How to Stayed Organised During A-levels/uni (A*A*A*)

Summary

In this informative video, James, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Manchester, shares his strategies for staying organized while preparing for A-levels and exams. He emphasizes the importance of digital note-taking using Anki and OneNote to create a 'second brain' that consolidates lecture notes, past papers, and study materials into a single, easily accessible location. James also highlights the benefits of active recall and spaced repetition for effective studying. Additionally, he advocates for an analog system to manage time and tasks, using a weekly and daily planning approach to balance academic and personal goals. By overpreparing and teaching oneself before lectures, James suggests cultivating a deeper understanding and sparking curiosity. His method involves time blocking, setting study limits, and doubling the estimated time for tasks to ensure efficiency. The video concludes with the message of intentionality in planning one's day and life, encouraging viewers to focus on what's essential for personal satisfaction and success.

Takeaways

• 📚 Use digital note-taking tools like Anki and OneNote to create a 'second brain' for organizing and synthesizing lecture notes and past papers.
• 💻 Having an iPad can help eliminate paper clutter and centralize all study materials for quick and easy access.
• 🔍 Active recall and spaced repetition are key study strategies for retaining information, which are built into tools like Anki.
• 📈 Focus on creating high-quality flashcards and completing past papers to prepare for exams effectively.
• 📈 Before exams, concentrate on active review and revising with digital flashcards until the material is firmly embedded in memory.
• 📷 A digital system allows for the integration of various resources like screenshots from textbooks and videos from platforms like YouTube.
• 📚 Overprepare by teaching yourself the subject before it's covered in class to gain a deeper understanding and spark curiosity.
• 🗓️ Utilize an analog system for time and task management by creating weekly and daily plans to organize your tasks and activities.
• ⏰ Time blocking is a useful technique for planning your day by allocating specific time slots for different tasks.
• 🔄 Be flexible with your plans and adjust them as needed during the day to ensure you're making the most of your time.
• 🧘‍♂️ Intentionally planning your day can lead to a more satisfying life by focusing on what truly matters to you.
• 🌟 Efficiency in time management can lead to the discovery of new opportunities and the creation of fulfilling projects, like starting a YouTube channel.

Q & A

What is the first step James suggests for staying organized for A levels and GCSEs?

The first step is to take digital notes and create a second brain using Anki and OneNote, synthesizing all lecture slides and past papers into one place for easy access.

What are the advantages of using an iPad for studying according to James?

An iPad allows you to eliminate paper and have all your study materials in one place, accessible with a single click, making it quick and easy to start studying.

How does James use Anki to improve his study efficiency?

James uses Anki to create flashcards for important questions and parts of the curriculum. He also relies on Anki's built-in active recall and spaced repetition to study effectively.

What is the second step James recommends for staying organized?

The second step is using an analog system for time and task management, which includes making a weekly and daily plan to organize tasks and activities.

How does James use YouTube and Google to deepen his understanding of the subject before lectures?

James teaches himself the subject before the teacher does by using YouTube and Google to gain a deeper understanding and spark curiosity about the subject matter.

What is the weekly panel template that James uses for planning?

The weekly panel template is an analog system that allows James to map out his tasks for the week, dividing the page into sections for university work and other personal activities.

What is the method James uses for his daily planning?

James uses Cal Newport's time blocking method, where he breaks his day into blocks of time and plans his activities accordingly.

How does James approach studying within his daily plan?

James tries to constrain his study time to a specific period each day, such as from 9 to 5, and he advises doubling the estimated time for each task to account for unforeseen challenges.

What is the importance of reviewing flashcards actively when using Anki?

Actively reviewing flashcards helps to reinforce the material in your memory and link concepts together, which is crucial for exam preparation.

How does James ensure he is intentional with his time and activities?

James sets aside time to sit down and plan his day and week, considering the disciplines in his life and how he wants to spend his time to achieve satisfaction and happiness.

What is the philosophy James suggests building around your day for better results?

James suggests focusing on what makes you happy and what's essential, keeping digital notes and using an analog system for tasks and time to be more intentional and aware of what's important.

Why did James create a YouTube channel?

James created a YouTube channel as a way to utilize his free time efficiently and to share knowledge that could help others, stemming from his increased time awareness and organization.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Staying Organized for A Levels and University

In this paragraph, James, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Manchester, introduces the topic of the video: staying organized for A Levels and university. He shares his personal strategies for maintaining organization, which include taking digital notes and using Anki and OneNote to create a 'second brain.' He emphasizes the benefits of having an iPad for studying, as it allows for a paperless and easily accessible system. He also talks about the importance of active recall and spaced repetition for studying, which are features of Anki. Additionally, he suggests being overprepared by teaching oneself the subject before attending lectures, using resources like YouTube and Google, to deepen understanding and spark curiosity. The paragraph concludes with a recommendation to use an analog system for time and task management, which will be explained in the next paragraph.

05:00

🗓️ Time and Task Management with Analog Systems

The second paragraph delves into the use of an analog system for managing time and tasks. James discusses the importance of creating a weekly and daily plan, using a template he found on Ray's YouTube channel. He explains that the template allows him to map out tasks for the week, dedicating one half of a page to university and work-related tasks, and the other half to personal interests and hobbies. He stresses the importance of time blocking, where each task is allocated a specific time slot, and advises doubling the estimated time for each task to account for unforeseen challenges. James also emphasizes the value of intentional planning, suggesting that it not only improves daily satisfaction but also reflects on how one wants to spend their life. He concludes by encouraging viewers to be flexible with their plans, making adjustments as necessary, and to take the time to thoughtfully consider how they want to spend their day.

Keywords

💡Digital Notes

Digital notes refer to the process of taking notes using electronic devices instead of traditional pen and paper. In the context of the video, the speaker emphasizes the benefits of digital notes for organizing study materials for A-levels and exams. The speaker uses an iPad to synthesize lectures and past papers into a single, easily accessible digital format, which facilitates quick retrieval and review of information.

💡Second Brain

The concept of a 'second brain' in the video refers to the creation of a digital repository that acts as an extension of one's memory. The speaker mentions using Anki and OneNote to compile all lecture slides and past papers, effectively creating a comprehensive digital database that can be accessed and studied from anywhere, enhancing the organization and accessibility of study materials.

💡Anky

Anky, short for Anki, is a flashcard application that employs spaced repetition to help users memorize information more efficiently. The speaker uses Anki to create flashcards for important questions and curriculum points, which are then reviewed actively as part of the study process. Anki is highlighted as a tool that automates the repetition process, allowing the user to focus on creating effective flashcards and studying past papers.

💡Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals over time, which has been shown to improve long-term retention. In the video, the speaker mentions that Anki incorporates spaced repetition into its flashcard system, helping to solidify knowledge and prepare for exams more effectively.

💡Weekly Plan

A weekly plan is a schedule or blueprint for organizing tasks and activities over a week. The speaker discusses using a template from a YouTube channel to map out tasks for both academic and personal life. This analog system helps in visualizing and allocating time for various responsibilities and interests, such as work, YouTube, reading, exercising, and hobbies like Judo and playing the guitar.

💡Daily Plan

A daily plan is a more immediate schedule for the day's activities. The speaker describes planning the next day's activities just before going to sleep, using a time-blocking method to allocate specific time slots for different tasks. This approach helps in managing time effectively and ensures that each day is intentionally structured to include both academic and personal pursuits.

💡Time Blocking

Time blocking is a time management technique where the day is divided into blocks of time, each dedicated to a specific task or activity. The speaker uses this method to plan daily activities, aiming to study within a set time frame, such as from 9 to 5. This technique helps in creating a structured day and ensures that time is used efficiently.

💡Overprepared

Being overprepared means preparing more than what is typically required or expected. The speaker believes in the importance of being overprepared to stay organized and to achieve a deeper understanding of the subject matter before it is taught in class. This approach can be facilitated through self-study using resources like YouTube and Google, which can spark curiosity and enhance learning.

💡Intentionality

Intentionality refers to the act of making conscious decisions about how one spends their time and what activities they engage in. The speaker emphasizes the importance of intentionally planning each day and focusing on what makes one happy and satisfied. This mindset is believed to translate into a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

💡Disciplines

Disciplines, in the context of the video, refer to the various areas of life that one needs to manage and improve upon, such as academics, fitness, hobbies, and personal development. The speaker suggests that by building on these disciplines and planning for them, one can achieve a balanced and successful life.

Highlights

James, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Manchester, shares his strategies for staying organized for A-levels and GCSEs.

Advocates for creating a digital second brain using Anki and OneNote to synthesize lecture notes and past papers.

Using an iPad for note-taking allows for a paperless system with quick access to all study materials.

Importance of having a system where everything is in one place to deepen knowledge and prepare for exams.

Active recall and spaced repetition are key components of effective studying, which are built into Anki.

Focusing on making good flashcards and completing past papers is essential for exam preparation.

Digital systems enable the integration of screenshots, YouTube videos, and other resources into study materials.

Being overprepared by teaching oneself the subject before the teacher does can lead to a deeper understanding.

Using YouTube and Google for self-study can foster curiosity and interest in the subject.

A weekly and daily planning system helps in managing time and tasks effectively.

Using an analog system for planning can lead to a more intentional approach to time management.

Time blocking is a method to structure the day into blocks of time for different tasks and activities.

It's important to allocate specific time for studying and to double the estimated time for tasks to account for unforeseen challenges.

Flexibility in planning is crucial, allowing for adjustments throughout the day as needed.

Intentional planning of the day can influence how one wants to spend their life, focusing on what brings happiness and satisfaction.

Efficiency in time management can lead to the discovery of new interests and passions, such as creating a YouTube channel.

Maintaining a balance between digital note-taking and analog task planning can enhance organization and intentionality.

The video serves as a reminder to always focus on action and what's essential for personal and academic success.

Transcripts

today's video I'm going to talk about

how to stay organized for your a levels

and gcc's this channel is to help you

study deeper I'm James I'm a mechanical

engineering student at University of

Manchester and I hope this video helps

you so let's get into it the first step

is take digital notes create a second

brain on anky and on one note I

synthesize all my lecture siid all my

past papers into one note so that I can

do it on my iPad having an iPad is

amazing because it allows you to

get rid of all your paper and just have

everything in one place and one click

away and it's very quick to access

everything quick okay and when

everything's quick it makes it easy and

it's much easier to get started to stud

to actually study right um when I have

important questions things I make get

wrong in exams the most important parts

of a curriculum I put it into anky I

make basic or image inclusion flash

cards and when I do that I have

everything in one place to deepen my

knowledge right and before an exam I

focus on the main lead measures to

studying and getting good grades which

is active record and space repetition

which is built into to anky right and

that takes care of it all for you so all

you have to do is focusing on making

good flash cards doing all the past

papers and when it comes around to the

actual exam time cramming ankey

reviewing until it gets into your head

okay and making it link all together

when you review and reviewing it as

actively as

possible the good thing about a digital

system is that you can take screenshots

of your textbooks you can add YouTube

into one note and ankey and keep like

your hard drive of all your information

that you've learned and all the stuff

that's helped you understand the subject

in the

meantime to be organized I believe you

have to be overprepared so I try and

teach myself the subject before the

teacher teaches me so I have a deeper

understanding before before I go into

the lecture you can do this through

YouTube you can do this just through

Google at the moment and chat GDP and

when you do this you have some sort of

like time that if you allocated to teach

yourself the subject you become more

interested in it because it implores

this curiosity in your head

so have a digital system and try and

teach yourself the

subject the second step is using an

analog system for your time and your

tasks I try to make a weekly plan and a

daily plan and how I'm going to show you

how I do that I've got this template

from this guy Ray channel YouTube I'll

link it in the description and his

template for this is a weekly panel it's

an analog system you can map your tasks

out throughout the week I have half the

page for my tasks I want to do with work

with my University and other things then

the other half of the day is for like

YouTube reading working out I do Judo I

go for runs I try and play the guitar a

lot and it kind of builds a plan for all

these other parts of your life sit down

to look at your day to plan your day you

need to think about the disciplines in

your life and build on those disciplines

to master yourself so I do this on

Sunday and then what I do is when the

night before the next day just before I

go to sleep I plan my timeout in my

little Journal

here I use call newport's method where

you just do time blocking where you time

block your day you break into blocks of

time is that when you make your daily

plan try and have a limit to you're

studying when you study in a day try and

constrain it for a time period for

example try and study maybe for you're a

uni student only from 9 to 5 that's what

I try to do so I can have a strict

deadline when you estimate time double

it so if you got a task and you think

it's like 1

hour block out two hours for that task

and also Al you don't have to get your

plan right um for example this was my

plan the night before but I sat down

during the day and I just made a new

plan and I think it's good because you

can think right there hasn't gone to

plan today but what do I want to do with

the rest of my day how do I want to

spend my day and for

me when I've done this a lot and I've

been doing this for about 3 years now

when I sit down and I think how do I

want to spend my day

intentionally not with on my phone just

doing it quickly actually sitting down

like a philosophical thing where you

actually intentionally sit and think

about how you want to spend your day I

believe translates in how you want to

spend your life because when you focus

on the little things and you focus on

the things that make you happy it makes

you happy in the long run you know and

if you do this for long enough you get

more satisfaction from other things like

I created this YouTube channel because I

saw the time of my day that have free

have so much time free when you become

more efficient and you know where your

time is

going this is the video I wish I had as

a reminder to always focus on action and

always focus on what's essential keep

your notes and your digital notes on

digitally and then keep your tasks and

your time on analog to be more

intentional of your time to remind you

of what's important and kind of build a

philosophy around your day of what makes

you

happy when you do all of these

things you get better results so hope

this video has helped you in some sort

of way and thank you very much for

watching