Tips for Revising During Ramadan

Ramadan is the holy month of fasting, prayer and charity for Muslims around the world. It is also a time of reflection, self-discipline and spiritual growth. However, if you are a student who has exams during Ramadan, you might face some challenges in balancing your religious obligations and your academic goals.

How can you revise effectively whilst observing the fast from dawn to dusk? Using my experience, here are some tips to help you prepare for exams during Ramadan.

Plan Your Routine

One of the key factors for successful revision is having a good routine that suits your needs and preferences. During Ramadan, your routine will change because you will have different hours for eating, sleeping and praying.

Therefore, it is important to plan your timetable in advance, so you can schedule your revision, rest, exercise, prayer and meals in the most efficient way possible.

For example, you might want to revise in the morning when you are more alert and energetic, and take a nap in the afternoon when you feel tired or hungry. Alternatively, you might prefer to revise in the evening after breaking your fast and having some rest.

You can also adjust your revision according to your exam schedule, focusing on the subjects that are more urgent or difficult.

Whatever routine you choose, make sure you stick to it and avoid distractions. You can use a planner, a calendar or an app to organise your tasks and track your progress. You can also set realistic and achievable goals for each day or week, and reward yourself when you accomplish them.

Eat well

During Ramadan, there are two meals: Suhur (pre-fast, eaten around 2am) and Iftar (evening meal, eaten around 9pm). Both meals are very important for your health and wellbeing, especially when you are revising for exams. Therefore, you should try to eat well-balanced and nutritious foods that will provide you with energy, hydration and brain power.

For Suhur, you should try to eat slow-release foods that will keep you full and satisfied throughout the day. Some examples are oats, grains, beans, eggs, cheese and yogurt. You should also drink plenty of water or fluids such as milk or juice to stay hydrated.

For Iftar, you should try to eat a moderate amount of food that will replenish your body and mind. Some examples are dates, fruits, vegetables, soup, meat, fish and rice. You should also drink water or fluids such as tea or smoothies to rehydrate yourself.

Despite the temptation, you should avoid eating too much fried, spicy or sugary food that will make you feel thirsty, bloated or sluggish. You should also avoid caffeine or nicotine that will dehydrate you or affect your sleep quality.

Rest Well

Getting enough sleep is essential for your physical and mental health, as well as your memory and concentration. During Ramadan, your sleep pattern will change because of the early morning and late night meals and prayers. Therefore, you should try to get as much sleep as possible by taking naps during the day or going to bed early at night.

You should aim for at least six to eight hours of sleep per day, depending on your individual needs. You should also make sure that your sleeping environment is comfortable, dark and quiet. You can use curtains, blinds or eye masks to block out the light, ear plugs or headphones to block out the noise, and pillows or blankets to adjust the temperature.

You should avoid using electronic devices such as phones, laptops or TVs before going to sleep, as they can emit blue light that can interfere with your melatonin production and circadian rhythm. You should also avoid doing any stressful or stimulating activities such as revising or exercising before going to sleep, as they can keep you awake or disrupt your sleep quality.

Remember, whilst studying and revising, your brain is more likely to feel stimulated and over-used so adding that on top of your fasting obligations can be overwhelming. Making sure you get adequate rest is paramount to staying on top of your learning.

Take Breaks

Revising for exams can be stressful and exhausting at any time of the year, but especially during Ramadan when you are fasting and have less energy. Therefore, it is important to take regular breaks during your revision sessions to refresh your mind and body.

You should take a break every 45 minutes to an hour of revision, depending on your attention span and workload. You should use this time to do something relaxing or enjoyable such as stretching, walking, reading or meditating. You should also use this time to pray if it is time for one of the five daily prayers.

You should avoid taking too long or too frequent breaks that will disrupt your revision flow or reduce your productivity. 

Seek Support

Revising for exams during Ramadan can be challenging and lonely at times. Therefore, it is helpful to seek support from others who understand what you are going through or who can offer you some advice or encouragement.

You can join a study group with your friends or classmates who are also fasting and revising. You can share your notes, quiz each other, discuss your doubts or problems, or motivate each other. You can also join online forums or communities where you can find other students who are in the same situation as you.

Don’t be afraid to speak to family, teachers or mentors who can support you emotionally or practically during what can often be a difficult month for students.  

Conclusion

Revising for exams during Ramadan is not easy, but it is not impossible either. With some planning, preparation and perseverance, you can achieve your academic goals while fulfilling your religious duties.