During my Bachelor's program, there were A LOT of legal education terms I had to memorize as well as a very long list of psychologists and their educational theories. It was hard to keep everything straight, so I went in search of study strategies.
This flashcard system that I'm about to share with you helped me immensely - and I'd wager it'll help you, too!
You can use this system for any subject that requires you to memorize details. In the education world, we hope for better, deeper learning than just rote memorization - but sometimes it's just necessary. Such as learning your multiplication tables or the vocabulary of a new language.
Here's how it's done:
Note: You can use flashcards you make yourself or ready-made packs, printables, or even resources you get from school. It works with anything!
First, grab some post-it notes and a marker. You'll need 5 post-its. Write the following on them:
1. Every Day (or Daily)
2. Every Other Day
3. Weekly
4. Monthly
5. Review
If you are studying for a short time period, change the categories to shorter time frames. For example:
1. Morning and Evening
2. Morning
3. Every Other Day
4. Every 3 Days
5. Weekly
Okay, now.
Set your sticky notes out in a row, and then review your flashcards.
If you get a card correct, put it in the "Every Other Day" pile.
If you get a card wrong, put it in the "Every Day" pile.
If you get a card correct, put it in the "Every Other Day" pile.
If you get a card wrong, put it in the "Every Day" pile.
The rest of your post-its will remain empty for a while because you'll be moving your flashcards around based on your progress with them. Moving forward, you will start your practice with the "Daily" or "Every Day" deck.
If you get a card correct, move it to the "Every Other Day" deck.
If you get it wrong, it stays in the "Every Day" deck.
You'll do this for two days, and on the second day, you'll also review your "Every Other Day" deck.
If you get a card correct, move it to the "Every Other Day" deck.
If you get it wrong, it stays in the "Every Day" deck.
You'll do this for two days, and on the second day, you'll also review your "Every Other Day" deck.
If you get a card correct, you move it to the "Weekly" deck.
If you get it wrong - THIS IS IMPORTANT: it goes BACK to the "Every Day" or "Daily" deck.
If you get it wrong - THIS IS IMPORTANT: it goes BACK to the "Every Day" or "Daily" deck.
Yep. Allllll the way back to the start!
The goal of this system is to slowly move your flashcards toward your "Review" deck and let them live there for occasional review. However, they aren't ready for that deck until they've passed all the other levels. The "Review" deck is the boss level! So if you get one wrong, you have to start all of the levels over again.
This practice helps build strong connections in your brain, and when you get something wrong and it has a consequence (like lowering your grade on a test, or having to send a flashcard allllll the way back to the beginning), your brain sits up and takes notice. You'll be less and less likely to get that one wrong every time you encounter it again.
Make sense?
Give this a try with topics you find yourself struggling with! Let me know if it works!!
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