How to Create flashcards

Write key terms or concepts on one side of a flashcard. Write large letters for easy reading. Do not include any key information on this side. The role of flashcards is to see a basic concept and then be able to identify precise information about that topic. If your teacher gives you questions to think about, just write the question on this side of the card. Keep this side of the card as simple as possible.

Write short, concise notes on the other side of the card. The goal is to quote key information onto this side of the card. For example, don’t rewrite your professor’s entire lecture on the Mongol or bicameral land reform. Take the most important main idea that the professor emphasizes and bullet points on the card.

• Write in pencil or light ink so the information doesn’t smudge on the other side of the card.
• Draw a chart if needed. Don’t be afraid to add extra information on the back of the card, as long as it’s essential for learning.

Make sure the handwriting is large, legible, and well spaced. If the writing is small, you won’t be able to read it easily, and if the space is too small, the card will be difficult to read and understand all at once. Writing clearly will make it easier for you to read your notes.

• If you feel that you are writing too much detail on the card, try to extract it or divide it into several flashcards. In this case, the keyword in the header will be followed by the qualifier in parentheses. For example, if you want to remember the cause of the French Revolution, and you can’t get it all down to one simple card, make multiple cards instead. “The Origins of the French Revolution (Political)” The Origins of the French Revolution (Social), and “The Origins of the French Revolution (Economic)” are probably ideal tags for this topic.

Write in bright colors. See colors as friends. Feel free to color in special information according to certain codes. For example, if you are studying for a French vocabulary test, you should write the infinitive on one side of the card and then write the definition in black ink and the conjugation form in a different color of ink on the other side. Be creative. Color can be used to help organize the most important information on flashcards. Make sure you can read it. Yellow ink is not suitable for yellow flashcards.

Shorthand to save space. Sometimes, you have too much information to write on a flashcard. In this case, you might consider using the shorthand form. Most people develop shorthand in their own way so that it makes sense. In general, people use shorthand to highlight essential information and reduce the importance of unnecessary words. Convert “and” to “&” and “example” to “etc”. ^[4]

Open Microsoft Word and start creating a “New” document. Regardless of the version of Word, you need to open the program first. Then click on the “New” button. It is located in the upper toolbar. ^[5]

Choose a design for flashcards. You can do it in 2 different ways. Use the built-in search bar. Type the word “flash card” in the search bar and the design will appear. Or you can continue to find templates for “flash card” among many other templates in MS Word. Typically, there are many flashcard designs for you to choose from. Some have more eye-catching colors than others. Some are just plain white. Some are decorative. Choose the template that appeals to you the most, but remember that flashcards should be easy to read. If certain types have decorations or colors that make them difficult to use, they should be avoided. ^[6]

Write down the necessary information. Each template will tell you where key terms, concepts or questions should be placed and where you should write the necessary information. ^[7]

• Use color to better organize flashcards. Simply highlight the text that you want to recolor and then press the cpor text bar in the upper corner of the application. Use colors that are legible, but still distinguishable from other colors being used. For example, use black for the main information and green, blue, red, purple, or brown for subsequent messages on the same card.

Print it out and cut it into flashcards. Flashcards won’t help if they’re still on your computer’s hard drive. Print them on cardboard and cut them out.

• You can punch a hole in one corner and tie the cards together using a circle. Then just pull it out when you need it.

Choose software to create flashcards online. There are many apps to choose from. Some applications allow download for offline use. Many sites such as cram.com, http://www.flashcardmachine.com, http://www.kitzkikz.com/flashcards/, and https://www.studyblue.com are free resources. ^[8]

Create an account upon request. Many flashcards online require you to create an account. Care should be taken not to lose personal information. Create an account, you will be able to access flashcards on any computer when connected to the network. That means you’ll be able to view them on desktops, personal computers, and smartphones.

Enter all relevant information. Each page will have its own place for key terms, concepts, or questions and another for important information. Some sites like cram.com will let you choose to design the beauty of your flashcards according to your personal style — adding color or pattern. Other sites like http://www.kitzkikz.com/flashcards/ just have room to enter information.

Complete flashcards. Every web page has a button called “create flashcard” or “process flashcard”. Press that button and start using it.

Select a phone app to make flashcards. The biggest advantage of the phone app is that you can take your flashcards with you anywhere. There are many phone apps that can help create flashcards. Some are created by theme, such as Math and Vocabulary topics. ^[9]

• Most of the apps are free, so try to try 2 apps to see which one suits your needs best.

Spend some time making flashcards. This is probably the most “no brainer” step, because you only need to write good information on the card if it is really useful. Try to see flashcards as part of the learning process, not just a step to get yourself to learn. Often that’s how you initially approach learning. Pay careful attention to the documentation section. Try to add your own perspective as you create notes. That will make it easier for you to remember the information later.

• Some researchers argue that handwritten cards are more effective than those made in MS Word, with software programs, or online. Psychologists from Princeton and UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) found that the ability to remember information increased when students were asked to write on paper. The brain is forced to process the new information in a different way if you simply type it verbatim. ^[10]

Test yourself regularly. Don’t just make flashcards and take a quick look before taking the test. Refer to them often. Spend time studying in your free time. Go through the flashcards carefully. Keep the card in hand all day and review a pair of cards when watching a product commercial on TV, on the bus, or waiting in line at a grocery store. The goal is to recognize all flashcards one after another and shuffle each other. You can only do this with regular self-examination. ^[11]

Have someone check you out. It could be someone in the class or someone else. All they do is read you what’s written on the card. Have them show you one side of the card. Then you explain the information on the other side, and make sure you use key phrases.

• If you’re new to the information section, it might be a good idea to ask a classmate to let you see the face of the information and then say the key word. ^[12]