Understanding Spaced Repetition

# Understanding Spaced Repetition Spaced repetition is the secret weapon of effective learners. Here's everything you need to know about this powerful technique. ## What is Spaced Repetition? Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals over time. Instead of cramming everything at once, you review material multiple times with growing gaps between sessions. ## The Science Behind It ### The Forgetting Curve In 1885, psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered that we forget information rapidly after first learning it: - **1 hour later**: ~50% forgotten - **24 hours later**: ~70% forgotten - **1 week later**: ~90% forgotten But here's the key insight: **Each time you successfully recall information, you slow down the forgetting curve.** ### The Spacing Effect Research shows that spacing out your study sessions leads to better long-term retention than massed practice (cramming). **Why it works:** - Gives your brain time to consolidate memories - Forces active recall, strengthening neural pathways - Identifies gaps in knowledge before they become problems - Makes learning more efficient ## How Laera Study Implements It ### Intelligent Scheduling Our algorithm automatically schedules reviews based on: 1. **How well you know the material** - Mastered items appear less frequently 2. **How recently you reviewed** - Follows optimal spacing intervals 3. **Your performance history** - Adapts to your learning patterns 4. **Item difficulty** - Challenging concepts get more attention ### The Review Process 1. **Initial Learning**: See new material multiple times in first session 2. **First Review**: After 1 day 3. **Second Review**: After 3 days 4. **Third Review**: After 7 days 5. **Subsequent Reviews**: Intervals continue to increase (14 days, 30 days, etc.) If you struggle with an item, the interval resets and you'll see it more frequently. ## Optimal Review Intervals Research suggests these intervals work well: - **New material**: Same day, 1 day later - **Familiar material**: 3 days, 7 days, 14 days - **Well-known material**: 30 days, 60 days, 90 days - **Mastered material**: 6 months, 1 year Laera Study handles this automatically, so you don't need to track intervals yourself. ## Best Practices ### Start Early Don't wait until the night before an exam. Spaced repetition works best when you have time for multiple review sessions. ### Be Consistent Even 10-15 minutes of daily review is more effective than hours of cramming. ### Trust the System It might feel counterintuitive to review something you "already know," but that's exactly when spaced repetition is most powerful. ### Use Active Recall Don't just re-read your notes. Test yourself. Try to retrieve the information from memory before checking the answer. ### Review Regularly The system only works if you actually do the reviews. Make it a daily habit. ## Common Questions ### "Why review things I already know?" Because that's how you move information from short-term to long-term memory. Each successful recall strengthens the memory. ### "What if I forget something?" That's okay! Forgetting and then re-learning actually strengthens the memory more than never forgetting at all. ### "How long until I see results?" Most students notice improved retention within 2-3 weeks of consistent use. ### "Can I use this for any subject?" Yes! Spaced repetition works for languages, sciences, history, math formulas, and more. ## The Research Key studies supporting spaced repetition: - **Ebbinghaus (1885)**: Original forgetting curve research - **Cepeda et al. (2006)**: Meta-analysis of spacing effects - **Karpicke & Roediger (2008)**: Importance of retrieval practice - **Dunlosky et al. (2013)**: Ranked spaced practice as highly effective ## Getting Started Ready to experience the power of spaced repetition? [Join our waitlist](https://laerastudy.com/#waitlist) to access Laera Study's intelligent review system. ## Additional Resources - Read our blog post on [The Science Behind Spaced Repetition](/blog/the-science-of-spaced-repetition) - Learn [how to create effective flashcards](#) - Explore [active recall techniques](#) ## Need Help? Have questions about spaced repetition? Email us at [hello@laerastudy.com](mailto:hello@laerastudy.com)