Spaced repetition: Definition and keys to put it into practice

Ways to memorize there are many. However, there is a highly effective technique capable of helping us not only learn new content but also remember it over time more effectively. A before and after for students that undoubtedly drives learning processes whatever the objective. Your name? Spaced repetition. Your secret? Keep reading and discover what this technique consists of and how to apply it to get the most out of your potential.

What is spaced repetition?

According to Psychology and Mind, spaced repetition, also known as spaced review, 'is a rote learning technique that consists of learning a certain material by allowing longer and longer periods of time between one training session and the next.' That is, instead of memorizing a lot of information at once (as most of us did during our younger years), this technique proposes memorizing content and practicing skills over time, increasing more and more the space between reviews in order to consolidate the information in our memory.

A system to really learn new information and not only remember it for a short time, it is especially useful when it comes to permanently learning content that, to put it in some way, is not easy for us to remember through reasoning, as they can be the mathematical formulas or a new foreign language. In fact, some of the platforms where this type of system is most often used are in language applications where, in addition to questionnaires by topic, you usually have general reviews that check how much you remember from previous lessons.

The Forgetting Curve: The Key to True Learning

According to WriteAnyPapers.com, a pioneer of the experimental study of memory, 'when learning is distributed over time, information is retained better than if it is carried out in a single session'. In other words, for long-term retention, it is better to study 10 hours during a whole week than just the day before, since, in this way, the forgetting curve that represents the duration of memory traces is slowed if a post-learning review.

How to start the spaced repetition technique

The first step is to divide the content of the study into small blocks of information that help us understand and memorize each part of the syllabus.

Once our content is divided, we must choose a medium on which to distribute it. The traditional format would be the cards; However, the development of new technologies has given life to new computer software capable of including this system in a more entertaining way to 'play' with your memory.

Finally, you must define the time intervals between learning sessions that suit you best depending on your needs and preferences. 'The most important thing to keep in mind is that memorization exercises should be more frequent at the beginning and progressively spaced until learning reaches the desired level.'