Hi there , my superstar therapist . Buckle up because we've got an awesome podcast for you today . I'm Linton and this with me . Is this ever so awesome ? this is Stacy .
Hi Linton , how's the old noggin old nut these days ?
Hey , watch it , you know . Well , I'm doing pretty good . I'm just trying to remember everything that's been happening lately . I'm always wondering how students are going to remember all the stuff they need to pass the exam .
Sounds like you're having an issue with ebbing houses for getting curve .
Hey , that's a 50 cent word there , Stacy . What's that all about ?
Well , hold on to your horses , buddy . Before we dive into that , let's talk about that major exam looming around the corner looming in the shadows .
Right .
So , yes , the exam is known to be a complex and comprehensive test that measures a range of knowledge and skills that you probably haven't touched since grad school . So one way to ensure that you remember all the necessary information is through a method called spaced repetition . And no , before you ask , I'm not making this up , This is real .
You're making this up .
It totally sounds fake . Okay , so spaced repetition This is a study method that is rooted in cognitive science and it's about reviewing information at intervals that increase each time the information is successfully recalled . And we're going to go through how this actually works , but that's the gist .
So this strategy leverages our brain's natural memory process and optimizes the consolidation and recall of information . It's essentially learning , forgetting a bit , then relearning , and doing that back and forth process actually reinforces memory traces . This is pretty cool . It's an interesting concept .
And it's a guaranteed way to make sure that your brain grabs onto the information and keeps it locked and tight .
Well , that sounds like a plan . How does spaced repetition work as a study tool , though ?
Okay , well , it's based on the ebbing house forgetting curve , which states that you quickly forget information unless you deliberately practice recalling and reinforcing it .
You're not making this up .
I promise I'm not , you can go Google it .
Yep .
It's your brain's naughty little habit of trying to ditch information . But if you keep bringing it back , back and back and back , it'll stick around for the long haul .
I like that . I think , Stacey , you just gave me an out when I can't remember something like yesterday . For the life of me I couldn't remember the word scallops . So there I am in a public at the seafood place and the guy's just sitting there waiting for me to take my order , but I can't remember the word scallops . So I'm trying to remember it .
So I go through every letter of the alphabet . Does it begin with A ? No , Does it begin with B ? No , I do that too . It was ridiculous , and if I had known about this technique , i could use it as a skate cup so I didn't look like such an idiot . I could have played that card and said , oh , it's the ebbing-class effect .
Oh , very good . I love to see the look on his face when you say that .
Really , and at least I look like I was eccentric rather than forgetful .
Well , you think that's bad .
The other day .
well , okay , never mind , let's , let's , let's be , let's be . turn this into a memory competition , see who can forget the most . Well we'll , we'll reel ourselves back in a little bit . So it's not as hard as it sounds to use base repetition .
It sounds all sciency and there's big words , but it is actually pretty easy to incorporate into your study routine And there are a few ways that you can use this concept of reviewing material at various intervals . So one example is by using flashcards , which sure you know about . you know , it's the old index card .
You write one thing on the one side and then the answer on the backside . So imagine flashcards are like your brain snack . I don't know what's like a tasty snack , clinton .
Little Debbie's or moon pies okay .
I think I've seen them at that specialty shop that sells old candies . So these flashcards , so the ones that you know , you're gonna push them back to the end of the stack and save them for later , the ones that trip you up , that you're having trouble remembering , you're gonna put those in the middle so that you're gonna see them over and over again .
So it's like putting your favorite snacks as box of Debbie cakes or moon pies or whatever at the front of the cupboard .
Okay . So it's sort of like saying to your brain ah gotcha , you're gonna remember this , whether you like it or not , so let me make sure I have this clarified .
The idea is that the card that you easily know the answer to is going to the back , so it comes up less frequently , and the flashcard that you didn't know the answer to is gonna come up quickly again by putting it in the middle of the deck , and it gives you a chance to re-familiarize yourself with it over and over and over again , right ?
Exactly , yep , you got it . Another way to use space repetition is to break up your study session into blocks of time with breaks in between , and you can play around with this idea and space your breaks out further and further or for longer periods of time .
Yeah , i do that all the time . Remember how long I've done it . I just say , computer set the alarm for five minutes .
Five minutes starting now .
Oh what are you on a ?
spaceship Linton .
No , it's on my Alexa , but I renamed it so .
Oh , okay , okay .
Yeah , so then I don't have to remember . It automatically tells me , and it's I better tell it to stop Computer , stop the timer . Okay , we'll see .
Cross your fingers . Yeah , okay . so , yeah , that's a pretty cool gadget you got there .
Yeah , so what you're saying is that that technique is a little bit like systematic desensitization , right ?
Yeah , that one's used to treat phobias .
Yeah , yeah , I know . So systematic desensitization works primarily by gradually exposing clients to the source of their fears and allowing them to become comfortable with it over time . So you're saying that space repetition is sort of like that , but for learning information rather than dealing with fears ?
The more you review and practice recalling information , the better your chances are at mastering it right .
Yeah , actually that's a really good analogy or metaphor , whatever that's called that . It is a lot like systematic desensitization yeah . So you're challenging your brain to recall the information just at that point where you're about to forget it , And kind of doing this back and forth of remembering , forgetting . remembering is working on strengthening your memory .
Yeah , that's a good one , And I know when you do that , it's sort of like , really , when it's right there at the tip of your brain and you're almost remembering the word scallops , but you can't . it's sort of frustrating , isn't it ? But if you just sort of let it go , then it seems to come to you . So it's like a major work out for your brain .
What's happening is that you're reinforcing the pathways in your brain that are associated with the knowledge and also helping you to avoid the pitfalls of having the cram , where the information doesn't get moved from short term to long term memory .
Yeah , you've nailed it , linton , So cramming might help you for a quick quiz the next day . I mean , cramming's not all bad right , but when we're talking about an exam that covers a ton of categories , of a lot of unrelated information , long term memory retention is going to be crucial if you want to pass the exam .
Yeah , so it's a really valuable tool that you got to use when you're preparing for your exam , and it's helpful for ongoing professional development after you actually obtained your license . You know the CEUs that you always have to get .
Oh , yes , yes , This is another one of those bogos , a by-wngat one . You're doing it for your licensure exam and then even after you get your license .
Exactly .
Yeah , absolutely , Linton . Lifelong learning is key in this field And space repetition can be a significant ally in that journey . It helps all of us to continuously update our knowledge and skills .
Space repetition . Well , that wraps it up for today's episode . Thanks for enlightening us on space repetition , stacey , and until next time , remember it's in there , it's in there .