Golden tips for students during Ramadan: Balancing fasting and studying
With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, the annual debate resurfaces regarding how to reconcile spirituality and religious obligations with academic commitments and studies. This blessed month presents students with a true test of their time management and self-discipline, especially given that Islamic and Arab history is replete with examples confirming that Ramadan has always been a month of work and productivity, not one of idleness and inactivity. This issue is of paramount importance both locally and regionally, as educational institutions and families strive to provide a supportive environment that ensures continued academic excellence without compromising the sanctity of the month.
Given the physiological and psychological changes that occur during fasting, adopting a structured lifestyle becomes an urgent necessity, not merely an option, to ensure the preservation of physical and mental health. In this extensive report, Al-Youm newspaper presents the opinions of a select group of consultants and specialists to outline a roadmap that guarantees students a healthy fast and productive studies.
Fasting: An opportunity to strengthen discipline, not an obstacle to success
Professor Abdulmu'in Eid Al-Agha, Professor and Consultant of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, affirms an important scientific fact: fasting itself does not pose a physiological obstacle to the ability to learn and comprehend. He points out that the real problem lies in the incorrect social practices that have become associated with the holy month, most notably excessive late nights and disruption of the biological clock.
Al-Agha advises setting a strict schedule that balances hours of sleep, studying and worship, stressing that the student who succeeds in organizing his day and gets proper nutrition will find in Ramadan an opportunity to enhance mental clarity and concentration.
Special guidelines for diabetic students: Safety first
Regarding students with diabetes, Al-Agha explained that the medical decision regarding fasting depends on each student's individual condition. While students with type 1 diabetes and fluctuating blood sugar levels may be advised against fasting to protect their health, students with stable conditions can fast under close medical and family supervision.
He strongly warned against ignoring the symptoms of low blood sugar such as sweating, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat, stressing that measuring blood sugar during fasting is a necessity that does not invalidate the fast, and that breaking the fast immediately is obligatory when levels fall below the safe limit, as health is a trust and religion is ease.
Abdul-Moein Al-Agha
Sleep and nutrition: Keys to mental focus
For his part, Dr. Khalid Obaid Bawaked, a consultant in family and community medicine, corrected misconceptions about the relationship between fasting and fatigue, attributing the main cause of tiredness to sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. He recommended that students get 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily, even if divided between nighttime and daytime naps, to ensure the brain recovers its activity.
He also warned of the effect of blue light emitted from screens and smart devices before bedtime, due to its negative impact on sleep quality and melatonin secretion, which negatively affects academic performance the following day.
Making the most of the evening period and providing psychological support
Dr. Nasr Al-Din Al-Sharif, a consultant pediatrician, agrees on the importance of utilizing the evening period after Iftar as a golden opportunity for studying, as the body has regained its energy. He advised against excessive video games, which drain concentration and steal precious time.
In a psychological context, Dr. Mohamed Ijaz Pracha, a consultant psychiatrist, pointed out that sleep disturbances directly affect brain chemistry, causing irritability and difficulty concentrating. He emphasized that Ramadan is a school of patience, and that good time management reduces psychological stress and protects students from academic burnout.
Mohammed Brasha
The role of family and proper nutrition
Social worker Marwa Mohammed Shahini concluded by emphasizing the pivotal role of the family in providing a suitable environment, and focusing on a complete pre-dawn meal rich in proteins and complex carbohydrates that provide the body with energy for long periods, while also stressing the need to replenish fluids to avoid dehydration, which affects brain functions.
The integration of this system between health awareness, family planning, and medical supervision ensures students a unique Ramadan experience that combines reward and merit with academic excellence and success.
