Maybe you’ve landed on this page after searching for the question, when is the best time to study. If that’s so, you want to know the best time to study for a test or improve your overall academic performance. You’re not the only one looking for the best studying time.
Every student knows that it’s sometimes difficult to sit down and do the schoolwork, whether studying for an exam or completing homework, especially during the weekend. Many students have difficulties determining when the brain is in its best shape to study and understand the available materials. This article addresses this topic while providing tips to help you choose the best times to study.
What Is the Best Time To Study?
Studying is part of every student’s life. However, it takes practice and patience to determine the most appropriate time to study. Some people focus better when learning at night or during the evening. Others prefer mornings.
According to chronobiology or good timing science, peak performance and DNA are hardwired. Everybody has a biological clock embedded in their brain since they were young. And this clock helps them decide the best time of day to learn. Some discoveries might show that timing isn’t everything. However, it’s crucial to do it when you want to achieve your best performance.
Scientists have proven that most people learn more effectively from 10 am to 2 pm and between 4 pm and 10 pm.
At this time, the brain is in its best acquisition mode. However, the least effective time to study ranges from 4 am and 7 am. Nevertheless, there’s no best time to study for everyone. Therefore, different students have their best time to study and memorize what they learn, which can vary from learner to learner.
Is It Better To Study At Night Or In The Morning?
The practical study method extends to the time when the student studies. Some learners prefer studying before bed, while others do it once they wake up. A student may not even have a preference and summersault into learning without determining what works for them. Nevertheless, nothing is wrong as long as the learner attains the study purpose.
Perhaps, what’s terrible is studying all day because even the brain needs time to rest. That said, some experts recommend learning at night, and it works fine for some students. However, learners should only study at night if they don’t have a stressful day. Students that plan to learn at night should set aside the time of the day to rest. The night hours range from 7 pm to 11 pm.
In some cases, early nights might not provide a quiet environment. Some people stay awake at night doing nothing, and this can distract the learner by interfering with the serene atmosphere they need to study effectively. Also, the night may not provide adequate study time considering the strict time frame, which is barely 4-5 hours. Therefore, such factors might not guarantee that your nights will always be the best time to learn.
Most people are naturally sleepy during the night. Therefore, some students struggle to stay away while studying, especially during a busy day. Ideally, human bodies utilize a lot of energy during the day’s activity and need to rejuvenate by resting at night. Consequently, studying at night might be out of the ordinary, though it’s normal for some people due to frequent practice.
For these reasons, it is best to study first thing in the morning in some cases. And some experts recommend learning in the morning instead of at night. Morning ranges between the mid hour of 12 am and 11 pm. Morning hours provide sufficient time to study because a learner has up to 11 hours.
Most learners feel more inspired to study in the morning hours. That’s because they have minor distractions at this time. Since sleep sweetness’ climax hits at this time, students can have the necessary peace to study while most people sleep. In most cases, learners enjoy the serenity of the atmosphere, enabling them to learn and retain what they learn in their memory. Thus, learners can comfortably reproduce what they study at this time.
What’s more, most learners have enjoyed adequate rest by the morning that precedes the day’s activity. Therefore, their brains are fresh and relaxed since they don’t have recent interference or distractions from the surrounding people. The emotions and mind are at their best, making morning the premium time to study.
So, if you’ve been wondering, why do I work better at night? Well, now you have the answers. In most cases, the technical outlines that are difficult to understand become easier to disintegrate in the morning hours. Also, daylight provides natural light that’s good for the eyes and the brain. All these reasons hint at the morning as the best time of day to study.
When Is The Best Time To Study For Your Brain?
Scientists have established that time and memory can influence your study day. According to research, different times affect memory. Dr. Jane Oakhill, a University of Sussex psychologist, notes that the human brain processes Semantic and Declarative memories and the time of every day affects how a person absorbs information.
For instance, Dr. Jane established that declarative memory is the ability to remember names, facts, dates, and places, and the brain processes this information better in the morning. Semantic memory, on the other hand, is the ability to take the things a person knows and make meanings from them. And the brain processes this information better in the afternoon.
So, what time of day is your brain sharpest? According to Dr. Jane’s research, Semantic and Declarative memories are why most people perform math-type and problem-solving tasks better in the morning. In the afternoon, most people prefer reading comprehension-based and history tasks.
How Many Hours A Day Should You Study?
So, you’ve known what determines the best study time. But, how long should you study a day? Well, studying is undoubtedly a daunting task for most students. Some learners even struggle to find the most appropriate study method. Others pull all-nighters while drinking a lot of coffee during their study sessions. But, for how long should you study in a single day?
Most universities recommend spending about 2 to 3 hours studying.
For example, when pursuing a three-hour course, attending class two days every week, your study sessions should last 12 to 18 hours weekly. If the lecture is an hour-long weekly, your studies should range from 2 to 3 hours daily. But some experts note that the best students study 50 to 60 hours per week. However, you won’t have adequate time to binge-watch your favorite TV shows.
If you have a full-time job or taking a full-course load, you will do better on your tests by following this method. That’s because you won’t have to cram the night course material on exam day. So, be better by establishing a study routine and sticking to it.
However, remember that classes and professors differ. Also, your study routine should be healthy by allowing adequate time to rest between study sessions.
How Much Can You Learn In A Day?
There’s no exact amount of information that every brain can grasp and memorize. Several factors determine the amount a person can learn. These include:
- The study or task type: Cognitively demanding or intensive tasks, like an attempt to write a mathematical proof, limit the amount of information a person can learn.
- Health: Mental and overall health conditions can affect the amount of information you can grasp. For instance, if you’re depressed or not healthy, concentrating or studying for a long time and understanding the material can be challenging.
- Study habits: How a student studies can influence the amount of data they can understand and memorize while learning. Perhaps, this is why every student should know the study technique and time that works best for them.
- Your feelings: Emotions can also influence the amount of course material you can grasp. For instance, you can be energized and excited or tired and stressed. Such feelings can affect the amount of information you can learn and memorize.
Other obligations like participating in student organizations or a part-time job can also affect how much you can learn in a day. Therefore, considering these factors can help you determine the best time to study to know to your maximum capacity.
Tips To Manage Your Time For Studying
It’s crucial to schedule your study time when you’re more energetic and most awake. That way, you can save time and learn better, making your academic life more fun. While no single rule works for every student, you can use specific tips to manage your study time and utilize it more effectively. Here are some of them.
- Alertness: Consider when your mind is more alert and study. And this can be early in the morning or late at night when everybody else is asleep.
- Avoid distractions: Distractions will always throw a wrench in your work. While you can control some distractions, others are impossible to deal with, especially when living with others. Choose to study when secluded or when other people are not around. For instance, you can get up early or wait until night to learn when nobody else distracts you.
- Consistency: Select a period you can stick to when choosing your study time. Ensure that you can study at that particular time a few days per week. For instance, you can decide to wake up at 5 am for five days every week. Consistency will create a routine that will be part of your life pattern, improving your work quality.
- Break up large tasks: To avoid pushing everything to the last moment, and having to do things like buy a dissertation online, it is good to manage your studying by breaking up large tasks into smaller ones. This tricks the brain into not feeling overwhelmed.
Many students have difficulties establishing their daily study schedules. When some learners have the freedom to choose, they don’t even know the best time of day to take an exam. Nevertheless, these tips and information should help you determine the most appropriate time to study or take a test.
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FAQs
Check out these commonly asked questions about what time is best to study:
Is studying in the morning helpful for all students?
No. Each student has the best time to study, depending on their predicament. Therefore, understand how your body and brain work to determine whether early morning learning suits you.
Is studying late at night advantageous?
Yes. Studying late at night has some advantages. For instance, most people are asleep now, meaning you will face fewer distractions.
What are the benefits of studying early in the morning?
Your brain is ready to absorb new information because its refreshed. Also, the natural light keeps the mind focused and alert. Studying in the morning doesn’t disturb your sleep schedule.
What are the benefits of night-time studying?
You enjoy more peace because you face fewer interruptions and disturbances. Also, night-time study improves your recall memory.
Why should you choose your peak study times?
Choosing your peak study times reduces distractions, and a peaceful environment keeps you alert. Your mind works at its best at this time, enhancing learning and creativity.