This guide will take you through the basics of Study Sets and some of our new learning modes - from information on "What are Study Sets", a step-by-step on your first Study Set, and even some information on how Smart Learn works. We hope by the end of this guide, you should be well on your way to improving the way you study!
What are Study Sets?
Study Sets are one of the new types of documents within GoodNotes 5 (alongside notebooks), which are accessible within the Documents tab. They are similar to a real-life deck of flashcards (or Quizlet's flashcards / Anki's decks). On one side you have a question; on the other side you have an answer. On the surface, this seems pretty simple. However, it's the way that Study Sets integrate with our Smart Learn function that really sets the tool apart.
Smart Learn is a studying mode that uses spaced repetition models (alongside a number of other science-backed learning techniques) to ensure that every session with your Study Sets is as efficient as possible, to maximise the use of your revision time. Smart Learn will tell you when to come back to study a set to maximise efficiency in your learning; and it will customise each learning session to focus on the areas you need to improve most.
For more information on Smart Learn, see: What is Smart Learning?
Creating your First Study Set
There are five main ways that you can create or import Study Sets:
- You can make them in-app from scratch.
- You can create them using an external Spreadsheet software and import them in.
- You can import your Study Decks directly from other flashcard apps.
- You can convert your (Legacy) Flashcards decks into Study Sets.
- If your friends are using the Study Sets function - they can send you their sets in a .GoodNotes format.
We have a full guide on #3 in our Help Centre, and #5 is done using GoodNotes 5's existing importing process (Importing files into GoodNotes 5) so this guide will focus on #1 and #2.
Creating Study Sets within GoodNotes 5
Once you've got access to the feature, making a Study Set is easy!
- To begin, simply tap the "Add (+)" button in the Documents Tab, and then select "Study Set".
- Give your Study Set a title, and ensure that the language of your Study Set is correct - once, done, tap "Create".
- To type in the "Question" card, simply tap anywhere in the top card. Similarly, to add or edit the "Answer" card, scroll to the bottom of the page, and tap anywhere in the bottom card.
- You can also switch between "Text" and "Image" options when making these cards, by tapping the "Image / Text" toggle in the top-right of any card. You can also use drag / drop or copy / paste to add your text and images into the cards!
- To add a new card, either swipe to the right in your app, or tap the "Add (+)" button within your notebook - which is found to the left of the "Study" button.
Tip: Create your Study Sets using Split View, with your main notebooks, textbooks, or lecture slides on the other side. That way, you can easily make your Study Sets at the same time as you reading through the text! Instead of highlighting key points, simply drag and drop the key points from your notes to the Study Set!
Creating Study Sets Externally
As the Study Set function supports .TXT, .CSV, and .TSV imports, you can even make Study Sets outside of GoodNotes 5 (for example in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets), then import them into the app. This is particularly useful if you find yourself making a large Study Set, or if you find yourself needing to quickly write them down outside of GoodNotes. To make these in spreadsheet software, simply:
- Open up your spreadsheet software of choice, and ensure you have a completely empty file.
- Using column A for your questions, and column B for your answers, begin to write in your desired information.
- Note: the questions will correspond with the answers in the same row. EG in row 1, cell A1 (question) will correspond with cell B1 (answer). Additionally, please ensure that you don't add a title to the top row of your sheet, otherwise the app will convert this into a study card too.
- Keep doing this until you are happy with your set, and then export / download this file as a .CSV or .TSV. Once downloaded, simply import the file into GoodNotes 5 (for information on how to do this, see: Importing files into GoodNotes 5), and the app will automatically mass convert this information into a Study Set!
Once you've finished adding the cards (either by creating them in-app or by importing them from elsewhere), you're ready to start studying!
Starting a Study Session
Once you've finished making your Study Sets, you're ready to start learning with them! Currently the app offers two studying modes with your Study Sets: "Smart Learn" and "Practice Mode".
On one hand, the Practice mode will allow you to review through your whole Study Set. On the other, Smart Learn will automatically show you what to study and when - which is customised to your individual learning history. Built with a spaced repetition algorithm, you can maximize the rate you absorb the information. Smart Learn has been designed in-house to maximise your efficiency when learning by using a number of science-backed learning techniques (such as "Active Recall" and "Spaced Repetition").
Whilst we would recommend using Smart Learn in the most part (to maximise your learning potential), we also appreciate that sometimes you need that last minute revision option offered in Practice Mode!
For more information on how these individual modes work, see: