SRS FTW

This post is actually a translation of one I wrote on my Japanese blog over a year ago (link here). Please excuse my poor English. ;)

Generally speaking, an SRS (Spaced Repition System) is a computer program that you can use to create virtual flash cards (like those boring ones you made at some point in school, but more fun).  Why am I writing about this?  Well, because I realized I use an SRS every day.  You might have noticed me mention either "SRS" or "Anki" in previous posts; that's what this is.  Why should you care? These programs are especially useful for learning languages, so I need to tell everyone. lol

Like normal paper flash cards, you write the question on the front and the answer on the back. For example, when learning a language, maybe you'll write a sentence in the target language on the front and the meaning on the back. But this is a computer program, so right off the bat you'll be making new cards very quickly.  If I have 10 mins I can typically make about 20 cards.  Yeah, try to keep up that pace with paper cards.  When you start reviewing the cards you're shown the question, and when you think you know the answer you press "show answer" and grade yourself on how well you did.  The ways to grade depend on the program, but the one I'm using has buttons for "Show Again," "Normal," "Easy," and "Too Easy."

At this point, if that's all there is to virtual flash cards, then all we've done is made flash cards more convenient.  Essentially you can do the same with paper, albeit taking a bit more time.  The beauty of an SRS program is the algorithm it uses.  If you continuously rate the same card "Too Easy," then the next time the SRS will show you the card will be later and later: a week later, a month, 3 months, a year, etc.  If it's really that easy, then there's no reason to keep reviewing it, right?  However, difficult cards where you groan and press the "Show Again" button, after appearing time after time in the near future (5 mins or so), you'll eventually begin to remember little by little.  As an aside though, if a card is just making you frustrated or bored, I recommend deleting it altogether; this is supposed to be a fun exercise to learn the things you WANT to know.

So the SRS keeps track of all of your results.  It adapts to your memory, if you will.  The objective of the algorithm (based on numerous psychological studies over the past century on "the spacing effect" and "the forgetting curve") is to show you the card right before you forget it.  If it's effective in making you review at the optimal time, you are efficiently extending your memory of the fact after reviewing only a handful of times.  Forget about wasting copious amounts of time reviewing all your material at random.  Minimum effort for maximum effect.  In other words, if you use an SRS every day, the facts you're trying to remember will never be forgotten, and you don't even have to worry about what to review next.  It's pretty useful, yeah.

Of course, SRS programs aren't just for languages, but for anything you might want to learn.  Notice I don't use the term "study." You've been studying out of boring textbooks for years now, give yourself a break and learn something.  I used it for classes in my last sememster of college, and I was surprised at how easy it was to Ace tests (for optimal results I recommend trying to mimic the testing style as best as possible).  My recommendation is Anki, which will work on virtually any computer or phone, and even your DS.  Try it out!

NOTE: I actually posted this from an internet/manga cafe booth that I stayed overnight at. lol