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When is the Best Time to Study: Day or Night?

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

Best Time to Study: Planning a daily study schedule can be a daunting task for students. One of the major dilemmas that they face is determining the best time to study to enhance information retention. While some people believe that studying in the early morning hours is the safest, others believe that studying late at night would enable them to study for longer periods of time. So, what is the best time to study and why? Let’s find out!

Best Time to Study

This has always been a basic problem for students when planning their daily schedules: when is the right time to study so that they can remember it for a longer period of time. If you too are in this dilemma, here is your answer. The truth is, there is no universally right or wrong time to study, as everyone’s schedule is different. Some people wake up early, go for a brisk walk, finish their tasks, and go to bed early, while others struggle to wake up, snooze their alarms, and become active as the day progresses. Therefore, applying the same formula to everyone is not accurate. To help you determine the best time to study, here are different times of day that are conducive to learning.

How to Decide Your Best Time to Study?

There are three important factors that are being taken into consideration while determining the most productive time slot to study:

  • Alertness: Choose the time when the brain is at its most active and alert state. The active brain helps in better concentration and retains the facts for a longer time.
  • Distractions: It is very crucial to study in a distraction-free atmosphere. Choose a time when you will be least interrupted and able to sit for extended periods of time without being distracted by other tasks. Some people prefer to study in a noise-free atmosphere, in absolute silence, whereas some like to study in the soft music playing in the background. 
  • Consistency: When choosing a study time, make sure it’s something you can commit to on a regular basis, preferably a few times a week. Consistency not only helps in completing the work daily on time but also enhances the quality of work. Your mind and body will soon adapt if you study at the same time every day. With a little preparation, you’ll be in the perfect mood for studying, with the sharpest concentration possible.

Things to Consider Before Choosing Your Best Time to Study

Choosing the best time to study can be a crucial factor in determining your academic success. Each individual has a unique biological clock that affects their level of alertness and focus during different times of the day. It’s essential to understand your body’s rhythms and consider your daily schedule when deciding the best time to study. Several factors must be considered before selecting the most effective study time, such as work and personal preferences.

What is your Pattern throughout the Day?

Try to analyze your lifestyle and your pattern throughout the day and try to write that down that will help you understand yourself better and will prevent you from many unnecessary distractions throughout the day.

What is your Preference?

Always choose your Study time according to your preference and try not to do anything against your body clock.

When do you have the most Energy?

Try to analyze your pattern and understand the time at which you have the maximum energy whether it’s day or night, study at that time for maximum benefits.

When do you have Free Time?

Understanding your free time is very important as that is the only time that will allow you to follow your study schedule. Taking the scenario of a student who is preparing for the exam or a working individual who wants to change the job, both of them will have a limited amount of free time that can be utilized for studying purposes.

When do you feel most Focused and Motivated?

There are different sets of time for each individual at which they feel motivated and focused. Studying at that time not only helps them study efficiently but also retain the knowledge for the maximum amount of time.

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Best Time to Study in Morning

Most of the students prefer to study in the early morning, generally from 4 or 5 AM in the morning as the brain is more likely to concentrate. It could be the best option for students who have more stamina early in the day.

After taking a full night’s sleep, students who research during the day benefit from a rested and energized mind. This energy allows you to concentrate on what you’re learning and digest the knowledge more efficiently. It is also mentioned in the Ancient Hindu Texts – Bhrama Mahurat (the time 1-2 hours before sunrise) is the time in which you have the maximum energy and active mind.

Best Time to Study at Night

Students who study between 8 PM – 9 PM and 4 AM – 5 AM. One big reason for studying in the evening or at night is that it boosts attention and focus because there are fewer distractions and more peace and quiet. At this time of the day, there are no typical noises such as vehicle noises or factory machinery that irritate the ears during the day. It is also said that sleeping after learning helps to organize information and enhance memory.

One point to keep in mind is that you can also get an average of 8 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Another benefit of practicing late at night is that you have the whole evening to plan! You will make up for lost time during the other hours, even though you slow down in the middle.

Best Time to Study in Evening

A good share of the students chooses to have this time slot for studying. This is generally preferred by the aspirants who are Neither Morning birds nor Night Owls.Yes, you read it right. Students who get up late in the morning usually sleep by midnight. Usually, those students who have a shorter attention span follow this study routine.

For some, the evening is a time when the atmosphere is soft and welcoming, allowing them to remain brisk and cool. If you decide to keep concentrated, the time between 4 and 6 p.m. will yield the most results.

Evening time is also preferred by those who get up early in the morning but like to have an afternoon nap.

Check Out

Are You an Early Riser or Night Owl

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Are you an Early Riser?

Early morning suits best to people who possess the following traits:

  • Hit the bed early and have a good 8 hrs of sleep
  • Do not be swayed by the conditions outside, whether it is cold or humid
  • Can get up in the morning with full energy and feel motivated and eager to get to work

Are you a Night Owl?

Night-time is best to study for those who have the following characteristics:

  • Neither can get up early in the Morning nor can sleep early at the night
  • Those who have more energy in the later evening time
  • Who usually takes light dinner
  • Those who can study at night for longer hours without getting distracted or feeling sleepy

Neither a Morning bird nor a Night Owl?

  • Those who have a short attention span
  • Wake up late and do not hit the bed early. Usually, sleep around 2-3 AM the night
  • Early risers usually have a habit of taking an afternoon nap. So they plan the second study session in the evening after having a break

Benefits of Studying Early Morning vs Late Night

When it comes to studying, everyone has their own preferences and habits. Some people prefer to wake up early in the morning and study, while others like to stay up late at night to prepare for SSC exams. However, have you ever wondered which is better: studying in the early morning or late at night? Both have their own perks and cons. Listed below are some of the benefits of studying in the morning and night.

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Benefits of Studying in Early Morning

  • After a decent night’s sleep, the brain is recharged and ready to ingest more information
  • Natural light is beneficial to the eyes and helps you stay alert
  • It doesn’t interfere with your sleep routine
  • Since mornings usually offer you a higher recollection skill, this time is ideal for opening a textbook to study a new theory or simply reading your lecturer’s notes from the previous day
  • It is simpler to form a study group with classmates

Benefits of Studying in the Night

  • The apparent benefit of the late-night study is the abundance of peace and calm. That kind of atmosphere helps people to get into the right frame of mind for studying.
  • Fewer distractions as one need not get up frequently for other important unavoidable works
  • Sleeping after studying helps in retaining the information for a long time
  • It helps the brain to think more creatively and improves concentration

Best Time to Study: Things to Remember

While choosing your best time to study, there are a few tips that you should keep in mind to ensure that you make the most of those hours. By considering these tips, you can create a study schedule that works best for you, maximizes your productivity and retention, and helps you achieve your academic goals.

Whether you are a morning person or a night owl, these tips can help you optimize your study routine and get the most out of your learning experience.

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Tips to make the most out of the Early Morning Hours

  • Make sure that the study corner gets sufficient natural light
  • Minimise distractions and traffic and other noises
  • Having a healthy breakfast will surely help in maintaining the energy level. It is important to mention that do not take heavy breakfast as it will result in sleepiness and lethargy

Tips for Studying at Night

  • Minimise potential distractions like social media networking sites
  • Generally, students studying at night time drink coffee to stay awake and maintain energy. It is suggested to avoid coffee as it may provide a burst of energy, but it may also keep you from getting a full night’s sleep
  • Make a schedule that allows you to have a full night’s sleep while still being productive

Irrespective of the time that we decide to study, it is essential to have a healthy diet and a healthy sleep schedule. Candidates should plan their time schedule as per their habits and comforts.

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