Evidence-Based Revision Tips: Spaced Repetition

Introduction

• Presenter: Ali, final year medical student at Cambridge University.
• Topic: Spaced Repetition.
• Previous Video: Active Recall (most important technique).
• Structure:
  1. Introduction to spaced repetition & evidence.
  2. Tips on incorporating spaced repetition.
  3. Personal spaced repetition spreadsheet system.

What is Spaced Repetition?

• Concept: Spacing study sessions over time rather than cramming.
• Contrast with Cramming: Cramming leads to short-term memory retention, while spaced repetition aids long-term retention.
• Forgetting Curve: Concept from the 1800s in psychology showing that we forget information exponentially over time.
  • Interrupting Forgetting Curve: Reviewing material disrupts the curve, making it take longer to forget the information.
  • Example: Studying anatomy, reviewing it periodically, leads to better long-term retention.

Evidence Behind Spaced Repetition

• Key Point: Retrieval difficulty strengthens memory encoding.
• Example Study: 2011 study on learning Swahili words.
  • Four groups with different study methods.
  • Best results from the group that spaced out their recall within the same session.
  • Improvement due to spaced recall, even within the same study session.

Practical Application of Spaced Repetition

1. Flashcards and Anki: Useful for active recall and spaced repetition.
2. Mindset Shift: Practicing a little each day for long-term gains (e.g., learning a musical instrument).
3. Personal Spaced Repetition Spreadsheet System:

• Tool: Google Sheets for ease of access.
  • Structure:
    • Separate sheet for each subject.
    • List topics in one column.
    • Record dates of review in adjacent columns.
    • Color code based on recall strength (Red, Yellow, Green).

Tips for Effective Use

• Focus on Weak Areas: Start with topics you don’t know well.
• Scattergun Approach: Cover as many topics as possible in a session.
• Interleaved Practice: Mix different topics within a study session to enhance learning.
• Avoid Rigid Timetables: Fluid revision approach, adapting based on current understanding and needs.

Conclusion

• Summary:
  • Spacing repetition is better than cramming.
  • Spacing within a session can boost recall.
  • Incorporate spaced repetition into study routines.
  • Spreadsheet system for tracking and assessing recall.
• Final Thoughts: Try different techniques and adapt the ones that work best for you.
• Channel Info: More videos on motivation, productivity, and study techniques coming soon.

Thank you for watching!

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