With today’s technology it may seem like we don’t really have to use our memory to remember things. We can just look it up, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, we have a world of information at our fingertips that is easily accessible at any time, day or night. But then there are other things that we want to keep stored in our own memory banks for future or daily use.
When studying school work, learning a new language, taking on a new job or developing a new skill, these things all require memorization. And sometimes it can be a challenge to retain the information you need to know.
Before we had computers to remember everything for us, people memorized all kinds of things. Addresses, phone numbers, poetry, and speeches, just to name a few! Our brain can be trained to hold far more data than we usually ask it to.
Our brains aren’t actually a muscle, but with exercise, it can be toned and its abilities improved. What if we wanted to use that to our advantage to enhance our learning skills, and retain more of what we’ve learned? Is there an easier way to do that than cramming hours of information into our minds, and then expecting to recall it again whenever we need it?
The answer is, “Yes!” And one memorization strategy is called “Spaced Repetition.”
What Is Spaced Repetition?
Spaced Repetition is a learning strategy where information is reviewed at specific intervals. By using this technique, you are training your brain to store info more permanently, in your “long term memory.”
The concept of spaced repetition has been studied and researched by scientists and psychologists for at least the past two hundred years. When studying how the brain works, they learned that repeating the information you want to retain long term had longer lasting benefits than learning it once and expecting it to stay in your mind until you want to use it again.
Author and Human psychology researcher, Peter Hollins wrote,
“Spaced repetition is just what it sounds like. In order to commit more to memory and retain information better, space out your rehearsal and exposure to it over as long a period as possible. In other words, you will remember something far better if you study it for one hour a day, versus twenty hours in one weekend.”
Why Does It Work?
Because of the way the brain is able to process information, sending and receiving chemical and electrical signals throughout the body, it has the ability to store information in the form of what we call “memories.” It has to be able to do this, or we would have to relearn everything every single day.
You may have heard the term, “muscle memory.” The brain or memory is not a muscle, but the idea behind this concept is that through repetition, certain thoughts and actions can become automatic and improved with practice.
Using the muscle analogy, think of how you would “build muscle” in another part of your body. First, you might lift smaller weights to get started. After a period of time, you would add more weights, and so on until you had built up the ability to lift a much heavier weight over time.
Spaced repetition could be looked at in a similar way, except instead of building muscle, you’re strengthening your long term memory. When studying a new piece of information, you start with the basics. Then another day, you will review the information again. Then a bit longer of a stretch, you will review the information again. And you will continue to keep the information current in your mind until it becomes a part of your permanent long term memory.
It works because you continually retrieve the information, basically telling your brain, “Keep this! We’re going to use it again.”
The Forgetting Curve
When understanding how we learn and store information, it’s helpful to know how we forget things in the first place!
One memory model showing how we lose info over time is known as “the forgetting curve.” Our brains will prioritize information that we use often, and push the “not so used” info to the back burner if we don’t try to retain it.
In the 19th century, German Scientist Herman Ebbinghaus spent years experimenting with memorization and ways to retain information over a period of time. He developed a mathematical formula known as the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve. It shows the rate that a person forgets information after it’s initially learned.
He determined that we remember things quite well in the first 20 minutes of taking in new information. But as the hours and days go by, our memories begin to diminish. Evidence based research shows that no matter how much you learn in an initial learning session, your brain will lose much of it over a period of time.
By reviewing information at spaced intervals, your brain can continue to revisit the lesson, reinforcing it a little more, with each additional learning session.
How To Use Spaced Repetition
This learning strategy is frequently used with flashcards. When the material is new or especially difficult, the cards are shown more often. Once the material has become more familiar, the cards are shown less, resulting in the spaced repetition effect.
One example of spaced intervals could be to first absorb as much as possible when you are learning something new. Then revisit what you learned in the coming days like this:
- 1st repetition: 1 day after initial learning session
- 2nd repetition: 7 days after first session
- 3rd repetition: 16 days
- 4th repetition: 35 days
The exact number of days between repetitions can vary. Depending on what you’re learning and how difficult or new the information is to you, the time/sequence intervals may be adjusted.
The flashcard technique has been proven to be an effective method for studying new things. In 1973, Sebastian Leitner came up with a method of using flashcards, known as the Leitner System, using a simple box with five separate sections and blank note cards. On one side of a card you write a question, and on the other side of the card you write the answer.
To start, all of the cards are in the first section of the box. Test yourself with the question on the first card. If you get it right, the card goes into the second section. If you get it wrong, it stays in the first section. Go through all the cards, placing them in either section two or back in section one if you got them wrong.
In the next review session, advance your correct cards to the next section, and return the wrong answers back to the first spot.
So how often do you review each section of cards? The cards in the first box should be reviewed daily. The other sections can be reviewed weekly, until all of the cards have reached the final section. There are varying techniques for using flashcards. There are also apps and other digital programs that can incorporate the flashcard method for retaining information. So find the one that works best for you.
Mistakes and Pitfalls
Whenever you learn something new, it’s easy to get excited and stuff as much information into your brain as possible. Then later realize that you are unable to recall as much of it as you’d like. That’s why cramming for a big test for hours isn’t the best way to actually learn something.
If it’s information that you really need to know, it’s important to understand what you’ve learned in order to apply that knowledge later. Imagine if a surgeon gleaned enough info to ace a college exam, but then didn’t retain it when they become a doctor and are ready to begin surgery! Not every scenario would be that extreme, but the point is that if you’re really wanting to remember what you’re learning, it’s important to store that info in your long term memory.
Recognizing something temporarily is not the same as really learning it. So watch for mistakes that could undermine all your hard work studying something new.
Final Thoughts
Our brains are amazing organs that learn and store incredible amounts of information. It’s up to us to decide what we want to remember, and take steps to reinforce it.
