Why does nobody talk about how useless cramming is?

I've spent entire nights memorizing flashcards and rereading notes, only to blank out during exams. Turns out, my brain treats it like a temporary dumpster—holds it long enough to pass, then tosses it. What’s the point of studying if it’s gone by morning?

I’m not lazy—I’m just doing it wrong. Spaced repetition, active recall, and sleep are the real MVPs, but nobody warns you cramming is a scam. Anyone else waste years on this? What’s your secret to actually keeping info?