Essay Memorization Framework from Ellie, a Junior Doctor in Cambridge

Introduction

• Framework used by Ellie in her third year at Cambridge University while studying psychology.
• Won the prize for the best example formans in the year group due to this framework.
• Useful for essay-based subjects; non-essay based subjects can also benefit.
• Video has timestamps and resources in the description and pinned comment.

Framework Overview

• Two main stages: Creation Stage and Memorization Stage.
• Creation Stage: Create first-class essay plans for every possible essay title.
• Memorization Stage: Commit these essay plans to memory using active recall, spaced repetition, spider diagrams, and flashcards.

Creation Stage

Objective

• Create a significant number of high-quality essay plans.

Steps

1. Deciding Essay Titles

• Scope the subject to cover the full syllabus breadth.
• Use past papers to identify common essay titles.
• Consult teachers/professors if past papers are not available.

2. Planning Essays

• Allow one day per essay plan.
• Start with the question, e.g., "Do animals have a theory of mind?"
• Utilize Google first to collect information.
• After Google, refer to lecture notes and recommended readings.
• Create a research document as a foundation.
• Outline the essay plan with structured headings, subheadings, and evidence.
• Consolidate materials from various sources.

3. Making a Good Essay Plan

• Structure: Important for clarity and flow.
• Answering the Question: Directly address the essay question.
• Adding Flair: Include unique insights, historical context, etc.
• Example introduction provided to demonstrate structure, engagement, and addressing the question.

Memorization Stage

Objective

• Upload essay plans to memory to regurgitate during exams.

Techniques

1. Anki Flashcards

• Memorize each paragraph of essay plans using Anki flashcards.
• Keywords on front, detailed information on the back.
• Build content blocks in memory.

2. Spider Diagrams

• Create one-page diagrams summarizing each essay.
• Include essay structure and keywords from Anki cards.
• Daily practice of drawing spider diagrams from memory.

3. Retrospective Revision Timetable

• Systematic revision planning.
• Track which essays have been revised and their dates.
• Color-code based on confidence and recall success.

Conclusion

• Systematic memorization of essay plans resulted in high exam performance.
• Two-thirds of exam essay titles were predicted; remaining essays were created from scratch using knowledge blocks.
• Effective for scoring well while managing other commitments.
• Encouragement to use efficient study techniques to balance academics and other interests.

Additional Information

• Viewer interaction encouraged (comments, questions, and visiting the website for more detailed explanations).
• References to other content like the podcast "Not Overthinking" and social media channels.