LAGOS — As examinations approach across Nigerian schools and universities, education experts have raised concerns over the growing number of students who spend countless hours studying but still struggle to recall what they have learned. The trend, they say, points to a crisis in ineffective study habits rather than lack of effort.
According to specialists in learning and cognition, academic success depends not on how long one reads, but on how effectively one engages with the material. They warn that the common belief linking long study hours to good grades is misleading and counterproductive.
Across campuses, stories abound of students who burn the midnight oil yet forget most of what they read, while others who study for shorter periods perform exceptionally well. The difference, experts say, lies in the method of study.
“Reading without comprehension is like pouring water into a basket — no matter the effort, the result remains empty,” one educationist explained.
To address this problem, experts are recommending structured and evidence-based approaches to studying, particularly the SQ3R method—a learning framework developed by educational psychologist Francis P. Robinson.
The SQ3R formula, which stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review, is designed to enhance both understanding and memory retention. It transforms the reading process into an interactive and strategic exercise rather than a passive routine.
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Survey: Students first scan the material to get a general overview by reviewing headings, summaries, and key points.
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Question: Next, they form guiding questions that stimulate curiosity and focus attention on key ideas.
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Read: Here, students actively seek answers and identify important concepts, rather than rushing through pages.
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Recite: This stage involves summarizing what has been learned in one’s own words — a step proven to strengthen recall.
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Review: Finally, learners revisit notes and summaries regularly to transfer information from short-term to long-term memory.
Education experts argue that comprehension, not duration, determines effective learning. Five hours of unfocused reading, they say, cannot match the impact of thirty minutes of structured, mindful study using recall-based techniques.
Reports from students who have adopted the Read-to-Recall approach — which emphasizes comprehension and review over time spent — indicate noticeable improvements in retention, confidence, and exam performance. Many now find studying less stressful and more rewarding.
“Studying smart, not hard, is the new formula for academic success,” said one university learning coach. “The key is understanding and remembering what you study, not counting how many hours you spend with a book.”
As a new academic session begins, educators are urging Nigerian students to adopt smarter, evidence-based study methods to improve outcomes and reduce stress. The SQ3R technique, they say, offers a proven path to mastering difficult subjects, retaining key information, and achieving better results.
