NotaMost students study by re-reading and highlighting their notes. It feels productive, but cognitive psychology research consistently shows it's one of the least effective ways to retain information. Trying to recall the material instead — without looking — works far better.
What is active recall?
Active recall means closing your notes and asking yourself 'what was this concept, and how did it work?' Flashcards and short quizzes are the most practical way to apply it: forcing your brain to reconstruct the answer before checking it strengthens long-term memory far more than passive review does.
Spaced repetition: when should you review?
Spaced repetition means reviewing the same material at increasing intervals — say, after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days. Reviewing right as you're about to forget something is what makes it stick, and it's far more effective than cramming the night before.
Combine the two: reviewing AI-generated flashcards and quizzes from your notes over several spaced sessions produces much stronger retention than covering the same material in one long sitting.