How to Create Academic Flash Cards

The use of index cards as a study tool can be very effective. By forcing yourself or other people to remember things that the class teaches, you'll be more likely to recall that information when the time comes for midterms, finals or quizzes.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Textbook and any other class materials
• Your notes
• Pack of blank lined index cards (5-by-7 is recommended for space reasons, but any card size will work)

1. Go through your textbook and notes and look for information you feel is relevant. Information could include key terms, facts, explanations of concepts, and parts of diagrams and graphs.

2. On a blank index card write something that requires an answer on one side of the index card. You may write such things as "What is (key term)" or "Explain (concept)."

3. Write the answer or sufficient information for the answer on the other side of the index card.

4. Stack the index cards with the question side facing up as you write them. This way, you can quickly take out your flash cards and study without having to reorganize them. Shuffle the cards if you desire.

Tips & Warnings

• The number of flash cards you write is up to you. Typically, the more complex the class's information and topics are, the more flash cards you should write. Consider having study sessions with other people in your class and encourage them to make their own flash cards as well. This way, you get challenged on topics you may not have thought to address in your own cards. Have people take turns asking and answering the flash card questions. Don't limit the cards to just one type of question. Use varying styles such as Q&A, explaining concepts and definitions. Copying directly from the textbook or materials is encouraged.

• Although flash cards are useful for learning, they only encourage rote memorization of facts and information. Many professors and teachers look for students to not only know and understand what the terms are, but also how they are applied to certain problems. You may want to use additional methods of study in addition to flash cards.