Summary of "Questions over Assumptions | Note-Taking like a PhD student"

Key wellness / self-care / productivity strategies (and note-taking system)

Build a system that helps you retrieve information when needed.
Use notes to learn and master new concepts faster.
Turn notes into a “network” of ideas so you can make new connections quickly.
Accept imperfection: even the speaker sometimes forgets to take notes—learning the system is an ongoing process.

The speaker adapts the Zettelkasten idea (linking small notes into a knowledge web), favoring a modern/digital workflow.

Mindful consumption
- Write a note on what you consume/learn so you engage more deeply.
- If you don’t take notes, you’re more likely just “entertaining yourself” rather than fully processing information.
Reflection + summarizing in your own words
- Don’t just copy/memorize.
- Write summaries in your own wording to deepen understanding.
- This is framed as different from school-style rote memorization.
Linking concepts to form a “web of knowledge”
- Create small notes (e.g., one concept per note).
- Add:
  - an index/title (whatever labeling system you choose)
  - your own explanation
  - optional citations
  - links to related notes (e.g., neuroplasticity ↔ long-term potentiation)
- Over time, the value grows with many notes and many connections (not just a small set).
Use the system flexibly
- The speaker doesn’t follow the original method “to a T.”
- They avoid overly strict indexing workflows that didn’t fit their needs.

Use one primary tool
- The speaker uses Notion as the single hub to store, organize, and revisit notes.
- They acknowledge Obsidian may be better for some people but stick with Notion due to integration and familiarity.
Avoid over-optimizing early
- Analog note cards can work well for many people.
- Don’t get stuck perfecting categories immediately—classification needs change as you learn.
Organize later, but revisit regularly
- It can be procrastination to organize too early (because your categories evolve).
- Suggested review cadence:
  - once a month or at least once every 6 months
- During review:
  - reorganize if needed
  - find new connections among notes

Capture questions, not full sentences (during lectures/classes)
- Write down questions you think through—training listening and engagement.
- Full sentences are optional; messy notes are fine.
Type for clarity when speed matters
- If handwriting isn’t fast enough, type notes for clarity (the speaker did this in Notion).
Collect ideas from multiple sources
- Books (often Kindle highlights exported to notes)
- Podcasts
- “Feeding thoughts” / capturing thoughts in daily life
Quick capture method for ideas
- Send thoughts to the self via WhatsApp while on the go (e.g., during a bike ride).
- Carry small notebooks for brainstorming/new concepts.

The most important step is to turn notes into something new:
- essays
- blog posts
- research ideas/papers
- videos (including the speaker’s own)
If you want to go further:
- Teach what you learned (and consider combining with the Feynman Technique).

Presenter: The YouTube creator (no name provided in the subtitles)
Sponsored source: Skillshare
Referenced methodology / source ideas:
- Zettelkasten (Zettelkasten system; “Zettel” = box of notes)
- Feynman Technique (mentioned as a teaching/learning method)