michael_nielsen

The use of spaced repetition memory systems has changed my life over the past couple of years. Here's a few things I've found helpful:

I've memorized about 9,000 cards, over 2 years.

The single biggest change is that memory is no longer a haphazard event, to be left to chance. Rather, I can guarantee I will remember something, with minimal effort: it makes memory a _choice_.

Rule of thumb: if memorizing something will likely save me five minutes in the future, into the spaced repetion system it goes. The expected lifetime review time is less than five minutes, i.e., it takes < 5 minutes to learn something... forever.

I use Anki (https://apps.ankiweb.net/  ), both desktop and mobile apps. I've no affiliation with them at all.

I mostly enter cards on the desktop app.

I review cards on the mobile app, while going for walks, in line at the coffeeshop, in transit, and so on. I find it meditative. It takes about 20 mins each day.

I tried (and failed) several times to take Anki up.