Students have always struggled with the question of when is the best time to study so that learning will be stored for a longer amount of time. Some people think the best time to study is early in the morning, while others think the perfect time to study late at night is because it allows them to stay up later. Then, when is the ideal time to prepare, and why is this the case? There is no right or best time for studying, and everyone has a different timetable and the best way to study.
How to decide the best time to study for the day?
The circadian rhythms of our bodies play a crucial role in determining the best time to study and, naturally, should be somewhat near to the cycle of dawn and sunset. When we mess with our circadian rhythms, we disrupt how the rest of our body functions, which can affect how well we learn.
In conclusion, while it is true that different times of the day are better for learning, there are so many other aspects of learning that are important to consider. There are three important factors When choosing the best time for studying:
Distractions
It is important to study in a setting free from distractions. Pick a perfect time to study when you won’t be disturbed much and can’t sit still for a long time without getting distracted by other things to do. While some people prefer to study in complete silence and a sound-free environment, others prefer to do it with soft music playing in the background.
Consistency
Make sure the best time to study you choose is one you can commit to regularly, ideally a few times per week. The quality of the job is improved by consistency in addition to helping to complete the daily tasks on time. If you study at the same time every day, your mind and body will adapt quickly.
Alertness
Pick a time when your brain is the most alert and active. Better attention and longer-lasting fact retention are both benefits of an active brain.
Thinking Before Choosing the Best Time for Studying
What schedule do you maintain throughout the day?
In order to better understand yourself and avoid several unwanted distractions throughout the day, attempt to analyze your daily routine and lifestyle and try to put it in writing.
Which one do you prefer?
Always choose the best way to study a session that works for you, and avoid working against your body’s natural schedule.
When are you the most energetic?
In order to get the most out of your studies, try to analyze your study habits and figure out when you have the most energy, whether that is during the day or at night.
When are you the most motivated and focused?
Every person has specific times of day when they feel focused and motivated. They can learn more effectively and remember the information for a longer period of time if they study during that time.
Different Study Time: Early Morning vs Evening or Late Night
Lots of studies have differentiated between two types of learners: those who learn best in the morning (also known as “larks”) and those who study best in the evening (also known as “night owls”). According to this research, students generally perform at their best during a time that fits to their preference for the morning or evening, even when the “post-lunch collapse” that many students of both types report experiencing is taken into account. This is consistent with other recent studies that contend there may not be an “ideal moment” for learning that applies to everyone.
The value of studying later in the day when the goal is to remember it better later seems to be more certain, despite the somewhat conflicting or inconclusive findings about whether we perform better in the morning or afternoon.
Since our brains consolidate our knowledge while we sleep, studying before bed is frequently the best time to make sure that knowledge “sticks.” For those who put off studying for tests until the last minute, this could be excellent news.
This interesting conclusion is that while we sleep, declarative memory consolidation converts recent items in our short-term memory into long-term memories. Things learned just before going to bed should still be in the person’s short-term memory as they sleep, making them candidates for consolidation into long-term memory. Contrarily, because of the different daily distractions that could possibly exhaust our limited short-term memory capacity, information learned earlier in the day could risk slipping out of short-term memory.
It’s important to keep in mind that a lot of other factors, in addition to the time of day, might influence how well we learn. One influence is the overall quantity of sleep, for instance. We are aware that when we don’t get enough sleep, everything goes wrong with our ability to perform, which might result in “distractibility, impulsivity, and difficulties maintaining attention.”
Conclusion
Is there a best time to study? It depends on the learner. While different times of the day are when some people learn better, there are so many other factors that affect our learning that a more holistic learning mindset is critical. Just keep in mind that learning is best done when you are well rested.
