How To Make Flash Cards

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There are many different type of cards you can buy. You can by the regular 3x5 or the many other sizes they come in. You can by some on a spiral or a ring. There are some that come with plastic dividers. Also you can choose to by them in different colors. With the range of cards there are you can come up with a perfect way to make some flash cards. Here is the way I make my flash cards:

1. Cut 3x5 index cards in half. 
2. In the upper left hand corner, on the blank side, write the subject (or name of class) of the flash cards; such as Spanish, History, Science, etc. 
3. Write the word on the blank side. I like to color code my subjects so say I have a red notebook for History then I would go over all the words for this set of flash cards in a red colored pencil. So I can now easily distinguish this set of flashcards is for history. 
4.  Write the definition of the back of the card with the lines. 
5. Get a piece of computer paper (or whatever you desire) trace one of your index cards and cut that piece out. Next write what chapter the flashcards are for and go over the words with a red colored pencil. This is what I like to call a "title card".

Things to think about when making flashcards:

• Marker may show or bleed through the index card. I stick with colored pencils.
• When reading a chapter from a textbook make a flash card for bold words, people, dates, formulas, places, and questions. 
• Try to summarize some definitions if they are long.
• Keep a rubber band around each set of flashcards.
• When using colored index cards be sure to count how many flashcards you have to make so then you will know whether you have enough of the same colored flashcards. So if you have 20 vocab words make sure you have 20 yellow cards.   

A+ Notes!

Now that I am a sophomore in college I have found the technique that works for me so I decided to share how I write my notes.

There are many different methods to take notes and to organize them. I like to keep a 1 subject notebook for each class. I also color code my classes so it is easy to find the notebook I need. Here is an example of a how I would take notes in a notebook. I like to put a label on the notebook instead of writing on the notebook itself so for any reason I could take of the label if I needed to. I also prefer college ruled than wide ruled notebooks.

The first page of the notebook I dedicate it to a Contents page. This is were I can see what chapter notes are on what pages (this is an example that is why I only have Chapter 1). I would also write below the Chapter 1 what exam these notes will be useful for.

This the way I set up my notes. I put the chapter in the right hand corner. I put the main title at the top of the page. I then put the section tile and highlight that in yellow. Subsections are highlighted in pink. Vocab words are underlined.

At the end of the page on the right hand corner mark what page number it is. So when you are finished taking note from the chapter and you end on page 4 of your notebook you would go to your contents page and write that in. So then you would know Chapter 1 notes are on pages 1-4.

I hope this gave you some inspiration. It definitely keeps me organized and it also keeps me interested in studying since it is easy to read.

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School Study and Organization Tips

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Here's too my second semester in college! I thought I'd share with you some tips on studying and being organized for school. High School and College is much easier when you are organized and if you study the material you need too. I love finding new ways to study and organize so hopefully you'll find the tips I've acquired over the years helpful.
Here we go!

1. Find A Quiet Work Space
• Bedroom/Dorm Room
• Kitchen
• Library
• Living Room

I find my bedroom to be the perfect place to study and do homework. I have a big desk that is nice and organized. I also don't have a TV in my room so I wont be tempted to watch and distract myself from my work. It is also best to not do homework/study on a bed or couch because they could possibly make you too comfy and you'll end up wanting to take a nap instead.

     2.   Have Everything You Need Right By You

• Textbooks            
• Pens/Pencils
• Sharpener
• Paper
• Notebook
• Binders

Since you have everything by your side you wont need to take time out to find something. I have all my stuff at my desk. I keep my bag for school near my desk. I also have a designated book shelve for my textbooks which is near my desk.

     3.  No Distractions!

• No phone
• No TV
• No lyrical music
• No social media

While doing your work shut everything off so you wont be distracted. Getting distracted will make it harder to grasp what you are learning.

     4. Take Breaks
Taking breaks is much better for your brain than cramming a lot information for a long period of time. Our minds tend to wander when it needs a break. So when you notice yourself not focusing as well...take a break! Go get a healthy snack, take a minute to text, go for a walk, go online, play a quick game. Make sure you set a timer so you don't go overboard with your breaks. I usually study a subject for a half hour (30 mins) then take a 5 to 10 minute break then go study a different subject so that your more interested in doing your work and you also get more done.

     5. Keep An Agenda

• Test
• Assignments
• Final Exams
• Social
• Appointments
• Work
• To do lists

I can't stress enough on how important an agenda is! Knowing when everything is makes life SO much easier. You also are less likely to miss an assignment/test. I have this huge problem with agendas...I can't find one that makes me happy. I've had only small ones so I'm going to pick up a bigger one within the next couple of days to see if that works. There's just always something I dislike. To small, no lines, bad set up, to chunky. I guess I am a very picky agenda person...anyone else? If you have an agenda spice it up a bit. On the month at a glace color code different categories such as:

• Purple-School
• Green-Assignments
• Pink-Social
• Blue-Work 
• Orange-Appointments

This way you are able to distinguish what is coming up. Sticky notes are useful as well. They can be used for reminders, to do lists, and shopping lists which I usually use them for. You could also do the day by day section of your agenda for To Do lists, scheduling, or homework. When I am in school I use the day by day section for homework and when I'm not I switch to To Do lists.
 

       6. Organization System

• Color Coded: Pick a different solid color folder for each subject along with matching notebooks.
• Binder System 1: Put a different solid color folder or tab dividers for each subject in a binder and some paper between each folder.
• Binder System 2: Use different binders for each subject.
• 5 Subject Notebook: Find a 5 subject notebook that you like and designate a section to each subject.

If you don't have a system choose one! I find following a system helps a lot. These few are very easy to follow. I tend to color code and use folders for my classes. It is much easier to carry around especially on a campus. I also have a note book specifically for math class then one notebook for paper for class notes for my other courses.

       7.  Type Notes From Class

Once you take notes in class take time to type them up. They are much easier to read, neat, and you can add nice pictures. Add and clarify anything while you type them up. Save the notes from class and file them away. Once they are typed put them in a folder or where ever you choose to put them. I'd suggest to put the most recent notes on top of other notes so they are ready when you need to study. Make sure you keep all notes for once subject together so they are ready for you when finals come! Make sure to not mix notes with other subjects it becomes harder to study because you can't find them.

        8.  File Notes For Final Exams

Get into the habit of not throwing any work away until the end of the semester. Keep all the notes, papers, assignments, tests in a safe place. I have a binder with tab dividers for each class and I hold all the papers I don't need in it. When we finish a section in class I put all of the assignment associated to that section into the binder. When final exams come I pull out the binder and look through all the papers I have. You could also use an accordion file, a file box, or folders.

        9.  Highlighters, Sticky Notes, Tabs, and Colored Pens

I'm a sucker for all of these! They help with studying and organizing. While reading papers that were handed out and textbooks highlight things you find important. I'd suggest making sure the highlighter doesn't bleed through the page first. If it does opt for underlining with a pen/pencil. I use sticky notes to mark pages, write down questions, and words I don't know. Tabs are great for marking the page your on or something you want to put attention towards such as a graph or picture. Last but not least colored pens are great for color coding as well as making your notes look nice to look at and easier to read.

        10. Cut Your Index Cards In Half!

In school we go through so much index cards. I like to cut my card in half so I have twice as much and I still have plenty of room to write down what I need to but this may depend on how big your handwriting is. Also cut a piece of paper the same size as the index card to label what the cards are for such as: Science Section 1.

         11. Create A Study Binder
I have a small binder that I put useful school papers in such as:

• Multiplication Chart
• Roman Numeral Chart
• Formula Sheet
• Punctuation Chart
• Periodic Table
• Conversion Chart
• Maps
• and more!

I've acquired these papers over the years. I find this helpful to have at your desk so if you need to know something you can just flip open the binder.

Disclaimer:
All opinions are my own.

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