ACCORDING TO SCIENCE
Why Spaced Repetition Actually Works, According to Science
Spaced repetition has become an increasingly popular studying method but why does it work so well?
If you have ever taken a psychology class, you might have come across a lecture topic surrounding different study techniques. I will never forget my first semester of university, taking introductory psychology. I was taught about so many different techniques for studying. But what was interesting was not only the techniques themselves, but the reasons for why they work and the actual psychology behind these techniques.
It was eye-opening to learn that the studying techniques that professors and teachers have stressed to me my entire education are actually true and backed by science. One of my favorite, and in my opinion, the most effective studying strategy, is spaced repetition. In this introductory blog of our upcoming “According to Science” series, I will be providing all of you with a scientific explanation as to why spaced repetition is a new study strategy that you should implement into your study routine for the upcoming school year.
What Is Spaced Repetition?
Spaced repetition, also commonly known as the spacing effect, is a common studying strategy that many people use for long-term learning. It turns out that many people already use this studying technique, but are just unaware that it is actually a technique and not them forgetting to study and then suddenly remembering about that big test every couple of days.
The technique typically consists of spacing out your studying as opposed to cramming which can be hard to resist especially with busy schedules and many exams in the span of a week. However, to begin spaced repetition, is to start EARLY. Planning ahead of time for your studying is the first step in executing spaced repetition and ensuring that it results in optimal studying and learning.
This technique was first discovered over 100 years ago by a German psychologist named Hermann Ebbinghaus. After the first discovery of this technique, scientists have continued to analyze how it benefits students’ learning abilities and the neuroscience behind the technique.
The Science Behind Spaced Repetition
At the neuroscience level, our brains are constantly active, trying to input new information that we receive into our long-term memory storage, as well as recalling and retrieving past memories or similar memories in certain situations from our long-term memory. Spacing out the information that our brain receives and categorizes allows for the brain processes that work to store this information, to work more effectively for each bit of information and dedicate more resources to each piece of information for better storage.
When learning about one particular subject, perhaps using spacing repetition also improves your ability to make connections between what you are studying; once earlier information has been embedded into your short-term memory, it is much easier for your brain to work to build on that information and make connections which increases the accuracy of you remembering that information upon a test/exam.
Spaced learning provides you with an opportunity to practice active recall as every time you come back to study something, or want to move on to the next topic of study, you can try to remember as much as you can from the last session to see how much you truly retained and how much review is necessary before moving on.
How to Begin Using Spaced Repetition
Now that you know all about why your brain improves memory accuracy when using the spacing effect to study, you might be wondering how to start using this technique and implementing it as part of your study routine. Here are a few tips:
- Start early! Look ahead in your class schedule to see when upcoming exams and tests are so that you can give yourself time to study a couple hours each day for a week leading up to the evaluation.
- Have a study group! Having a study group that comes together every certain number of days will ensure that you are staying on track and following the spaced-out schedule.
- Make a spreadsheet on what topics you need the most review for. This will allow you to decide which topic(s) to start with and which topic(s) to dedicate the most time towards.
The spacing effect continues to be proven to be a widely adopted and extremely effective studying technique that I encourage all of you to include in your study habits. If you do not care to know exactly why your brain is working better with spaced repetition, just know that your brain is just like a plant; it needs information to grow but it grows best when receiving small spaced-out bits of information rather than periods of tsunamis and droughts of information!
About the Author
Wynter Sutchy is an incoming third-year undergraduate student at McMaster University studying Biology (Physiology) and is from King City, ON. She is very passionate about the healthcare field and enjoys sharing her volunteering experiences through writing. She plans to pursue a career in medicine in the future and plans to explore the field of healthcare through research and volunteering throughout her undergraduate career. In her free time, you can expect her to be watching her favourite show, Greys Anatomy, teaching children how to swim, or baking some delicious desserts!
