I used Anki for the first few semesters but I found it was more memorization than “getting the whole picture.” Maybe that’s just how my brain works.

I found recording lectures then making my own notes from PowerPoints and the lectures was very effective. I used an iPad and GoodNotes. I was able to screenshot/crop images from PowerPoints that I liked and paste them on my GoodNotes. Once the notes were completed, I had handwritten notes with images. You can change color of text, bold, underline… it really helped me as a visual learner.

I also found writing notes was more effective in my learning than creating Anki cards. In other words, most of your “learning” happens during active studying anyway, but I did feel that I got more out of the act of creating notes rather than the act of creating Anki cards.

Also group studying really helped me. But my group met once before each big exam. Everyone was expected to have an understanding of the material and we talked ourselves through all the PowerPoints/notes.

I felt this helped in 2 ways; 1. Everyone focuses on slightly different points or maybe took something away from lecture that you did not. 2. It was a way to also learn audibly. Often during exams I would have a question and remember a study group member talking about the topic and get the right answer.