What is the better way to learn using flash cards?

[Dr Gerrard]

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1) Put the term on one side and quiz myself on the definition/function.

2) Put the definition/function on one side and then quiz myself on being able to remember the term

The reason I ask is because at this point, I have been doing number 1, and for some terms, if I saw the word I would be able to say what it does, but if I got the definition I would not be able to remember the exact term.

So what is a better way to learn?

 

[miui]

Both.

Go back and forth, use one method until you finish the stack and then go backwards with the second step. From one side to other, repeat, repeat.

 

[willen101383]

Not use them? Sorry flashcards arent my style.....too much time making them for too little yield for me personally!

 

[phltz]

1) Put the term on one side and quiz myself on the definition/function.

2) Put the definition/function on one side and then quiz myself on being able to remember the term

The reason I ask is because at this point, I have been doing number 1, and for some terms, if I saw the word I would be able to say what it does, but if I got the definition I would not be able to remember the exact term.

So what is a better way to learn?

If you're using flash cards, definitely do both. I'd also recommend that you remove the cards you're solid on from the deck, so that it gets enriched in what you need to work on. Although, as other posters have pointed out, flash cards are a lot of work to make, and may not be a very efficient use of your time.

 

[willen101383]

If you're using flash cards, definitely do both. I'd also recommend that you remove the cards you're solid on from the deck, so that it gets enriched in what you need to work on. Although, as other posters have pointed out, flash cards are a lot of work to make, and may not be a very efficient use of your time.

However....i do recall netters premade anatomy flashcards as being the ****

 

[Morsetlis]

That's because they came with pictures.

 

[willen101383]

That's because they came with pictures.

ahhhhhhh and i remember next to none of that lol

 

[Jack is Back]

Not use them? Sorry flashcards arent my style.....too much time making them for too little yield for me personally!

👍

 

[Dr Gerrard]

I'm still trying to get used to it. I am using this program called Anki and it has a built in function where you can select in how many days you want to see the card again.

It is great for learning vocabulary. Can't imagine anything better tbh. I know the first few weeks of material incredibly well but decided to change it up this week and am struggling haha.

What other method do you recommend?

It really doesn't take much time at all tbh. Just go through the lecture once, then scan through the second time making cards for any terms you don't know. typing up one card takes 10 seconds max

 

[rmaj79]

Come on man, I was literally studying this right before my study break here.... you really gotta rub it in my face? 🙁

I've found Flashcardexchange to be pretty useful, it's a one time fee but you get a ton of different import/export methods, you can add in pictures, and its very easy to use. Plus you can share your card sets with other people.

 

[Eliz22]

I'm still trying to get used to it. I am using this program called Anki and it has a built in function where you can select in how many days you want to see the card again.

It is great for learning vocabulary. Can't imagine anything better tbh. I know the first few weeks of material incredibly well but decided to change it up this week and am struggling haha.

What other method do you recommend?

It really doesn't take much time at all tbh. Just go through the lecture once, then scan through the second time making cards for any terms you don't know. typing up one card takes 10 seconds max

👍 ^^This

 

[Jack is Back]

I found it hard to make the "right" cards.

Either I did only the stuff I don't know well, which doesn't make them worthwhile for reviewing beyond test day. OR I made too many, which takes too long.

In the end, I think finding a way to "flashcard" yourself with lecture notes is better. During M2 you will not be able to create flashcards, nor during M3. So eventually you have to learn how to memorize without them.

I drill material, just without flashcards.

 

[smltwnDr]

I see a good handful of people what use dry erase boards to quiz themselves too instead of doing flashcards. IDK if that's more/less efficient, I personally am not interested in it but what doesn't work for me could work for you

 

[miui]

I see a good handful of people what use dry erase boards to quiz themselves too instead of doing flashcards. IDK if that's more/less efficient, I personally am not interested in it but what doesn't work for me could work for you

Dry erase boards also force you to actually spell the stuff out, adding an extra challenge. 👍

 

[Dr Gerrard]

I found it hard to make the "right" cards.

Either I did only the stuff I don't know well, which doesn't make them worthwhile for reviewing beyond test day. OR I made too many, which takes too long.

In the end, I think finding a way to "flashcard" yourself with lecture notes is better. During M2 you will not be able to create flashcards, nor during M3. So eventually you have to learn how to memorize without them.

I drill material, just without flashcards.

why won't i be able to make flash cards during m2?

edit: also, whats wrong with just making cards on what you don't know well? you think going through literally all of your notes is a better way to review than just what you didn't know that well the first time around?

 

[Valadi]

why won't i be able to make flash cards during m2?

edit: also, whats wrong with just making cards on what you don't know well? you think going through literally all of your notes is a better way to review than just what you didn't know that well the first time around?

I made flaschards on the lecture slides during m2 and reviewed them once before the exam. That + reading whatever class text (we got like a binder with notes instead of a book for most classes) once is basically all I did and it worked out well. Don't hate the flashcards.. going strong on them since college!

 

[Dr Gerrard]

I made flaschards on the lecture slides during m2 and reviewed them once before the exam. That + reading whatever class text (we got like a binder with notes instead of a book for most classes) once is basically all I did and it worked out well. Don't hate the flashcards.. going strong on them since college!

dude you are saying you just read the notes once, made flash cards and reviewed them once and thats all?

3 passes of the material and you had it down? thats nuts...

i mean i can definitely do that short term, but if i want long term results, i need a good bit more than that haha

 

[willen101383]

why won't i be able to make flash cards during m2?

edit: also, whats wrong with just making cards on what you don't know well? you think going through literally all of your notes is a better way to review than just what you didn't know that well the first time around?

Dont listen to what I or anyone else tells u...if this is your style run with it. I just find that making note cards is a tedious task for the potential benefit. If i already know something in my notes I just gloss over it and keep movin to the **** I dont know so well.

It just seems like a lot of med students spend more time preparing their study materials than actually studying. Making flashcards/making study guides/rewriting their notes/using a whiteboard etc. I dont see the point and I just repeatedly read my notes over and over....but thats my style and yours may (does) vary.

 

[willen101383]

dude you are saying you just read the notes once, made flash cards and reviewed them once and thats all?

3 passes of the material and you had it down? thats nuts...

i mean i can definitely do that short term, but if i want long term results, i need a good bit more than that haha

How do you have time to do more than that?? I usually make about 2-3 passes and thats a wrap. I just cant bring myself to study any more than like 6-8 hours total for an exam. Im jealous I wish I could actually study more but I just want to leap out my window after like 2 hours of studying.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

How do you have time to do more than that?? I usually make about 2-3 passes and thats a wrap. I just cant bring myself to study any more than like 6-8 hours total for an exam. Im jealous I wish I could actually study more but I just want to leap out my window after like 2 hours of studying.

well i haven't had an exam yet haha so i don't know. i feel like i know most of the material so far pretty well though, because of the flash card methods

i see the stuff i don't know well constantly. i review a little bit every day (the flash card program remembers which flash cards should show up on what day) and then i go over the new stuff, make flash cards on the harder terms, and repeat.

 

[Valadi]

Haha well it worked for the exams, but when it came time for boards I finally had to lock it up for long-term. I think I read goljan & FA like 6 times.

 

[thedoctor8706]

I have always relied on making note cards to learn. But this is taking WAY too much time. I have exams beginning on Wednesday and I'm not even close to finishing with the material. How am I supposed to learn without making flash cards? It just takes way too long but I can't learn the material other wise. I'm spending 12-14 hours a day studying/making cards but it's never enough, even if I only hit high yield material. What should I do?

Not trying to hijack the thread, I just need some solid advice.

 

[Morsetlis]

You need to read high-yield notes, not make flash cards. Flash cards are a long-term thing.

 

[willen101383]

I have always relied on making note cards to learn. But this is taking WAY too much time. I have exams beginning on Wednesday and I'm not even close to finishing with the material. How am I supposed to learn without making flash cards? It just takes way too long but I can't learn the material other wise. I'm spending 12-14 hours a day studying/making cards but it's never enough, even if I only hit high yield material. What should I do?

Not trying to hijack the thread, I just need some solid advice.

GET A FIRST AID I REPEAT GET A FIRST AID

Another thing you need to learn how to do in med school is: picking what you will learn and what you wont. It is IMPOSSIBLE to learn everything...which is something that first years have trouble with. "OMG what do you mean I cannot physically learn everything." You need to locate the high yield facts and stick to them and not worry so much about the minutiae.

Yeah you may lose a point or two here or there but you will know/understand the other material way better.

This is where first aid comes in. It organizes concepts for you and shows you the big picture: stuff that is going to be high yield for you.

My experience in med school is this: learning all the high yield information WILL get you into the 80-85 range. If you want to break 90 you are going to need to start learning some of the minutiae.

But anyways, flash cards in med school are a losing proposition...especially if you value your time and want to actually have a decent life while in med school. Feel free to PM me with any questions. I have an exam on friday and I need some distractions!

What classes are you taking right now that you are making flashcards for?

 

[Dr Gerrard]

GET A FIRST AID I REPEAT GET A FIRST AID

Another thing you need to learn how to do in med school is: picking what you will learn and what you wont. It is IMPOSSIBLE to learn everything...which is something that first years have trouble with. "OMG what do you mean I cannot physically learn everything." You need to locate the high yield facts and stick to them and not worry so much about the minutiae.

Yeah you may lose a point or two here or there but you will know/understand the other material way better.

This is where first aid comes in. It organizes concepts for you and shows you the big picture: stuff that is going to be high yield for you.

My experience in med school is this: learning all the high yield information WILL get you into the 80-85 range. If you want to break 90 you are going to need to start learning some of the minutiae.

But anyways, flash cards in med school are a losing proposition...especially if you value your time and want to actually have a decent life while in med school. Feel free to PM me with any questions. I have an exam on friday and I need some distractions!

What classes are you taking right now that you are making flashcards for?

i am making flashcards in biochemistry mostly
but i also have cards for some of the small details in neuro, embryo, all of those.

like i have a card that has ganglion impar and the definition on the back. that card literally took 15 seconds to make but now i know it perfectly, even though i struggled with it the first time through the lecture. just terms, i think it is very reasonable to make flash cards.

just go through a lecture as you would do normally once, highlight terms you think you may need to see a few times. second time, skim through the lecture and make a flashcard for each of those terms. then have these to review as needed.

the program anki is great for this. you make cards, you tell it how well you know it, so the easier cards you may not see for a week but the harder ones you will see again tomorrow.

 

[thedoctor8706]

GET A FIRST AID I REPEAT GET A FIRST AID

Another thing you need to learn how to do in med school is: picking what you will learn and what you wont. It is IMPOSSIBLE to learn everything...which is something that first years have trouble with. "OMG what do you mean I cannot physically learn everything." You need to locate the high yield facts and stick to them and not worry so much about the minutiae.

Yeah you may lose a point or two here or there but you will know/understand the other material way better.

This is where first aid comes in. It organizes concepts for you and shows you the big picture: stuff that is going to be high yield for you.

My experience in med school is this: learning all the high yield information WILL get you into the 80-85 range. If you want to break 90 you are going to need to start learning some of the minutiae.

But anyways, flash cards in med school are a losing proposition...especially if you value your time and want to actually have a decent life while in med school. Feel free to PM me with any questions. I have an exam on friday and I need some distractions!

What classes are you taking right now that you are making flashcards for?

I make flash cards for everything: pathophysiology, pharm, pathology, psychopath, neuro... like I said it just take too dang long. I just don't feel like I learn it otherwise without the active process of transcribing notes. I really need to find a new method. I love First Aid for board prep, and it's probably best for what I need to know in the future, but it's not helping me with my faculty generated exams. They pretty much expect rote memorization of their handouts.

 

[Jack is Back]

How do you have time to do more than that?? I usually make about 2-3 passes and thats a wrap. I just cant bring myself to study any more than like 6-8 hours total for an exam. Im jealous I wish I could actually study more but I just want to leap out my window after like 2 hours of studying.

Lol. What are you going to do for the boards? 2 hours burns you out.

You must be a genius to have made it this far with so little work.

 

[Jack is Back]

well i haven't had an exam yet haha so i don't know. i feel like i know most of the material so far pretty well though, because of the flash card methods

i see the stuff i don't know well constantly. i review a little bit every day (the flash card program remembers which flash cards should show up on what day) and then i go over the new stuff, make flash cards on the harder terms, and repeat.

lol, wait til you are a few exams deep. I guess people can make NC but I think they take too long. Do whatever works in the end. You have to have a scalable solution that can work if the workload doubles. I feel like NC are good but they aren't a scalable solution.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

lol, wait til you are a few exams deep. I guess people can make NC but I think they take too long. Do whatever works in the end. You have to have a scalable solution that can work if the workload doubles. I feel like NC are good but they aren't a scalable solution.

do you feel like you studied more M2 than M1?

i study probably 3-5 SOLID hours a day + going to lecture, etc.

it still takes me all night, but i take a lot of breaks, come on SDN, listen to music and watch tv, eat dinner for an hour, etc..

 

[shenanigi]

Not use them? Sorry flashcards arent my style.....too much time making them for too little yield for me personally!

This... About halfway through last year I decided no more writing, just reading off of my computer. Been getting better grades since

 

[Dr Gerrard]

This... About halfway through last year I decided no more writing, just reading off of my computer. Been getting better grades since

i make my flash cards on my computer though!
i went through all my notes once, writing things down from the slide
then it took me 30 minutes to go through the days notes and make flash cards on everything, which i can review today and have the material down incredibly well

i have no question that this method helps me learn things...

but i'm just worried i could be more efficient with my time... but i don't know what to do! i'd say studying 5-6 hours on a day with 3 anatomy lectures isn't that bad, but i guess its all relative.