ELI5: interleaving

What is interleaving?

Interleaving is like mixing different types of snacks in your lunch box instead of eating all your chips first, then all your cookies [1]. Instead of studying one subject completely before moving to the next, you switch between different topics while studying [1][2].

Why does it help you learn?

Your brain gets better at learning when you mix things up because it has to work harder to figure out which topic you're studying [5]. If you always practice one thing the same way, your brain gets lazy and memorizes without really understanding [4].

What's the difference from normal studying?

Normal studying is like doing all your math problems in a row, then all your science problems [2]. Interleaving means doing a math problem, then a science problem, then switching back to math [1].

How do you actually do it?

You can interleave by working on different subjects in your study session instead of blocking them off separately [1][4]. Mix your practice problems so you see algebra, then geometry, then algebra again instead of all algebra at once [5].