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Comment by shay_ker | Hacker News Reader

Some really random, obvious things I do:

- I really look for learning materials that have diagrams, or videos. Plain-text blog posts and documentation are really obtuse for me to actually grok what's up

- I've got into a good habit of writing (with a notebook and a notes app). I actually do weekly check-ins, almost like "sprint retros", just for myself. Sometimes they're silly, but they're handy to crystallize whatever I was thinking about the last week

- If I want to learn a programming language or framework, I try to build something I'd actually use, or something someone else can use. It's a useful motivator!

Also, checking HN is a good way to stay on top of things :)

View on HN

I tend to run when I take a lunch instead of shoving food in my face (I sit at a desk, I can do that whenever I want), and almost all my "break through" moments happen on the treadmill. It's a little frustrating, to be honest. All I'm trying to do is to not think about running, and consequently how much I hate it. BAM! Something clicks, and the solution to something I wasn't even thinking about comes to mind.

Plaintext vs diagrams or videos vary greatly by person.

I for example cannot stand videos at all when it comes to learning - it is either too drawn out, or too distracting - and i actually prefer plaintext. On the other hand i have few friends who absolutely cannot stand plaintext and need a good video, or real life interaction to learn.

The one thing in common in most posts is your 3rd point - build something that you want to build - that's the best way to stay motivated.

On a subject of notetaking - i really like recursive approach to notes:

* summarize the source

* read the source(n-1) and your summary(n)

* do a summary of your summary and repeat this process

I do it few times, depending on complexity of the subject.

This is me- for learning 3d graphics (Maya, Blender), video tutorials are far more prevalent but less useful. I understand the ease of just starting a screen recording, but it's such a pain to pause the video every time I get behind. Text-based tutorials (with screenshots) require more planning on the part of the creator but seem more informative for me.

Now with math or science, video tutorials seem to better teach me.

Does anyone have a system they would recommend for organizing physical notes that backs them up in the cloud?

I take a lot of notes the old fashioned way because I find it helps my retention, but they can pile up fast when I'm particularly busy.

I use syncthing across various devices and organize a group of folders with markdown files in them, then view / edit them with a markdown editor.

Super simple, free, and the best note system I've used so far.

I directly take notes online. See here: learnook.surge.sh

Then in the chapter 2019.

I have used the Things 3 app on ios because it lets me organize notes by area/projects.

For notes on books, I still take those on paper

Good idea for a personal sprint retro.

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