Muslims all over the world take part in the religious celebration and spiritual reflection of Ramadan, a period of strict fasting from dawn to sunset. This year, the month falls around the same time as exam season - so you may be revising or studying for exams while fasting. Here are tips to help you study while fasting:

1. Don’t skip suhoor: When you prolong your fasting, your body will rely on the last meal for energy. Try to have breakfast and keep your hydration levels up.

2. Incorporate brain foods after you break your fast: foods like turmeric, broccoli, dark chocolate, nuts and pumpkin seeds provide numerous health benefits and are composed of nutrients that have been shown to help brain health. 

3. Don’t overeat during iftar: This may cause you to feel fatigued. Instead, try breaking your fast with something light.

4. Take regular breaks: Keep your study sessions to one or two hours long. You can schedule multiple study sessions in the day but take regular breaks in between to prevent your mind from wandering. Things like stretching, watching an episode or having a nap can help improve your study efficiency. 

5. Limit physical activity: This is to save your energy for brain power but taking walks can help you feel refreshed.

6. Recognise your limits: You may find it challenging to study at times so it’s important to consider changing and adapting to a new daily routine that works best for you and your schedule. Things like creating summaries of lengthy texts, making flashcards and having a study group or partner can increase your learning efficiency and motivation to prepare.