You've been using flashcards incorrectly. (and a cool Instagram trick!)

HumanOS Volume XII

Oct 06, 2020

Hello, everyone! 🌲

Last week we covered the effects of procrastinating and more importantly, the ways to combat it. This week, we are going to jump right into how to properly make (and use) flashcards and some Twitter highlights.

r/iOSsetups - Don’t know if it’s a one day thing but Instagram lets you change the icon

Also, Instagram is allowing users to change their app icon on iOS.

Ariz ⚡️ @Arriiizzzz

Been waiting around for the beta for months but can truly say that @daybridgeapp is likely the biggest contender in time/task management. Just look at this.

A very interesting new productivity app.

Highly recommend trying to make your own shortcuts! They can be super powerful when used correctly.

Mariana's Study Corner - How to study with flashcards correctly. | Leitner's Principle🌲

🔑 What is Leitner's Principle?

Leitner was a scientist that studied the importance of spaced repetition and active recall in pedagogy. This also encompassed metacognition, a critical topic that can completely change the way you create and learn.
This takes two basic forms:
- Newly introduced and more difficult cards should be shown more frequently
- Less difficult cards should be shown less frequently

🔑 Why is active recall important?

You don't remember every single thing you hear
Learning is generally passive- especially reading
Questions force your brain to face the data and work through it

🔑 What is metacognition?

These processes happen when you learn by managing and thinking about your own learning
The best way to do this is by creating your own flashcards
Writing down, organizing, and sorting keywords, concepts, and definition enhances your learning
Allows you to have automatic feedback about your own mastery of the subject

🔑 So how do I apply Leitner's Principle?

Gather all your flashcards and assess your understanding of each
Say the answer out loud
5 Boxes- each one represents the mastery level (and also the next day that you need to read them!)
- i.e. Day 2 read all the cards from box two and box one
  - If you get it right, move it to the next box
  - If you get it wrong, move it to box one
  - Here is a great sample schedule

🔑 Can I cram with this system?

NO! Start early
The whole point of this system is to gradually increase your learning
- This will result in better and longer-lasting learning
This is meant for highly disciplined students who need to memorize a lot

Spaced repetition is an insanely powerful study tool and one that I cannot recommend enough. I have started using Anki, an online flashcard tool similar to Quizlet. I had used Quizlet in high school and a few of my undergraduate classes, but as I did more research on the effectiveness of spaced repetition, I quickly found the software to be antiquated. I came across Anki through Ali Abdaal's (of course) fantastic video on the software and immediately fell in love. If you are someone who uses a lot of flashcards or needs to memorize a lot, I highly recommend checking this tool out- it's even free and there are a ton of premade decks online! I am currently using it (and going through ~200 cards/day) using some premade decks for the MCAT that I found online and have noticed a huge difference in my retention. If you are interested in me writing and sharing a bit more on this, reach out!