Pairing the month of Ramadan with exams is a tricky combination for some families. As parents, it isn’t easy to watch children strike a balance between fasting and back-to-back studies. Their drooping energies and demotivated spirits further leave you grasping at straws. However, breaking their fasts or telling them to skip exams is not a solution.
There’s a lot you can do as a parent to make Ramadan enjoyable, even if exams are happening, by helping your children improve their organisation skills or revision methods. We have curated a list of seven tips to help with this process. From motivating your children to providing the right strategies for exam prep, here’s everything you need to know about studying during Ramadan.
1. Try Out Different Memorisation Techniques
Burning the midnight oil won’t work during Ramadan because your child doesn’t have the energy to do so. They need revision methods that are interactive, engaging and effortless. Creating flashcards, visualising information and using acronyms and mnemonics are some easy memorisation techniques your child can try.
2. Introduce Brain Foods
During Ramadan, it’s extremely important to focus on your child’s cognitive health. Cook meals rich in brain foods to boost your child’s memory and brain function, such as whole grains, blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, citrus fruits and sage. In addition, nuts and seeds are a great source of Vitamin E, healthy fat and protein, so add them in your child’s meals to fuel their learning.
3. Study More After Suhoor
Studying on an empty stomach is never a good idea. It keeps your child tempted, distracted and low on energy. Encourage your child to study after suhoor for a couple of hours. A good meal will refill them with freshness and energy, helping them concentrate better.
4. Keep Your Child Active (But Limit Physical Exertion)
Playing under the scorching sun during Ramadan can be extremely tiresome for children. However, that doesn’t mean you should ask your child to hit pause on all physical activity. Limit outdoor games, but don’t tell them to stay inside 24/7 as it could make them sluggish. Tell them to avoid social gatherings and extra-curricular activities in school. Instead, a brief 15-minute walk before or after they begin fasting should be more than enough.
5. Download Study Apps
Learning shouldn’t be all work and no play, especially during Ramadan. Children find it difficult to understand concepts with reduced energy levels and brain functioning. Download some useful study apps for your child to help them learn, make notes and find quick resources. This will ease out their routine learning tasks and even provide new revision techniques!
6. Switch Study Environments
A sound environment results in sound learning. Ask your child to switch places, maybe move rooms or study on the terrace when it’s cool. They can even go for group study sessions with their friends if you feel it won’t be a distraction. Make sure their desk is uncluttered, well-lit and clean to promote productive learning.
7. Avoid Overeating During Iftar
A long, strenuous day of fasting can lead to binge-eating during iftar. As a result, your child may face sleep and digestive disorders, along with impaired brain functioning. To prevent this, ensure your child eats well during suhoor, as it’s sufficient to keep them energised up till iftar. In addition, cook iftar at home, instead of going out.
Incorporating the above seven tips all of a sudden may be challenging. So, our biggest tip of all is to start adjusting your child’s schedule at least a month before Ramadan begins. However, these tips shouldn’t feel like a barrage of unnecessary rules for your child. Talk to them and explain the significance of adopting such habits during Ramadan. After all, they should actively participate in these decisions for full effectiveness.
