Best memorization strategies

[Dr Dazzle]

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Hey,

Wanted to get your guys' insight on how to approach memorization that may be required in med school. I am considering flash cards, but they seem really hard to stay organized with. Anki seems like a lot of work.

What worked for you?

Thanks

 

[cbrons]

Anki probably the best way. A lot of work, but compared to what? Writing flash cards old school style? Also the Anki scheduling system is useful, and easily edited.

 

[Donald Juan]

Anki probably the best way. A lot of work, but compared to what? Writing flash cards old school style? Also the Anki scheduling system is useful, and easily edited.

I second this. Also with the "a lot of work compared to..." writing notes over and over? Listening to lectures ten times?

 

[exquisitemelody]

How did you memorize before? Memorization is repetition. Repetition is time...whatever you do, it will take time. What matters is doing what works.

 

[loltopsy]

Method of loci, aka memory palace, is very powerful for memorizing a large amount of similar information that easy to confuse and can be done rapidly. IE, I used it to memorize brain stem lesions - locations and symptoms.

The idea is that you create a path that you travel in, a path you know well. I used my drive to a friend's place. At each major identifiable point in that path, you put objects that remind you of whatever it is you are dealing with. For example, if the symptoms included Horner's syndrome, I put Satan at that location. The weirder, funnier, more memorable the object is, the better. Also, the more the objects interact with each other, the better and more memorable they become. IE Satan can be poking another object stand-in for a symptom.

http://mnemotechnics.org/wiki/Method_of_Loci

 

[Ebola4Breakfast]

I third Anki... but only if you religiously follow the SuperMemo rules of writing cards. I tried it several times during the school year without much success because I largely ignored those tips. It become too much of a time sink that wasn't a good investment of my time. This summer, after lots of trial and error, I really got the hang of writing cards and I've been really impressed with how much Anki makes information stick for me. Just remember that writing cards, while arguably time consuming, is still part of the studying process. If it works for you it's well worth the time investment necessary.

 

[chronicidal]

Anki. Change the scheduling settings to your tastes. Make good cards. Profit.

Method of loci is a lot of work and takes a certain mental creativity that I don't have. I try to find mnemonics that others have already made. Google them; refer to First Aid; use Picmonic for somethings.

 

[Dr Dazzle]

Any advice on creating good cards? Seems like if you make them the right way, it would be worth it.

 

[Ebola4Breakfast]

Any advice on creating good cards? Seems like if you make them the right way, it would be worth it.

http://www.supermemo.com/articles/20rules.htm

Also, what worked for me was seeing how NOT to write cards. Not to be a complete dick about it, but I found that Firecracker* was a perfect place to see terrible cards in action. Vague, multipart, and open-ended questions that take entirely too long to answer. After a week of frustration in FC, I started running Anki alongside it. For every terrible question I encountered in FC, I'd write a better card in Anki. By the end of my free trial with FC, I was able to write cards in Anki like a pro. This was much better suited to my learning style.

* YMMV with Firecracker. Some people, including some really high scorers, have really loved the program. I did not.

 

[LiamNeesons]

Anki + anatomy + image occlusion = omg

 

[tranquilo]

Anki + anatomy + image occlusion = omg

+1 Anki's image occlusion is amazing for anatomy and many other subjects. I write out visual maps in OneNote, print screen it into Anki, sit back and enjoy.

 

[chronicidal]

http://www.supermemo.com/articles/20rules.htm

Also, what worked for me was seeing how NOT to write cards. Not to be a complete dick about it, but I found that Firecracker* was a perfect place to see terrible cards in action. Vague, multipart, and open-ended questions that take entirely too long to answer. After a week of frustration in FC, I started running Anki alongside it. For every terrible question I encountered in FC, I'd write a better card in Anki. By the end of my free trial with FC, I was able to write cards in Anki like a pro. This was much better suited to my learning style.

* YMMV with Firecracker. Some people, including some really high scorers, have really loved the program. I did not.

Agree that FC questions are often frustrating to get. No wonder their rate of forgetting for the first and second review are so high. The questions aren't clear!

 

[exquisitemelody]

Anki + anatomy + image occlusion = omg

IMAGE occlusion? This is news to me. I've been manually doing things in paint. THERE'S SOMETHING TO MAKE THAT EASIER?! Not sure if it matters anymore now that I don't have anatomy, but STILL do share. I could google but...see it as helping more than one person if you post your answer publicly 😛

 

[chronicidal]

IMAGE occlusion? This is news to me. I've been manually doing things in paint. THERE'S SOMETHING TO MAKE THAT EASIER?! Not sure if it matters anymore now that I don't have anatomy, but STILL do share. I could google but...see it as helping more than one person if you post your answer publicly 😛

Add this add-on:
https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/282798835

 

[notbobtrustme]

IMO, nothing beats writing/drawing/listing it out 10-50 times in a row.

It's tedious, but it'll stick. I only do this with phonebook type material (aka head/neck, the different CAH abnormalities, etc etc) because it takes so long to do. Not sure what I'm going to do with 2nd year ****, but I'll see what happens when that comes.

 

[Ebola4Breakfast]

Add this add-on:
https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/282798835

Brilliant! I'd never heard of image occlusion before now. Thanks for the link. 👍

 

[exquisitemelody]

Add this add-on:
https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/282798835

Amazing. I'll have to figure out how this works before school starts! 👍

 

[paul411]

Picmonic! It's a solid implementation of memory devices used by people who participate in memory competitions where they have to memorize large amounts of arbitrary information (so it applies very well to things like biochem, micro, genetics, etc.)

Once you put in the time to learn them, you'll basically never forget random facts (e.g. aminoglycoside antibiotics mechanisms of resistance, orotic aciduria vs. ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, etc.) which will make you look like a total bad ass on exams, Step 1 and the wards.

 

[Sailor Senshi Dermystify]

But why Anki and not quizlet.com? Quizlet is pretty good and you can also make your own flashcards.

 

[speeddemon]

Picmonic! It's a solid implementation of memory devices used by people who participate in memory competitions where they have to memorize large amounts of arbitrary information (so it applies very well to things like biochem, micro, genetics, etc.)

Once you put in the time to learn them, you'll basically never forget random facts (e.g. aminoglycoside antibiotics mechanisms of resistance, orotic aciduria vs. ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, etc.) which will make you look like a total bad ass on exams, Step 1 and the wards.

Does Picmonic cover everything in med school or just certain topics?

 

[tranquilo]

Does Picmonic cover everything in med school or just certain topics?

No. Nothing covers everything in med school. Picmonic covers these topics:
http://app.picmonic.com/docs/Picmonic_for_Medicine_5.30.13.pdf

Memorizing sets of information is tricky. Picmonic does a nice job of converting sets into enumerated lists of grouped visual cues (Read rule #9: http://www.supermemo.com/articles/20rules.htm) I've had a good experience by placing the Picmonic cards in Anki and forcing myself to recall the visual cues in chunks.

 

[speeddemon]

No. Nothing covers everything in med school. Picmonic covers these topics:
http://app.picmonic.com/docs/Picmonic_for_Medicine_5.30.13.pdf

Memorizing sets of information is tricky. Picmonic does a nice job of converting sets into enumerated lists of grouped visual cues (Read rule #9: http://www.supermemo.com/articles/20rules.htm) I've had a good experience by placing the Picmonic cards in Anki and forcing myself to recall the visual cues in chunks.

Thanks.

Appreciate your insight.

 

[chronicidal]

But why Anki and not quizlet.com? Quizlet is pretty good and you can also make your own flashcards.

1) spaced repetition scheduling
2) multimedia
3) detailed statistics
4) organization with tags

The key, though, is really number 1. You don't get long-term retention without repetition spread out over time. Flashcards used traditionally (i.e. en masse) will give you short term gains and lull you into a false sense of security regarding retention.

 

[chronicidal]

No. Nothing covers everything in med school. Picmonic covers these topics:
http://app.picmonic.com/docs/Picmonic_for_Medicine_5.30.13.pdf

Memorizing sets of information is tricky. Picmonic does a nice job of converting sets into enumerated lists of grouped visual cues (Read rule #9: http://www.supermemo.com/articles/20rules.htm) I've had a good experience by placing the Picmonic cards in Anki and forcing myself to recall the visual cues in chunks.

Agreed. However I'd encourage people to try not to create Anki cards that involve enumerated sets, even if you have the Picmonic-based set memorized. It's hard to sometime come up with specific questions for each item in a set, but overall you gain efficiency.

 

[Dr Dazzle]

Hi all, having trouble with setting review times for cards made in Anki. You guys have any advice on how to set sufficient time for reviewing cards being made, and how to do it in the program? As a new user, I am confused.

Seems like I'm making a bunch of cards for each lecture, but am not getting the time to review them...which I know is the most important part.

Also, do any of you guys simply make cards from the objectives list for each lecture? Seems useful cause you get the key concepts in card form.

 

[Dr Dazzle]

+1

 

[DoctorDermis]

Work with other people to create Anki sets and openly share these resources with your class as a whole.
As long as some standards are set and the work divided efficiently, you should have plenty more time on your hands.

 

[eefen]

Hi all, having trouble with setting review times for cards made in Anki. You guys have any advice on how to set sufficient time for reviewing cards being made, and how to do it in the program? As a new user, I am confused.

Seems like I'm making a bunch of cards for each lecture, but am not getting the time to review them...which I know is the most important part.

Also, do any of you guys simply make cards from the objectives list for each lecture? Seems useful cause you get the key concepts in card form.

If you're talking about setting Anki to allow you to review more cards/day, then click on the drop down arrow next to a deck > options > under "New Cards" set "New Cards/day" to "9999". Under "Reviews" tab, set "Maximum reviews/day" to "9999".

If you're talking about simply finding the time of day....that just comes down to being efficient. Personally, I've been trying to make use of time that I spend eating breakfast, walking to/from parking garage, small breaks during the day, etc. to review my cards.

As far as what I make the cards out of, I'll usually just go back over the lecture when I get home and make cards out of anything I feel I need to remember long-term. I try to keep it around 50 new cards/day (100 max). I'll use the learning objectives if they are well-written. Check out this post for more links about how to use Anki.

Is that what you were asking?

 

[cartoondoc]

I hate memorization. I tried to avoid it as much as possible by working out stuff as much as possible, like the brachial plexus.

 

[Dr Dazzle]

If you're talking about setting Anki to allow you to review more cards/day, then click on the drop down arrow next to a deck > options > under "New Cards" set "New Cards/day" to "9999". Under "Reviews" tab, set "Maximum reviews/day" to "9999".

If you're talking about simply finding the time of day....that just comes down to being efficient. Personally, I've been trying to make use of time that I spend eating breakfast, walking to/from parking garage, small breaks during the day, etc. to review my cards.

As far as what I make the cards out of, I'll usually just go back over the lecture when I get home and make cards out of anything I feel I need to remember long-term. I try to keep it around 50 new cards/day (100 max). I'll use the learning objectives if they are well-written. Check out this post for more links about how to use Anki.

Is that what you were asking?

I try to make a new deck for every new lecture...is it practical to review all these lectures over time? As in over the 2 preclinical years? Is that what most students do? Or, you make the cards, and just have them there for when you need to review everything before step 1?

 

[notbobtrustme]

I hate memorization. I tried to avoid it as much as possible by working out stuff as much as possible, like the brachial plexus.

that's just memorization by another name 😛

I mean, drawing a diagram that explains how the various cytokines interact and turn on/off responses is simply putting a list into pictures. It's still memorization but since you make a story out of it, it sticks better.

The only things that aren't really memorization are things you derive from first principles and that kind of logical thinking is mostly absent from medicine.

 

[eefen]

I try to make a new deck for every new lecture...is it practical to review all these lectures over time? As in over the 2 preclinical years? Is that what most students do? Or, you make the cards, and just have them there for when you need to review everything before step 1?

I wouldn't make a new deck for every lecture....I just make a deck for each class and add cards for each lecture. Just add information that you will need to retain for step 1 or that you want to know...it doesn't have to have every little bit of minutia that you can forget after the test - just review that stuff once or twice by looking over your class notes. Then, just make it a point to review your old cards everyday. When I'm constantly adding new info, it takes about 45 minutes a day to review old cards, and that doesn't include reviewing the cards that I've added that day.

 

[cartoondoc]

that's just memorization by another name 😛

I mean, drawing a diagram that explains how the various cytokines interact and turn on/off responses is simply putting a list into pictures. It's still memorization but since you make a story out of it, it sticks better.

The only things that aren't really memorization are things you derive from first principles and that kind of logical thinking is mostly absent from medicine.

Well, I just meant I like it when you have a system for working things out. Like knowing that the radial n innervates the extensors of the arm rather than memorizing every single muscle individually. That's not always possible though.

 

[SilverCat]

Is anki just a site for online flashcards? Is there a benefit to using these cards to say, index cards with handwritten info?

 

[eefen]

Is anki just a site for online flashcards? Is there a benefit to using these cards to say, index cards with handwritten info?

Heck yes.

 

[loltopsy]

Is anki just a site for online flashcards? Is there a benefit to using these cards to say, index cards with handwritten info?

Anki is a program on your computer. It saves flashcards to your desktop and backs them up on the cloud. It's advantages are that you will never lose them, the cards never get damaged, and you never have to look for them. It also keeps you on a schedule of when you need to do cards over based on how accurate you are (you rate them easy, medium, or hard, basically). Based of past history of ratings, determines when you need to redo the cards.

 

[Laryngophed]

Don't memorize. Learn.

 

[eefen]

Anki is a program on your computer. It saves flashcards to your desktop and backs them up on the cloud. It's advantages are that you will never lose them, the cards never get damaged, and you never have to look for them. It also keeps you on a schedule of when you need to do cards over based on how accurate you are (you rate them easy, medium, or hard, basically). Based of past history of ratings, determines when you need to redo the cards.

+1

Don't memorize. Learn.

This....Anki is not a primary learning tool that's what lecture, books, and class notes are for. That being said, understanding something is only possible if you have mastery of the discrete facts that comprise the larger picture. That's where Anki shines.

 

[mehc012]

+1


This....Anki is not a primary learning tool that's what lecture, books, and class notes are for. That being said, understanding something is only possible if you have mastery of the discrete facts that comprise the larger picture. That's where Anki shines.

For me, the act of making Anki cards forced me to really sort through all of the information, see where it came together, and prioritize the main points. Yes, the spaced repetition is golden, and I love that part...but while the class is actually ongoing, simply making the cards is what lets me rock it.

 

[eefen]

For me, the act of making Anki cards forced me to really sort through all of the information, see where it came together, and prioritize the main points. Yes, the spaced repetition is golden, and I love that part...but while the class is actually ongoing, simply making the cards is what lets me rock it.

Good point. 👍

 

[Dr Dazzle]

I wouldn't make a new deck for every lecture....I just make a deck for each class and add cards for each lecture. Just add information that you will need to retain for step 1 or that you want to know...it doesn't have to have every little bit of minutia that you can forget after the test - just review that stuff once or twice by looking over your class notes. Then, just make it a point to review your old cards everyday. When I'm constantly adding new info, it takes about 45 minutes a day to review old cards, and that doesn't include reviewing the cards that I've added that day.

My school is systems based...is there a different strategy for that? Or simply make subject decks and keep putting cards in when you go over a specific topic like pathology and anatomy in your integrated lecture notes going over each system?

Anyone done this before?

 

[loltopsy]

Tag each card with the general topic, ie "Renal". Keep them separated by class. When it's time to review kidney, browse and do all the cards tagged as such. So even if it's a biochem card, if it has some relevance to kidneys or hearts w/e, you can tag it and review it when you need easily.

 

[Dr Dazzle]

Tag each card with the general topic, ie "Renal". Keep them separated by class. When it's time to review kidney, browse and do all the cards tagged as such. So even if it's a biochem card, if it has some relevance to kidneys or hearts w/e, you can tag it and review it when you need easily.

Nice! So tag various topics with each card as you create them and put them in class lecture decks?

How do you search and do the tagged topic cards? I tried but wasn't successful.

Also, how often did you review each lecture deck? I'm assuming before each exam over the material? You wouldn't have to continue reviewing the deck till boards right? I mean who would have time for that?

 

[mehc012]

Nice! So tag various topics with each card as you create them and put them in class lecture decks?

How do you search and do the tagged topic cards? I tried but wasn't successful.

Also, how often did you review each lecture deck? I'm assuming before each exam over the material? You wouldn't have to continue reviewing the deck till boards right? I mean who would have time for that?

Enter the deck, click "Custom Study"...you will get a menu, select "Study by card state or tag", pick new, due, or both, then you will be able to sort by card tag.

 

[Dr Dazzle]

Enter the deck, click "Custom Study"...you will get a menu, select "Study by card state or tag", pick new, due, or both, then you will be able to sort by card tag.

Thanks, kinda confused about Anki features, wanna make sure I'm taking advantage of the images, sounds and such in cards. Any links on where that is provided well?

 

[mehc012]

Thanks, kinda confused about Anki features, wanna make sure I'm taking advantage of the images, sounds and such in cards. Any links on where that is provided well?

http://ankisrs.net/docs/manual.html

Google is your friend 👍

 

[eefen]

Thanks, kinda confused about Anki features, wanna make sure I'm taking advantage of the images, sounds and such in cards. Any links on where that is provided well?

The instruction manual linked above is a good resource. Also, this guy has some great videos about how to use Anki and the various features that make it really useful, such as cloze deletions, image occlusion, etc.