You meet a new word, understand it, and forget it by tomorrow. That is not a weak memory — it is how every brain works. The fix is not more effort; it is when you review.
The forgetting curve
Memory decays on a predictable curve: most forgetting happens in the first 24 hours, then slows. The trick is to review just before you forget — right at the edge of the curve.
How spaced repetition works
Each time you successfully recall a word, the interval grows: 1 day, then 3 days, then 7, then 30. Each review pushes the word deeper into long-term memory. It is the difference between meeting a word once and owning it.
Learn words in context, not in lists
A word learned in isolation is a word you cannot use. Learn chunks and full phrases — "look forward to", "get the hang of" — not single definitions. Context is what makes recall automatic.
The daily loop that works
- Save unknown words while you watch or read — don't interrupt the flow.
- Review the day's saved words once, briefly.
- Let the system schedule the rest; trust the intervals.
Pair it with real content
Spaced repetition only works on words you actually met. The best source is YouTube content you care about — because a word from a video you loved is a word you want to keep. For a full method on growing vocabulary, see this guide to learning English vocabulary from movies and videos — and see how review fits the whole journey in the six-month roadmap.