Great question! Let’s explore what Anki flashcards are, how they work, and how to recreate their power on paper (no app required).


🧠 What is Anki?

Anki is a free app that uses a technique called Spaced Repetition β€” a scientifically proven method for long-term memory retention.

πŸ“š The Core Idea:

  • Review info right before you’re about to forget it.
  • It adapts to your memory: easy cards appear less, hard cards appear more.
  • This saves time and burns knowledge into long-term memory.

πŸ’‘ Example: How Anki Flashcards Work

Front (Question)Back (Answer)
What is the capital of France?Paris
Formula for area of a circle?Ο€ Γ— rΒ²
What is neuroplasticity?Brain’s ability to rewire itself

Then Anki schedules these:

  • Day 1 β†’ review
  • Day 3 β†’ review again
  • Day 7 β†’ next review
  • Day 14 β†’ again, etc.

If you forget β†’ it resets to Day 1.


πŸ“ How to Create Anki-Style Flashcards on Paper

You don’t need the app β€” paper works just as well!

βœ‚οΈ Step-by-Step:

  1. Cut index cards or any A4 paper into equal-sized flashcards (around 3×5 inches or 7×12 cm).
  2. On the front side, write:
    • A question, keyword, or cue
  3. On the back side, write:
    • The answer, definition, diagram, or explanation

🧠 Example:

Front:

What does the hippocampus do?

Back:

Involved in memory formation and spatial navigation.

πŸ—“ How to Use Spaced Repetition with Paper Flashcards

  1. Use 3 boxes or envelopes:
    • Box 1 β†’ Review daily
    • Box 2 β†’ Review every 3 days
    • Box 3 β†’ Review weekly
  2. When you get a card right, move it to the next box.
  3. If you get it wrong, send it back to Box 1.

πŸ“¦ Schedule Table:

BoxReview WhenNotes
1DailyNew or forgotten cards
2Every 3 daysCards remembered once
3Every 7 daysMastered cards

🎯 Tips to Make Great Flashcards

βœ… Keep each card simple β€” 1 fact per card
βœ… Use images or sketches if possible (visual memory is powerful)
βœ… Use your own words β€” it improves recall
βœ… Say the answer out loud before flipping
βœ… Shuffle cards often to prevent order-based guessing


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