Have you ever noticed how sometimes you start studying early, only to forget everything when it matters the most? In Nigeria ,we even joke about it: “Na the book wey I read first I dey forget first.”
And sincerely, it can be very frustrating. At times it’s all the new semester new resolution thing to actually start reading early, when test comes why do I revisit it and it’s as if I have never touched it.
As students especially law students with a whole lot to read the pressure to start early is real. But starting early doesn’t automatically guarantee retention. In fact, many of us read so early that we forget long before tests or exams come around.
Over time, I’ve realised something: forgetting early doesn’t mean you’re not serious or not smart. It simply means the method needs improvement. Of course what does not work why can’t we do better. Memory is a system, and like any system, it works better with certain habits and patterns.
In this post, we’ll look at why forgetting happens, and more importantly, how you can make your reading truly stick. I’m not writing from a place of perfection, but from the reality of figuring things out alongside you. Let’s now get into why exactly do we forget what we read;
Why You Forget What You Read Early
1. The Brain Naturally Forgets Without Repetition
There’s a funny and unique way our brain is naturally configured, our brains are not designed to store everything at once. There’s something called the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve, which shows that we forget new information rapidly within the first 24–48 hours unless we revisit it.
So if you read very early and never return to the material, forgetting is almost guaranteed.
2. Reading Without Understanding
We’ve all done it: reading page after page just to “finish the course content.” we keep adding to number of pages covered without actually knowing what it’s about, that’s ridiculous but we are found of it.But if the information doesn’t make sense to you, it won’t stay.
Understanding > Memorizing.
3. Reading When You’re Stressed or Tired: I am very fond and at one point or another we have been characterised by such behaviour. After going through a lot for the day school stress, personal stress, hostel wahala, financial pressure, deadlines. So many things asking our mind for attention. It ends up gets our brain so overworked.The brain is never a machine when it’s stressed, it struggles just like a computer that over worked with files wont be at its best.
When the brain is stressed, it struggles to store memories properly.
4. Reading Too Much at Once
For example Law especially has volume. You think and can clearly see that there’s so much to read ” as you cover you keep discovering ” When you cram too many topics without spacing, the brain gets overwhelmed and pushes some information out.
That’s exactly why you try reading early but not revising leads to forgetting.
How to Make Your Studies Stick (Even If You Start Early)
1. Use Spaced Repetition
This should be your best friend honestly. Spaced repetition is a super-effective study method where you review what you’ve learned at gradually increasing intervals instead of trying to cram everything at once. Think of it like watering a plant: if you pour one big bucket of water today and ignore it for a week, the plant dies. But if you water it little by little, consistently, it grows strong roots. Your brain works in the same way.
Why do we forget so fast? Psychology gives us the answer through the Forgetting Curve. After reading something just once, you forget around 40% within 24 hours, 60–80% within a few days, and almost everything in a week. Spaced repetition works by reminding your brain right before it’s about to forget, which strengthens the memory each time.
So, how does it actually work? Instead of reading a topic today and ignoring it until exams, you follow a timing pattern for review. A simple example looks like this: the first review on the same day after your initial reading, the next day for the second review, three days later for the third, one week later for the fourth, two to three weeks later for the fifth, and a month later for the sixth. Each review reinforces the memory, so you forget less with every repetition.
Here’s a practical example. Say you read about “Consideration in Contract Law” on Monday. Your spaced repetition plan might be: read and revise after 30 minutes on Monday, do a quick revision on Tuesday, a short review on Friday, a summary review the following Friday, a memory refresh three weeks later, and a final quick look before the exams. By the time exam day arrives, your brain won’t panic the information will feel familiar instead of foreign.
Spaced repetition works because your brain remembers things that come back repeatedly, at the right time, and with less effort each time. That’s why you effortlessly remember song lyrics, TikTok audios, or Bible verses you hear often repetition builds permanence.
You can use apps like Anki, Quizlet, Notion tables, or even set Google Calendar reminders. If you prefer pen and paper, a simple notebook called a Revision Log works just as well. Students love spaced repetition because it helps them remember what they read, reduce exam pressure, avoid the dreaded “I read this but can’t recall!” feeling, beat forgetting, and ultimately study smarter, not harder. There’s no magic involved just good timing.
2. Summarise in Your Own Words
After you’ve read a case or a topic, don’t just move on and hope it sticks. Instead, close your book and try to explain it to yourself out loud like you’re teaching a friend who knows nothing about it. This might feel a little silly at first, but it works wonders for understanding. When you put ideas into your own words, you’re forcing your brain to process the information actively instead of just passively reading. You’ll quickly notice which parts you actually understand and which parts still feel fuzzy.
Think of it like storytelling. You wouldn’t just read a story and forget it; you’d retell it to someone else, adding your own flavor. Doing this with law topics makes the material more real and easier to recall later. For example, if you’ve just read a case on “Consideration in Contract Law,” try explaining the facts, the legal issue, the court’s decision, and why it matters as if your friend is hearing it for the first time. If you can teach it clearly, you truly understand it and that’s exactly what you want for exams.
3. Create a Reading Schedule That Allows Revisiting
One of the biggest mistakes students make is trying to cram an entire semester’s worth of reading into the first couple of weeks. Trust me, it sounds productive, but it rarely works. Instead, create a reading schedule that gives you breathing room a plan that allows you to revisit and reinforce what you’ve learned over time.
Think of it like building a strong foundation for a house. You don’t pour all the concrete at once and expect it to hold. You do it layer by layer, letting each layer settle before adding the next. The same goes for studying. Spread out your readings so you have space not just to finish new topics, but also to review old ones, re-learn concepts that didn’t stick the first time, and practice past questions.
For example, if you schedule one or two topics per day, you can use the next day to go back over the previous day’s readings. Then maybe dedicate a day each week to revisit everything you’ve covered so far. This way, you’re constantly reinforcing your memory, spotting areas you didn’t fully understand, and gradually building confidence for your exams. A well-planned schedule isn’t about speed it’s about consistent progress and making sure nothing gets forgotten along the way.
4. Practice Active Recall
One of the most powerful ways to really remember what you’ve studied is through active recall. Unlike passive reading, where your eyes skim over the pages but your brain barely engages, active recall forces your brain to work and your brain remembers what it struggles to retrieve. In other words, the harder your brain works to pull information out, the stronger that memory becomes.
So how do you practice active recall? There are a few simple techniques you can use. Test yourself regularly, either with small quizzes or questions you make up yourself. Use flashcards to quiz your memory on key terms, cases, or legal principles. Try writing out important concepts or principles entirely from memory, without looking at your notes. And don’t forget about past exam questions attempting these not only tests what you know but also trains your brain to recall information under exam-like conditions.
The key is consistency. Don’t just do it once and give up. Make active recall part of your study routine, and you’ll notice a huge difference in how quickly and accurately you remember what you’ve learned. By turning retrieval into a regular habit, you’re essentially training your brain like a muscle — the more you challenge it, the stronger it gets.
5. Study in Small, Consistent Sessions
One of the best ways to study smarter not harder is to break your study time into small, consistent sessions. Trying to read for eight straight hours in a single day might seem productive, but in reality, it’s a fast track to burnout and forgetfulness. Your brain can only absorb so much at once, and cramming usually leads to exhaustion rather than understanding.
Instead, spread your study time throughout the day. For example, you might dedicate one focused hour in the morning, another hour in the evening, and then a quick 30-minute revision later on. These shorter, spaced-out sessions give your brain time to process and store information, rather than overwhelming it all at once. You’ll find that you remember more and feel much less drained.
Think of it like exercising at the gym. You wouldn’t try to lift all the weights for the whole week in one day you train a little each day, consistently, to build strength over time. The same goes for studying. Short, regular sessions help your memory stay fresh, reduce stress, and make studying feel manageable instead of overwhelming. Over time, this approach doesn’t just improve retention it actually makes learning feel easier and more enjoyable.
6. Reduce Distractions When You Read
If you really want to remember what you read, one of the most important things you can do is reduce distractions. Think about it your brain can’t store information deeply if it’s constantly being pulled in a hundred different directions. Checking WhatsApp every two minutes, scrolling through TikTok, tweeting, or hopping between apps might feel harmless, but each interruption breaks your focus and makes it harder for your brain to retain what you’re learning.
A simple trick is to set your phone aside, even if it’s just for 30–35 minutes at a time. Let yourself be fully present with your reading or revision during that window. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can absorb when your brain isn’t constantly multitasking. And the best part? Once you start getting into this habit, you’ll notice that study sessions feel smoother, faster, and less frustrating because you’re actually learning instead of just skimming through pages.
Think of it like planting seeds. If you keep shaking the pot every few seconds, the seeds won’t grow. But give them calm, steady care, and they’ll take root. Treat your brain the same way give it focus, and it will reward you with stronger, longer-lasting memories.
Your brain can’t store information deeply if you are:
Checking WhatsApp every 2 minutes
Watching TikTok
Tweeting
Switching between apps
Keep your phone aside even for just 35 minutes at a time.
7. Go Back to Topics You Read Early
Starting early is good , extremely good, actually.
But reading early only works if you return to it later.
It’s the revisiting that locks the knowledge into long-term memory.
At the end of the day, just remember this: you’re not alone in this journey. Every law student even the ones who look like they have everything figured out has moments of confusion, frustration, and overwhelm. It’s completely normal to feel stuck sometimes. What matters is that you keep showing up, even on the days when studying feels heavy.
And here’s the good part: we’re in this together. There’s a whole community of students, mentors, and people who genuinely care about your growth, your peace of mind, and your success. You don’t have to perfect everything at once. You don’t have to remember every case immediately. You don’t have to feel strong every single day.
What you can do is take things step by step, use simple systems like spaced repetition, ask for help when you need it, and be kind to yourself in the process. You’re learning. You’re growing. You’re becoming better even on the days you don’t feel it.
So breathe. Trust the process. You’re not behind. You’re not failing.
You’re becoming the kind of student who doesn’t just study hard, but studies smart and you’re doing great.