Review. Nobody likes it, but we all have to do it. Flashcards are a good way to review.
Steps
Step 1. Buy the cards or create them yourself
Make sure they are roughly A6 size (half of an A5 sheet of paper). Don't try to save money by using plain paper - you can see through it, which can lead you to cheat, even if unknowingly. Better to use thin cardboard.
Step 2. Write the keyword on the card
On one side, write a short hint, keyword, phrase, or possible exam question. For example "The planets of the solar system (in order of proximity to the sun)".
Step 3. Write the answer on the other side
On the other side, write "Mercury, Venus, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune".
Step 4. Create several more such cards
You can also use different colors to differentiate the subjects you study. For example, you can use blue cards for biology, and pink cards for physics.
Step 5. Increase the difficulty for topics and exams that require an argumentative paper
If you are reviewing for an exam that involves creating argumentative text, make the information on the back of the cards more complex, so that you can see the keyword (for example, "Romeo") and be able to recall different arguments regarding his love for Juliet, others regarding the complexity of his character, the positive and negative sides of Shakespeare's portrait of him, what his morals are, etc.
Step 6. Test yourself
When you've created various cards, it's time to challenge yourself. Proceed as follows:
- Take the first card and read the keywords / suggestion phrase;
- Try to remember as much information as possible;
- Turn the card over and check if your answer (or answers) is correct;
- If you are happy with your answer, put the card in the "right answers" pile. Otherwise, put it in the "wrong answers" one.
Step 7. Repeat the process for all cards
Once you have gone through all the cards, take the ones in the "error pile", and start over. Keep going over the cards in the error pile until you have answered all the questions correctly and there are none left.
Step 8. Complete the process
Eventually it starts all over again as a safety measure.
Advice
- Always keep your flashcards in your pocket or purse. That way, whenever you have a free moment, you can take them out and review your notes.
- Some stores sell flashcards and storage cards that have a hole in the middle and are held together with a metal chain or ring. These types of cards are very useful, as they allow you to group them and clip them to your pencil case or bag. You can also make them yourself, by making smaller ones (about 5 centimeters long) and piercing them all in the center a little at a time. Make sure the hole is exactly in the same spot so you can tie them all together with ease.
- Alternatively, you can use dedicated software, such as Sharplet. This method also has the advantage of being able to track how well you know a card and optimally set how often you need it to be shown to you.
- Make sure the side with the hint is as neutral and identical as possible across all cards, otherwise you will begin to associate the various differences with specific answers, which is absolutely not helpful if you are studying for an exam. The keyword / phrase on the side should be the only suggestion available to you. So, for each subject, always use the same ink color, font size, paper color etc.
