The necessity of repetition will never be eliminated; it may by better methods be reduced to a minimum, but cannot disappear entirely. Some knowledge must be so familiar that it can be used habitually (by the subconscious mind) without the necessity of conscious effort, and this cannot become true without repetition.
Review Improves Observation
Another result which is far from unimportant is the fact that this effort will develop the ability and the inclination to take notice of things as they transpire. Many examples can be given of the extreme value of this exercise, as the experiences of Thurlow Weed. He had the ambition to become a politician, but lacked one necessary requisite—a retentive memory. The above idea was suggested to him by his wife. Mr. Weed practiced by recalling to his wife in the evening all the circumstances and happenings of the day. He was so greatly repaid for this effort that he continued this for many years. Mr. Weed says, "I am indebted to this discipline for a memory of unusual tenacity. I recommend this practice to all men who wish to store up facts and expect to have much to do in influencing men."
A Word to the Student
The greatest lesson of education is thought. The thing you should be striving for and working toward is the ability to think clearly, logically and deeply. One of the greatest aids is the knowledge which is stored in your brain and which you are all able to recall at will.
Your brain is not like sticking plaster, it is like putty; you must make an impression of the things you wish to retain. To make these impressions will always require an effort, no help will ever be devised which will enable you to remember without effort.
The ideas given to you in this book are aids, and you should become able to use them as such. The principles of memory are scientifically accurate and you need to become familiar with them and to use them to add to your success in study and progress.
Do not be like the carpenter who "is too busy to sharpen his tools," or like the drowning man who refused to grasp the rope because he feared it was not strong enough.
Use every idea that proves helpful and apply it in every possible way. There is no intent to give here all of the applications, but merely to give principles and to suggest one or two ways in which they have been used. The applications that are of most value to you are those you make for yourself. The principles will cover every need, if you will be resourceful in their use.