Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-06
THE THREE LAWS OF MEMORY
Ill. REPETITION
By DR.. Frank Crane

WE HAVE seen that to remember thing we
w must first give it close attention; then that
should connect it with something IA.
miliar, tie it, it were that it will not noat
away; and come, third, to the law OF
repetition.
This is possibly the most important of all The
motto of the Meiserschaft system of learning tor-
eign languages printed the title page of its text
books, is 'Repetitio mater studiorum' '-repeu-
tion is the mother of learning.
1t will be found of very great help to every stu
dent if will set 1t down that ounce of repetl-
ton is worth a pound of hard study.
For instance, if you have theorem in geometry
to demonstrate, read it first and try to under
stand it; then try to repeat the argument by mem
ory; If you forget, do not waste energy in trying
TO recoect, but look back at the book at once;
then try again, and when to the next SUCK
ing place. look back again and do not try TO re-
member and on, constantly looking again and
again at the page, relying more upon repetltlon
than upon effort.
REPETITION is not only easier than straining to
remember, it is also more efficacous
The effort to recall, securing the brain or ram
sacking the memory, say, is not only useless
but harmful. 1t wearies our faculties and tenos
to make US nervous petulant, and suspicious OF
ability.
Hence in transatng Latin lesson, for instance,
when you come across a word you have had before
and find you have forgotten it, go at once to the
dictionary and look it up; do not consume your
vital force in trying to remember"
And do not be ashamed to look up forty times
thing you forget forty times. "Pepetitio mater
studiorum."
One reason why it IS easier to learn French in
France, surrounded entirely by French people, IS
that you learn by hearing words repeated over and
over, while in studying at home you re-" more on
effort than upon repetition.
1t is possible, of course, to carry this law too
far Repetition alone will not suffice, but 1T is apt
to result in superficial and slipshod proficiency. 1t
is necessary to observe the first two laws and prac-
ice them that is, you should first attend carefully,
then connect securely, and then repeat often.
BY following these laws you follow the natural
order of mental process and you with patience
and will power, remember anything you wish.
Suppose, for example, you wish to learn Spanish.
At first you may be discouraged because of the for
midable appearance of a page of Spanish reading
matter or at the unintelligble gibberish-soundlng
of Spanish conversation But if you set apart an hour
or so day. learn a few words and phrases, re-
peat them and over, carefully explore the
grammar, do not become impatient, and give your
self plenty of time, you will be amazed to find, at
the end. let say, of six months, what consid-
cradle store of the foreign tongue you have &C
CURED.
All memory systems l have ever seen depend
upon these three laws first, give careful and crit
zeal attention; second, establish some connection
between all points to be remembered and new
ideas; and, third, practice frequent repetition.
Copyright, 1917, by Frank Crane.