Students love flashcards or at least they think that they do. It can be a wonderful addition to studying. This is especially true when memorizing terms. Flashcards, notecards, index card system all of these are usually talking about the same thing: using an index card to assist in studying. I am going to help you create a better, more efficient, and effective system for using notecards to study by sharing the secrets to using notecards to study. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure here.

I think one of the best ways to study is writing. For most people, this is a great way to learn. My guess is that if you are reading this you are looking for ways to improve your current system of studying. If handwriting is an obstacle to you due to a challenge, I encourage the use of voice recorders and software that converts speech to text like Dragon and text to speech software. I will have an entire post dedicated to the use of assistive technology.

My tools:

index cards (these with a hole punched in them for a binder ring are nice)
index card box
highlighters (bible highlighters don’t bleed)
flags
sticky notes
pens
pencils
rubber bands and/or binder rings

The SECRETS to Using Notecards to Study

1. STOP Writing your Notes on Notecards

Instead of writing your notes verbatim, rewrite the information in your own words. Focus on keywords and vocabulary (especially unfamiliar vocabulary). Add enough details to help it make sense, but not so much it is overwhelming. Copying your notes word for word is practicing penmanship and that probably isn’t the reason you are making the notecards to begin with.

2. Keep It Simply Silly (KISS)

This is not the time to write your dissertation. This the time for quick reference. If you can’t remember the details you keep breaking it down into more and more cards. Don’t add everything to the single card. When you break it down into small tidbits, then you can organize your thoughts and your notes. As you learn tidbits, you put the card in the know pile and review it less often. This gives you more time to focus on your weak areas instead of going over the parts you know over and over.

3. Constantly Edit and Organize

Flashcards are best for vocabulary, lists, steps in a process, functions, types of something. Think of things that are easy to list or define. As you continue in a course, there may be additional details to add to cards that you already have. Don’t be afraid to edit those cards. Remember that color coding can help you make sense as you add details to a card. Don’t be afraid to add additional cards over the same topic. You can always number the cards on the front. Keep cards about the same topic/category together with a rubber band or binder ring.

4. Use the CARDS

DON’T just read over the flashcards endlessly. That isn’t the best use of time. Create two piles of cards for each category. For instance, if the category is WWII then within the WWII cards divide the cards into a pile you know and a pile that still needs work. Once you have cards memorized then you can begin to take your studying to the next level. Ask questions that help you categorize the information (some examples): a) Which of the following doesn’t belong? b)How are these cards related? c) What makes this important?

A Study Session

Keep sessions short with breaks between. Ideally 20 minutes with a 2-5 minute break between.
Take a stack of cards (usually a single category)
- Go over some of the cards you know for 3-5 minutes.
- Go over the cards you don’t know for about 10 minutes.
- Quiz yourself with deeper questions for 5 minutes over the cards you know and the ones you have reviewed.

Looking for more ways to make your study sessions more efficient and effective. Grab this quick overview of 6 strategies that you should be using to optimize your study time.