Drink Up: The Weird Link Between Drinking Water & Smarter Studying – Can This Work for Nigerians?

What if I told you the secret to better memory, focus, and smarter studying was sitting in your fridge? Discover the shocking science behind water and study performance for Nigerians.

Table of Contents (What You’ll Learn)

• Introduction (How I accidentally discovered water makes you study better); My personal story of discovering this “hydration hack” the night before an exam.

• Science behind water and brain performance (Why your brain runs on water like car runs on fuel); Simple science of how water fuels focus, memory, and brain speed.

• What happens to your brain when you’re dehydrated (And how it ruins your reading); Cognitive decline, forgetfulness, and slow thinking when you're dry.

• Water and memory retention (This is why you forget what you read); How hydration affects short-term and long-term memory.

• How much water should students drink daily? (And how to track it with bottles); Smart measurements using sachet/bottle water in Nigeria.

• Naija version: How Nigerian students can stay hydrated during NEPA and heat stress; Practical hydration strategies for students without constant electricity.

• Is cold or warm water better for study time? (Surprising answer inside); Temperature effects on alertness, digestion, and brain reaction speed.

• Debunking myths: Energy drinks vs pure water while studying; Why sugary drinks, malt, and Boost drinks are not the same.

• Simon’s study routine hydration tip (My real-life study hydration ritual); How I use water + short breaks to stay sharp during long reading hours.

• Outro: The truth about smarter studying and staying hydrated in Nigeria; Final thoughts, action steps, and how this small tweak can change your academic life.

Introduction (How I accidentally discovered water makes you study better)

I didn’t plan it. In fact, I was just trying to stay awake.

It was the night before my departmental exam in 300 level.

I had a pounding headache, and NEPA had done what they do best—off the light. My throat was dry, my back sticky, and my brain? Empty.

So I stumbled to the hostel tap, filled an old Bigi bottle with water, and started sipping as I revised. One sip turned to five.

Before I knew it, I had finished two full bottles while reading one topic.

But here's the kicker:That night, I read faster, remembered more, and felt unusually sharp. I even started teaching my guy who couldn’t get the topic. We passed that paper well—me especially.

At first, I thought it was luck. But I later discovered something strange:

Water boosts how your brain works when you're studying.Let’s break the science down.

Science behind water and brain performance (Why your brain runs on water like car runs on fuel)

Your brain is about 75% water.

That’s right. The very organ responsible for memory, critical thinking, comprehension, and solving differential equations is practically swimming in H₂O.

And here’s the science:

When you’re hydrated, your brain cells communicate better, your neurons fire faster, and your body delivers oxygen and glucose (brain fuel) more efficiently.

That’s why just 1–2% water loss can slow you down—mentally.

A study from the University of East London even showed that students who drank water during exams scored 5–10% higher on average than those who didn’t.

That’s like jumping from a B to an A.

Water isn’t just to cool you down in Nigeria’s heat—it’s literally how your brain processes what you read.

What happens to your brain when you’re dehydrated (And how it ruins your reading)

When your body lacks water, your brain pays first.

Here’s what starts happening:

• You feel mentally tired, even if you slept.

• You start re-reading one line multiple times.

• You forget what you just studied 15 minutes ago.

• You get easily distracted or irritated.

• Headaches show up like uninvited JAMB questions.

Why? Because dehydration:

• Shrinks brain tissue

• Slows down blood and oxygen flow

• Interrupts neurotransmitters responsible for memory and focus

Imagine trying to revise for WAEC or ICAN in that state. That’s sabotage.

Water and memory retention (This is why you forget what you read)

Ever read for hours only to realize you can’t recall a thing?

Water may be the missing link.

Hydration affects both short-term memory (what you just read) and long-term recall (what stays till exam day).

Studies show that just 2% dehydration reduces memory performance by nearly 15–20%.

And guess what? You don’t need to feel thirsty before this happens.

By the time you’re feeling dry lips or dizziness, your brain’s already underperforming. That’s why consistent sipping—not gulping—is key during study time.

How much water should students drink daily? (And how to track it with bottles)

The general rule?About 2–3 liters daily, depending on body weight and weather. In Naija’s heat, aim for at least 2.5 liters.

But let’s keep it simple:

• 1 sachet of pure water = 50cl (0.5L)

• 1 big bottle (e.g., Eva) = 75cl – 1.5L

So if you drink:

• 2 bottles or 5 sachets before evening, you’re on track.

• During long night reading, add 1–2 bottles.

Pro tip: Use a permanent marker to label bottles with times (e.g., “10am – 12pm”) and try to finish each bottle by its time.

Naija version: How Nigerian students can stay hydrated during NEPA and heat stress

You’re probably thinking, “Simon, all this is good, but we no get fridge or constant water.”

Fair enough.

Here’s how to stay hydrated smartly:

• Boil and cool water in batches if you don’t trust the tap.

• Keep your water in a dark container to preserve coolness.

• Add cucumber, lemon slices, or mint if you want flavor (cheap and healthy).

• Freeze one bottle if you have NEPA for 2 hours. That bottle stays cool all night.

• Carry your own bottle to library/class—don’t rely on vendors.

Hydration na strategy o, not luxury.

Is cold or warm water better for study time? (Surprising answer inside)

Warm water helps digestion.But when it comes to alertness and cognitive speed, cool or room-temperature water wins.

Cold water slightly shocks your system, wakes your brain, and can even help with anxiety or drowsiness—especially during hot weather or night reading.

So if NEPA no gree, don’t worry. Room-temp water still works great. Just don’t use ice-cold water as a crutch if it causes headaches.

Debunking myths: Energy drinks vs pure water while studying

A lot of Naija students drink Malta Guinness, Fearless, Climax, or coffee thinking it’ll boost brain power.

Truth? They spike your energy temporarily, but lead to:

• Sugar crashes

• Dehydration

• Jittery focus

• Poor sleep after night reading

Water, on the other hand, gives clean energy, doesn’t mess with your sleep cycle, and supports longer study sessions without brain fog.

Want flavor? Add cucumber or lime slices.

Simon’s study routine hydration tip (My real-life study hydration ritual)

Here’s how I do it:

• I prep 2 bottles of water before every reading session.

• One goes with me, the other stays chilling (if I have light).

• Every 20–30 mins, I sip—not gulp.

• After each study hour, I stand up, stretch, take 3 big sips, and return.

• No soft drinks during reading. At all.

This simple water routine has helped me stay sharp, consistent, and less tired while reading—even during my content creation sprints.

Try it for 7 days. You’ll feel the difference.

Outro: The truth about smarter studying and staying hydrated in Nigeria

The smartest students aren’t always the ones who read the most.

Sometimes, they’re just the ones whose brains are working at full capacity.

Water isn’t a magic bullet.But it’s the closest thing we have to a free, legal brain enhancer in Nigeria.

Before you reach for coffee or crash after your 4th Maltina, ask yourself:

Have I even drunk water today?

If not, pause this blog, get a sachet, and sip like a boss.

Your brain (and future exam results) will thank you.

Got questions or want to share your water + study hack?

Drop your comments or contact us—we’d love to hear your personal study rituals or hydration challenges as a Nigerian student.

Written by Simon Taki Zaku

Founder, IbiFoundry.com.ng