How to keep track of lectures as a medical student

University courses Medicine & Psychology
1

Keeping track of lectures as a medical student is essential for staying organized and optimizing your study time. Here are some practical strategies to help you manage your lectures effectively:

1. Digital Note-Taking & Organization

  • OneNote / Notion / Evernote – Organize notes by subject, topic, or system.
  • Google Drive / Dropbox – Store lecture slides, PDFs, and notes in structured folders.
  • GoodNotes / Notability (for iPad users) – Great for handwritten notes with Apple Pencil.

:pushpin: Tip: Label folders clearly (e.g., “Cardiology → Arrhythmias → ECG Interpretation”).

2. Keep a Lecture Tracker

  • Use Excel, Notion, or a simple notebook to track attended lectures.
  • Include columns like:
    :white_check_mark: Lecture Title
    :date: Date
    :pushpin: Key Topics Covered
    :movie_camera: Recording Available? (Y/N)
    :arrows_counterclockwise: Reviewed? (Y/N)

:pushpin: Tip: Color-code topics based on priority—green (understood), yellow (needs review), red (confusing).

3. Record & Review Lectures

  • If allowed, record lectures using apps like Otter.ai or your phone’s recorder.
  • Speed up playback (1.5x) when rewatching.
  • Jot down timestamps for important sections.

:pushpin: Tip: Don’t rewrite slides—annotate them with extra explanations instead!

4. Use Active Learning Techniques

  • After each lecture, write a 3-sentence summary in your own words.
  • Create flashcards (Anki, Quizlet) from key concepts.
  • Discuss lectures with friends or use the Feynman technique (explain to a non-medical person).

5. Plan Weekly & Monthly Reviews

  • Set aside one day a week to go over recent lectures.
  • Create a “weak topics” list to focus on before exams.
  • Use the Pomodoro technique (25 min study + 5 min break) to prevent burnout.

:pushpin: Tip: Join or form a study group for discussion-based reviews.

6. Sync with Your Medical School’s Resources

  • Download lecture slides before class and skim them to get an overview.
  • Check for recommended textbooks, online modules, and past papers.
  • Bookmark key websites (UpToDate, AMBOSS, Medscape, BMJ Best Practice).

7. Use a Planner or Calendar

  • Google Calendar / Outlook → Schedule lectures with reminders.
  • Todoist / Notion → Set tasks for note review, assignments, and upcoming exams.

:pushpin: Tip: Schedule reminders to review notes before clinical rotations or exams.

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