Learning how to learn is a skill most of us miss out on. Instead, we resort to last-minute cramming, which works much like compulsive overeating for the brain. While it might help you ace an exam, this knowledge quickly fades, often leaving you burnt out and overwhelmed. The alternative? Spaced repetition! Roughly speaking, it’s the most scientifically backed microlearning technique for quick and long-term memorization. But what is spaced repetition exactly? Let’s discover how this technique can transform your study habits into something much more enjoyable and mindful!
Brain-Friendly Learning: Small Bites vs. Big Binge
The brain learns new information by forming connections between neurons. When you first learn something, these connections are weak and fragile. The more you revisit the information, the stronger and more stable these connections become.
As mentioned above, cramming is like overeating in one big meal; you stuff your brain with information all at once. This makes it hard for your brain to digest and store the knowledge properly, and you quickly forget most of it (which we’ll talk about below.)
Memory isn’t a storage place like a filing cabinet or hard drive. Instead, it’s more of a dynamic and ever-changing process. The old-school idea of simply storing and retrieving information is overly simplistic. Instead, memories are actively created, altered, and reconstructed, making them more like a constantly evolving story than static files.
The Mysterious Forgetting Curve
The pattern of forgetting was first captured by a psychologist named Hermann Ebbinghaus, who in the late 1800s discovered something fascinating called the “forgetting curve.”
Ebbinghaus found that without review, we tend to forget about 60% of new information within an hour and up to 80% within a day. This wasn’t just a quirky observation—it was a breakthrough in understanding how our memory works. His research showed that our brains have a natural tendency to lose information over time unless we reinforce it. Here, finally, we come to the concept of spaced repetition as a learning method.
Here’s how the Forgetting Curve looks:
So What Is Spaced Repetition?
The concept of spaced repetition grew out of Ebbinghaus’ discovery of the “forgetting curve.” But it works both ways! By spacing out the reviews of information over increasing intervals, you can fight the forgetting curve.
Spaced repetition is a technique where you review information at longer and longer intervals to help you remember it better over time.
This method helps to strengthen those neural connections in your brain, making the knowledge stick around much longer. So, instead of cramming all at once and letting the forgetting curve wipe in all out, the spaced repetition system lets you outsmart it, keeping the information fresh and accessible.
So, what is spaced repetition? The answer can be as simple as:
Benefits of the Spaced Repetition Method
- Boosts retention. Spaced repetition helps you remember information longer by reviewing it at increasing intervals. This method makes the information stick better than cramming.
- Saves time. By focusing on what you’re likely to forget, spaced repetition uses your study time more efficiently. You review less frequently as you master each topic.
- Reduces stress. Breaking study sessions into smaller, manageable chunks lowers stress. You’re less overwhelmed when you study regularly rather than all at once.
- Enhances learning. It promotes deeper understanding by helping you connect concepts over time, rather than just memorizing facts.
- Customizable. You can adjust the intervals based on how well you know the material, making it flexible for different subjects and learning styles.
“Would Spaced Repetition Work for Me?”
Spaced repetition could be great for you if you find it hard to remember what you’ve studied after a while or if you want to make your study time more effective. It’s especially helpful for learning tough subjects, new languages, or getting ready for big exams. Whether you learn best by seeing, hearing, or doing, spaced repetition can help.
To see if it’s right for you, think about your learning goals: do you need to remember lots of details for a long time? Do you want to try the most science-backed way to memorize? If yes, then giving spaced repetition a try might really boost your learning!
Here are some examples of fields where spaced repetition is particularly effective:
- Language learning. Mastering vocabulary and grammar through repeated exposure helps retain new words and phrases.
- Medical studies. Retaining complex medical terms and concepts becomes easier with spaced reviews, essential for exams and practice.
- Law. Remembering legal principles and case details is facilitated by spaced repetition, aiding in exam preparation and professional practice.
- Music. Learning musical pieces and theory benefits from repeated practice at spaced intervals to improve performance and memory.
- History. Remembering dates, events, and key figures is enhanced through a spaced repetition system, making historical knowledge more accessible.
Since the method is highly customizable, there are no limits!
How to Do Spaced Repetition?
Spaced repetition is often linked with flashcards, which are ideal for memorizing information. Traditionally, students used systems like the Leitner method, where well-known cards were reviewed less frequently, and challenging ones were revisited more often. This often involved using shoeboxes to organize flashcards by difficulty.
However, managing this manually can be complex and time-consuming, especially with our often short attention spans. The modern solution is straightforward: use a flashcard app with a spaced repetition algorithm. These apps handle the scheduling for you, ensuring that you review information at optimal intervals for better retention and efficiency.
Why Use Flashcards for Spaced Repetition?
Flashcards are simple tools with a question on one side and the answer on the other, designed for active recall and quick review.
Traditionally, flashcards were physical cards sorted into boxes based on how well you knew the information, a method known as the Leitner system. While effective, this approach can be problematic and time-consuming.
Digital flashcard apps incorporate spaced repetition algorithms, automatically scheduling reviews based on how well you know each card. This modern approach saves time, ensures efficient study sessions, and enhances long-term retention, making it the ideal solution for mastering new material.
How to Choose a Spaced Repetition App?
The earliest software implementations appeared in the 1980s and 1990s, with systems like SuperMemo being among the pioneers. SuperMemo, created by Dr. Piotr Wozniak in 1987, was one of the first programs to use an algorithm to schedule reviews based on how well the user remembered information.
In 2006, Anki was released as an open-source alternative, bringing spaced repetition to a broader audience with its customizable flashcards. Over the years, many other apps and platforms have emerged, incorporating spaced repetition algorithms to enhance learning efficiency. These developments have made using a spaced repetition app a widely recognized and used method for improving long-term memory retention. You might have heard of Quizlet for making flashcards. It’s a more playful version with quizzes and games that kids and middle school teachers prefer. However, it doesn’t have a robust spaced repetition algorithm. So here are some spaced repetition flashcard apps that work and work well.
The ultimate spaced repetition app for students and lifelong learners would be Noji. Being new on the market, it has all the “wisdom” of spaced repetition software. It’s a microlearning app that combines digital flashcards and spaced repetition in a cozy and simple study environment. All the key features are free, and it boasts one of the most creative libraries of themed decks, tailored to a wide range of subjects, exams, and interests.
Spaced Repetition and Other Study Techniques
Spaced repetition + flashcards are a classic combo, but you don’t have to stop there. Here are some other ways to boost your studying:
- Add quizzes. Along with flashcards, regularly take practice quizzes to train active recall. Focus on the parts you find tricky and use spaced repetition to review those questions.
- Include summarizing. After using spaced repetition, write a quick summary of what you’ve learned. This helps solidify the material and reinforces your understanding.
- Use mind maps. Create mind maps to organize and visualize the information. Review these maps with spaced repetition to keep concepts clear and connected.
- Join study groups. Discuss and quiz each other with friends. Use spaced repetition to revisit the topics covered in group study sessions.
- Teach others. Try teaching what you’ve learned to someone else. Explaining concepts out loud helps you grasp them better and remember them longer.
Spaced Repetition in the Age of ADHD
For those with ADHD symptoms or anyone struggling with a short attention span, using flashcards with spaced repetition can be very effective.
Flashcards break down information into small, manageable chunks, helping you stay focused. Spaced repetition reviews these chunks at optimal intervals, so you avoid feeling overwhelmed. Digital flashcard apps add convenience with reminders and progress tracking.
Noji’s spaced repetition method is based on the idea of microlearning. The app schedules bite-sized review sessions, making learning smoother and more engaging. The length of your “micro” sessions will vary depending on how many flashcards you need to review, but the key benefit is consistency. By committing to daily, manageable study sessions rather than cramming, you transform your approach to learning. This steady, daily practice reduces stress and makes studying a regular part of your routine, leading to more effective and less overwhelming learning experiences.
Psychological Benefits of Spaced Repetition
Another answer to “What is spaced repetition?” A coping tool to reduce learning anxiety and deal with overwhelming amounts of material to learn! As mentioned above, spaced repetition isn’t just about managing study intervals; it transforms learning into a more enjoyable and less stressful experience.
This method also builds confidence. Each successful recall reinforces your belief in your ability to learn and remember, much like improving a skill through regular practice. The more you use a spaced repetition system, the more confident you become in your learning abilities.
Additionally, spaced repetition helps create a balanced study routine. It’s akin to having a personal assistant who organizes your study schedule, reducing the need for last-minute cramming and its associated stress. This structured approach allows for a more predictable study routine and provides space for other aspects of life.
FAQ
What is spaced repetition?
Spaced repetition is a method where you review information at increasing intervals to help you remember it better over time.
How to study with spaced repetition?
The best way is to use a spaced repetition app. Create, find, or upload flashcards with the material you want to learn. The app will automatically schedule review sessions based on how well you know each card, helping you review the information at optimal times for better retention.
Where to start?
Create a Noji account and start learning with spaced repetition right away (for free!)
