Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition reviews material right before you'd forget it, strengthening memory with less total study time than cramming everything at once.
Why cramming fails
Massed practice (cramming) might work for tomorrow's test but information disappears within days.
Cramming problems:
• Information doesn't reach long-term memory
• Exhausting marathon study sessions
• Forgetting everything after test
• Need to relearn for finals
• Increased test anxiety
• Poor actual understanding
Spaced repetition creates durable memories with less effort by working with the brain's natural forgetting curve.
You're not alone
If your teen spends hours cramming before tests then forgets everything immediately after, they need spaced repetition. Schools test in ways that reward cramming, but real learning requires spacing. Most students never learn this evidence-based technique.
What it looks like day to day
Student
Your teen reviews math concepts for 15 minutes on days 1, 3, 7, and 14, remembering more than cramming for three hours.
Parent
You watch your teen calmly review a little each day instead of panicking before tests, actually retaining information long-term.
Tiny steps to try
Implement spaced repetition simply.
- 1
Basic schedule
Review new material after 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month.
- 2
Flashcard apps
Use apps like Anki that automatically schedule reviews based on difficulty.
- 3
Weekly review sessions
Every Sunday, briefly review the previous week's material.
- 4
Cumulative practice
Math homework includes problems from previous units, not just current.
- 5
Test yourself
Before reviewing notes, try recalling information first. Then check accuracy.
Why spaced repetition works
Spaced repetition leverages the psychological spacing effect, where distributed practice creates stronger memories than massed practice.
Each retrieval at the edge of forgetting strengthens neural pathways. The effort of recalling partially forgotten information tells the brain this is important. Research shows spaced repetition can double retention with half the study time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
My teen says they don't have time for spaced repetition. How do I respond?
Spaced repetition actually saves time overall. Five 10-minute sessions spread out are more effective than one 90-minute session. Less total time for better results. Track time spent to prove this. Initial setup takes effort but pays off dramatically.
How do you space subjects when learning multiple things?
Interleave subjects rather than blocking. Review math on Monday, science on Tuesday, history on Wednesday, then cycle back. This spacing naturally builds in intervals. Use a simple calendar to track what needs review when.
Related Terms
Active Recall
Active recall is the practice of retrieving information from memory without looking at notes, which strengthens learning more than passive review.
Metacognition
Metacognition is thinking about your thinking - understanding how you learn best, monitoring your comprehension, and adjusting strategies accordingly.
Study Skills
Study skills are the strategies and techniques that help students learn effectively, retain information, and perform well academically.
Test Preparation
Test preparation is the systematic approach to studying and reviewing material to perform well on exams, including strategies for different test formats.
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