Summary of "How I Take 0 Notes in Medical School (don't waste your time)"

Core message

As a clinical (4th–5th year) medical student, Kenji stopped making traditional notes and switched to spaced‑repetition flashcards (Anki). Clinical learning is now largely memorization of specific facts (investigations, stepwise management, drug choices and contraindications), whereas note‑taking is most useful when you need to deeply understand and rephrase concepts (as in preclinical years).

Why notes were useful (preclinical / conceptual learning)

Notes actively translate lecture material into your own words and pictures so your future self can quickly re‑understand concepts.
They are especially good for breaking down physiology and pathophysiology step‑by‑step (for example, understanding asthma mechanisms).
Best used when the primary goal is conceptual understanding rather than rote recall.

Why notes became less useful (clinical years)

Clinical years emphasize factual details such as:
- investigations and diagnostic steps,
- stepwise treatment algorithms,
- specific drug choices, doses and contraindications,
- physical examination maneuvers and clinical decision points.
These items require repeated memorization rather than re‑phrasing to gain understanding.
Maintaining and rereading large volumes of notes across multiple specialties is impractical.

Why flashcards (Anki / SRS) are preferred now

Spaced‑repetition systems (SRS) like Anki:
- force active recall and testing (which improves retention),
- use algorithms to schedule reviews so harder cards appear more often and easier cards less often,
- enable long‑term retention with less total daily time once the deck is set up,
- let you efficiently keep many facts “on hand” across rotations (pediatrics, general medicine, gastroenterology, etc.).
Result: increased memory retention and more efficient revision for finals and clinical practice.

Practical recommendations and lessons

Keep note‑taking for situations where you need deep conceptual understanding (particularly in preclinical learning).
For clinical years, prioritize building and daily reviewing a disciplined Anki deck focused on:
- investigations,
- stepwise management plans,
- drug choices and contraindications,
- key exam/clinical facts across specialties.
Use Anki’s algorithm to space reviews rather than trying to reread entire folders of notes every day.
Maintain a baseline of general medicine knowledge even when on a specialty rotation by relying on SRS.
If you want to learn Kenji’s exact Anki workflow, watch his dedicated video on that topic.

Additional resources mentioned

Kenji’s website — contains his past notes (useful as reference material).
Kenji’s other videos — including a detailed one about how he uses Anki.
Skillshare (sponsor) — online learning platform; Kenji made a class on writing first‑class essays and recommends a course by his friend Alibdal on studying for exams and productivity.

Actionable methodology

Assess the goal of your study
- If you need conceptual understanding → make notes (handwritten or typed, with diagrams).
- If you need to memorize facts and protocols → use flashcards/SRS.
Building and using an Anki‑based workflow
- Create concise flashcards focused on single facts or clinical decision points (one question per card).
- Prioritize cards for:
  - diagnostic steps and key investigation indications,
  - stepwise treatment algorithms (initial → escalation → refractory management),
  - drug names, indications, doses (if needed), and contraindications,
  - physical exam findings and their implications.
- Review your Anki deck daily to let the SRS algorithm manage spacing.
- Mark difficult cards so they reappear more often; mark easy cards appropriately so they appear less.
- Keep cards simple and high‑yield to avoid an unsustainable long‑term review burden.
When to make notes
- If you encounter a new topic that requires understanding foundations (e.g., pathophysiology), write summary notes in your own words.
- Convert essential facts from those notes into Anki cards once you understand them.
Use external learning resources selectively
- Refer to trusted pre‑made materials or your own past notes when creating cards.
- Consider study courses (e.g., Skillshare classes) for general study skills or essay writing.

Speakers / sources featured

Kenji — presenter; fourth‑year medical student and biomedical science graduate (King’s College London).
Alibdal — friend/course creator referenced (offers a study skills course on Skillshare).
Skillshare — online learning platform and sponsor.
Anki — spaced‑repetition flashcard tool discussed as the main study method.
Additional references: Kenji’s website (hosts his old notes) and Kenji’s other videos (on Anki usage).