The SAFMEDS model of Remembering

Probably the most used method of studying is Flash Cards. You pick a chapter to study and take notes. You then transcribe them onto flash cards and rapid test yourself. You use them to write speeches, either by writing point form or the even whole speech. You use them for rapid learning, as with Multiplication Tables. These are just a few examples of the many uses of flash cards. They are pretty handy to have around.

Have you ever noticed that using flash cards doesn’t really benefit you? This article is for you. To put it bluntly, you are probably using them incorrectly. This leads to hours of wasted time and lots of frustration.

Ogden Lindsay invented the SAFMED method of using flash cards that has been proven through studies to actually work. The SAFMED method is used once you have transcribed the needed information onto the flash cards.

Say All Fast Minute Each Day Shuffle

This experimentally proven method goes as follows:

• Say the answer before you turn over the card. This will be an indicator to whether you really know the answer.
• Go through All the cards, as many as you can at a time of course, as Fast as you can. This has to be done in one Minute. Do this Each Day. Do not study your speech or your chapter notes the night before. Of course, you have heard this already. Countless studies have shown that studying the night before is helpful only up to a certain point. After this point it is detrimental to study. You will forget more easily because information will start working against you. New information will replace old information and old information will make it impossible to learn new information. These are called Retroactive Interference and Proactive Interference. These interferences will stress you out even more causing you to do even more horribly on your speech or test.
• Shuffle your cards so that you are not learning them in a specific order. Sure, you may get to the point where you can speed through the cards getting everything right. This is because you are always cueing the next answer. Shuffle them so that you will learn them out of order and then it will not matter what order they are on your test.

As with any method, this may take practice to work. With time and dedication not only will your learning and retention improve but also your learning rate will also get better. It will be difficult as first. I know when I use cue cards that I get these urges to peek at the answers. I tell myself “I know this! I need a little hint!” Don’t look at the answer. If you cannot get it right in the time allotted, put that card aside in the “not yet ready” pile. Go over that pile over and over. Then integrate it into the “I know this pile”! Don’t forget to Shuffle!!!

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