The Key of Memorizing by Valeria

The Key of Memorizing by Valeria - January 2014 Scholarship Essay

Since I can remember, the study method that was taught to students as “the key to memorizing” was the infamous flash cards method. This simple, yet effective method takes about ten minutes to prepare, depending on the amount of terms and studying you need to have done. It’s been a lifesaver to many, including a college student who had her biology final in less than an hour and had yet to learn 15 different processes of life.

Being a first year college student, I underestimated how difficult the exams would be. Biology has always been my best subject during my high school career, as I would ace each test by simply studying the night before. The problem I faced in college however, was that I had to learn each piece of information needed for all processes known in biological history. There was no way I could depend on last minute cramming to save my GPA. Needless to say, it was a complete wake up call for me to change my study method.

I noticed my study method needed to be updated the moment I stared at my first Biology exam. It was on the Kingdoms of Life, a topic I thought I knew by heart since IB Biology. I again depended on last minute studying to solve everything, which I deeply regretted the moment I didn't understand the first question. There were terms and phrases that I saw no relevance to the topic! I began to constantly flip the paper back and forth, trying to find something that I could recognize. I then grasped what I was missing; the details that I had carelessly skimmed over and not studied. It was no use- I couldn't remember everything about the topic in a matter of 90 minutes. Toward the end of the exam, I accepted defeat and with a soul full of regret, turned in my exam.

Perplexed, I figured I would try and go old school and make flash cards, a study method I haven’t done since elementary algebra. I made a set of 45 cards, each explaining in detail the terms and processes needed to for the next exam. At first, I was reluctant that these cards would work. They were just terms written with the answer on the back; how would that help me memorize complex processes? Once I got into studying, I felt how well these cards had worked on the mind and memorization.

What I admired most of this method was that they were convenient and portable. It allowed me to review anywhere I had the chance to; on the bus, during lunch, even while at the gym. My friends were also able to help me study, even without previous knowledge of biology. All they had to do was show me each card and help me throughout the processes by simply reading what I had written. I couldn't believe that I had left such a useful and effective method behind in my middle schools years!

After all my hard work and dedication to my flash cards , I passed my next exam with a grade significantly higher than my first exam. This was a reflection to me of how well these cards can really affect an individual’s memorization skills and it is a method that I will most definitely continue throughout my college experience.