One of the most popular ways of mastering new information is by studying with index cards.There is more to it than just writing a few words on a piece of paper.Carefully controlling the information that you put on the cards will help make your index cards work for you.apps that can help you create and share cards are a good idea.Good study habits with your cards will help you learn the material.
Step 1: Keep the text brief.
Instead of full sentences, use short phrases.When possible, use abbreviations.The best way to make sure the most important ideas make it onto the card is to shorten the text.The process of choosing the card's text will kick start the learning process.If you're studying history, you could shorten the sentence to "CC-America-1492" instead of "Christopher Columbus arrived in America in 1492."
Step 2: Use a pencil to write.
You can modify your notes if you use a pencil.You can see the information from the other side if you use a pencil.Make sure the ink on the pen doesn't bleed through.
Step 3: There should be a date or source label.
At the top of each card, write down the date the information came from in your class notes or the page number of the source.The information from your card can be tracked back to the original source.It's helpful if you choose to sort your cards.Use different colored cards or keep them in rubber-banded stacks if you are making notecards for multiple classes.
Step 4: You can create picture cards.
There isn't a rule that notecards should only contain text.Drawing a quick image on a card might be the most helpful for visual learners.Make the image easy to recognize by keeping it basic.If you label parts of the image, you will be able to study it.If you are taking a biology class, you can make a rough sketch of a cell and label it.You can put the key on the back of the card.You can learn the material by flipping the card back and forth.A foreign language student could draw a picture of a flower on one side of the card and have the translation on the other side.You can make image notecards by copying an image from the textbook or slide notes and then cutting it down to a note card size.You can create a slideshow to match your text notes if you do this many times.
Step 5: Add color to it.
If you want to fight boredom, try applying a color scheme to your cards.You could use colored pencils, highlighters, or even fine-tipped markers.Information with color is particularly important.To make it easier to sort, assign specific colors to certain card themes or topics.If you don't have a plan when you start using color on your cards, you could end up with a lot of disorganized cards.
Step 6: Word games are on your cards.
Put the piece of information down on a card if you came up with a quick way to remember it.When studying, all types of mnemonic devices are helpful.If you want to keep it simple, put only one major piece of information on each card.A history student could ask the question, "Who sailed the ocean blue?" on one side of a card with the answer on the other side.Rhyming helps with knowledge retention.
Step 7: Put your cards in a container.
You can get your cards laminated at a copy shop.Do it yourself with a quick, at- home machine.Small plastic sleeves are available at the office supply store.It's important to protect your cards from water damage if you plan to carry them around for a long time.
Step 8: You can use a piece of paper.
The same basic concept can be created using a sheet of white, unlined paper if notecards don't appeal to you.There is a line in the center of the page.You can use the left side of the paper to write a series of questions that match their answers on the right side.As you study, cover one side or the other.Shuffling is not possible with this method, so make sure to mix up the order in which you study the question/answer pairs.
Step 9: There is a flashcard creation app.
There are many apps that can be downloaded for free.You can get a basic version for free with add-ons.Good options are Brainscape, iStudious, and StudyBlue.It's a good idea to read online reviews before you download an app.Brainscape is an app that personalizes your studying by showing future cards based on your past performance.StudyBlue is an app that allows you to trade cards with students from all over the world.If you want one concept explained from a variety of perspectives, this is the way to go.
Step 10: Decide on the format of the index card.
Early on in the process, you will want to choose a studying approach.This depends on the subject being studied and your personal preferences.If you choose a format, stick with it or change it at will.It is helpful to create quiz questions or ID term notecards if you are studying history facts.If you are learning a foreign language, your notecards will most likely focus on vocabulary practice or sentence structuring.
Step 11: Take notes on the topic.
This is the most common notecard study method.You put a topic on one side of the card and then write your notes on the other side.These types of cards are called summary or concept cards.If you notice that you have a lot of information on the back of one card, it may be time to split it into multiple cards.This system is frequently used to quickly memorize terms.You put the term on one side and the definition on the other.
Step 12: Write your essay on cards.
A long or short paper can be written with your cards.The order in which you arrange your cards will appear in your essay.The cards should be moved around until the order makes sense.This is much simpler than re-writing the entire paper.When you are ready to write, simply move from card to card adding information or transition sentences.Once you have established the order of the cards, write a note at the top of them about the final location.The upper corner is where the introduction cards might have "Intro" written on them.You should keep a set of note cards with your source information listed as well.There is one source per card.The title, author, publisher, publication date, and so on should be included.This information will be used to create a reference list.
Step 13: Take notes from different sources.
Whether you are writing a paper or preparing for a test, notecards can be used to keep track of your research materials.Put the title and author on one side of the card, and few statements about the argument, evidence, methodology, etc., on the other side.It is possible to include a few points of criticism as well.For example, "Crit."When taking notes over sources, make sure to include quotes from the text.You could plagiarize if you use these materials later.
Step 14: Practice tests should be created.
Ask your teacher or professor if you should include any questions on an exam or test.Which topics should be covered?Which ones are the most important?You can come up with a list of the best questions and then transfer them to note cards.Leave the flip side for short answers when you put one question per card.You can use your cards to create a test.Pick the same number of cards that will appear on the test.Give yourself enough time to answer.If that is what you will have to do on the test, it is a good idea to write out your answers.When you are done, flip the cards and check your answers.After creating the cards, you might ask your teacher to look them over.If they do it, it could help you a lot.
Step 15: You should treat studying as a game.
It is possible to get a bit competitive to make studying more exciting.You can engage in flashcard competition against your peers with some apps.This is similar to having a study group that meets in person.Competitions can be set to follow a timer.Quizlet is a notable app in this category.If you want to have a friend quiz you with your index cards, hold them up so that you can only see the front term or concept.There is a separation between you and the answer.
Step 16: Keep your study sessions short.
Aim for 30 minutes at a time.It's a good idea to take a 10 minute break between sessions.Long periods of time without breaks can cause confusion, so short intervals are the key to retention.As you start each session, turn on a timer.This will make sure that you take your breaks.
Step 17: Stick to a study schedule.
When it's time to take a test, Procrastination can backfire.If possible, spread out your studying over days or weeks.Look at your paper deadlines and plan accordingly.It is better to have a few minutes a day.
Step 18: You should carry your cards with you.
During the period immediately before a test, keep your cards close to you and study them.It's a good idea to look for a few minutes here or there.Study during the commercials if you are watching TV.Exposure to the information will make a difference in retention.Use clips to hang your notes around the room.You can study while cleaning up.You can put your cards on a key ring if you punch a hole in the corner of your card set.
Step 19: Take the order of your cards into account.
If you go through your cards in the same order, you will get bored.Put your cards on a table, mix them up, or pull one out at a time.Just as a question will be on a test, the card that you see each time should be unpredictable.
Step 20: You can either set aside or revise the cards.
If you feel comfortable with the information on a particular card, place it in a new stack with others like it.You will be able to spend more time working on the topics that you have yet to master.For the cards in the known stack, revise them frequently with new terms or additional information so that you're always solidifying these concepts in your mind.
Step 21: Work with a group.
Go through your cards with your classmates.Other people covered areas that you missed.To test your knowledge, try to teach each other the material.The cards are a question bank.