How to use flashcards to study effectively

Your teacher or professor just announced an upcoming exam, and it’s time to figure out a study plan. Ineffective study habits, like cramming at the last minute, caffeinating your body to stay up all night, and multitasking while reviewing should be avoided. Instead, try creating flashcards and utilize appropriate study methods to ace your exam.

Flashcards are an essential studying tool. They’re great for active recall or retrieving information from memory. When you repeatedly attempt to remember a card, it helps you to retain the information.

Tell your story with captivating presentations

Powerpoint empowers you to develop well-designed content across all your devices

Learn more

In particular, handwritten flashcards are better for remembering information than using digital flashcards. Physically writing flashcards requires more active participation, which makes it easier to commit to memory. However, digital flashcards do have utility, as you can include audio and video aid. If you want to use digital flashcards, you can download an application from the Microsoft App Store.

How to make flashcards

Write information in your own words. Paraphrase lecture and textbook notes into your own words on flashcards. Rewriting information in your own language helps you to actively learn. It becomes easier to understand as you define what information to commit to memory. Save and access lecture videos and notes from any device with Microsoft OneDrive.
Include pictures. Pictures make flashcards more memorable, especially for visual learners. You can draw pictures on your card or print them out. If you’re using digital flashcards, you can import pictures.
Use mnemonic devices. A mnemonic device is anything that you can use as a memorization tool. Some examples include acronyms, rhymes, acrostics, associations, and pictures.
Color code your flashcards. Color coding your cards by concept, ideas, or terms helps with association. For example, if you’re studying for an anatomy exam, color code different organ flashcards with their corresponding body system.
Keep it simple. Don’t overcrowd your flashcards with information. If you have a complex, multi-answer question, try cutting it down to a single answer. It’s an easy mistake to flip over a multi-answer card and say you knew an answer you forgot when you may need to study that section more. By only having one answer instead of multiple, you ensure you only get the question right or wrong.

How to make flashcards

Learn concepts before reviewing. Studying with flashcards isn’t as effective when you don’t understand the material. Before flipping through any flashcards, make sure you review any concepts, lectures, and textbook materials.
Say the answer aloud. Commit to your answer by saying it aloud before looking at the back of a card. Try reviewing flashcards with a classmate to test yourself.
Study flashcards from both sides. Studying card from both sides can help create more meaningful connections and strengthen your memory.
Create card piles. When you confidently get a card right, put a card into the “correct” pile. If you almost know the answer, put a card into the “maybe” pile. If you get an answer wrong, put it into the “incorrect” pile. After going through all cards, pick up the cards in the “maybe” pile, and put them in the “correct” pile as you answer correctly. After moving all the “maybe” cards into the “correct” pile, repeat the same method with the “incorrect” pile.
Use the Pomodoro method. The Pomodoro technique is an excellent management technique for students, especially if you are easily distracted. It only requires you to focus on one task in short intervals. You set a timer for 25 minutes and study until the timer rings, and then take a five-minute break. You repeat this three times. After the fourth interval, you can take a longer 15–30-minute break.
Space out study sessions. Don’t cram your study sessions. Space out your studying time over multiple days help you learn and retain more information. Dedicating more days allows you to focus on distinct groups per day, versus trying to retain all the material in a short time span.
Know the right situations to study with flashcards. Although studying with flash cards is a great tool, its use should be situational. Flashcards are not always the best method for studying. For example, if you are studying the elements on a periodic table, using the periodic table as your primary study tool might be more effective.