Tasbih, or prayer beads. (Flickr/ flowerfromafruittree)
As exam dates and due dates inch closer, we find ourselves digging deeper into notes, books, lectures, samples, and our own souls. Regardless of which side of Bruinwalk you fall, odds are you’ve begun studying at a higher level—maybe you’re behind, or maybe it’s just that natural sense of urgency to step your game up.
In any case, over a period of intense studying, it can be very easy to start prioritizing our time in a way that subordinates our spiritual habits or even our health.
For example, we may be so engrossed in studying that we would rather delay salaah (obligatory prayers for Muslim) than interrupt our flow or pause our lecture.
We may feel so time constrained that we would rather go back to studying than pray the sunnah we usually always pray.
We might be so intent on delving into the books of men that we didn’t get the chance to think of glancing into the Qur’an for a few minutes.
We might skip some meals, not eat enough, sleep very late, make ourselves unavailable, not call our parents. You get the point.
It’s important to maintain a balance even if it may seem as if it “cuts out” on our study time. Trust me, taking care of your salaah, praying your sunnah, reading a bit of Qur’an, feeding yourself properly, or being well-rested will not hurt you in anyway, they’ll always benefit you. Here are some ways how:
- Eating proper meals, especially breakfast, will give your body more energy to carry out physical and mental work.
- Having a good nights sleep, especially before your exam, will allow your brain to retain and recall more information and will also make your body more well-rested.
- Praying your salaah throughout the day will provide you with study breaks to spiritually satisfy your soul and bring your mind some ease as you leave everything in this world to turn to your Creator.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how much or how thorough we study; how well we do is not in our hands, it’s in Allah’s hands. Allah only does for us what is best. When we make du’a (supplication) regarding our studies, we should remember to ask Allah for that which is best for us (in this life and the next), no more no less.
10:07 pm
This reminder never gets old! Thanks Asmar.
10:29 pm
awesome reminder bro, may Allah reward you all immensely!
12:27 pm
I love this reminder dude, really key and critical points. Inshallah we can all apply those tips.
P.S.: Good job on keeping the article concise, easy read.
9:51 pm
Great Reminder. Jazaks!
1:10 pm
Jazaaks for the awesome reminder, Asmar!
8:46 am
Yep, so true!! What I like to say too, is “do what you are doing it, while you are doing it” I am a HUGE believer in this. AKA Don’t multitask!! Set time in your schedule for each thing you want/ need to do (including recreation time) and while you are doing that thing, ONLY do it. For example, if you plan a “study date” with friends, it won’t work because you will be half-way studying, and half-way socializing. By the end of it, you won’t feel as though you were as productive as necessary in your work, as well as you will still feel that you didn’t get a chance to catch up all the way with your friend. Instead, plan time just for studying, and time just to concentrate on your friend!