Spaced repetition: the study method that fights forgetting

Have you ever studied hard for an exam and forgotten most of it a week later? That is normal. Our brains drop information that we do not use. Spaced repetition is a method that reviews material just before you would forget it, so it stays longer.

The forgetting curve

Research on memory shows that we forget a large part of new information within days unless we review it. Each time you review, the memory becomes stronger and lasts longer. So the gaps between reviews can grow: one day, three days, a week, a month.

How to do it by hand

You can do this with paper flashcards and a simple box system.

1. Write a question on one side of a card and the answer on the other.
2. Create five boxes numbered 1 to 5.
3. Start all cards in box 1 and review them daily.
4. If you answer correctly, move the card to the next box. If you get it wrong, put it back in box 1.
5. Review box 2 every three days, box 3 weekly, box 4 every two weeks and box 5 monthly.

Cards that you know well move out of your way. Cards you struggle with show up often.

Digital options

Many free flashcard apps handle the schedule for you. You create the cards, answer them and the app decides when you should see them again.

Making good flashcards

• Keep each card about one fact or idea.
• Use your own words.
• Ask questions that make you think, not only definitions.
• Add a short example when helpful.

What to use it for

Vocabulary, formulas, dates, definitions, medical terms, legal principles and anything else that needs memorising. It works for language learning, exams and professional certifications.

Combine with understanding

Spaced repetition helps you remember facts, but understanding concepts still requires practice, problem solving and explaining ideas in your own words.

A simple schedule

Spend 15 minutes each day reviewing cards instead of three hours the night before an exam. Short, regular reviews are less stressful and more effective.

Be patient

The first week may feel slow. After a month, you will notice how much more you remember. Learning stays when you give it time to settle.

Written by the EarnNaija team at EarnNaija Digital Technologies.

This article is general information, not financial or legal advice. Earnings are never guaranteed. See our fees page for the exact costs.