Memorizing is, without a doubt, the most tedious part of studying, but you can make it more fun and easier with study cards. [caption id="attachment_11149" align="alignnone" width="1280"]
Learning new things that we like is usually exciting, but the downside is memorizing, which becomes extremely boring. But since we have no choice but to memorize some things to get our eTitle, the key is to use varied techniques to make it simpler and more enjoyable.[/caption] We have already talked about
mnemonics,
mind maps,
underlining,
schemes, and many other
study techniques, but now let's learn another practical way to memorize: study cards.
Homemade
It is advisable to use small cards that we can carry with us to review at any time. We can choose whether we want to make them in different colors depending on the topics or if we prefer them more discreet, but we must take into account that
color codes help us establish relationships that enhance our visual memory. In the cards, we can also include drawings and symbols. The trick is that, at a glance, we know all the information we need to extract from there, and the more visual resources we can use to stimulate our memory, the better. Either way, the important thing is that they are comfortable for us to study and that they are legible.
What do we put on the cards?
It is not about writing a whole topic on cards, but rather writing down the essential things we need to remember. Therefore, the first thing to do is to have a good comprehensive reading of the topic and an effective underlining so that, once we have clear the important points, we can start with the cards. In them, we should write down dates, formulas, keywords, or similar things that we have to retain. We can also use them to review a complete topic. That way, we only have to write on them those "key ideas" that can give us the starting point for us to develop the topic. For that, the cards must have an order that guides us throughout the topic, that is, like a dotted line that, once connected, will form the whole picture in our head. This will allow us to develop a complete topic with just four or five ideas (cards), isn't it a great way to study? Certainly, they will save us a lot of time summarizing and scheming.
Anytime, anywhere
Another advantage of this technique is that it is portable. Walking around with a giant pile of papers and notebooks is not comfortable, but carrying a few cards in your pocket doesn't bother at all. This way, we can study while waiting for the bus, standing in line at the supermarket, or if we simply feel like studying outdoors to take advantage of the good weather.
Guaranteed success
Several studies have shown that one of the most effective techniques for learning is to take self-exams, and cards are ideal for that. We can not only use them to read that formula that doesn't stick in our mind 500 times, but they are also great for asking ourselves questions or with classmates and making studying much more enjoyable and effective. Studying is tough, and anyone who says otherwise doesn't remember what it's like to face a month of university exams, but it is in our hands to make it more bearable and get more out of our time, so trying new techniques can help us discover other paths that facilitate learning. Don't wait for the exams to try them out, it's time to get moving!
