Do you prefer studying from index cards?

[jbjints]

I've been doing some thinking and reading up on the use of index cards for studying. Before I decide to go that route I was hoping to hear from those that already use index cards for studying pruposes. I've been going to school since June 2004 and I have rarely used index cards but I am considering them for this semester.

I normally study class notes and use textbooks as a backup but I believe that the convenience of index cards could be beneficial. I am thinking about using either 3 X 5 or 4 X 6 index cards and transferring both class notes and textbook details onto to the index cards and what is great is I can take the index cards with me anywhere.

Who recommends index cards over paper?? I did check out flashcards.com and I think it's great but is all the information accurate?

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

For vocabulary/definitons, I do prefer index cards, but they're cards that I make myself. I also like making index cards for things such as F&E balance (such as the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia).

Otherwise, I like my paper notes.

[RN2010LW]

I make index cards for almost every exam i take. I write any and all information that I think that they want us to know on them. My catch is that I never look at them again. For me, the act of just organizing the information onto the cards helps. Another think that you have to think of is if you will have the time. It can easily take 5 hours to do a set of cards for one exam. If we have a week or so befor the exam ill take the time to make them. If we only have a few days.....its a waste of time for me, ill benifit more from just going through the book. I do know some of the girls in class make the cards with all the information and then only use thoes to study instead of haveing to lug their books around. And also when they are at a kids practice or at the laundry mat they just take the cards with them and study. I hope this helps....

[cinnab0n22]

hi jbjints. i would recommend using index cards over paper any day. i use them for almost every test and i think it is a great way to study. it especially helps when you need to memorize a lot of information. i would make index cards for everything and even put specific points for essay questions so that i can remember what i need to talk about if i have to write an essay. also, rewriting the information from class notes to index cards also helps you remember the information. index cards are a fast and easy way to memorize information. it helps you focus in on key facts and you won't have to read through the whole book to find what you are looking for. what i do is take 10 cards at a time and memorize those first and then continue memorizing the next set of cards. i find it very effective and i hope that you will too. =)

[FUTURE_ER_RN]

I used index cards for all of my pre-nursing classes, but I rarely have the time to make flash cards now in nursing school. I have 2 nursing classes and 2 upper division GE classes so b/t all the reading and studying for all 4 classes there's no time left to do the cards.... I love using them and I think they are a really effective way to learn something they just take a really long time to make. If you have the time to make them I would totally say use em! You can put a lot of information on them and study them backwards and forwards to really learn the material. Many a A's came from using those flash cards! I will probably use them here and there because I really think they work!! Hope this helps. :)

[mommyjskns]

I have used note cards since I started school last year and I think they are a fantastic way to organize your information. I have been very successful studying this way.......it helps me so much more than just studying my paper notes does. Like many previous posters said, they do take alot of time to make, but I consider this time to be studying time. By making the cards, I am getting the information into my head. Good luck on whatever you decide!

[seasoned hopeful]

hi

i agree about the index cards. 4x6 were too large to fit in my purse, so i switched to 3x5. they fit in a baggie in my purse. i agree with the poster who says just you taking the time to write out the info and to organize it, it helps you remember it. i like it because it seems easier for me to learn small bits of info, rather that 2 huge chapters or pages and pages of paper notes. i can take them anywhere, and when i have a few minutes, i can study. it all helps!!

[krenee]

Yep, that's my preferred method. So far I've gotten all As with one B in nursing school, graduating in 12 weeks. It's not ALL I do, but it's my favorite. I also do CDs from the textbook & NCLEX study guides, my reading of course . . . but the flash cards are portable and I take them everywhere.

Good luck!

Kelly