Are you curious as to how to use index flashcards to study? Or are you interested in how it works? This post answers both questions.
When I was in high school, I had this friend who always used index cards to study.
I didn’t know why she did it, as it was extra work. She had to re-write the class notes on the cards and write down important information from the textbook on them too.
To me, studying from my notes and the textbook was enough.
I didn’t think it was necessary to nerd it like my friend. And this is probably how you study as well.
But now that I know more about learning, my friend’s way was the better method of studying.
What is Active Recall?
By using the index cards to study for exams, she was using active recall.
This learning technique uses memory stimulation to actively retrieve information.
It forces you to try to recover the information needed (via digging through your memories for it). It’s kind of like giving yourself a quiz every time you study.
According to a research report from 2013 that analyzed hundreds of studies about effective study techniques, active recall is one of the best methods for effectively retaining information.
Via Ali Abdaal:
“On the basis of the evidence…we rate practice testing as having high utility. Testing effects have been demonstrated across an impressive range of practice-test formats, kinds of material, learner ages, outcome measures, and retention intervals. Thus, practice testing has broad applicability.”
This differs from how I (and most likely you) studied. What I was doing was just passively remembering information, which doesn’t bode well for long-term memory.
I just read my notes and tried to understand and remember the important stuff.
This is okay for short-term memorization, but not good if you want to remember the facts beyond the exam date.
Thus, you need to apply this study method.
How to Create and Use Index Flashcards
So, here’s how you can start using index note cards and active recall to study:
Creating the Index Flashcards
- Buy a pack or two of index cards (you can also cut up sheets of paper into small rectangles)
- On one side, write down 3-5 of the most important facts on a topic. Keep it short though. Try to write one short sentence for each fact; just summarize it. Any longer and it’ll be difficult to remember
- On the other side of the notecard, write down the topic in question form. For example, “What is a simile and what are 3 examples of it?” (P.S. If you’re curious about that answer, you can click here to find out on this article about literary devices.)
- If needed, create multiple cards for each chapter
- Create a set of index note cards for each unit as you go through the class/course
Using the Index Flashcards to Study
- Read the question or topic side first
- Try to answer it (active recall)
- Then, flip over the notecard and read the information side
- If you forgot a fact or got something incorrect, try to remember the correct fact for the next study session
- When studying for midterm exams or final exams, break up the study sessions into multiple sessions, and review each unit individually. This will make it easier for you to remember the information
And that’s pretty much how you would use index flashcards for learning.
It takes a little more work to create, but in the long run, it’s a more efficient and more effective revision technique.
You’ll actually save time studying because you’ll remember more information for a longer period of time with this method.
Conclusion
Using active recall via index note cards is a great way to study.
You’ll remember more in a shorter time period.
So go out, buy a pack from your local office supply store, and start creating and studying.