Ever used flashcards to learn new words? I know I have. I’m studying for the GRE right now, and I have to learn a lot of new words.
But cramming hundreds of new words over a short period of time is ineffective. The better way to study vocabulary words is using a concept called ‘spaced retrieval.’ Here’s how it works:
Via FutUndBeidl @ Flickr
You study your group of flashcards, and then you put them away. Then study them 5 minutes later. Then 10 minutes after that. Then 20 minutes after that. Then 40 minutes or so after that. Then 80 minutes after that. Then 160 minutes after that. Then 320 minutes after that. Continue that pattern. Double the time between study sessions. [It doesn’t necessarily have to be double, but the interval to the next study session needs to be longer than the interval to the previous study session.]
via Hey Paul Studios @Flickr
The idea is that retrieving information over longer and longer intervals forces your brain to move the new vocabulary from short term to long term memory, allowing you to remember those words–or even permanently.
Try studying vocabulary this way the next time you have a list of words to learn. You might be surprised by the results!