Review and maintain encoded numbers before they fade

Walk your number encodings at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month to keep them durable.

Why it works

Number encodings created with the Major System are still subject to the forgetting curve — the image is good, but without reactivation it fades along the same decay function as any other memory. Spaced retrieval prevents that decay by reactivating the image-to-number link just before it would otherwise be lost. Each successful retrieval also strengthens the link and extends the next review interval.

How to do it

1. Log each number you encode and when you encoded it.
2. Review at 1 day: retrieve each number from its image, without looking at the source.
3. Review at 1 week: the same — produce the number, check, correct.
4. Review at 1 month if the number needs to be held long-term; drop reviews once it is truly automatic.

Evidence

Spaced repetition improves retention for all memory tasks studied. The Major System does not exempt encoded numbers from forgetting — it makes initial encoding easier, not forgetting slower. Review is still required for any material needed beyond a few days. (mechanistic)

The specific review schedule above is a heuristic based on the general spacing literature; the optimal interval depends on initial encoding quality and desired retention horizon.

Common mistake

Trusting that a strong initial image will persist without review — vividness at encoding does not predict long-term retention; only spaced retrieval does.