A Love Letter to Flashcards
The author reflects on the effectiveness of flashcards and spaced repetition as tools for deep learning rather than just rote memorization. The piece explores how these techniques helped the author overcome memory challenges in cumulative subjects like mathematics.
Why it matters
It challenges the stigma against flashcards in academic circles and promotes evidence-based learning strategies.
This piece is a submission for IndieWeb Carnival May 2026: Write a love letter .
For a long time, flashcards were not on my radar for effective learning. I used it for English vocabulary when I was learning English as a teen, but I never considered using it for subjects that require deep understanding. When thinking about flashcards, an image that swiftly sprang to mind was of someone who mechanically memorizes definitions and equations, brute-forces through exams without comprehension. Such rote memorization is indeed detrimental to learning. This sentiment is common in STEM fields. A quick search leads to reddit posts like this where higher upvoted answers dismiss the value of flashcards.
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