GoodNotes Index Cards: 7 Powerful Study Tricks Most Students Don’t Know About – Turn Your Notes Into Smart Flashcards That Actually Stick

So, you’re trying to figure out how to use goodnotes index cards to study better? GoodNotes index cards are basically digital flashcards you create inside GoodNotes, where each “card” is a small page you can write or draw on, just like real index cards. They’re handy for quick questions and answers, vocab, formulas, or diagrams you want to review. The catch is, GoodNotes doesn’t really help with spaced repetition or reminders, so you still have to manage all the review timing yourself. That’s where an app like Flashrecall (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085) comes in — it takes the flashcard idea from GoodNotes and turns it into an actually smart study system.

What Are GoodNotes Index Cards, Really?

Alright, let’s talk about what people actually mean when they say “goodnotes index cards.”

In GoodNotes, there isn’t a special “index card” feature. Instead, you:

• Use a small paper size (like 3x5 or 4x6 templates)
• Treat each page as one card
• Write your question on one side (or top of the page)
• Write the answer below or on the next page

So it feels like a stack of index cards, but it’s really just a notebook with tiny pages.

This is nice if you:

• Love handwriting your notes
• Like doodling diagrams or mind maps
• Want everything in one GoodNotes notebook

But there’s one big problem: GoodNotes is great for taking notes, not for remembering them long-term. You still have to:

• Decide when to review
• Shuffle your “cards” manually
• Track what you know vs what you keep forgetting

That’s where pairing GoodNotes with a flashcard app like Flashrecall makes the whole system way more powerful.

👉 Flashrecall: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

GoodNotes Index Cards vs Real Flashcards: What’s Missing?

You can totally use goodnotes index cards as a digital version of paper cards, but here’s what they don’t do for you:

1. No Built-In Spaced Repetition

GoodNotes doesn’t know:

• Which cards you find easy
• Which ones you keep getting wrong
• When you should see each card again

You’re basically guessing your review schedule.

Flashrecall has automatic spaced repetition built in. You rate how well you remembered a card, and it schedules the next review for you — 1 day, 3 days, a week, etc. No spreadsheets, no mental math, just open the app and it tells you what to study.

2. No Active Recall Flow

With GoodNotes index cards, you usually:

• Scroll through pages
• Cover answers with your hand
• Flip between pages manually

It works, but it’s clunky.

Flashrecall is literally built for active recall. It:

• Shows you the question
• Lets you think before revealing the answer
• Asks how well you knew it
• Adjusts your schedule automatically

It’s the same idea as index cards, just a lot smoother and smarter.

3. No Study Reminders

GoodNotes won’t ping you like, “Hey, time to review that anatomy set” or “You’re about to forget those Spanish verbs.”

Flashrecall has study reminders and notifications so you don’t forget to review. You can set it up once and let it nudge you before your memory fades.

How to Use GoodNotes Index Cards With Flashrecall (Best of Both Worlds)

You don’t have to pick one or the other. Honestly, the best setup is:

• Use GoodNotes for detailed notes, diagrams, lecture scribbles
• Use Flashrecall for actual memorization and review

Here’s a simple workflow that works really well:

Step 1: Take Notes in GoodNotes

Write like you normally do:

• Lecture notes
• Diagrams
• Examples
• Explanations in your own words

Highlight key facts you want to remember:

• Definitions
• Dates
• Formulas
• Vocab
• Concepts that keep confusing you

Step 2: Turn Those Notes Into Flashcards in Flashrecall

This is where Flashrecall makes life easier than trying to turn everything into goodnotes index cards manually.

In Flashrecall, you can:

• Create cards from images:
• Screenshot a part of your GoodNotes page
• Import it into Flashrecall
• Turn that screenshot into a card (e.g., “Label this diagram”)
• Create cards from text:
• Type or paste important definitions or questions
• Perfect for vocab, formulas, key concepts
• Use PDFs or YouTube links:
• If your notes or slides are PDFs, you can import them
• Or use a YouTube link and pull key info into cards
• Make cards manually if you like full control

All of this happens inside Flashrecall:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Step 3: Let Spaced Repetition Handle the Timing

Once your cards are in Flashrecall, you’re done with the planning part. The app:

• Shows you the right cards at the right time
• Repeats hard cards more often
• Pushes easy cards further out
• Keeps everything on track with auto reminders

You just open the app and study what’s due. No more “uhhh what should I review today?”

Why Flashrecall Beats Using Only GoodNotes Index Cards

If you’re trying to decide between just using goodnotes index cards or adding another app, here’s why Flashrecall is worth it:

1. It’s Actually Built for Studying, Not Just Writing

GoodNotes is amazing for writing and drawing, but it stops there. Flashrecall is made for learning:

• Active recall flow
• Spaced repetition
• Progress tracking
• Smart scheduling

You’re not just storing information — you’re actually training your memory.

2. It’s Fast and Modern (Not Clunky)

Flashrecall is:

• Fast and smooth
• Simple to use
• Designed around quick study sessions

You can:

• Flip through cards quickly
• Study on the bus, in bed, between classes
• Use it on iPhone and iPad
• Even use it offline when you don’t have internet

3. It Works for Literally Any Subject

GoodNotes index cards are fine for simple Q&A, but Flashrecall scales better when your subjects get heavier. It’s great for:

• Languages (vocab, phrases, grammar)
• Exams like MCAT, USMLE, LSAT, bar, etc.
• School subjects (math, physics, history, bio)
• University courses
• Medicine and nursing
• Business and professional certifications

If you’re trying to cram a ton of information into your brain and keep it there, Flashrecall is just built for that.

4. You Can Even Chat With Your Flashcards

This is something GoodNotes just can’t do. In Flashrecall, if you don’t fully get a concept, you can:

• Chat with the flashcard
• Ask follow-up questions
• Get extra explanations right inside the app

It’s like having a mini tutor sitting inside your deck.

How to Set Up a Simple System Today

If you’re currently doing everything with goodnotes index cards and feeling a bit overwhelmed, here’s a super simple setup you can start today:

1. Keep Using GoodNotes for Raw Notes

Don’t change your note-taking habit — GoodNotes is great for that.

2. After Class or Study Sessions, Pull Out the Key Stuff

Ask yourself:

• “What here do I actually need to memorize?”
• “What facts would 100% show up on a test?”

Those become your flashcards.

3. Add Those to Flashrecall

Open Flashrecall and:

• Snap a picture of your GoodNotes page or section
• Or type the question/answer
• Or paste text from slides or PDFs

You can start for free here:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

4. Study a Little Every Day

Because Flashrecall has:

• Built-in spaced repetition
• Study reminders

…you don’t have to plan long sessions. Just open the app when you get a notification and clear your due cards. 5–15 minutes a day adds up fast.

Example: Turning GoodNotes Index Cards Into Smart Cards

Let’s say you’re using goodnotes index cards for biology.

In GoodNotes, you might have:

• Front: “What is the function of mitochondria?”
• Back: “Powerhouse of the cell; site of ATP production via cellular respiration.”

In Flashrecall, you can:

• Create the same card (typed or from a screenshot)
• Rate how well you remembered the answer
• Let the app decide when you should see it again

Do that for 50–100 cards, and instead of endlessly flipping through all of them, Flashrecall keeps showing you the ones you’re about to forget, which is exactly when review is most effective.

When GoodNotes Index Cards Are Enough (And When They’re Not)

Using only goodnotes index cards is fine if:

• You just have a small quiz
• You’re reviewing a short list of terms
• You don’t mind manually flipping and guessing your review schedule

But if you’re:

• Studying for big exams
• Learning a new language
• Handling multiple subjects at once
• Trying to remember stuff for months, not days

…then you’ll hit the limits of GoodNotes pretty fast. That’s when Flashrecall becomes way more efficient and way less stressful.

Final Thoughts: Use GoodNotes for Notes, Flashrecall for Memory

So yeah, goodnotes index cards are a nice way to turn your handwritten notes into something flashcard-like, but they don’t manage your learning for you.

If you want to:

• Remember more with less effort
• Stop guessing what to review
• Actually feel your memory getting stronger over time

Pair your GoodNotes setup with Flashrecall and let it handle the heavy lifting — spaced repetition, reminders, and smart scheduling.

You can grab Flashrecall here (free to start):

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Use GoodNotes to capture information. Use Flashrecall to actually keep it in your head. That combo is way stronger than just stacking digital index cards and hoping for the best.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the fastest way to create flashcards?

Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.

Is there a free flashcard app?

Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.

How do I start spaced repetition?

You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.

Related Articles

• Digital Index Cards: The Essential Guide To Studying Faster (Most Students Don’t Know This) – Turn your messy notes into powerful, smart flashcards that practically make you remember.
• Create Index Cards: The Best Way To Study Smarter (Not Longer) With Digital Flashcards – Learn how to turn any note, book, or lecture into powerful index cards that actually stick in your memory.
• Study Cards: 7 Powerful Ways To Use Digital Flashcards To Learn Faster (Most Students Don’t Know These) – Turn boring notes into smart, auto-quizzing study cards that actually stick in your brain.