Why Spaced Repetition Works: Learn Hard Topics Faster and Remember Them Longer

We've all been there, studying for an exam only to forget everything the next day (or even sooner for some). Or worse cramming the night before an exam and feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work to cover and the little time left.

This isn’t just due to the focus on passing exams over real learning in most institutions; it's also how our brains work. We’re wired to forget information we don’t revisit from time to time. Thankfully, the spacing effect, a principle of cognitive science discovered by German philosopher Hermann Ebbinghaus, offers a solution.

Ebbinghaus found that by spacing out repetitions of study material, he could remember information more effectively over time. Today, students and educators can apply this technique to remember challenging topics and concepts for a longer time, changing the way they learn and teach.

Let me fill you in on a fun fact!

A study by Professor Bahrick, a psychologist at Ohio Wesleyan University gained popularity back in 1975. Bahrick conducted a long term experiment in learning with his family of four members

As part of this research, they all learned a new language and prepared flash cards which they would revise over varying intervals of time. After 5 years, they scored the highest test results on a set of words that they had studied once every two months over 26 weeks.

So how did looking at some flash cards from time to time help them achieve this?? 

Spaced repetition works because it mirrors how our brains naturally process and store information. When you review material over time, you activate neural pathways repeatedly, and this strengthens them. This process, known as memory consolidation, embeds information deeply into your long-term memory.

Cramming, on the other hand floods your short-term memory, making you forget very quickly. Studies show that students who use spaced repetition recall significantly more information across various subjects, from vocabulary to math. For instance, language learners using tools like SlaySchool often achieve near-perfect recall with less effort. The key lies in reviewing just as you're about to forget, a concept called optimal spacing.

If you've gotten this far and still don't know how you can adopt this technique to help you ace your exams, don't worry we got you! Follow these simple steps:

 Before studying your lecture notes it's important that you break down the content into manageable sections. It could be by subtopics or however suits you.

How often do you want to go over these notes? You can start with daily reviews, then increase intervals to every few days, then weekly. Make sure this schedule is balanced and that you're able to pay attention to other parts of your life. 

Platforms like SlaySchool enhance learning by using AI to schedule reviews at the perfect time, tailoring lessons to your progress. With features like gamified challenges, multimedia content, and detailed progress tracking, it utilizes key elements of spaced repetition to turn studying into an engaging and effective experience.

Spaced repetition isn’t just a learning hack, it’s a proven strategy to master anything efficiently. Start by applying it to one subject or skill and watch your retention skyrocket. Looking for a community to share your thoughts, feedback, or simply chat about your SlaySchool experience? Join our Discord community of over 500+ students