Lecture Notes: Developing a Study Routine for Medical School Success

Introduction

• Speaker's background: Initially struggling in school, low self-esteem.
• Developed a successful study routine for medical school.
• Achieved dream job as a doctor in London.
• Emphasis on a study method that minimizes time spent studying.
• Not naturally intelligent but very determined.

Study Routine Overview

• Routine covers pre-class, during class, exam preparation, and post-exam strategies.
• Utilizes evidence-based techniques to improve grades.
• Can cut study time by half if not already using this method.

Pre-Class Preparation

• Download lecture slides or lesson material if available.
• Briefly review materials; if unavailable, do some research on upcoming topics.
• Practice questions on the topic: Helps identify areas of weakness.
• Importance of reflecting on easier vs. difficult knowledge.

During Class

• Lectures considered passive; find a way to stay engaged.
• Use tools like Notion, OneNote, or Excel to track class attendance and topics.
• Create flashcards in real-time using Anki:
  • Active recall and spaced repetition are key techniques.
  • Create cards during lectures to stay engaged.
  • Anki’s role in strengthening neural connections.

Common Pitfalls

• Falling behind: Mark slides and revisit later.
• Too many flashcards: Use a traffic light system to prioritize:
  • Green: Already know.
  • Yellow: Need recall assistance.
  • Red: Completely new information.
• Exclusivity to high-yield exam topics: Focus on these first.

Post-Class Reflection

• Review Anki cards on the same day to reinforce learning.
• Understand the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve: Lose 50% of information in one day.
• Reviewing cards makes life easier during exams.

Exam Preparation

• Consistency not always key; different phases:
  • 2 months before: Increase study hours.
  • 1 month before: Increase further.
  • Just before exams: Decrease to rest the brain.
• Adjust study load based on personal progress and health.
• Ensure rest and recovery are part of routine.

After Exams

• Reflect on performance:
  • Analyze score breakdown.
  • Assess study hours vs. performance.
  • Align performance with personal goals.
• Learn from others: Collaborate with friends, share resources and strategies.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to apply these techniques and reflect on personal study habits.
• Emphasis on working smarter, not harder, and utilizing tools like Anki effectively.
• Reminder of ongoing learning and adaptation to improve study skills.