My struggles with Obsidian for college (asking for organization advice)

I have switched from Google Drive to Obsidian for my current semester of university (about 2 months so far) and I like it a lot. In some ways, it feels way more satisfying than Google Drive. However, there are some things I wish I could do better.

First, since I am coming from Google Drive, I still have a very folder-centric organization scheme (a folder for college, personal notes, independent learning, every class, etc.). I know that a lot of the Obsidian community preaches using tags and links for notes, but honestly, it just feels like it introduces more work and pressure to writing every note. My classes are hard, and I need a way to stay organized and take useful and organized notes fast, so I don’t fall behind. So far, writing notes in Obsidian has felt like more of a chore. I constantly have to think about whether a link is necessary or not, whether a tag is fitting or not, etc. Maybe this is just my inexperience talking. It’s a shame because I would love to use tags and links if I was smart and organized enough to use them. I hear about systems like zettelkasten and PARA and I don’t feel smart enough to use those either.

I am wondering if any of you have struggled with something similar and how you overcame it to take really nice notes. I suppose the two areas I am looking for the most advice in are when/where to use tags and links, and how to organize the files themselves. Any advice?

I’ve felt the exact same way with Obsidian for a while now. I used notion before and I set it up very folder like with the databases as my folder. Something clicked today while I was watching a video about “the good parts” of obsidian rather than over complicating it that made the tag thing make a lot more sense to me. You can apparently chain tags like so #health/fitness/workouts. That simple trick changed the game for me and I just started using obsidian as I would apple notes except with some community plugins to fit any needs I come across. I hope this helps but if it doesn’t I’d say don’t over complicate it. The tag thing is the way to go for a lot of people but there’s something to be said about feeling like you need to use a tool a certain way because that’s how people tell you to do it

You can use a traditional folder hierarchy with Obsidian just like you do in Google Drive. I like a folder structure in my notes so I use them a lot.

I only use tags in templates combined with AutoMover plugin so I can create a note from template and it gets automatically moved to a correct folder.

Some people use tags, some use backlinks, some use folders. Obsidian is quite nice because it fits so many different use cases and the important thing is to find one that works for you.

You can then add new things a little bit at a time if you want to start explore how tags might fit into your workflow without having to worry about them in the first place or during note creation.

My recommendation is to use any external materials (these forums, Youtube influencers etc) as inspiration rather than descriptive rules of how you must use the tool.

I don’t think using tags or backlinks has anything to do with one’s smartness or intellectual capacity. It’s a new tool that takes time to get used to and sometimes you notice it doesn’t bring any value to you. Many people are very hyped about the local graph but I never look at it because my notes are not organised in a way where it would be useful.

There are no right or wrong way to use Obsidian.

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I’d also recommend that you stick to the format you are familiar with and use a folder structure.

You don’t have to use the links and tags; Only use them when they solve a problem you are having.

Say, you have a Mr. X who has a lot to say about a variety of topics and you want to be able find all of that easily; That’s something that can be solved with tags (Use #X etc.)

If you find yourself wanting to quickly review something from another note while studying; Enter links.

I’m also use a folder structure and use that with Obsidian. I can easily find files with Windows Explorer in folders as well as Obsidian if need be.

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Oh yeah I saw that one too. Do you mean the No Boilterplate video?

TLDR: Use the system that is working for you and that you’re comfortable with. If it feels like a chore, you won’t stick to it much longer.

I wouldn’t worry too much about that. In the end it is just as mentioned before: It has to suit your needs. If you feel more comfortable with a folder structure. Do a folder structure.

If you get to a point, where a note would fit in two folders, then you can use a tag for both topics or use links.

Me personally, I use a basic folder structure and otherwise use a lot of links and work with MOCs (map of contents, basically Notes with links to other notes like an index to a specific topic). If you compare it to college classes, you would have one MOC for every class and then different notes that link to it. If a note fits to 2 subjects or topics then you can link the note to both.

I would recommend using YAML frontmatter in a template and just fill out the stuff that you need and leave the rest empty. This way you can concentrate on writing the notes and then later on redacting them a bit, when you go over the topics for the exams.

I watched a lot of videos on youtube in the beginning and that is a huge rabbit hole where you can spend a lot of time/hours on those videos and concepts.

Here are some channels and videos: