Little Synapses

Lifelong learning

Lifelong Learning: Tools and Habits

By Yash D. Shah, MD, MPH · Pediatric neurologist & epileptologist · Adapted from posts on X, 2020

Cartoon of a brain on a laptop surrounded by connected idea icons and flashcards.
Connected notes and spaced repetition for lifelong learning.

Medicine never stops changing, so neither can we. Here's how I've used note-taking and spaced-repetition tools to keep learning.

Habits shape the future

“People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.” — F. Matthias Alexander [view on X]

Connected notes plus spaced repetition

As a researcher and lifelong learner, I enjoyed using Roam for connected notes, and I wished it could add the powerful spaced-repetition features of RemNote. Combining the two in one system would be ideal. [view on X]

What medical learners need from these tools

Medicine is full of images, so flashcards need a larger, zoomable interface (like Anki) to make images easy to see. [view on X]

Exports should keep the images saved in your notes, not just the text. [view on X]

When saving a thread, the posts should be stored in reading order (1 to 10), not backwards. [view on X]

This is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with your child's doctor about their care.

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