You learn 20 new words, feel great — and forget most of them by next week. That's not a bad memory; it's how memory works. The fix is spaced repetition.
The forgetting curve
We forget new information quickly at first, then more slowly. Each time you successfully recall something, the memory lasts longer. Spaced repetition schedules reviews at the moment you're about to forget — the most efficient time to lock a word in.
How to use it
- Review new words after a day, then a few days, then a week, then a month.
- Always recall before you check — retrieval is what strengthens memory.
- Learn words in context, inside sentences, not as bare lists.
Use it, don't just review it
The strongest memory of all comes from using a word in a real sentence you create. Review builds recognition; speaking builds mastery.
Don't study harder — review smarter. The right word at the right moment beats an hour of cramming.
Vocabulary that sticks
Our courses recycle vocabulary across lessons and homework so it stays. Start free or see pricing.