– How to make flashcards?
– Online, of course! Do we need to get into this?
– Okay, okay, but how to make effective flashcards online?
– Nice, easy, and free. Read the guide. You’re welcome.
Prep Tips for a Smooth Start
Here are a few essential steps to kickstart your flashcard journey the right way.
✅ Pick a Flashcard App
It’s the Noji app’s blog, so you know the drill. But honestly, other solutions are quite limited.
There’s Anki from 2006 that looks and feels accordingly but we respect a veteran open-source project. In fact, AnkiPRO does Anki’s job better. And there’s Quizlet, hyped but more of a childish version with an overwhelming amount of games and stuff. Plus, unlike anki apps, Quizlet does not have a good spaced repetition algorithm. In the world of online flashcards, spaced repetition plays a huge role because it is a sure way to remember anything forever-ish, a real microlearning algorithm based on science-backed concepts like forgetting curve, active recall, and spacing effect.
Noji is here to make the online flashcard experience classy and ultimate. Minimalistic B&W design, breathable interface, cozy space for decks and subdecks, sharing via link, free library of decks, aaand free learning of 50 cards a day, as well as streaks to help you microlearn your way to big results.
✅ Know Your Decks and Subdecks
When exploring how to make flashcards online, think about organizing your study space. Decks and subdecks work as folders for different subjects and topics. It’s way easier to create a new card when you know where it should belong.
✅ Make Flashcards Routine
The most effective way to use flashcards is to view them as a part of your overall study strategy. Have them in mind as you read textbooks, listen to lectures, or watch educational videos. Catch what your teacher emphasizes. Identify and highlight crucial points that are likely to appear on exams. Write summaries of challenging topics in your own words. If you can break it down simply, it’s a flashcard material. Organize your notes into categories to ensure you’re covering all necessary content systematically.
Those are just ideas… Invent your own little system because flashcards are highly customizable!
Flashcards from 0 or Pre-Made Decks?
All online flashcard app libraries are full of pre-made decks of different quality. But also there’s a common sense opinion that making your own flashcards strengthens neural pathways and makes it more of a mindful experience. But it would be a safe assumption that nobody likes making flashcards. It takes being in a hardcore nerd-era. Also, there are just cases when making flashcards is less effective. And there are cases when making flashcards is fun because the making part is important and enjoyable.
Better Find Flashcards:
- for common sense topics like English Regular Expressions;
- if you’re a pre-med student not dying to make 3000 MCAT flashcards;
- if you want to explore study materials made by others and learn according to their methodology.
Better Make Flashcards:
- if you can collaborate on a deck with friends to prepare for a massive exam;
- when writing down vocabulary as you watch movies or read;
- as a homework assignment (because making your own cards strengthens neural pathways);
- as a structuring element to studying (because flashcards might work as a mind map, a memory palace, or a brain exercise to sum up material.)
How to Make Flashcards (The Noji Method)
Here’s how to make flashcards for studying with the Noji app. Nice, easy, and free as promised.
Step #1: Get a Deck
Choose or create a deck. Think of it like a folder or a notebook for each subject. Just better because there’re also subdecks to keep study materials de-cluttered and well-organized. Maybe go into deck feng shui later but for now, you’re all set.
By the way, many users love creating cards on their PCs and reviewing them on their phones.
Step #2: Add a Flashcard
Tap “Add cards,” and jump into Noji’s toolbar, whether you’re on your phone or laptop. Some users report that the desktop experience is more convenient when you need to make a lot.
Step #3: Add Text
Two sides: front and back. Keep it simple (one idea per card), especially if the goal is to remember. You can use flashcards as a tool for building knowledge and writing more stuff, too. This is the beauty of this highly customizable flashcard method.
Step #4: Add Visuals
Boost memory with images. Snap a pic, grab a screenshot, or doodle. Visuals are great for boosting recall and just keeping your study materials fabulous. Below, we’ll talk about how to make flashcards with pictures and where to find those pictures.
Step #5: Power Up
Spaced repetition learning algorithm is already on but you can use even more features. Try ‘Fill-in-the-Blank’ (cloze) for focused practice or ‘Reverse Cards’ for a new perspective. Use “Text-to-Speech” to master spelling, or try “Image Occlusion” to turn pictures into flashcards by hiding key parts for smarter studying. And finally, the “Offline Mode” will allow you to learn anytime, anywhere.
Should AI Create Your Flashcards?
In short, it depends.
In general, when using AI for studying, think of it as a tool, not a replacement. Pair AI with trusted resources, double-check the output and use it to complement, not replace, your own learning process.
AI works well for generating flashcards from scratch when the content is straightforward, like basic vocabulary lists for language learners. But when it comes to more complex subjects like medicine, chemistry, or physics, things get trickier and riskier. AI can “hallucinate,” and in these fields, even small mistakes can be costly. That’s why it’s smarter to provide AI with your study materials to guide it. Very soon, Noji will have an awesome feature that will let you generate flashcards directly from a PDF. We’re preparing guides and tutorials on how to make online flashcards using AI, too, so stay totally tuned!
Meanwhile, you can speed up a bit using keyboard shortcuts:
How to Find Pictures for Flashcards?
How to make flashcards online while also enjoying the aesthetic side of things? That’s the real question. Believe it or not, beautiful flashcards make it more likely you’ll come back for your next review sesh.
Start by using Google Images to quickly find relevant visuals. Just search keywords that match your topic, filter by usage rights, and save what works best. For even higher quality, explore Pinterest or Stock Sites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay, where you’ll find free, professional-grade images on just about any subject.
If your material is more technical, screenshots from PDFs or textbooks are perfect for capturing diagrams, charts, and tables. You get exactly what you need, straight from your source.
And don’t forget, you can always create your own images. Whether it’s drawing right in the Noji’s flashcard editor, snapping a photo, or designing something on Canva, custom visuals can really personalize your learning experience.
Keeping your study materials eye-catching doesn’t just look good is the key to “how to make good flashcards” overall.
What’s Next?
So, you’re an expert on how to make flashcards. Now comes the real test: actually reviewing them. Noji is here to turn you into a microlearning junkie in this ADHD era. Your contribution? Just trust the notifications, and take those streaks seriously. It might sound small, but these little actions add up. In no time, this will become your go-to (and let’s be real, healthiest) online habit.
P.S. If you have your own tips on how to make flashcards online, DM us your secrets. It’s an ongoing research.
