Who knew a little card could be so powerful?
For students, distance learning has become the new normal. That means more time at home to watch Tik Toks on the couch, Facetime with friends, and then….study. Before you get distracted by another Buzzfeed quiz, get back on track by improving your studying techniques.
1. Vocalize each index card.
We know it feels silly, but researchers have discovered that repeating information out loud boosts memory retention. Foreign language classes are a great example: your professor makes you repeat each word and its definition to help you learn.(Just imagine trying to learn German or Japanese without reciting those vocab lists!) Find a quiet space to study (the library probably isn’t the best idea) and repeat each word and its definition to yourself at least five times per study session.
2. Write short, simple definitions.
The number one reason why index cards fail? Excessive wordiness. Remember, the goal of using index cards isn’t to sound eloquent, but rather to memorize the most significant details from your lessons. Shorten definitions by eliminating parts of speech you don’t need, like adjectives and adverbs.3. Use bullet points.
If you still find yourself overwhelmed by the amount of words on the flashcards, you’re not alone. Use bulleted lists to help further break down challenging concepts into bite-sized pieces of information. Visually, it’s less intimidating, and practically, it’s easier to memorize distinct pieces of information rather than a whole paragraph.4. Doodle on your index cards.
Did you know that scientific studies show people learn more effectively with the aid of pictures when compared to words alone? Even if you’re not the best artist, make it a point to draw a picture that captures each definition or term. Funny drawings make definitions harder to forget (and make studying more enjoyable).5. Start quizzing yourself early.
We know that you’ll cram at least once this semester, but even well-written index cards won’t improve your grades if you have to make them and retain them in the few hours leading up to a big exam. Begin creating index cards as you learn key concepts in class, or wait no later than two weeks before that midterm or final to make your first stack.6. Try to fail.
Your goal is, of course, to succeed. But in order to get there, it’s good to spend some time failing. When you begin a flashcard session, start with the ones you’re less confident with. Then, if you get a definition wrong or can’t remember it accurately, put it to the back of the pile to make sure you see it again.7. Use past tests as a guide.
On the subject of using failure as a tool, get a head start on your midterms and cumulative finals by writing down definitions or concepts you missed on other tests. Let’s face it: most of us are lacking in at least one subject area.8. Try a color-coding system.
Make index cards with a highlighter to single out important ideas and remind yourself what you need to study. In the upper corner of your index cards, mark a green circle for topics you’ve mastered or a red star for topics that require more review.9. Play around with mnemonics devices.
Mnemonics aren’t just for learning about colors in elementary art or spelling bees. From absorbing rules of grammar to memorizing all the amino acids, this handy memory aid keeps your flashcards short and sweet. There are plenty of mnemonics for every subject online, but you can make them even more effective by using a little humor and personalizing them to your life.10. Study the front AND back of your index cards.
The last thing you want is to master only one side of your flashcard stack and blank out on exam day. Ask a friend or family member to quiz you with your index cards to see if you can match names with their definitions. Then flip your stack over and match definitions to the names. If you miss the inverse of a card, tuck it in the back of your stack and go back to it later.Index Cards to the Max
Using index cards to study for your next exam is flat out a great idea. They’re simple, quick, tested, and dare we say a little fun. But you won't be successful if you don't also have other good organizational habits. So if you only take one thing away from this blog, just remember that index cards alone won’t save your test score, but they can certainly help (and if you can’t remember that, try writing it down on a flashcard).If you're looking to upgrade your dusty, old index cards to new, reusable flash cards, look no further. The brand new Rocketbook Cloud Cards are reusable index cards that can be scanned, saved, and studied.
