• 🖥 They tried Anki, a digital flashcard program, but found it complicated and less effective for in-depth notes.
• 📈 The speaker emphasizes the importance of active recall and spaced repetition for effective studying.
• 📝 They prefer writing detailed notes in a notebook, which helps with memorization through the act of writing.
• 🔄 To combine note-taking with study techniques, the speaker suggests dividing pages into a question and answer format.
• 🗂️ By splitting notes into a Q&A format, it eliminates the need to organize physical cards and reduces the risk of losing them.
• 📑 Writing on one side of the page allows for detailed answers without the space constraints of traditional flashcards.
• 🎭 Using a card to cover the answer side during review simulates the active recall process of flashcards.
• 🖌️ This method allows for detailed note-taking while still benefiting from the structure of flashcards.
• 🌈 The speaker suggests that color-coding or highlighting can be added to enhance the note-taking experience.
• 📈 The technique is versatile and can be applied to any subject, making it a universal study aid.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker has with traditional revision cards?

The speaker finds traditional revision cards to be limited in space, messy to organize, and easy to lose.

Why does the speaker prefer writing long, detailed notes in a notebook?

The speaker believes that the act of writing long, detailed notes in a notebook helps them memorize the information.

What are the two key elements the speaker mentions for effective studying?

The two key elements for effective studying mentioned are active recall and spaced repetition.

What is Anki and why does the speaker find it difficult to use?

Anki is an online revision card software. The speaker finds it difficult to understand and use, preferring physical cards despite not liking them.

How does the speaker's note-taking method incorporate active recall?

The speaker's method incorporates active recall by dividing the page into two halves, with questions on one side and answers on the other, and using a card to cover the answers while trying to recall them.

Why does the speaker recommend changing the title of notes into a question?

Changing the title into a question prompts the brain to think and recall information, which aids in memorization.

What is the advantage of the speaker's method over traditional revision cards?

The speaker's method allows for more space to write detailed answers, eliminates the need to organize physical cards, and still incorporates the benefits of active recall.

How does the speaker suggest using a card to enhance the note-taking process?

The speaker suggests using a card to cover the answers on one side of the page while reviewing the questions, simulating the process of turning over a revision card.

What is the benefit of having all notes in one place according to the speaker?

Having all notes in one place makes it easier to organize and store the information, reducing the mess and potential for losing cards.

How does the speaker's method apply to various types of study materials?

The speaker's method can be applied to any study material by turning the title of notes into a question and writing the notes as if answering that question.