Everyone learns in different ways. Some learn more by seeing than hearing. Some learn more by doing than reading. Some learn better from open-ended projects while others learn more from discrete assignments. Flash cards can help you memorize facts, and help you retain information into your long term memory.
For the majority of your general education classes, you are required to memorize a number of terms, dates, and people. The best way to get these into your memory bank is to simply make flash cards. It does not take much time, and they are very inexpensive. Simply gather the key definitions, dates and people for a given class, put these on 3×5 in. index cards. Write the term on one side of the card, and on the back describe it by what you think the teacher would define it as on the test or quiz you are studying for. You can make up flash cards during class.
Many students tend to be hands on visual learners. When using flash cards, you can see what you’re learning and you can quiz yourself. Hands-on learners learn little from reading, but more from doing. You remember more from what you see than from what you hear in class. For hands-on learners to remember, the following needs to occur
- You need to make the learning process a hands on activity.
- You need to see what you need to learn frequently. Recall is built from sight rather than memorization.
- Learning is best done in small chunks of time rather than over extended studying at one session.
- Whenever you have a little free time you can pick up your cards and start studying.
- Study flash cards with a friend or a group of friends in your same class, this enables you to teach each other.
- If you can teach a concept to someone else, then you are more likely to understand it.
Flash cards are an excellent way to learn. Here’s how to develop flash cards.
- Capture what you need to know on one side of a flash card. This could be
- A definition
- A list
- A fact
- A math solution approach
- A math problem that could be on a quiz, test, or homework assignment
- Chemical symbols or concepts
- A formula from a math, science, or engineering class
- A question that could be on a test
- A Pneumonic device
- A metaphor
- On the other side of the flashcard, write a test question that involves what is on the other side of the flash card.
- Develop the flash cards during class. This will actually help you focus on the class without your mind wondering.
- If you can find an old test, convert these test questions into flash cards.
- For a general education class, write a test question on one side of the flash card and on the other side, write the answer to that question.
Here’s how to use your flashcards.
- Prior to the teacher starting class, look over your flashcards. This will help you recall what has been covered before.
- Keep your flash cards handy. When you have small amounts of down time (even 5 minutes), get them out to review. Memory is developed by repetitive viewing of content. When you use small blocks of time like this, your actual test preparation will go down.
- Here are examples of small chunks of time you can use:
- During a commercial on TV
- When going to the bathroom
- During a long phone call with parents or boyfriend/girlfriend
- Waiting on transportation
- Waiting for class to start
- Waiting on friends to arrive
- Practice for the test by going over the flash cards. Actually if you have done the flashcards correctly, most of the test questions will be on your flashcards.
- Have someone quiz you on the flashcards, confirming that you know the information not only when you see it, but when you hear it also.
- Once the test is over, put check marks on the flash cards that were represented on the test.
- Keep your flash cards after the test. You may need to go back to them. You will also need them for the final exam.
Flashcards are a way to maximize your learning style..