is it a good idea to start writing essays about every piece of information I consume

[hitlersblackedwaifu]

e.g. I watch an educational video on youtube, is it a good idea to write down a summary of it (with pen and paper)?

I want to get better at processing information and absorbing knowledge. I'm obviously terrible at it, which is why I have those cognitive gaps. 

We did this practice in school, but I never thought much about it, other than the superficial "they want to make sure we know what we are reading/they want to torment us"

Open to hear everyone's thoughts on this.