How do I retain information?

I've been able to study and learn but it never sticks. Even now when reading an article for uni I've forgotten what it's about by the time we talk about it in class. I put in the effort but in the end I still feel really dumb. I should be able to know this and yet...

I think this applies to a lot of stuff besides studying too. I could talk about something with someone and by the end I totally forgot the topic. Genuinely feels like my mind gets wiped the second I focus on something else.

Any tips? I'm supposed to start my internship after the summer and I hope to have some tips and tricks by that time