Introduction

Anki is a popular spaced repetition flashcard software that helps users memorize and retain information efficiently. One of the many features that Anki offers to enhance the learning experience is the ability to suspend cards. If you’re new to Anki or have been using it for a while but are unsure about this feature, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll delve into what suspending cards in Anki means, why you might want to use it, and how to do it effectively to improve your learning.

Understanding Suspend Card in Anki

Suspend Card is a feature in Anki that allows you to temporarily disable or “suspend” a specific flashcard or a group of cards within your card deck. When you suspend a card, it remains in your deck but will not appear during your study sessions. Essentially, suspending a card puts it on hold, preventing it from showing up in your study sessions until you choose to unsuspend it.

Reasons to Suspend Cards in Anki

1. Difficulty Level: One of the primary reasons to suspend a card is when you find it too challenging or confusing. If a card consistently hinders your progress or frustrates you during review, suspending it gives you the opportunity to come back to it later when you may be better equipped to understand and remember the information.
2. Temporary Focus: Sometimes, you might want to focus on specific topics or sections of your deck. Suspending unrelated cards can help you concentrate on the material that is more relevant to your current study goals. This is particularly useful when preparing for exams or working on a specific project.
3. Review Overload: If you’ve accumulated a large number of cards in your Anki deck and find yourself overwhelmed with reviews, suspending less critical cards can help ease the review load and maintain a manageable study routine.
4. Personalization: Anki is all about personalized learning. Suspending cards allows you to tailor your study experience to your specific needs and preferences. You can skip or prioritize cards as you see fit.

How to Suspend Cards in Anki

Suspending cards in Anki is a straightforward process:

1. Open Anki and go to the deck that contains the card(s) you want to suspend.
2. Click on the “Browse” option in the main Anki window.
3. In the browser, you’ll see a list of all the cards in your selected deck. To suspend a card, select it by clicking on it.
4. After selecting the card, go to the “Edit” menu and choose “Suspend” or use the shortcut key “Ctrl+J” (Cmd+J on Mac). Alternatively, you can right-click on the card and select “Suspend.”
5. The card will now be suspended, and you can see a small “Suspended” label next to it in the browser.
6. To unsuspend a card, follow the same steps but choose “Unsuspend” instead.

Conclusion

Suspend Card is a valuable feature in Anki that allows you to customize your learning experience and better manage your study sessions. Whether you want to temporarily set aside challenging cards, focus on specific topics, reduce review overload, or personalize your learning journey, suspending cards can help you achieve your goals. By understanding how to use this feature effectively, you can optimize your Anki experience and enhance your memory retention and learning efficiency.