By Muhammed Aladdin
Once again, Ramadan has fallen around the same time during exam season; it is the sixth year in a row this happens in Egypt, and hopefully, the last.
The concurrence is a result of the Islamic calendar following a lunar system, where the sighting of a crescent moon determines the start of a new month. Since lunar months are shorter than solar months, like those of the widely-used Gregorian calendar, Ramadan is about 10 days earlier each year.
Fasting in the Arab World could be as long as 15 hours, leaving students depleted of energy and stressing out over what’s to come. Balancing between religious responsibility and straight A’s can be tricky, to say the least. However, Muslims around the world do it every year, and even though it is a challenge, you can do it; all you need is just a few tips, some good time management, and that’s it.
So here it goes; our guide compiling some tips that could be useful if you have exams in Ramadan.
Create a routine
As your life routine shifts around the holy month, so must the times and the ways you revise. The daytime is now the best opportunity for you to sleep and rest your body; on the contrast, the hours between Iftar and Suhur are more suitable for studying because you will be feeling less hungry.
Of course, there is no right answer for how people should structure their personal time; we all have different responsibilities. However, if you find yourself studying during Ramadan, make sure to balance between revising and resting.
Revise differently
More than often, in Ramadan, students struggle with finding the mental determination to sit for endless hours on a textbook or an essay. Indeed, studying on an empty stomach can be time-consuming and tiring. One way to go around this obstacle is to change the way you go about studying during the daytime. Instead of memorizing dense information, try condensing the essential information in a way that could be easily absorbed; revision cards and mindmaps are very helpful in these situations.
The best time to do the bulk of the revision is before the hunger kicks in; it is also the best time to create the revision cards or mindmaps. If you find your mind wandering off to sleep, try and get some fresh air or wash your face with cold water; this always helps.
When you eat, eat well
Regardless of examinations in Ramadan, eating healthy is good for your health. Unfortunately, in the Arab world, the health culture has not yet caught on; a good meal here is synonymous with a dense one filled with a few unhealthy options. Before studying, fatty and sugary foods will only leave you lazy, lethargic, and sleepy.
What students need to be on the lookout for is a choice of food that would fill them up and then release energy slowly; like bananas, brown rice, and salads. Hydration is a key point here as well.
Check your examination schedule
Depending on a number of factors, the number of days just before an exam varies; however, if you find several days, or weeks, separating you from your next test, you could revise a small amount each day, instead of cramming it all up three days before the due date. Always check your schedule and make your plans accordingly.
Don’t overdo it
If you find yourself unable to push through the day, it is absolutely okay to give yourself some time off; you just need to be responsible about it. If a certain routine is not working for you, do not dwell on it; move on to a new one that would suit you and the happenings of your daily life.
If you find yourself completely drained, do not just sit helplessly at the desk; get up, stretch your legs, or take some time off. A change of scenery would definitely help.
Revise with friends
Although under normal circumstances, I would be highly against it, studying with a selected few on Ramadan could be the motivation you need. Having a team of concerned friends can help you get going and give you that much-needed support; it can make all the difference while preparing for an exam. However, a set of clear ground rules has to be put in place so that it does not have the opposite effect.
Eat slowly
When you get the chance to eat, resist the temptation to eat quickly. By eating slowly and giving yourself time to chew up your food, the energy within your food will be slowly released into your body, keeping you energized for a longer period of time.
Stay positive
At some points, you may feel down for not having the time to get in your extra prayers; this way of thinking may get you down and affect both your studies and your worshipping. By studying through it, you are not missing out on the spiritual benefits of the holy month; in fact, studying and educating yourself is part of Islam’s teachings.
