They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be lined, hole-punched, colorful or blank. They can hold hundreds of words or a couple of sentences. They can contain all the information you need, a love note or a simple reminder. Regardless of their purpose or plan, flashcards can make the grade and a memory.
I came to Harding as a pretty serious student, and I only slipped further into my nerdom when I began studying for my first exams. I had tried a few different approaches: listening to myself read notes aloud, reading PowerPoint slides from my computer screen and even recording myself reciting the first amendment and playing it back so that I could write it verbatim for my first mass communication test. As I mentioned — bona fide nerd, right here.
However, the one approach to studying that never fails me is the handy-dandy flashcard. Whether it be a Bible, biology or theater appreciation exam, flashcards have never let me down. Though it takes a great deal of time to compile all of the information I could potentially be tested over, physically writing out each card helps me to remember and to recall material during that 50-minute test time-warp that holds me back from my weekend.
It is true that flashcards have helped me academically, but looking back through each year, I now have a glimpse of where my mind and body were at the time that each set of flashcards were made. Adding to my nerdiness, I am also pretty sentimental and therefore save everything. If you need a napkin from my 12th birthday party — I probably have it stashed away in a box in my closet. Flashcards are a tangible flashback to courses and the company that I have had each year during my time at Harding. There could be a shake stain left on my introduction to public relations principles cards, left from the old times of The Underground, or a drop of coffee from trying to carry too many things in my arms to my car, as I drive to class from Midnight Oil, or there could even be illegible words from where I began to fall asleep at my cubicle in the library.
There could be a verse written by an anonymous fellow student, sent through campus mail for everyone during finals week. There could be encouraging notes from friends, grocery lists or even function date offers. Whether something is scribbled on tiny 3x5s or the humongous 5x8s, a flashcard can be a piece of memorization and reflection. Though they may not always get me the greatest grade, as I look back on the past few semesters of life and I look forward to what is ahead, I realize the connotation of the term “flash.”
As James writes in James 4:14, “You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” I encourage you to embrace your time at this university and make time for studying and memories.
Look for Hannah’s next article in her blog series “Senior Moments” on The Link.
