Blessed Studying

The advent of the holy month in Libya is commonly accompanied by a rise in temperature, possible consequential power cuts, and spiritual and physical changes within us.

Abstaining from foods and drinks for hours will obviously lead to fatigue. You feel drowsy, dizzy, and you might even end up with a pounding headache! Unless this fatigue is extreme, then you shouldn’t worry because it’s absolutely normal for our bodies to feel exhausted.

So why do we feel tired?

First and foremost, our body is being deprived of its sources of energy, like carbohydrates! When your liver and muscles run out of its glucose, it begins generating glucose by a process known as gluconeogenesis. It’s an endergonic process, so it’s going to take some of your energy to compensate the diminishing glucose levels, and thereby prevent hypoglycemia. In addition, when we are in a fasting state, we tend to be more stressed. Thus, there will be an increase in the secretions of cortisol and norepinephrine. These hormones, in turn, increase your metabolism. Moreover, dehydration and caffeine withdrawal may also exacerbate ensuing headaches, if not migraines.

Whether it’s due to traditional late-night family gatherings, or just abrupt lifestyle disturbances, your sleeping pattern will most likely alter. This will have a large impact on your circadian rhythms.

All in all, sleep deprivation, dehydration, the decrease in glucose and corresponding insulin levels, and caffeine withdrawal all are causative agents for your fatigue. Nonetheless, fasting and its benefits on the body and mind will have you thanking Allah for its crucial arrival!

Moreover, when Ramadan’s advent is during a school year, our studying patterns will indubitably be impacted as well and our fatigue won’t be any less! So here’s a list of tips to help you maintain your grade point average while your body, mind, and soul are cleansing.

⚫️ Scheduling!

You ought to have a stern talk with yourself and ponder about how you’ll accommodate during Ramadan. What are you going to studying? When are you going to study? How are you going to study? Jot your answers down. And rephrase them into your new schedule.

⚪️ Slumbering!

Aside from all the fasting, praying, supplicating, and studying, sleeping is a must. You don’t want to over-sleep during Ramadan and miss out on its spectacularity! However, you also should get your minimum hours of sleep so when you function, you’ll function properly. Six to seven hours should do.

⚫️ Time!

You don’t want to end up feeling guilty about being inactive during this holy month, so you have to use your time wisely. Analyze when you’re most active. If you’re a night owl, schedule your post-Iftar hours for studying. On the other hand, if you’re a morning person who doesn’t depend on any type of caffeine to activate, then get your studying over with early and relax later on in the day!  

⚪️ How to tackle the curriculum?

You don’t want to indulge in the difficult topics and deplete your energy on them. Start with the easy stuff. It will require less energy from you, and when you see yourself getting ahead, you’ll therefore acquire more energy to further continue studying!

⚫️ Goals!

Don’t fret if you find yourself not accomplishing all of your religious and spiritual aspirations. Remember, that Allah is still rewarding you extra for studying. Reading and acquiring knowledge is what Islam promotes. Do it for the sake of Allah!

A reminder:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise