How to Take Notes for Technical Things

The first 1000 visitors to www.shortform.com/tinahuang will receive a 20% discounted annual subscription.
✉️ NEWSLETTER: tinahuang.substack.com/
It's about learning, coding, and generally how to get your sh*t together c:
In this video, I talk about how to take notes for technical things like coding, data infrastructure, math, web development, and data science.
🔗Affiliates
========================
My SQL for data science interviews course (10 full interviews):
365datascience.com/learn-sql-...
365 Data Science:
365datascience.pxf.io/WD0za3 (link for 57% discount for their complete data science training)
Check out StrataScratch for data science interview prep:
stratascratch.com/?via=tina
🎥 My filming setup
========================
📷 camera: amzn.to/3LHbi7N
🎤 mic: amzn.to/3LqoFJb
🔭 tripod: amzn.to/3DkjGHe
💡 lights: amzn.to/3LmOhqk
📲Socials
========================
instagram: / hellotinah
linkedin: / tinaw-h
discord: / discord
🤯Study with Tina
========================
Study with Tina channel:
/ @studywithtina7726
How to make a studying scoreboard:
• The scoreboard I use t...
Scoreboard website:
scoreboardswithtina.com
livestreaming google calendar:
bit.ly/3wvPzHB
🎥Other videos you might be interested in
========================
How I consistently study with a full time job:
• How I consistently stu...
How I would learn to code (if I could start over):
• How I would learn to c...
🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛About me
========================
Hi, my name is Tina and I'm a data scientist at a FAANG company. I was pre-med studying pharmacology at the University of Toronto until I finally accepted that I would make a terrible doctor. I didn't know what to do with myself so I worked for a year as a research assistant for a bioinformatics lab where I learned how to code and became interested in data science. I then did a masters in computer science (MCIT) at the University of Pennsylvania before ending up at my current job in tech :)
📧Contact
========================
youtube: youtube comments are by far the best way to get a response from me!
linkedin: / tinaw-h
email for business inquiries only: [e-mail]
========================
Some links are affiliate links and I may receive a small portion of sales price at no cost to you. I really appreciate your support in helping improve this channel! :)

[@TinaHuang1]

The first 1000 visitors to www.shortform.com/tinahuang will receive a 20% discounted annual subscription.

[@TheUltimatePersonality]

which degree is best to become a data scientist

[@AadidevSooknananNXS]

THANK YOU I've been trying to get a grip on something like this for 7+ years And none of the "usual" ways ever felt natural

[@AadidevSooknananNXS]

THANK YOU I've been trying to get a grip on something like this for 7+ years And none of the "usual" ways ever felt natural

[@-blackcat-4749]

0:00 Rationale 0:39 Brief Contents overview 1:00 Blog address and weekly newsletter 1:18 Tools - moving from paper to Ipad Pro (3rd gen) 11'' 1:30 Paper-like screen on iPad 2:20 How to structure note files on iPad 2:30 Pre-Learning - Priming (go through syllabus, take notes of projects and cap stone project to start digesting in the background 3:40 Start Capstone first and go back through lectures to learn on a need-to basis --> Keeps motivated (real project motivates digging through theory) 4:10 ad/endorsement for Shortform and how it helps with Priming 5:17 How Tina takes notes a. Framework of references - bird view without details b. References = time stamps or page # to where future YOU can access the full info - 6:15 c. Example from her Blockchain algo course - 6:28 d. Color coding notes ("don't go crazy") e. ToDo: type concepts to be able to CTRL+F later on instead of scrolling 8:04 Insights and connections - connecting concepts by making analogies; making full examples of things by connecting fragmented concepts. 9:30 Example from BlockChain course 9:50 (Code) Project example 10:10 take notes in README.md 11:48 After completing the course - coming back to implementation notes (code comments) is most useful for Tina 12:30 "Cat rubbing his/her butt on Tina's head" the outro

[@artdzot]

thank you 🙏

[@HECTORARTUROA]

5:30 Big picture. 5:45 Write everu detail vs. google them; exactly what I thought butI am not doing with this comment. 6:00 References: timestamps. 7:15 Colors and consistence; my note: I use them in Google keep but I prefer emojis 🤔. 7:45 Search; my note: I use Google keep search: not very good. 8:00 Insights and connections: brain connections. 9:15 Solve problems: recollect pieces of the puzzle; my note: getting the big picture. 9:40 Projects (my note: programming): documentation (readme) and comments in code. #autorensubstack #mnemotecnia #memoria #memory #notas #notes #substack

[@ahahangiee]

so happy i don’t have to give her the views ts was just rambling w barely important info sprinkled sprinkled throughout 😭😭😭 i was getting mad

[@AadidevSooknananNXS]

This is the first video EVER on the internet to actually suggest a framework (as opposed to tools) specifically for technical concepts THAT ACTUALLY MAKE SENSE Thanks very much for sharing!!!

[@LukeBarousse]

I feel like I’ve been taking notes wrong my whole life!! 😩 Love this idea of priming and then working backwards on a course with the project first! 🙌🏼🐙

[@SeattleDataGuy]

We were supposed to be taking notes!

[@LukeBarousse]

@@SeattleDataGuy 🤦🏼‍♂😫😭

[@AndreTheBarbadian]

Imagine writing notes in a box. smh then one would never THINK OUTSIDE the box 🌻

[@TinaHuang1]

@@AndreTheBarbadian HEH

[@shwetak2639]

I am glad that I am following this without even knowing it as I tend to lost mid way if I just watch lecture as a fresh.

[@johnborron1059]

Tina, I'm old enough to have spent probably half my life before the internet was invented. When that came along, everything changed for me. A whole new paradigm; limitless possibilities for learning etc. I just wanted to say, as a life long learner, and someone who wants to code without frustration, your videos have been an absolute godsend. A simple suggestion to just concentrate on the important stuff and let the ancillary stuff take care of itself has transformed both my basic coding and database study in the last couple of weeks. My confidence in my ability to grasp concepts in these two disciplines has skyrocketed in that time after a number of years plodding along not getting it. This video is another huge conceptual leap for me, and I'm going to have to watch it a couple more times. I really just wanted to say, as someone with multiple interests, and always keen to learn smarter, some of the learning methods you are putting forward are literally paradigm shifts for me. You are an absolutely brilliant educator. Bravo!

[@jadelynch9826]

best of luck

[@ThuyNguyen-sj1yq]

Hello ❤ me too, i have always been trying to find out ways to study better, could I contact to you for some experience exchanges 🎉

[@KenJee_ds]

I actually use priming when I read books! Works amazing!

[@TinaHuang1]

YAH

[@maddyv3638]

Thank you Tina! I can’t understate how useful this is for me. I am getting ready to start an MS in data science and have been trying to figure out how I will be taking notes. I will be using your tips!

[@miguelbraga5909]

Same here :)

[@culturedmilk789]

1.5 months into coding and note-taking has been my no.1 problem since l’ve been struggling to structure my notes specifically for technical stuff. Thank you Tina, you’re a godsend!

[@flashgameer1258]

I'm new to coding n stuff and I can't figure out how to write the information on my papers

[@flashgameer1258]

Do i even need papers? Like I can just Google or watch a video on yt

[@neotetra0288]

​@@flashgameer1258 Facing the same thing, lemme know if you figure it out

[@niqbrown1774]

Hi Tina! Your content has been so helpful, Thank You! I am working on my Master’s in Bioinformatics, and I just earned an A- in my Data Science class ☺️. … my very first time learning how to code… the minus was the result of my procrastination 🤦🏾‍♀️ Thanks for sharing your info keep up the great work!

[@yohaizilber]

Regardless of what you study on a course or tutorial. Re-do it in a project right away, then do it again. You learn it by doing it over and over again without the help of a tutorial.

[@tyler4723]

Former security engineer > management > back to engineering. I've been looking for ways to take better technical notes! Like you mentioned, many note-taking methods are more for memorization whereas concepts are more important for technical notes especially since this field changes so frequently. Looking forward to giving this a try. Thanks!

[@millieblack2684]

I've always naturally wanted to work backwards, but fought that urge. This is incredible and needed!

[@shivamrai204]

This is similar to how I make notes for myself and I learn a lot new things through this video thanks

[@angelagomes9246]

Learning Java at the moment, this is exactly the video I was looking for and the video I needed, thank Tina for this gem !

[@universecode1101]

as a developer this video is very useful 😊 these tips will make me more productive both for my productivity on my youtube channel and for personal projects 🤩 thanks for sharing 👏🏻👏🏻

[@totoro_r1668]

Exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you Tina. Could you make a video about how to organize the codes pleaseeeee?

[@daranadine7711]

HALLELUJAH THANK YOU TINA! My bootcamp instructor suggested something similar but your detailed video makes more sense! Super grateful bc taking notes gives me anxiety 🥵

[@newsgo1876]

Thank you Tina. Really helpful. You make my mind much less burdened.

[@averysmith]

I love the start of this video!!!

[@gabrielmarquez]

It is impressive Tina! Thanks for sharing!

[@siletro]

Heya Tina! I love these type of videos on guiding us to and help us learning with fun xD. Also can you please make a video of data structures and algorithms, I'm kinda confused on how to improve in them

[@asiasowa]

Thank you, Tina for sharing excellent tips :) I will definitely try the iPad app out :)

[@terrance_corley]

This video came at the perfect time, thanks Tina! Love the idea of taking more higher level notes when it comes to course material and not getting caught up in documenting the nitty gritty.

[@sreevedvp6621]

Each of your videos solves my problems

[@Belgarathe]

A couple of notes. I love notablity as a college student. Flexible, able to take powerpoints and pdf slides along with taking class notes. Its search feature is handy. However, after a while when you have 3-4 years worth of notes it not fun to search. This from experience as an undergrad and now a grad student. All your notes become siloed so much that your linear algebra can't be used for your CS graphics class and so on. This is especially true for students who are preparing for MCAT. Its not they never knew the material for the test but more like they have to relearn things again and again. Thats the problem with with taking siloed notes. So what am I doing different now then I did before. Using things called smart notes aka Zettelkasten. It basically a way to tie all the different pieces of information together such that you don't need to relearn everything. Easiest example is you learn loops for C, python, JS. So if you are learning a new language or you want a refresher that specific part of your notes from all classes can be filtered to be shown together. Thus cutting down relearning instead focusing on adding to what you already know. You can do code snippets so if you need a specific block you can look it up quickly(versus looking up the same website over and over again). There is a paper version of this method but the digital version is more useful. There is many tools to implement this method. This also goes into saying don't spend all you time given time writing, cleaning up your notes. Instead focus using the code especially for project. I like your example of priming and will include that into my preparation. What should've been said was how much time you spent doing your notes, revision and how much time you spent coding.

[@kiaraa1505]

Hi. I'm a CS student and I'm having difficulty trying to organise my notes e.g. whether to organise them for resource (course, book etc.) or to organise them by topic/concept (Data Structures and Algorithms, System Design etc.). Do you have any suggestions for this? I have read about the Zettlekasten method and its supposed to help with this but I'm struggling to actually implement it

[@Belgarathe]

@@kiaraa1505 it’s great you’re thinking ahead. If I could do it over again, I would say use something like notion or obsidian. Have a single landing page with entire lectures w code blocks. After the semester is done create a table of content and keywords. This way if you need to look up hash maps you know to know to look up that key word. Don’t get to hang up on notetaking process or personal knowledge management system because as a student you learning a lot and everything seems noteworthy to put down. Instead spend the time actually using what you learn. Still take notes for your examines and how I explained above but really try to break your code and see how others approach the same problem that you are trying to solve with the code.

[@kiaraa1505]

@luckviii Thank you for your response. What would be your approach for independent learning after college or outside college semesters. E.g. if you are learning a topics/concepts from two or more resources (e.g. online course and textbook) how would then organise your notes? By topic or resource?

[@Belgarathe]

@@kiaraa1505 for outside topic I wouldn't go in depth in creating zettlekasfen notes because at that moment everything seems important which means it's hard to tell what to write down. It better to have a single landing page for each and keep adding to it as you progress in that source. Spend more time practicing/memorizing what you are actively learning since the focus is to master. Do not fall for trap of spending time organizing as mastering the material

[@kiaraa1505]

@@Belgarathe To be clear, you wouldn't place course notes into a zettlekasten system? Does this system only work for independent learning? I'm going through a data science course, should i write conceptual notes or structure it based on the course?

[@Seftehandle]

Hey Tina ! I kind of really needed this video, since I recently started learning coding and I have been taking notes the same way (by writing) most of my life. so when i keep on writing it is really time consuming and i end up not grasping most of code - even simple things like for loop in a dictionary and staff like that. So i started watching video tutorials and is going a bit better. i may have to write a thing or two tops like set {} dict{k:i} list[] tup=() but that's it for now. the tips are quite helpful since i am not a book person, i will try with tutorial and mirroring in collab and see if i make some progress

[@Seftehandle]

@Tomato Trees another Tina is another level. Cant compare

[@larrystreehouse1124]

Great Thanks. Useful indeed and that responds to my struggles

[@andres1814ap]

Your content is amazing! Thank you! :)

[@Ash-bc8vw]

For taking machine learning notes I use any python notebook eg Google Colab. I write explanations of the concept and implement the code in thr cell below it

[@artdzot]

1:32 1:56 device for notes : iPad Pro 3rd generation, 128Gb. thank you for ideas) 👍 3:00 project

[@zlovebae6679]

Yooooo! This is so simple and very effective. Thank you for sharing this wisdom and knowledge. By the way if you use note taking apps like obsidian or logseq. These apps have their own plugin that will allow you to timestamp video note, pdf highlight and all that good stuff she mention. Thank you!! so much for this great insight and I'll be using your technique.

[@Jeremyneedsaname]

I would suggest using an application like obsidian. At its core is markdown files in a directory. The application can also figure out when you are copying a url (plugin required) or linking to different markdown files. So you have this web of notes that you can refer back to. It starts off easy ... and stays easy.

[@percy9228]

would you say learning and using Obsidian is more useful than sticking with notes (digital or otherwise?) I believe that to be the case. taking paper/digital notes as apposed to inputting using a keyboard is more to do with a school and about memorisation and passing exams. Do you think entrepreneurs take notes?

[@terryhuang5748]

thanks Tina. Love it

[@HECTORARTUROA]

5:30 Big picture. 5:45 Write everu detail vs. google them; exactly what I thought butI am not doing with this comment. 6:00 References: timestamps. 7:15 Colors and consistence; my note: I use them in Google keep but I prefer emojis 🤔. 7:45 Search; my note: I use Google keep search: not very good. 8:00 Insights and connections: brain connections. 9:15 Solve problems: recollect pieces of the puzzle; my note: getting the big picture. 9:40 Projects (my note: programming): documentation (readme) and comments in code. #autorensubstack #mnemotecnia #memoria #memory #notas #notes #substack

[@ravinj8625]

My first intro coding class recommended taking notes throughout your coding 😊

[@kushal809]

Awesome video 🔥🔥

[@kushal809]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@mystic7851]

You really broke it down there about simplifying learning reminds me of lumosity

[@m4ster_l0rd45]

You are temptating ! ❤️

[@duncanluthervanheerden2906]

thank you Tina

[@brayanmoreno9482]

Wow, no sabía que alguien puede tener casi tu mismo sistema de estudio.

[@angelofbliss]

you doing the capstone first reminds me of how i taught myself to read difficult books in highschool, i pretend its a manga ( something different ) and have to read it from the other side of the cover ( backwards ). Doing it differently "re-jiggers" my brain and suddenly i start understanding things instead of just consuming info. like i need a different mindset for different subjects. or am i just defective >.>

[@moose304]

Do you find the other methods (mentioned at the beginning) useful for when you DO have to memorize things?

[@Busterblade20]

Thank you.

[@SparkNo19]

The only KZbin channel where I click like before watching the video 😍🔥

[@briand.8271]

had to pause this video off the jump so that i can get my ipad and take notes on your video telling me how to take notes, lel. fr though thanks for this, im studying comp-sci/cybersecurity and taking notes made sense but with software development coming up and some other coding courses im taking on the side to supplement my degree, my old cornell notes dont transfer as well! :)

[@mnesevati]

Thank you! I have an Ipad, what is the name of note application I should use the same you are presenting to us?

[@alfox7383]

I have a question. I'm in the midst of choosing a degree and I was wondering wether a Data Science degree is better than a Computer Science degree for getting a job in Data Science.

[@SiFu_ConFuSus]

I'm totally implementing the priming into the internet courses. I'm at the capstone of Google certificate and absolutely loved the idea you had about reverse engineering it and implementation notes. I will add that into the mental rollerdex. Thank you Sensei "Cool as Kakashi" Tina!

[@urdarkside1]

Which replacement nibs do you use for your apple pencil when it does wear down?

[@shafialanower3820]

I use Notion and RemNote to combine best of the both worlds

[@arthurfuchsreis7879]

I really appreciate these tips. But my question is what about clean code?

[@-blackcat-4749]

Yo, Tina, please post the link to the BlockChain course, will you?

[@goSomewhereElse]

So I've heard you say in another video that you've been a data scientist for just over a year (so almost 2 years now if you have the same job). I'm curious though, how long have you been a KZbinr? Love your channel it is super helpful and encouraging ❤️

[@TinaHuang1]

almost 2 years on youtube c: and I'm so happy to hear that

[@goSomewhereElse]

@@TinaHuang1 Wow that seems like fast success for a new KZbin channel. Congrats to you I'm happy to see your quality content reaching so many people so quickly!

[@Mrjiggyspuggy]

You had me @ technical notes, frameworks of references and getting your sh*t together 🤣😉

[@WayGeeBeats]

I'm left handed, my handwriting is horrible too😂😂but gets the job done😂 , great video, very informative❤🙏

[@barrenhorizons]

Your vids on taking notes really helped me to learn Blender real fast! Weirdly - its on Python...

[@teddy911]

checking in ~

[@TinaHuang1]

HAI

[@Gelowzz]

I dont have an ipad, what i have is a pc and a pentablet, care to share what u guys use as an alternative??

[@muthyala724]

TYSM for this! A= Thank you Print ( A* 3000)

[@aryanmn1569]

I don't think mindmap is about memorization! while its not very fast its good for structuring things! but many times it's better to right it with a python indent like syntax.

[@MrSomethingggg]

How about Obsidian?

[@stephaniemilano1768]

I agree with most of the video but disagree about the first methods mentioned being a method only to memorise things. I use them as brainstorming, analysing/comprehending methods. Furthermore, I consider them to be useful for certain things but not for others.

[@BlueBoardAnalysis]

Hi Miss Tina, You helped me immensely to focus on data science path. For the last 2 years i had been jumping between Web development and DS and couldn't concentrate on one. Wish me good luck, all your videos have given me a clear path, vision and a purpose.

[@msyu5349]

0:18 a^2+b^2 != (a-b)(a+b)

[@mayukhbanerjee1147]

Hii Tina, can you please suggest how to effectively take notes when learning DSA? I am being crippled by the thought of having to take copious notes on each problem type as there are soooo many different questions. Please some good soul help me out. I feel so stuck 😞😞😞

[@rafibangladesh]

Use anki, I been using it. making my own problems of flashcards

[@rafaelfernandezgonzalez1666]

priming suena como a pre lectura

[@sarahkalonji2744]

Writing Everything is important even the thoughts why u started this project why u ending it how we gonna do that this Whos the best teacher

[@Youtube_member]

The iPad😍

[@RameshKumar-ng3nf]

Oh God , i heard Boops Keyboard as , Boobs keyboard 🤣

[@silviolporto]

first of all you have to have a lot of money to pay all this stuff like ipad, note idontkonw and shortform

[@raniamehreenfarooq7929]

udemy course name pls(the blockchain one)

[@kermit8210]

I wanna know one thing for things like coding everything is available on goggle why feel the need to learn?

[@bin4ry_d3struct0r]

I wasted so much time writing down math equations for my stats and AI courses. I should've just written down the terms and concepts with the timestamps on the videos I watched as references. It gets extremely annoying though when the videos get taken down, reupoaded in a different order and/or modified.

[@ketansharma6955]

good video

[@linouzz1732]

LOL Tina just sooooo LOLOL

[@MiroKrotky]

A lil bit or exaggeration, your videos are one of few reasons im still here

[@cvafrica8386]

My left hand friend

[@emanuele9082]

8:45

[@sebisamuel2605]

Everyone knows that the best way of taking notes is making piecharts 🐢🐢🐢

[@Aidan_Au]

It sounds like this note-taking technique only works if you have an iPad or tablet. The transition to the sponsor Shortform also seems a bit forced.

[@enaungong]

What was the cat doing??

[@mega_mango]

Слишком сложно :>

[@pellax]

Don't take notes, be the notes.

[@user-hn1yu8nd5i]

Whew! damn she's good

[@saltNpepper952]

Me seeing this video after failing my programming class: 👁️👄👁️ 🤡 Is it still possible to turn back time?! 🙃

[@fraac]

kinda surprised you don't use obsidian

[@chowtuk]

are you training your lefthand in this video? 😅

[@jose000]

Yeeey I early

[@jose000]

I'm*

[@LapissHamster]

:,D

[@adil88201]

kawaii

[@richlaw3658]

This girl is only and only commercial now, everything she mentioned were advertising only. and the fake story how she uses is amazing

[@Swmdwn.Khakhlary]

definitely FUNCTIONAL 😅

[@leliel12th43]

I still have doubts about technical subjects like math. You surelly have lerned math but your method doesn't seem to apply much. Unfortunattelly highly skillable mathematicians doesn't even take notes, they just do the exercises. Although we mortals are different. Do you write down theorems? The whole proof? Definitions? The whole concept that could be 2 pages?

[@KenJee_ds]

Those plants be struggling tho 👀

[@Exeggutive]

I’m sure this video is great but all my attention has been sucked in by the 2 frame kitty animation in the background.

[@augustmoser7834]

Dear Tina, you talk too fast. Could you slow down a little bit?

[@NOMTheAdorableBAO]

🙌 HOSANNA In The Highest MOUNTainS 🏔!!!! KÉEP Thè FLAMÉ 🔥 Goin OOF 😅!!! 🙌

[@JoeDoe1]

Thank you.