How I organize my research notes to write my PhD thesis quicker (& why OneNote is still the best)

How I organize my research notes as an Oxford PhD student to write research papers really quickly and efficiently! I show you how I use Onenote to organise my PhD thesis notes and research notes, ideas, to write really efficiently. I share my system to writing scientific essays and research papers quickly and easily and how to never forget what you've read by organizing your notes with OneNote. I share lots of thesis writing tips and tips for PhD students, so do check it out!

Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:20 Write as you read
00:01:18 Note down every paper you've ever read
00:02:50 Don't let any written work go to waste
00:04:14 Create your own knowledge database
00:06:15 Why OneNote is better than Word

Channel Intro:
Hi everyone! I'm Hira, a PhD student at Oxford. I made this channel to share PhD application advice, how to apply to Oxford for a PhD, study tips for students, how to find UK scholarships as an international student, to show you how to teach yourself bioinformatics or learn how to code, and lots more! If any of that sounds interesting to you, do subscribe!

[CarlA-woun]

Very useful tips. Thank you for sharing. Can you clarify the difference advice from Tip 1 vs Tip 4. In Tip 1 you say that you write in your own words as your read. However, on Tip 4 you say that you copy and paste the content without writing in your own words. Can you clarify when your work process focuses more on Tip 1 (eg, write as you read) vs Tip 4 where you emphasize cutting and pasting (without writing in your own words). Thanks again.

[riddhabose]

This video may only appeal to a selective audience, however the content inside it is invaluable!

[vaprtranz]

And for those of us who still take handwritten notes, OneNote can do OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to convert a picture of the handwritten notes to digital text, which Word cannot do.

[aaronwilson]

Don't forget to use a citation manager like Zotero.

[rachelwoodward]

This video came for me at a perfect time. I've started my PhD recently and I have started using OneNote. This video has given me a better idea on how to get the most from my note taking and reading whilst using OneNote

[onyinyenkwocha]

This is super helpful! Thank you Hira for sharing your hack. I have just finished reading my first article on my PhD programme and realised that if my masters has taught me anything at all, it is that I will need to organise more. About to start my second reading and your video gets suggested! The universe loves me😃

[muhamadnasra]

I have watched many videos about onenote, this one is the most valuable for me.

[dangomez]

Thanks! I can see you are doing well and you will be going places. I know you’re family is super proud. Thanks again for the study tip.

[Rajgitaa]

Hira, your short video on how you use OneNote has helped me immensly with writing difficult articles. I have ADHD-like symptoms that makes learning - and eventually, writing - difficult subjects. I've been working on an article on the Vagus nerve, trying to take notes from white papers, medical journals, reports ... and can't focus or organize anything. Your video really helped me. Unfortunately I didn't know what program you were using ... you never mentioned it. I eventually figured it out. Thanks so much for posting this. You ARE saving lives. - Roger

[cesmed]

Thanks for this, you are saving lives

[GabrielaOliveira-rp]

I just met you (30 sec ago) and I can safely say that I LOVE you. Thanks so much for taking the time to help other poor souls.

[shalainetatu]

Assalaamu 'alaykum Hira! I'm a new PhD student, and I found your video very reassuring! I have been a researcher, and I use OneNote in preparing my proposals. I tried Notion but it isn't really for me. You're right, OneNote is still the best! May Allāh grant you success in this world and in the Hereafter.

[Bob-Mann]

Hira! You’re a star Thanks a million…..!

[hafsahkhan]

Hey Hira!! This is the most beneficial video I have ever come across and you have highlighted each and every detail with so much effort. More power to you !!

[ANTONIO-yrbh]

Thank you so much, I will start my PhD soon and your videos are very illustrative and helpful, they fit like a glove in hand

[bibhushakarki]

This is super helpful! As a phd student struggling to stay organized and a neurodivergent person, your video is god sent.Thank you!

[mariguanabara]

this is brilliant! I wish I found this video 5 years ago hahah I'm still struggling to finish writing my phd thesis after all this time. I'm binge watching all your videos now, already a big fan. thank you for sharing your experiences and tips, Hira!

[Tenno_ge]

I think this was the most informative tips/tricks video about taking notes I've ever came across on YouTube... everyone else kinda avoid to show the exact method and just recommending basic and overall useful tips...
But this one was the method I will use because of explanation why this is useful.

1) Was thinking to Copy-paste was a bad idea and my notetaking was super slow. And yes, some notes I spend on them like 20-30 minutes were never used.
2) To save at least some information about every article that u read is brilliant idea. Who remembers read articles around some subject after 2-3 years... but going trough a small list/remarks will refresh the knowledge of that topic for sure.

Thank you. U got +1 sub :)

[kubimango]

thank you for this lifesaving video!! Im currently working on my Bachelorthesis and I was already panicking so much. At my College we don't really learn a lot about how to actually write a thesis so this was super useful! Thank you so much!!!

[elmiathewriter]

I'm by no means a PhD student but as a writer this is an invaluable resource to help with organising research!