How I Used Anki Throughout My Engineering Degree
I’ve been using Anki since my A-Levels, where it helped me achieve 3A*s in Maths, Physics, and Chemistry. During my first year of university, I initially stuck to the same method—creating what I thought were "perfect" flashcards . However, I quickly realized that university demands a different approach; time is more limited, and mastering the material requires efficiency.
Year 1 – The Transition
In my first semester, I focused on refining my flashcards, searching for the most optimal way to use Anki. This tutorial covers exactly how I structured my cards during that time.
Eventually, I came to a key realisation: Anki shouldn’t be limited to just memorising facts. Instead, I started integrating tutorial questions from subjects like Mathematics, Fluids, and Structures—concepts that required deeper thought and long problem-solving sessions and being able to review them on my iPad using the scratchpad feature has been invaluable and a controller. This shift helped me build true recollection rather than just familiarity with the material.
Year 2 – Experimenting with Image-inclusion
During my first semester of second year, I experimented with using Just my iPad and image-inclusion flashcards. My method :
Using OneNote to print lecture slides,
Copying and pasting key concepts into Anki,
Hiding important parts to test recall using image inclusion addon that way added to iOS
While this approach was effective for quick reviews, it had a major drawback:
➡️ It was hard for my future self to revisit and truly understand the material.
By my second semester, I pivoted back to using basic flashcards—which proved far more valuable in helping me internalise the concepts and understand them
Around this time, I realised I needed a more efficient way to review my flashcards. That's when I discovered how using a controller with Anki could make the process more fun, enjoyable, and effective. I believe in studying smart—working hard while minimizing the effort and time spent to achieve better results. Here's how I use a controller with Anki on both my computer and iPad to enhance my learning experience.
Year 3 – Mastering the Method
Before Lectures :
Use the screenshot method to capture lecture headings and paste content into Anki.
Group 2-6 slides on one card, focusing on a key concept (don’t aim for perfection).
Reviewing Lecture Slides (make it fun) :
I mainly use the iPad for this as it is easier to focus and I prefer the intuitiveness of touch and being able to draw on the screen.
First I go slow, ask ChatGPT to explain the concept and help form a question for the front of the card.
make it easy put some music on watch a YouTube video make it fun and enjoyable find the key takeaway the lecture slides is are trying to convey.
over time use the Speed Forces add-on to time reviews, preventing you from getting stuck and increasing your speed.
Iteration is key to form the best flashcard the add on edit field during review really helps with this , 1020366288
Reviewing Tutorials is no.1 :
If you’re cramming, paste all tutorials and past papers into a separate deck and focus solely on reviewing those.
You can add lecture slides to the past paper questions to help with understanding if needed.
Build your ideal solution from given solutions or your own notes, trying to memorize and understand why the question is being asked based on the lecture slides.
If unclear, move on after 5 minutes and revisit later. The goal is to go quickly to practice for the exam.
Focus on spotting patterns across topics, the why and where of the questions—get curious.
Avoid perfectionism—just keep it simple and refine your flashcards over time.
Ultimately, Anki has been a game-changer in making studying an active process. It has helped me struggle with the material, develop problem-solving skills, and recognize deeper patterns within subjects.
More importantly, it has changed the way I think. By constantly asking myself good questions and searching relentlessly for answers, I’ve realized that science itself is simply the pursuit of unanswered questions. Anki has helped me enter that mindset—and I’m not looking back.
Check out my recent video here summarising how I used it this year :
I only use the basic type of flashcard and this is my styling to make sure I can edit whilst I review , tap
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