Spacing effect

/ˈspeɪ.sɪŋ ɪˈfɛkt/ noun

Definition

The finding that learning is more effective when study sessions are spread out over time rather than concentrated in a single session.

Etymology

From 'spacing' (distributing over intervals) + 'effect.' First described by Hermann Ebbinghaus in 1885.

Kelly Says

The spacing effect is why cramming doesn't work — studying a little bit each day beats studying all night before the test. Space it out and your brain remembers better!

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