Let’s take a look back at the videos that helped you stay organized in 2024!

I looked at my YouTube analytics and here are the top 10 most viewed videos. Not all are actually from 2024 but some older ones that perform well. These are the “Top 10” as decided by you!

10. How to Organize Evernote With a Better Tagging System 

This one is from June 2023 I share my Evernote tagging strategy. I use both notebooks and tags to organize notes. Notebooks are used to group related notes, while tags are used primarily as dividers within the notebook. I also talked about the strategy for naming the tags.

9. Welcome to New Visitors! 

When visitors arrive at my YouTube channel for the first time, this is the video they see. It’s the introduction to my channel. You get an introduction to what the channel is all about, but hey, you already know that stuff because you are here. But if you ever wanted a summary of what I do, this is it.

8. How to Use Google Drive as Your Second Brain

This one is from January, 2024. I discuss using Google Drive as a replacement for Evernote. I am an avid Evernote, but people need options. Evernote had recently made significant changes to its free plan, prompting many users to seek alternatives. While Google Drive may not be a perfect replacement, it offers a viable option for those who need a basic note-taking and organization tool.

I give you a detailed guide on how to set up Google Drive to mimic Evernote’s features, including creating a digital inbox, organizing folders, and using Google’s web clipper. I also offer tips on how to clean up shared documents and utilize tags effectively.

If you’re considering switching from Evernote to Google Drive, I have an ebook that guides can how to do it.

7. How to Turn Handwriting into Text with Google Lens 

During 2024, I gave you several ways to turn handwriting into editable, digital text. This one is from April 2024. Google Lens is the tool I used in this video. You can take a picture of the handwritten text with your phone, and then use Google Lens to select and copy the text. This copied text can then be pasted into a digital document, such as a note or a document. While the digitized text may require some corrections, it provides a convenient way to convert handwritten notes into editable digital format.

6. Evernote Tasks | Your Easy Strategy for Seamless Organization

This one is from May 2024. The principle behind this concept is important. It’s one I adopted over twenty after reading the classic work Time Power written by the late Dr. Charles Hobbs. It’s a principle involved in documentation or notetaking, which I’ve used for a long time.

As we take notes, “to-dos” emerge for us to handle later. People run into problems when they flip and forth between their notes and their task manager to record tasks. The problem is the same whether the tool is a paper planner, a digital system, or a hybrid.

A far better practice is to put the tasks in the body of the notes. Mark the to-dos with a checkbox. Now, they stand out from the rest of the material on the page. Later in the day, revisit the notes and improve the notes. Reword elements that are unclear because they were written in haste. Refine the wording of tasks so they are clear. Then, harvest the to-dos and put them on the appropriate dates in your task manager.

I do not use Evernote Tasks. I use Remember The Milk. But if I were to use Evernote Tasks, this video shows how I would do it.

5. 8 Gift Ideas for the Principal (and 1 No-No)

This one is from November 2022 and I did an update for December 2024. I shared eight gift ideas for a principal, along with one idea to avoid. We talked about giving gifts that are meaningful and personalized. Examples would be something made by students, a gift certificate for a later date, or a subscription to a useful tool like Evernote or Remember the Milk. I also recommend considering the principal’s hobbies or interests, or even gifting something that will leave a lasting legacy. Consider a donation to a school project or a commissioned portrait.

4. Link to a Specific Spot on a Page | It’s Easy to Do 

The fourth most-viewed video of 2024 was one from September 2021.  I showed you how to link not only to another webpage but a specific spot on that page.  Highlight the desired paragraph, right-click, and select “Copy link to highlight.” This creates a URL that, when clicked, takes you directly to that specific paragraph on the page. This technique can be useful for directing others to specific information on a website, such as when asking a question or providing an answer.

3. How to Export from Google Sheets to Google Calendar

In January 2024, I showed you an easy way to construct your school calendar for the next year. In education, we generally have the same events each year, but the exact date varies from year to year. In this video, you learn how to use Google Sheets to make the job easy. You can create a spreadsheet with all your repeating events, such as assemblies, PTA meetings, and faculty meetings. Make sure your columns are in a specific order and named correctly. Then, save your spreadsheet as a CSV file and import it into your Google Calendar. This will automatically create events for you, saving you time and effort.

2. College Students: How to Take Great Notes 

The second most-watched video of 2024 is one from August 2020. I shared advice on how to take great notes in college. Treat your notes like a draft. Take notes in class, then go back and revise them later. This process will help you to better understand the material and remember it for exams. You can also use your notes as a starting point for studying for graduate school exams.

1. How I Memorized 57 Pages of Notes in 1 Day  

Far and away the most popular video is one from 2020. In this video, I share a powerful memory technique that helped me memorize 57 pages of notes in just one day for a challenging college exam. This technique, known as “Places,” has its roots in ancient Roman and Greek oratory. I was preparing for a test in my “School and Society” class, taught by Dr. Harry Rose. The exam consisted of a single question that required detailed knowledge of all the course material. To tackle this, I decided to use the “Places” method, associating each major topic with a room in my childhood home. Here’s how I did it:

1. I visualized people from my notes in each room.
2. I imagined posters on the walls that represented lists and details.
3. I created a mental story that connected all the information.

When I ran out of rooms in my house, I extended the technique to other familiar locations, like the music building at my university and my church. This approach allowed me to mentally walk through these spaces, easily recalling the associated information. I made notes in the margins of my notebook about the story I created, which became my study material.

The technique proved to be incredibly effective. Not only did I ace the test, but I continued to use this method throughout my academic career, including during my doctorate. In the video, I emphasize how simple yet effective this approach can be and suggest that others give it a try.

Additionally, I discuss an alternative note-taking method for classes that don’t lend themselves to outlines, where I create questions and answers in different colors. I encourage viewers to experiment with this technique and subscribe to my channel for more tips on organization and productivity!

So those are the Top 10 of 2024 as decided by you! What was your favorite? I would love to know. Thanks for joining me in 2024. I’m looking forward to bringing you much more in 2025! Happy New Year!

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