Schedule a second review 24–48 hours later

Return to your heading-questions the next day — before you have forgotten them completely.

Why it works

The forgetting curve is steepest in the first 24 hours. A review before complete forgetting reactivates the memory at a point when retrieval is still possible but already somewhat effortful — the sweet spot that produces the largest long-term retention gain per unit of study time.

How to do it

1. After the same-day review, set a calendar reminder for 24–48 hours later.
2. At that review, use only the question list; answer without looking at the answers.
3. Mark any items you miss and schedule them again sooner.
4. Items you answer correctly can wait longer before the next review.

Evidence

The spacing effect — that distributed review beats massed practice for long-term retention — is one of the best-replicated findings in memory research. A 24-hour delay is well within the supported range for an early-interval review. (rct)

Optimal spacing depends on the desired retention interval; 24–48 hours is a reasonable starting point, not a universal prescription.

Sources

• Cepeda et al. (2006), distributed practice in verbal recall, Psychological Bulletin

Common mistake

Waiting until before the exam to review, which is massed practice — it feels like you know the material at exam time but produces little durable memory beyond it.