Study less. Remember more.
Spaced repetition is the technique of reviewing information at precisely the right intervals — just before you forget it. Research shows it can reduce study time by up to 75% while dramatically improving long-term retention.
The forgetting curve
In 1885, psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered that without review, we forget roughly 50% of new information within an hour and up to 90% within a week. This decline is called the forgetting curve.
The key insight: every time you review material, the forgetting curve resets — and it flattens slightly. Review something enough times at the right intervals and it moves into long-term memory permanently.
Review schedule (example)
Intervals grow longer each time — because each review strengthens the memory.
Why spaced repetition works
It's not magic. It's just working with how your brain stores memories.
Cuts study time by up to 75%
By only reviewing cards you're about to forget, you stop wasting time on things you already know cold.
Works for any subject
Vocabulary, dates, formulas, anatomy, legal terms — anything that requires memorization benefits from spaced repetition.
Compounds over time
The longer you use spaced repetition, the more efficient it becomes. Your review sessions get shorter as your memory gets stronger.
Beats cramming every time
Cramming the night before can pass one test. Spaced repetition builds knowledge that lasts months and years.
How to implement spaced repetition
Option 1: Do it manually
Write your notes on index cards. Label them by review date. Move mastered cards to a "done" pile and struggling cards back to frequent review. Works, but takes significant organisation.
Option 2: Use a flashcard app
Apps like Anki implement spaced repetition algorithmically. You still have to create every card yourself, which is the time-consuming part.
Option 3: Let AI do it for you
Elly generates flashcards from your notes or PDFs and schedules reviews automatically. You get spaced repetition without any of the setup — just study.
Made for exam season
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