August 28, 2013 | Quebec

Match Your Study Time to Your Energy Level

Is there really an ideal time to open your notes, review a difficult subject, or prepare for an exam? The answer is more personal than you might think. Some people find it easy to concentrate in the morning, while others are more productive in the afternoon or evening.

Rather than looking for one universally ideal time, it is generally more useful to identify the periods when you have the most energy and concentration and organize your studying accordingly. Research on students' daily rhythms also suggests that the time when people function best can vary and that schedules that do not align well with their natural rhythms can, among other things, interfere with sleep.

Identify When You Concentrate Best

To determine your best time to study, pay attention to your level of focus at different times of the day for a while.

When do you find it easiest to understand a new concept? When can you read several pages without losing track of what you are reading? At what time are you more likely to put tasks off or become distracted?

The answers will vary from person to person. Your class schedule, job, personal responsibilities, and sleep habits can also affect when you realistically have time to study.

The goal is not necessarily to find the perfect time, but rather the time that works best for your circumstances.

Save Your Best Hours for the Most Demanding Tasks

Not every academic task requires the same level of concentration. One simple strategy is to use the periods when you are most alert for the tasks that require the greatest effort.

For example, you might use these periods to understand new concepts, solve problems, work on an important assignment, or study a subject you find particularly challenging.

When your energy level drops, you can turn to less demanding tasks, such as organizing your notes and materials, planning your study schedule, or completing certain readings.

This approach allows you to work with your natural rhythm rather than constantly fighting against it.

Study Regularly Instead of Leaving Everything Until the Last Minute

The time of day matters, but how you spread out your study sessions matters too.

It is generally better to return to the material several times rather than trying to fit all your studying into one long session before an exam. Research on learning has shown that spacing out study sessions can support long-term retention.

A 30- or 45-minute session today, followed by additional sessions over the next few days, can be more useful than spending one long evening trying to absorb everything at once.

👉 Learn more: How Can You Remember What You Learn and Study More Effectively?

Don't Sacrifice Sleep to Study Longer

As an exam or assignment deadline approaches, it can be tempting to stay up later to gain a few extra hours of study time. However, significantly reducing your sleep to study is not necessarily beneficial.

Sleep plays a role in learning and memory. Research has associated sleep deprivation before or after learning with a reduced ability to remember new information.

A study involving adolescents has also highlighted the value of combining healthy sleep habits with learning spread across several sessions rather than concentrated within a short period.

In other words, studying longer does not automatically mean learning more.

Make Good Use of Short Study Periods

A study session does not always need to last several hours to be useful.

A break between classes or another free period during your day can be used to review a few concepts, test your knowledge, or prepare for your next study session. These shorter periods can become part of a regular learning routine.

The important thing is to choose an activity that fits both the amount of time available and your current level of concentration.

Find the Study Routine That Works for You

To discover what genuinely works for you, experiment. For a week or two, try studying at different times and observe the results.

After each session, ask yourself three simple questions:

• Was I able to stay focused?
• Did I accomplish what I had planned?
• Can I remember the concepts I studied?

You can then gradually reserve your most productive periods for subjects that require greater concentration.

There is no single answer to the question “What is the best time of day to study?” For some people, it will be the morning; for others, the afternoon or evening. The key is to understand your own rhythm, plan your tasks accordingly, study regularly, and leave enough time for rest.

With an approach that fits your circumstances, you can make each study session more productive.

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