Spaced Repetition: A Step by Step Guide

Now that we know what exactly spaced repetition is and how it works, how do we even use it? In this post, I will give you a step-by-step guide on how I am able to effectively use this strategy and how you can too.

1. Choose Your Tools:

It is important to select how you want to perform spaced repetition. Though the tried and true pen and paper flashcards still work, with the amount of content you need to learn, online software and programs would be the best. The most common spaced repetition tool I would suggest you use is Quizlet. Quizlet offers various study modes and the ability to create rich multimedia flashcards. It also has its own adaptive learning features that use a similar spaced repetition system for your flashcards.

Learn more about Quizlet

2. Create Flashcards:

Consider the structure of your flashcards. For anatomy specific content, you might include labelled diagrams or ask questions about specific structures. Rather than having a word and then a definition try to mix up how your flashcards are written. You can make them into practice problems, or conceptual guides, or just have one side blank and try to explain the entire concept to the best of your ability. The act of creating flashcards itself is a valuable learning exercise, forcing you to make complex information into digestible bits. Personally, I am a big fan of creating my own practice problems as it helps me do active learning while testing my own knowledge of the content.

3. Integrate Visuals

It's good to look into the visual aspect by incorporating mind maps, charts, or photos into your flashcards. Visual aids enhance memory retention and can clarify complex relationships between different elements. For instance insert a unlabeled diagram of the heart and test yourself on naming each structure in order of how blood flows through the chambers. I find it is easiest to study when you make the material yourself and choose the visuals that stand out to you.

4. Set Regular Study Sessions

Craft a detailed schedule for your study sessions. Determine the optimal session length for your concentration levels and allocate specific time slots throughout the week. Consistency is key, but also pay attention to your energy levels – perhaps shorter, focused sessions work better for you multiple times a week.

Learn more about Study Schedules

5. The Initial Learning Phase

Ensure your initial learning phase is robust as it is the first time you'll be looking at new content. Try your best to attend lectures, read textbooks, and engage with materials so you have decent understanding. This "groundwork" lays the foundation for effective spaced repetition. The better you understand the basics, the more efficient and meaningful your reviews become. You do not necessarily have to become a master at the subject within the first phase, but it is important that you at least understand the content before trying to study it.

6. First Review Session

During your initial review, focus not only on what you remember but also on what challenges you. This is where the flashcards you have created come into play. Tweak your flashcards accordingly, adding more context or breaking down complex concepts into simpler terms. I would say that the first review is about refining and editing your study material based on your unique comprehension style. Now that you've done a set of flashcards for memorization, you now know what definitions or concepts you struggle with and which ones are easier for you to grasp.

7. Quizlet's Adaptive Learning

For subsequent sessions, if your chosen platform incorporates adaptive learning algorithms, leverage this feature. However, Quizlet's learn mode already has this built in to allow you to assess your performance and adjust the timing of future reviews. It essentially repeats questions that you don't answer correctly and hides questions that you answer correctly 100% of the time. This helps prioritize concepts you struggle with, optimizing your study plan to align with your learning pace.

8. Intervals

As you progress, throughout studying you should slowly start to space out the intervals in which you do your review sessions on whichever platform you use. The gradual increase signifies the consolidation of knowledge into long-term memory. This adaptive spacing is crucial for retaining information over extended periods and is what spaced repetition helps make more efficient. You can continue to follow your plan of when to have review sessions with the flashcards depending on upcoming tests and exams.

9. What Else I Do

Now that you know how exactly to use spaced repetition with Quizlet, it might be time to start branching out to other programs that have more features that can suit your needs better. For school, I use a program called "RemNote" which is designed for spaced repetition. My notes essentially become flashcards as I am taking them in class and allows me to optimize studying even more with all the additional features it offers. Take your time and research what works best for you to study and memorize the best way possible.

---

Incorporating spaced repetition into my routine has helped me tremendously with creating an optimal learning/study strategy that works for me. Take what you want from this post and play around with what you like and what you don't like to find your ideal study strategy. Happy studying!