Using Anki for active recall and remembering code will turn you into a coding machine!

Hey there Jordan here. When learning something new forgetting is a part of the process. Of course it would be nice to remember everything( well maybe not everything)! What if I told you there was a way to at least slow down how much you are forgetting. Well look no farther ANKI is here to save the day!

Anki (which means to commit to memory in Japanese) is a Space Repetition Software(SRS). Its a flash card program that will help you remember!! How does is it work? Well let me show you! Below is an example of one of my own flash cards! See if you can guess the correct answer!

How did it? Did you get it right? Don't worry about it you will see it again! Anki will reminds when to study right before you forget that is the beauty of an SRS! Before you go off and shove everything in I would advise again it! Not everything belongs in Anki! of course you are free to do what you want but. here a few tips on when using anki that might help!

Anki tips

• Keep it simple!.
• Add pictures when you can
• Do your reviews everyday

Keep it simple

The simpler the better! As long as the card makes sense to you I think that will be enough!

Here is an example of one of my early cards! It is pretty straight forward. Question on the front and answer on the back. As time has gone on I have learned to mix it up and add some flavor to my anki cards( like the one you saw above where I have to enter the correct code in-order to get the card correct). You dont have to go that over board! Anki and be a hard pill to swallow and but the community is great BTW if you want the styling have I have here it is!

.card {
  font-family: fira code;
  font-size: 20px;
  text-align: center;
  color: #ebdbb2 !important;
  background-color: #282828 !important;
}
#spacer, #answer {
background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #282828, #d65d0e, #282828);
}

#spacer, #answer {
  margin-block-start: 4em;
  margin-block-end: 4em;
  border: none;
  height: 1px;
}

#spacer::after, #answer::after {
  content: '';
  display: inline-block;
  position: absolute;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%) rotate(0deg);
  transform-origin: 50% 50%;
  padding: 0.5rem;
  color: #689d6a;
  background-color: #282828;
}

.typeGood {
  background-color: #427b58;
}
.typeBad {
  background-color: #9d0006;
}
.typeMissed {
  background-color: #928374;
}

a {
  color: #d65d0e !important;
}
strong {
  color: #d79921;
}

I original got the styles as well as how to add typing to my anki cards here Is from Byan Jenks YT channel.

Add pictures when you can

The daily grind of Anki can be hard but sometimes pictures make things easier!

Do your reviews everyday

Anki can and WILL snow ball if you allow the reviews pile up! To remedy this I would try and complete your review everyday! DO IT

The morning works best for me! Afterwards I feel like I can take on the world! BUT I will admit somedays I just don't have time. On those days I try and review JUST ONE card! AND that is okay! Life happens to all of us! Sometimes just one is all I can muster. But progress is progress!! Thank you for reading!

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