Guidance for students preparing for exams during Ramadan
If you’re studying for exams during Ramadan, you’re likely to be fasting and revising at the same time. This can be challenging. However, you can plan your studies and revision around your religious duties. These five tips should help.
1) Make sure you’re well rested
If you’re taking part in Ramadan, you’ll be waking up at sunrise for Suhoor – the meal before people begin fasting. If you’re not used to waking up at this time, it can disrupt your sleep schedule and leave you feeling tired.
It’s important to make sure you get enough rest while you’re fasting, so you have the energy to study to your maximum potential. One way to do this is to make sure you are limiting your screen time, especially late at night, so that you can sleep when you need to.
2) Take regular breaks
When you do revise, make sure you take regular breaks. If you are working on an empty stomach, it may be difficult to revise for long, endless hours in a row.
Give yourself the time to relax and recuperate if you do find yourself getting tired and get back to it when you’re ready.
Even if you’re fasting, make sure you still take a break for breakfast and lunch.
Use the time when you’d usually eat to do something that gives your mind a break and leaves you feeling more energised. You could go for a walk to get a change of scenery, spend time with family or even catch up on sleep.
3) Adapt your schedule for the month ahead
Ask yourself when the best time would be for you to study. And build your schedule around that.
It might be different to your usual routine.
For example, if you study better when you’ve eaten, then do the bulk of your revision after Suhoor and Iftar – the meal where people break their fast. School is open early for students to study before school.
4) Eat healthy food
Remember, you still need to fuel your body properly, especially during Ramadan.
At Suhoor and Iftar, eat healthy and filling ‘brain foods’ that will give you the energy boost you need. Unless you get the nutrition your body needs, this could leave you feeling even more tired.
Make sure you drink lots of water when you can to stay hydrated.
5) Join a study group
Studying with others who are fasting may give you more study tips – and it’s great for moral support. You may choose to use school study facilities at the same time, or meet to study at a local library at the weekend.