HOW TIME OF DAY AFFECTS STUDENTS’ BRAINS

Students' brains tend to be sharpest in the morning, after a refreshing night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast. This makes it a good time to open a textbook to learn something new, or review notes from the previous day. With a more alert brain, students have a better ability to recall details like names, places, dates and facts.
In the afternoon, students’ brains are good at integrating new information with what they already know. During this time of day, students are able to create connections and make the information they have learned more meaningful.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO STUDY?

There is no one “best” time of day to study. We each have our most productive time of the day, when we have the most energy. Some are morning people, who wake up with lots of energy. Others are night owls, and have more energy in the evening hours.
Just like each student has a unique learning style, different students may learn better at different times of the day. For some students, focusing on schoolwork is easier during the morning hours of the day, while others may find that studying at night works better for them.

PLAN YOUR TIME

It helps to have some plans in motion so you can make the most of your study time.

• 1. Set alarms:
  Set alarms to remind you about your study plans. A regular reminder keeps you honest and your plans on track.
• 2. Use a wall planner:
  Stick a calendar or wall planner up so you can see it whenever you're studying. Mark it up with important dates, like exams and assignment due dates. Use it to block out your regular study timetable too.
• 3. Make to-do lists:
  Lists break tasks down into manageable chunks. At the start of the week, make a list of the things that you need to have done by the end of the week. Make a to-do list at the start of each study session too, so that you're clear about what you need to be doing with your time.
• 4. Set time limits:
  Before you start your study session, have a look at your to-do list and give yourself a set time to spend on each task. If you don't get something done in the set time, consider whether it's the best use of your time to keep going with it, or to start working on something else.