Last week I posted ‘Making flashcards’ and I did it, and it worked pretty well.
How I made them
I said I was going to print the questions and add the answers, well I just wrote the questions and answers and that worked fine for me!
I didn’t use that stupid program on my computer, didn’t work at all. I wondered who install that program..
I used them for Biology, as I said, I made around 40 cards and carry them with me for a couple of days. I want to name some pro’s and cons for it.
Con
- It takes a lot of time. I spent around 2 hours making them, admitting that I maybe wrote too much on it.. But a lot of time, for not that much cards.
- They are ugly in use. I’m the only one in my class who walks around flashing those cards in front of me. I will name some questions I got: ‘What are YOU doing?!’ ‘Hey Stefan, are you going to be a quizmaster?’ But when I explained it, they got it and said: ‘Let me know if it works out.’
Pro
- They are extremely easy to use. No serious, extremely. Just when you don’t have anything to do, waiting in an elevator, or walking to class or something. Just grab them and test yourself!
- You can always carry them with you. They are so small, I got 16 cards out of one A4-paper. Really small, instead of big papers which leads to accidents when you read them walking.
Put them in your pocket, and grab them anytime you want.
Upgrades (extras)
- I wrote a big Q on the question-side so you will know what is the front and what is the back
- When I was near a pen, I marked the card when I got it right, after three marks I lay the card on the ‘done-pile.’
- I’m going to try something with colours!
I’m really curious in other upgrades, maybe you can give me some tips!
Conclusion
When I was in my first year of high-school my Latin teacher mentioned flashcards. I thought: ‘A lot of work and it won’t work for me.’ I was wrong. Yes, it was a lot of work, but they DID work for me. Easy to use, small and simply everywhere useable.
Will I use them more often. Definitly!
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
SRS works great for large material, 40 cards may not worth the time.
You cannot review effectively using thousands of card every day, SRS algorithms take care of significant reviews based on real tested “science.”
Colors work great on everything. It takes out the extra labeling you may need in a question; i.e. a concept that may appear in different disciplines like Heat (physics, chemistry, geology) and have totally different approaches.
Keep up the good work!
andres
Howdy Stefan! I found your site through Study Hacks. I am a life-long learner – but no longer in college/university.
I wanted to reply to this story – I see you posted 28 April-I hope it’s o.k for the late comment.
Flash cards are useful but very time consuming (as you found out).
Here’s a quick way to make flash cards:
Create a grid on A4 paper (1 page=12 small flash cards or your choice)
Save the grid (this is your template).
Type all of your questions into the document.
Print page. (use colored paper for greater effect)
Use a big paper cutter and cut down the lines.
So now you can write answers on the back, or turn the printed page over, flip it over and print out the answers (make sure your answers are on the back of the correct card).
Here in the U.S., teachers push the flash card strategy all the time, so many students hate it. So many people miss out on a “quick” way to learn.
Also, you can buy business card stock that is A4 size and somewhat thicker. The paper has micro-perforations and you can tear the flash cards off the page. This is a more expensive route, but super fast.
Good luck at university.
Sincerely,
Brandi Volpe
Of course that is alright, especially life-long learners!
That way of making flashcards is pretty cool, and fast!
The only problem I have is that you don’t write it anymore. And writing something is a great way to learn.
In fact, I made some flashcards and never looked at them again, but still learned something!
Here in the Netherlands teachers don’t say anything about it, I only heard about it once or twice in my early high school years.
Thanks for the comment and thanks for your wishes, hope you enjoy my site!