Good studying habits make an enormous difference for test prep. Who would have thought there was such a thing as an ideal studying schedule? Or a curve of forgetting, that determines how quickly we lose information?
Only when we know the rate at which we forget can we determine the best study schedule. Studying smarter, not longer, is the key.
Effective studying isn’t done on a whim. It is done with purpose and intent. This article covers some of the best, most scientifically researched tips for improving memory.
Don't Study Without a Purpose
Studying without purpose or direction is about as useful as a butt-flavored popsicle. I know from experience. I used to sit down for hours at a time and reread or rewrite my material until I thought I knew it. But by the time the test rolled around, loads of information regularly slipped my mind.
My brain held material as effectively as a leaky bucket because I failed to consider the rate at which we forget. I simply studied as I pleased, without a schedule or plan. Oftentimes, I would be disappointed with my academic performance, and my subpar results lead me to believe that success in school was based on natural ability. Lucky for me, I was completely wrong. The proper techniques can propel any learner toward success.
Keep in Mind the Rate at Which We Forget
It just so happens that a man named Hermann Ebbinghaus studied memorization over a century ago. He discovered that the rate at which we forget is astonishingly fast—especially over the first 24 hours. His famous findings are now referred to as the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve. Here is a graph of his findings, which have since been replicated by multiple studies:
Focus Your Study Time on the First Few Hours and Days
Over half of the information is gone within the hour, and nearly two-thirds have vacated by the end of the day. After a few days, the mental decay finally levels out. These findings are important because they show us where to focus our study time: in the first few hours and days. Otherwise, we stand to forget more than we remember.
An Ideal Study Schedule According to Ebbinghaus
Ebbinghaus was obsessed with memory optimization, and he created a more efficient study schedule based on his results:
Learn new material
Review twenty minutes later
Review one day later
Review one week later
Review one month later
Review three months later
Ebbinghaus figured out how to study smarter instead of harder. With proper timing, learners can retain far more information over a longer period.
An Alternate Ideal Study Schedule According to the University of California
Since you may be skeptical about studies that were carried out nearly a hundred and fifty years ago, let’s also peek at some science from this century, from the University of California. In a 2008 study titled Spacing Effects in Learning, researchers observed more than 1,350 subjects to figure out the ideal schedule for learning and retention. They found that over the short-term, intervals of 20% (or five equally spaced sessions) were ideal—so if a test were 10 days away, you should review the material every two days. For long-term study goals of a year or greater, more frequent intervals of 5% to 10% (10 to 20 equally spaced sessions) were recommended. A rough study guide based on these results looks something like this:
Test in one week- Review every day or two
Test in one month- Review every week
Test in three months- Review every two weeks
Test in six months- Review every three weeks
Test in a year- Review every month
Proper Spacing is Important for Retention
Both studies demonstrate the importance of a properly spaced schedule. I personally found Ebbinghaus’s timeframe to be the most helpful in my own educational journey. Although reviewing new material after 20 minutes is a tough ask, I always tried to review within the first 24 hours. After that, I’d say either schedule is just as viable.
Inefficient study techniques leave us chasing our tails. Taking advantage of a well-timed schedule is one of the quickest and easiest ways any learner can improve his or her abilities. Studying isn’t something to be done on a whim. It should be approached methodically and with purpose. Plug up those leaky holes in your brain and create an optimal study schedule.
For more study tips on how to effectively memorize information, check out 3 Tips For Improving Memory From Over 2000 Years Ago and 4 Simple Steps To Remember Anything Using Your Favorite Entertainment.
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