Spaced repetition is one of the most valuable techniques you can use when studying. Simply put, spaced repetition is when you study something, then review it again a little later, and then review it again a little later. Then, of course, you go back and touch on it again. I’ve covered it a ton, so I’m not going to review the whole thing here.
But Debbie asked a question about spaced repetition that I do think needs an answer.
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When exactly do I fit all this in?
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Here’s what I suggested to Debbie and what I’d recommend for you:
Make it a habit to spend 5 to 15 minutes at the beginning and at the end of each study session reviewing the previous topic.
Let’s say you finished pulmonary yesterday. Today, take 10 minutes to review it at the beginning of your study session. Then, do about five minutes of everything else – just briefly touch on everything else.
It’s easy if you use The Final Step, and you don’t have to do all of it. You can just flip through a couple of pages and do a couple of questions. If you’re doing this daily, you’ll cover plenty of material for it to stay fresh in your head and it will only add about 15 minutes per study session.
Another way would be to leave the book out on the counter all the time. Use the small post-its to mark the chapters and topics you covered. At any point then, you can open the book for 5 or 10 minutes and do a little mini review. This habit will make sure you retain the information. Covering something once until you know it is helpful, but it will fade. You need to be constantly reviewing it. It doesn’t have to be a lot; it doesn’t have to be intimidating. But, if you touch on a few topics here and there, it will make a huge difference.
I created The Final Step just for that reason. To make studying simple, quick, and painless.
Brian Wallace
