Author: Victor Pham Ph.D.
Most of us have been taught to master one topic at a time before moving on to the next. This "blocked" approach feels efficientābut decades of research suggest it might not be the best way to learn deeply.
Enter interleaved studying, a powerful, lesser-known technique that can dramatically improve your memory and understandingāa crucial advantage for students and early-career professionals in the competitive healthcare, biotech, and education spaces.
š” What is Interleaved Studying?
Interleaved studying involves alternating between different topics or types of problems during a single study session, rather than focusing exclusively on one.
For example, instead of doing twenty algebra problems followed by twenty geometry problems (blocked), you might mix them together: five algebra, then five geometry, and so on.
While this method can feel more challenging, it's designed to make your brain work harder. It encourages your mind to continually retrieve and compare information, which ultimately strengthens long-term learning and retention.
š The Research: Why Aren't People Using It?
Despite its benefits, interleaved practice is widely underutilized:
Lack of Awareness: According to a 2025 study in Applied Cognitive Psychology, undergraduates rarely use interleaved practice, and many have never even heard of it. Researchers surveyed over 1,000 students and found that most defaulted to blocked practice, even though students who reported using interleaving tended to perform better academically. The authors concluded that greater awareness and instruction are needed.
The Adoption Hurdle: A 2024 study in npj Science of Learning explored why students struggle to adopt interleaving. Researchers introduced a strategy combining refutation prompts (challenging misconceptions) with metacognitive reflection (helping students think about their thinking). With these supports, students were far more likely to choose interleaved learning on their ownāand they subsequently performed better on tests. The takeaway is clear: when learners understand why a method works, they are much more likely to use it.
Enhanced Application: Further research published in the Japanese Psychological Research journal reinforced the benefits, finding that participants who practiced interleaving in complex visual and cognitive tasks demonstrated higher accuracy and longer retention than those who used blocked study. This confirms that interleaving not only improves memory but also enhances the ability to apply learned knowledge to new situationsāa core skill in the workplace.
ā How to Start Interleaving Today
Practicing interleaved studying doesn't require special toolsājust a simple shift in how you organize your work:
Mix Related Topics: Alternate between different yet related concepts within a subject. For instance, rotate through different types of practice problems in a science course, or mix history readings with practice quizzes on distinct historical eras.
Rotate Material: Intersperse older, mastered material between new lessons. This strengthens retrieval practice, making the knowledge easier to recall later.
Embrace the Challenge: At first, interleaving might feel slower or harder than blocked practice. This is a good sign! It means your brain is actively distinguishing between concepts, building stronger neural pathways for deep learning.
Interleaved studying may feel counterintuitive, but the evidence is clear: it boosts learning, retention, and flexible understanding. By introducing more variety into your study sessions, youāll train your brain to think flexibly and retain knowledge longer. Sometimes, the best way to learn deeply is to mix it up.
Reference
Louis, L., Yu, K. The Effects of Interleaved Spaced Repetition Learning on Vocabulary Knowledge. (2024). Computer-Assisted Language Learning Electronic Journal, 25(3), 172-194. https://callej.org/index.php/journal/article/view/87
Onan, E., Biwer, F., Abel, R. et al. Optimizing self-organized study orders: combining refutations and metacognitive prompts improves the use of interleaved practice. npj Sci. Learn. 9, 33 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-024-00245-7
Pan, S.C., GonzƔlez-CabaƱes, E., Teo, A.Z.J., Zung, I., Sana, F. and Cooke, J.E. (2025), Distributed Practice and Interleaved Practice: Undergraduate Students' Strategies, Experiences, and Beliefs. Appl Cognit Psychol, 39: e70071. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.70071
About Victor Pham Ph.D.
An R&D Scientist at Invitrix, developing innovative exosome and stem cell therapies for ant-aging applications. With a strong background in Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology, he also serves as a college instructor, inspiring the next generation of scientists. His work bridges groundbreaking research with real-world impact, advancing both science and education.
šĀ LinkedIn
