When studying flashcards, it's common to struggle with certain cards repeatedly. If you find yourself in this situation, adding hints can make a big difference. Hints can help you focus on what you're trying to remember or provide a helpful nudge in the right direction.

If you consistently struggle with a card, it may be a sign that you need to improve the card itself for better learning. For more on this, check out our article on dealing with leech cards: Dealing with Leech Cards

For basic flashcards, you can add a hint by typing /hint followed by the prompt you want to see on the front of the card in the queue. This hint will appear during your study sessions, giving you a helpful clue when you need it.

This is how it will look in the flashcard queue:

Note that you can add hints to the backwards card too. Simply type /hint and it will automatically be added on the front of the backwards card.

If your flashcard is set to be reviewed in both directions (two-way card), you can add a different hint to help remember the answer in each direction. Type /hint and choose either Hint for backward card or Hint for front card.

As with Basic Cards, you can add a hint to cloze cards using the /hint command.

You can even add hints to multiple cloze cards within the same rem. To do this, click anywhere near the cloze card you are having trouble remembering and type /hint.

This is what a cloze card with a hint will look like in the flashcard queue:

For multi-line cards, you can add hints the same way you do for basic cards, but you also have the option to add an individual hint to each multi-line card item.

To do it select the card item you’re struggling with and type /hint followed by the hint you want to add to help you remember that part of the multi-line card.

Using hints effectively can make your study sessions more productive. Here are a few best practices:

Hints should reinforce understanding. If a concept isn't clear, a hint can provide context or a simplified explanation to aid comprehension. For example, if a card asks 'What is Newton's First Law?', you could add a hint like 'Hint: Related to inertia and motion.' This helps ensure you grasp the concept before trying to memorize it.

When adding hints, make sure they are short and straightforward. The goal is to offer just enough information to jog your memory without adding unnecessary details.

Mnemonics are among the most effective ways to enhance memory and help you create strong mental associations, making it easier to remember information.

For example, if you want to learn the order of the planets in the solar system, you can use the popular mnemonic "My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nachos". By remembering this mnemonic, you will be able to easily recall the planets in the correct order.

Tailor hints to your personal experiences. Personal connections can make information more memorable and meaningful. For example, if you are learning modern historical dates, you could use a hint like 'Same year as my favorite movie was released' to make the recall more relatable.

Hints should be used sparingly as a gentle nudge, not as a constant crutch. If you find yourself always needing a hint to answer a card, it’s a sign that the card might need improvement. Try breaking down complex information into smaller, easier-to-remember pieces or rewording the card for clarity. For more tips on how to deal with difficult cards, check out this article: Dealing with Leech Cards