should i do my homework at night or in the morning

Studying at Night vs Morning: Finding My Ideal Study Time

As a student, finding the ideal study time is crucial for academic success and comparying studying at night vs morning . However, with various factors such as personal preferences, lifestyle commitments, and energy levels to consider, choosing between studying at night or in the morning can be challenging. In this article, I will compare the advantages and disadvantages of studying at night and in the morning, and provide tips to enhance productivity during these times. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of your ideal study time.

Key Takeaways:

• Studying at night and in the morning both have their advantages and disadvantages.
• Understanding your individual sleep patterns and circadian rhythm is crucial in determining your ideal study time.
• Factors, such as personal preferences, existing lifestyle commitments, and energy levels, should be considered when creating a study routine.
• Regardless of your preferred study time, having a structured study routine is essential for academic success.
• Following the provided tips and strategies will help you make the most out of your study sessions and achieve your academic goals.

Benefits of Studying at Night

Personally, I find studying at night to be my ideal study time but I will also analyise the advantages of studying in the morning in this article . There’s something about the quieter environment and absence of daytime distractions that helps me concentrate and retain information better. If you’re like me and prefer studying at night, you’ll be pleased to know that this study time offers a range of benefits.

By using these techniques and taking advantage of the benefits of studying at night, you can develop a study routine at night that works for you and helps you achieve academic success.

Advantages of Studying in the Morning

However, sometinmes I prefer to set my study routine in the morning as it sets a positive tone for the rest of my day. It allows me to start the day with a sense of accomplishment and frees up my evenings for leisure activities. But there are several other advantages to studying in the morning that are worth considering.

If you’re considering establishing a morning study routine, here are a few tips to get started:

• Create a morning routine: Establish a consistent morning routine to help your body and mind prepare for the day ahead. This could include exercise, breakfast, and meditation.
• Eliminate distractions: Try to minimize distractions by studying in a quiet and clutter-free environment. Put your phone away and avoid checking emails or social media until after your study session.
• Stay focused: To maintain focus and concentration, take frequent breaks and consider using the Pomodoro technique where you work for 25 minutes and take a 5-minute break in between.

“The morning is the most important part of the day, because it sets the tone for the rest of it.” – Unknown

Remember, everyone’s natural rhythms and preferences are different, and it’s important to determine what works best for you. But taking advantage of the morning hours may be an effective way to boost your productivity and reach your academic goals.

Understanding Your Sleep Patterns

As we’ve discussed, your individual sleep patterns play a crucial role in determining your ideal study time. By understanding your body’s natural rhythm, you can align your study routine with your most productive hours of the day.

One way to identify your sleep patterns is to pay attention to the times when you feel most alert and energized. Are you a morning person who wakes up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day? Or do you find yourself more alert and productive during the late hours of the night?

Another way to understand your sleep patterns is to monitor your sleep cycle and circadian rhythm. There are several apps and tools available that can track your sleep and provide insights into your sleep patterns. By understanding how long it takes for you to enter into deep sleep and wake up feeling rested, you can adjust your study routine to match your body’s natural needs.

It’s important to note that everyone’s sleep patterns are unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to determining your ideal study time. However, by becoming aware of your personal sleep preferences and rhythms, you can create a study routine that maximises your productivity and enhances your learning experience.

Factors to Consider

When deciding whether to study at night or in the morning, there are several factors you should consider. These include your personal preferences, lifestyle commitments and energy levels at different times of the day.

Firstly, think about what time of day you typically feel most alert and productive. Are you a morning person who wakes up feeling energized, or do you tend to feel more focused later in the day when things quieten down?

Secondly, consider your existing commitments. Do you have work or social commitments in the evenings that may impact your ability to study at night? Alternatively, do you have family or household responsibilities in the morning that may affect your ability to study during these hours?

Lastly, take into account your energy levels. Do you tend to feel sluggish in the mornings, or do you struggle to concentrate late at night when you’re feeling tired? Understanding your natural rhythms can help you identify the most suitable time for studying.

By considering these factors, you can establish a study routine that works for you and maximizes your productivity.

Tips for Developing a Study Routine

Regardless of your preferred study time, developing a solid study routine can significantly enhance your productivity. Here are some tips to help you establish an effective study routine:

By implementing these tips, you can create a study routine that is tailored to your individual needs and maximizes your productivity.

Tips for Studying at Night

If you’ve decided that studying at night is your ideal study time, there are several strategies you can implement to ensure productivity and success. Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your nighttime study sessions:

• Create a conducive study environment: The right environment can make a big difference in your ability to concentrate. Dimming the lights, minimizing noise, and ensuring that you have adequate lighting can help set the stage for optimal study conditions.
• Take breaks: It can be tempting to power through the night, but taking breaks is essential to maintain focus and avoid burnout. Take a few short breaks throughout the night to recharge your mind and reduce fatigue.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking water can help you stay alert and refreshed throughout the night. Keep a bottle of water nearby and take regular sips to stay hydrated.
• Manage fatigue: Fatigue can be a significant challenge when studying at night. Combat this by taking a power nap beforehand or engaging in light exercise to boost your energy levels.
• Establish a routine: Creating a consistent routine can help your brain adjust to studying at night. Try to study at the same time each night and establish a pre-sleep routine to signal to your body that it’s time to rest.

By following these tips, you can enhance your nighttime studying experience and achieve your academic goals. Remember, everyone’s ideal study time is different, so it’s about finding what works best for you.

Tips for Studying in the Morning

As someone who has tried both morning and night study routines, I understand the benefits and challenges that come with studying in the morning. Here are some tips to help you establish a productive morning study routine:

Establish a Morning Routine

Waking up at the same time every day and having a consistent routine can prepare your mind and body for studying. Start by creating a schedule that includes time for breakfast, exercise, and any other morning activities that help you feel alert and energized. Stick to this routine consistently, and you’ll find yourself better prepared for your study session.

Create a Conducive Study Environment

Just like with night studying, a peaceful and well-lit study environment is crucial to morning study success. Choose a workspace with adequate light and minimal distractions. Consider using headphones and your favorite music playlist to help you focus.

Stay Focused

While the morning may be a prime time to study, it’s also a time when we can be easily distracted. To stay focused, try breaking down your study time into smaller chunks, and take frequent breaks. Use a timer to keep track of these breaks and the study time. This technique will help you stay focused and prevent mental fatigue.

Use Your Energy Wisely

For some people, morning bursts of energy may dissipate quickly, while others may feel energized all day. Identify your energy patterns and plan your study schedule accordingly. If you’re most productive in the morning, prioritize challenging tasks during this time. If you’re more productive later in the day, ease into studying during the morning and tackle more challenging tasks later.

By following these tips, you’ll be on the path to a successful morning study routine. However, remember that choosing your ideal study time ultimately depends on your individual preferences, lifestyle, and energy levels. So experiment, try different routines, and find what works best for you and your needs.

Productivity at Night vs Morning

It’s no secret that productivity levels vary from person to person. Some people are more alert and productive during the morning, while others prefer to burn the midnight oil. Understanding your own individual sleep patterns and circadian rhythm is crucial in identifying your peak productivity hours.

Personally, I find that my productivity levels peak in the late afternoon and early evening, making it an ideal time for me to study. However, this may not be the case for everyone. It’s important to experiment with different study times and identify what works best for you.

Factors such as personal preferences, lifestyle commitments, and energy levels also play a significant role in productivity. For instance, if you have a demanding job during the day, studying at night may lead to burnout and decreased productivity. On the other hand, if you’re a morning person with a clear mind after a good night’s sleep, studying in the morning may be more beneficial.

Ultimately, it’s about finding your sweet spot – the time when you’re feeling energised, focused, and alert. This may require some trial and error, but with perseverance and self-awareness, you’ll be able to discover your optimal study time.

After exploring the advantages and disadvantages of studying at night and in the morning, as well as understanding individual sleep patterns and lifestyle commitments, I have come to the conclusion that there is no one-size-fits-all study routine.

What matters most is finding a study routine that resonates with you and allows you to achieve your academic goals. Whether you prefer studying at night or in the morning, developing a structured routine and following the provided tips can help you make the most out of your study sessions.

Remember to consider personal factors such as energy levels, existing commitments, and individual differences in productivity when determining your ideal study time. By doing so, you can optimize your learning experience and achieve academic success.

Q: What are the benefits of studying at night?

A: Studying at night offers several benefits for certain individuals. The environment tends to be quieter, with fewer distractions compared to daytime. Additionally, some people find that studying at night allows them to concentrate better and retain information more easily.

Q: What are the advantages of studying in the morning?

A: Studying in the morning has its own set of advantages. Many people feel more energized and alert after a good night’s sleep, making it a conducive time to absorb new information. Additionally, there is less likelihood of interruptions or external distractions during the early hours.

Q: How can I determine my ideal study time?

A: To determine your ideal study time, it is important to understand your individual sleep patterns and circadian rhythm. Some people are naturally more alert in the morning, while others are night owls. By becoming aware of your own sleep preferences, you can align your study routine with your body’s natural rhythm for optimal productivity.

Q: What factors should I consider when choosing between studying at night or in the morning?

A: Factors to consider include personal preferences, existing lifestyle commitments, and energy levels at different times of the day. It’s essential to take these factors into account to create a study routine that suits your individual needs and maximizes your productivity.

Q: How can I develop a study routine?

A: Regardless of whether you choose to study at night or in the morning, having a structured study routine is crucial for success. This section will provide guidance on how to develop an effective study routine, including tips for managing your time efficiently, setting achievable goals, and staying motivated throughout your study sessions.

Q: What are some tips for studying at night?

A: Studying at night may come with its own set of challenges, such as combating fatigue and creating an environment conducive to learning. In this section, we will provide practical tips to overcome these obstacles and make the most out of your study sessions at night.

Q: What are some tips for studying in the morning?

A: If you prefer studying in the morning, this section will provide you with valuable tips to optimize your morning study routine. From establishing a morning routine to staying focused and energized, you’ll find practical advice to make the most out of your study sessions during the early hours.

Q: How can I maximize my productivity at night or in the morning?

A: When comparing productivity levels at night and in the morning, individual differences play a significant role. This section will delve into understanding individual differences in productivity and provide guidance on how to identify your own peak productivity hours.

Q: What is the conclusion regarding studying at night vs morning?

A: In conclusion, studying at night or in the morning is a subjective choice that depends on individual preferences, sleep patterns, and lifestyle commitments. By understanding the benefits and advantages of each study time, considering personal factors, developing a study routine, and following the provided tips, you can determine your ideal study time and optimize your learning experience.

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Late-Night vs. Early-Morning Homework: Which Is More Effective for Students?

As students who want to become successful in school and academics, we often find ourselves grappling with the infinite struggle between late-night homework sessions and early-morning study routines. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right one can make a significant impact on our academic performance and overall well-being. In this article, we will delve into the pros and cons of each option, and provide real-life examples.

Late-Night Studies: The Night Owl’s Guide

Studying at night does have a lot of benefits. According to the interviews at YLHS, many students stated that they prefer late-night studying. The reasons are the following: “I remember information the night prior better as opposed to the morning of” Onassis Lim (10) . This brings out the first pros of studying at night—uninterrupted focus. When it’s late at night, the world tends to quiet down, a peaceful environment is the most satisfactory for concentration. “I like to study at night because it is nicer and quieter that way,” says Timothy Khaw (10) . Moreover, Vivian Lin (10) also explains, “It’s an intimate space for studying.” Truthfully, finishing homework or studying at night does have the time flexibility to have enough time to complete each task well.

While studying at night is what most students do, there are also many drawbacks. Sleep deprivation is one of them as staying up late can lead to a lack of sleep, resulting in fatigue and decreased performance the next day. An irregular sleep pattern can contribute to long-term health issues, such as increased stress and a weakened immune system. (mayoclinic.org)

Morning Studying/Homework: The Early Bird Catches the Worm?

The YLHS 10th grade student Kelsey Ikemoto ’s answer is, “I’d say really in the morning because… your brain is already functioning..it’s easier to think, especially [if there is] an early test.” 

Yes, refreshed minds are the main reason students should study in the morning. When the mind is fresh, it can lead to better comprehension and retention of information. Furthermore, a consistent sleep schedule can be maintained when this routine occurs. Waking up early encourages a regular sleep schedule, promoting overall health for students’ body development.

To be honest I haven’t done either late night studying or morning study because I get all my work done first, but I prefer late night study because there are less people to bother me, [then] and I can concentrate more.

— Ethan Hayashi

Tristan Khong , another 10th-grade student added, “I like late-night studying because I’m too tired in the morning.” That is true, some individuals are simply not morning people and struggle to be productive during early hours. 

In addition, the interview with a 10th-grade YLHS student Ethan Hayashi, he describes his schedule for every day’s studying and homework, saying, “To be honest I haven’t done either late night studying or morning study because I get all my work done first, but I prefer late night study because there are less people to bother me, [then] and I can concentrate more.” He is totally right, either late-night studying or morning studying doesn’t matter too much. It is noteworthy whether you are effectively using your time. Morning or night, it only depends on your own habits and rhythm. Just like how Ryan Soto (10) finds the way that is more suited for him comment, “it’s more preferable to do morning studying, but honestly, I am forced to do it late at night because I lose track of time.”

To sum up, whether late-night or early-morning studying is preferable depends on your personal habits and rhythm. The key to success in school is not when you study but how effectively you use your chosen study time. The YLHS Endorphins Study Club is here to support students in navigating the challenges of academic life. Join us on Remind (code: endorp) and Google Classroom (code: qc62lzo) and follow us on Instagram (endorphins_119) for more valuable high school success tips. Your commitment to learning is what truly matters, regardless of whether you’re a night owl or an early bird. Keep it up!

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Comments (3)

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Brenda Lu • Oct 26, 2023 at 7:26 AM

I like how there were multiple opinions of students at YLHS included in this article.

Megan Wang • Oct 26, 2023 at 7:25 AM

I really like how this article gives a variety of different ideas and opinions, while providing a fresh new perspective

Megan Huynh • Oct 26, 2023 at 7:23 AM

As a night person, studying is a lot easier during the later times of the day, but after reading this, I am considering switching to morning studying. It seems like it does have its benefits!

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Day vs night: when is the best time to study and why?

**This is an updated post**

You’re either an early bird or a night owl. But when it comes to learning, when is the best time to study? Is it better to study at night or in the morning? And what does science have to say about it?

Our bodies’ cycles of alertness and focus are governed by Circadian rhythms. They are what forms our 24-hour sleep/wake cycle that then drives when we are hungry, when we are tired and even when we undertake activities such as work and study.

But that’s just the beginning of the story. There are a whole bunch of lifestyle factors that influence when the best study time is for each individual person.

The truth is, there is no definitive “best” time to study, as every person is different. But there are benefits to studying during the day or night.

The benefits of studying during the day

It’s not hard to argue that studying during the day is a smart choice. After all, we’re usually refreshed in the morning after a good night’s sleep.

During the day you are less likely to require indoor lighting. Sunlight is actually good for your eyes. It provides just the right spectrum of light to maintain optimal eyesight and actually works with the pituitary gland to make you alert and awake. True fact!

Indoor lighting has actually been shown to interrupt the sleep cycle and most sleep doctors recommend that you expose yourself to as little artificial light at night as possible at night, including TV, computer and smartphone screens. This is why some devices now include a “blue light filter” which limits the amount of blue light displayed on the screen.

Positives of studying during the day:

• Natural light can help you focus, as opposed to artificial light.
• Your natural Circadian rhythms will be at work.
• You’ll be refreshed and alert, meaning you’ll be able to retain information better.

Tips for studying during the day:

• Find a space to study (inside or outside) that gives you plenty of natural light to see by.
• Eliminate possible distractions – does listening to music help you focus and block out distracting noises, like traffic sounds, or your loud neighbours?
• Breakfast is not the most important meal of the day, contrary to popular belief. But a healthy breakfast (think   brain foods   like avocados, blueberries and whole grains) will help improve your levels of   concentration .

The benefits of studying at night

“But wait! I’m a night owl!” we hear you cry. Or perhaps you work a 9-to-5 job, or are looking after young children during the day and can only study after they’ve fallen asleep at night.

If night-time is when you feel like you are most productive, or when you have time to study, then don’t panic. Just as there are plenty of positives for studying during the day, there are various reasons why night-time is the best time to study for some.

The most obvious advantage of studying at night is the abundance of peace and quiet you have. Night-time is when people are more relaxed, quiet and contemplative. That environment can be exactly what some people need to get into the right headspace for study.

If you find that you can’t get a breakthrough on a project during the day, try taking a look after dark. You might find that you’re looking at things in a new way.

At night, the pressures of the daytime behind them, many feel that their mind is free to wander through more alternatives at night. And this can be useful for assessment-writing or working on creative pursuits.

Many authors, songwriters and scientists prefer to work at night because they feel that they tend to think more creatively after-hours. This is backed up by a   study   completed at the University of the Sacred Heart in Milan which showed that night owls were more likely to be creative than early birds.

Barack Obama   himself is a self-confessed night owl.

Positives of studying during the evening:

• Peace and quiet – less distractions so you can knuckle down.
• Your daily tasks are done, so you can concentrate on your work.
• Night-time is when people tend to feel more creative.

Tips for studying at night:

• Limit possible distractions – turn your phone on silent and leave the TV off.
• Try to avoid caffeine, as it can take up to four hours to cycle through the body. It might give you a spike of energy, but it could prevent you from having a good night’s sleep.
• Create a   routine   that still gives you enough time for a good night’s rest.

What does the science say?

While Circadian rhythms are different for everyone, there are patterns that indicate that people really do fit into the “early bird” or the “night owl” categories.

The typical morning person will find that they are rearing to go as early as 7am. That burst of energy will last until around 10am when they need a little rest. Maybe this is when they take a coffee break and stretch their legs. Then they will get another burst of energy until around 3pm when they start to wind down.

The “night owl” tends to be the complete opposite. They will be sluggish until around midday when they have their first burst of energy. This will last until 3pm when they will have their second burst that will last until 7pm. From there, they will start winding down around 10pm and go quickly from activity to sleep.

So, when is it best to study?

It all depends on your lifestyle. Younger people with a routine that sees them more active at night will find that studying at night comes more naturally to them. If you’re an adult and re-entering study after a long time away, you might find that daytime is better suited  to your established routine.

The important factor for everyone is making sure you are getting enough sleep. So whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, there’s nothing stopping you from taking on study in your own time and at your own pace right now.

Have you thought about taking up online study?

Whether you’re a morning or a night person,  Open Colleges’  flexible online study means that you can study when you want, where you want. There are no deadlines and no classrooms, so you can fit study around your life.  Learn more here.

Not quite ready to take the plunge and enrol? No problem. Why not dip your toe in the water with a  7-day free course trial?   You can experience our world-class learning platform and get a feel for online study. With no obligations and no payment details required, it’s the perfect way to test the waters and maybe start a brand new, exciting career!

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Should I Sleep or Do my Homework?

Have you ever experienced pushing through exhaustion just to finish your homework? Were you satisfied with the grades you received?

If you’re like the average student, then there’s a good chance that you answered no to this question. And even if you did well and got high marks on the assignment, you probably had very little energy to stay attentive in class the next morning.

Such is the life of students, especially those who are studying in a college or university. Unlike in the earlier years of education, your professors won’t bother hearing your excuses. They will simply give you a big, fat zero for a grade, and there’s nothing you can do to turn back time and correct the situation.

Surely, you don’t want this to ever happen again. But as the adage goes, life happens. You may be juggling your studies with a part-time job, forcing you to expend your time and energy at work even after you already feel tired after college.

This doesn’t give you license to skimp out and neglect your homework. Instead, this experience teaches you how to face the challenge head-on, prompting you to find ways on how to do well in your studies and at work while giving your body ample amounts of rest.

The Importance of Homework

You have probably thought at least once that homework doesn’t help with your learning. This applies in particular to assignments that take an unrealistic amount of time to complete. Not to mention, some professors seem to give out homework just for the sake of it. You couldn’t help but wonder what the connection is between your homework and the course you’re studying.

Still, the importance of homework cannot be understated. It reinforces the skills and lessons learned inside the classroom. It also allows you to prepare for upcoming topics in class, ensuring that the transition goes smoothly. You probably know how difficult it is to miss class and then come back with a totally different subject.

It’s also essential to understand the benefits of homework in terms of enhancing different life skills. For one, it encourages you to muster up self-discipline. It’s always tempting to do the things you love most once classes are over, but having a responsibility to finish compels you to form an alternate perspective of what matters most.

By working independently, you can also allow your own thoughts and creativity does the work instead of thinking too much about what the teacher thinks or wants. Homework also hones your research skills, as you will have to tap on a variety of resources including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and online learning platforms to deliver the best work.

There are also cases in which homework connects college learning to the outside world. Many teachers see to it that the homework they assign is more involved, requiring you to work in a group, interview community members, or talk with your family about topics you haven’t discussed before.

Sleep Matters, Too

Have you ever wondered how the topnotchers in your class seem to be full of energy throughout the day? You might argue that they simply have more discipline than you. There are also students who genuinely find joy in learning and getting high grades. But there’s a missing piece to the puzzle you should factor in as well.

The answer to the question above is simpler than you think: You can bet that the students who exhibit the highest level of energy and attention in class get a sufficient amount of rest. This holds true for CEOs of some of the most successful companies in the world. They know that getting enough shuteye every night enables them to tackle the challenges of tomorrow with full strength and vigor.

Of course, this doesn’t mean sleeping when and where you want to. After all, you don’t want to be the student who gets caught by the teacher sleeping in class. Once again, the key is finding the right balance. It proves unwise (and unhealthy) to push through sleepiness just to complete your homework. Getting enough sleep each day gives your mind and body sufficient time to rest. It also has a major impact on increasing your attention span.

You’ve probably heard that time is your most precious resource. But you should understand that attention plays an equally important role. In fact, the reason why many students lack sleep isn’t that of the barrage of assignments they need to work on. It’s because of procrastination. You may have a lot of free time in your hands, but you choose to spend it on things that give you pleasure.

Aside from managing your schedule, it’s also vital that you stay attentive to the task at hand. Making sure that you get several hours of sleep each night helps you stay alert and enhances focus. You might surprise yourself at how fast and easy you can complete your homework the next morning compared to wasting hours upon hours trying to get it done the night before.

Do You Need Professional Assistance?

Balancing your studies with all the other things you do is always a challenge. There are cases in which your body longs for your bed to get some rest, but you still have an essay to submit the following day. This is where Assignment Expert homework help service comes in handy.

By letting professionals lend you a helping hand, you can finish your homework in no time. This offers the benefit of learning straight from the experts. You can get new ideas on how to craft your essays and research about complex topics. Online homework help can aid in your college learning while allowing you to go to sleep without worrying about meeting deadlines.

If you need help with your homework, do not hesitate to write us or submit the task on our website . We have experts in different subjects, so you will be matched to the right person for the job. Allow us to step in while you take care of other urgent matters in your life.

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Here’s the Best Study Routine (Day & Night with Sample Schedule)

Let’s face it: your search history is probably filled with queries like “best study techniques” or “how to focus better.” Most of what you find is either too generic or not tailored to your learning style. We’re here to offer something more substantial — a scientifically-backed guide to crafting the best study routine. Let’s dive in!

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How to Make a Study Routine

• Sample Study Routines (Day & Night)

Best Techniques for Your Study Routine

Creating an effective study routine isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Here’s a breakdown to help you tailor a study routine to your unique schedule and academic needs.

• Evaluate your schedule: Before building your study routine, closely examine your daily schedule and commitments. When do your classes start and end? Do you have any extracurricular activities? Do you have to work after class? By understanding your daily schedule, you can create a more personalized study routine.
• Set realistic goals: Have you ever told yourself that you’d finish reading 10 chapters of your textbook in a single all-nighter? You’re not alone in falling into this lie countless times. That’s why breaking down larger academic goals into smaller, achievable tasks is a must. You need to be able to set specific and realistic goals for each study session.
• Plan study blocks: After being honest with yourself about your goals, decide how many hours a day you would dedicate to studying. It could be as short or as long as you want — as long as you guarantee that you can maximize your study time. The quality of your learning is more important than the quantity or amount of hours you put into studying!
• Create a distraction-free environment: Spending 10 hours studying is useless if it’s broken up scrolling through social media. Because of this, it is important to minimize distractions during your study sessions. You can do this by finding a quiet, clutter-free space where you can concentrate fully. Turn off your phone and use website blockers like Cold Turkey to maximize productivity.
• Organize your study materials : A well-organized set of resources can save you time and stress. Check out our post on the best Notion templates for students for some inspiration.
• Prioritize sleep and schedule: Studying is important, but so is your physical health! Your cognitive abilities are directly linked to your wellbeing. Make sure you get enough sleep and fit in some physical activity to keep your mind sharp.
• Stay consistent: If you start committing to your planned study schedule as much as possible, it’ll eventually become second nature and make it quicker to dive into a state of deep focus every time.
• Be flexible: Life happens, and things don’t always go as planned — and that’s okay! It just means that your routine might need adjustments from time to time. Don’t be too hard on yourself, and learn to adapt to changes in your schedule. If you accidentally missed a study session, relax and just pick up where you left off.

Sample Study Routines to Follow

Morning & afternoon study routine.

If you’re an early riser who enjoys soaking up the morning sun, a daytime study routine is perfect for you. Studying in the morning has the added advantage of being in line with our natural body clock since alertness is at its peak in the morning and early afternoon.

Here’s a sample schedule that you can follow:

• 5:30 AM – 6:15 AM: Rise and shine! Kick-start your day with a healthy breakfast. You can also try to engage in a short meditation or stretching session to feel more awake.
• 6:15 AM – 6:30 AM: Grab a pen and paper or your digital notepad so that you can set your study goals for the day and specific tasks you need to accomplish.
• 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM: Time to exercise! You can do any form of physical activity, from light cardio (like walking) to lifting weights in the gym.
• 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM: First study block (or attend your classes). Start your timer: 25-minute study with a 5-minute break, repeat 4x, then a long break — or use a timer that automatically does it for you .
• 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Take an extended break. Stretch, grab a snack, and breathe some fresh air. Look away from your screen to minimize eye strain.
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Second study block (or attend your classes). Start your timer and finish another full Pomodoro session (25-minute study with a 5-minute break, repeat 4x, then a long break).
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch break! This is the perfect time to refuel your body with nourishing food and prep for your afternoon study session.
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM : Third study block (or attend your classes). Don’t forget to use techniques like active recall and mind mapping (more on that below) to reinforce the concepts you learned in the morning.
• 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Time for another extended break. Why not walk to a nearby café for a change of scenery, or go to a virtual café ?
• 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Final study block (or attend your classes). Use this final session to consolidate your learning and list areas requiring further attention.
• 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM: Free time! Reward yourself by unwinding and relaxing after a productive day. Pursue your hobbies, spend time with friends and family, or watch a movie .
• 9:30 PM – 5:30 AM: Get a good night’s rest to feel fully recharged the next day!

Nighttime Study Routine

Not everyone is made for a daytime study routine. You might just feel more productive at night, or maybe you’ve got daytime commitments like a job or other extracurricular activities. If you’re a night owl and not an early riser, give this sample nighttime study routine a whirl:

• 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Boost your energy with a late-day workout. This will help set your mood for your upcoming study session.
• 6:00 PM – 6:15 PM: Grab a pen and paper or your digital notepad to set your study goals for the night and specific tasks you need to accomplish.
• 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM: First study block. Start your timer and finish a full Pomodoro session (25-minute study with a 5-minute break, repeat 4x, then a long break). Try starting with lighter subjects first to ease yourself into the night.
• 8:15 PM – 9:00 PM: Dinner time! Have a nutritious meal to fuel yourself for the long night ahead.
• 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Second study block. Start your timer and finish another full Pomodoro session.
• 11:00 PM – 11:30 PM: Take an extended break. You can even take a power nap if you want to. Just make sure to set an alarm to avoid oversleeping!
• 11:30 PM – 1:30 AM: Third study block. Start your timer and finish another full Pomodoro session. Try switching to a different subject to keep things interesting!
• 1:30 AM – 2:00 AM: Relax and recharge for a while. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and have a light snack if you want to.
• 2:00 AM – 4:00 AM: Final study block. Review the material you studied during the whole night. Why not try to use the Feynman technique to test your learning? (check it out below)
• 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Go to bed and make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. Make sure to turn off your devices and create a relaxing bedtime routine.
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Time to wake up! Sustain your body’s needs by eating your first meal of the day.
• 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Free time! Ideally, you should engage in activities to help unwind and clear your mind. You should also eat your second meal of the day during this period.

With a general framework in place and some sample routines to try, let’s explore some scientifically-backed techniques to enhance your study routine.

Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time-tested and community favorite strategy that breaks your study time into 25 minute intervals, followed by short breaks. It helps your brain stay focused and reduces fatigue.

Luckily, you can use dedicated free Pomodoro-focused tools like Flocus to automatically switch between study and break periods instead of winding up a manual timer for each interval.

Don’t know what to do during your study breaks? Here are some Pomodoro break ideas . Also, if you think that the Pomodoro technique isn’t for you, we’ve rounded up some of the best Pomodoro alternatives to try.

Active Recall

Active recall beats passive learning hands down. Instead of simply reading through material, this method challenges you to recall information from memory. In fact, passive learning is considered one of the least effective study methods. Active recall may be challenging to get used to at first, but the amount of retained information you’ll get will make the process worth it! When it comes to active recall, nothing beats the use of flashcards — whether handwritten or created using digital apps such as Anki .

Mind Mapping

If you are visual person, then this strategy is perfect for you. Mind mapping is a visual technique that helps you organize and understand complex information. Basically, it’s creating a map of your thoughts! Start with a central idea and then let it branch out by adding related subtopics and ideas. Feel free to add colors and images to make it even more memorable and effective. Just the process of creating the mind map itself already helps you solidify your understanding of the topic.

Feynman Technique

This technique, inspired by the learning approach of renowned physicist Richard Feynman, involves breaking down complex ideas into simpler terms — as if you’re teaching a concept to a total beginner. While doing this, you’ll probably identify gaps in your knowledge and better understand the topic. Generally, if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.

Ultimately, the best study routine is the one that fits your unique lifestyle. Experiment with different schedules and see what works best for you. Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, consistency and dedication are the keys to academic success. Take time to craft your best study routine, and you’ll be acing your exams in no time!

What is the best study routine and schedule for you? Any other study techniques you want to share? Let us know in the comments below!

Gridfiti is supported by its audience – when you buy something using the retail links in our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.  Read more  about our affiliate disclaimer.

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The Best Time to Study: Morning, Afternoon, or Night!

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Timing is Everything!

Ever wondered when is the best time to study? We all desire to enhance our productivity as learners and accomplish our academic objectives. The schedule of our study sessions is a critical thing to consider that can have a consequential influence on our capacity to acquire knowledge, and we all want to get the hang of the best time to study. You need to put it together for maximum optimisation carefully. This blog will focus on finding the best hour to study for you. Regardless of whether you are a night owl or a morning person, you will definitely find your peak hours! Now, let's get started and discover the best time to study and memorise! As Geroge Bernard Shaw wisely said “Don’t wait for the opportunity. Create it.” 

What is the Best Time to Study?

The best time to study, according to research and scientists, is between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm and between 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm, as the brain is most awake and teachable. However, for deep focus and concentration, one must study between 4:00 am and 7:00 am, so if you're looking for some tips to balance work while studying , it would be best if you time it correctly. Young adults might be a little bit of an exception to this guideline, so it's important to keep a few things in mind. According to scientists, young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 have circadian rhythms behind either young children or mature adults by roughly 2-3 hours. In this age bracket, the best times to study can be a little later. 

How Time of Day Affects Students' Brains

The time of day can affect students' brains in simple ways. Students are mostly more focused in the morning, which makes it the best learning time. However, it might be more difficult to focus in the afternoon due to a possible decline in energy and all the distractions along the way. Some pupils may feel more creative and capable of tackling problems in the evening. When arranging your work or study schedule and finding the best time for study, keep these patterns in mind for optimal learning and performance.

Should I Study at Night or During the Day?

In reality, there is no such thing as the best time to study; it differs from person to person when they can be more productive, have the most energy, know their surroundings, and so on. Some are early risers, some work best in the afternoon, and some are night owls; depending on this, we have a breakdown of the benefits of studying at that time and also what is the best time to study and memorise. 

1. Morning Learners

Does your brain function at its optimal level in the morning? If so, you are definitely a morning learner. Many students can focus well early morning after a good night’s sleep. They can grasp concepts better, solve math problems more effectively, and remember things well. They also feel more energetic and refreshed in the morning, making it the best study time for students.

Benefits of Studying in the Morning

Most people would think that morning is the best time to study, as our brains tend to be the sharpest in the morning after a pleasant night's sleep and breakfast. Explore below why one must pick mornings as the best time to study and memorise:

• It's said that exposure to sunlight, as opposed to darkness, keeps the intellect sharper.
• The light in the early morning hours is also very good for your eyes; it strengthens your retinas and your eye muscles.
• Maintaining your sleep cycle might be facilitated by implementing a morning study routine that aligns with your circadian rhythm.

2. Afternoon Learners

Yes, there are students who are the most active during the day, unlike most of us who feel tired and sleepy after a good afternoon lunch. Many students can easily integrate information they have learned before during this hour. Many studies suggest that 2 PM to 5 PM are the most effective hours for studying. Their critical thinking and analytical skills also work best during this time.

Benefits of Studying During the Afternoon

For some, the best time of day to study is the afternoon. Let’s now look at a few benefits of studying during the daytime.

• Afternoons are usually quieter, and students can focus better without any distractions.
• Students can read in the library after class or study in groups.
• Students might also have access to tutors and teachers to clear any doubts.

3. Nighttime Learners

These are the night owls who are the most productive during the nighttime. Like the afternoon, the nighttime is also quieter, enabling students to focus and recall all they have learned during the day. Also, it is believed that sleeping after studying helps retain information.

Benefits of Studying During Nighttime

Later in the day, some students have greater energy. As a result, reading and studying for them is more productive in the evening or at night. This is the best time to study and memorise as there are fewer distractions, and everyone is in bed now. Below are a few brief points to support the topic:

• Studying also helps to increase your focus and creativity. 
• After studying, some claim that getting some sleep will help you retain what you learned. 
• You need to ensure that you are still getting an average sleep of 8 to 9 hours each night. 

Since you prefer studying at night, you can also try a few tips to stay awake at night , which can help you figure out your best time to study and memorise! However, one must remember to stay hydrated and don't overdo the coffee.

How to Decide the Best Time to Study? 

Everyone has a preference for when they'd like to sit and dedicate enough time to studying. Now that you know the benefits of studying both during the night and day, you can also read up on how to decide the best time to study, keeping these factors in mind. Having said that, different study schedules can be the best time to study and memorise for different students. If you take the following elements into account, you may determine when you learn best. 

1. Diversion

It's ideal to choose another time if your preferred hour is prone to interruptions, such as dinnertime, which can mess up your pattern. That will be your best time to study and memorise. You have to choose when any kind of hindrance can't hamper your flow.

2. Attention

When are you at your sharpest? Consider that various people tend to have superior recollections and alertness at different times of the day. For instance, your visual memory may be greater in the morning, but your capacity for critical thought is at its highest in the afternoon. You need to understand when your mind is in the most alert state. To help you increase your attention span, you can learn the Top 10 Ways to Increase Attention Span .

3. Regularity

Choose a time that you can consistently adhere to, at least for a few days each week. You need to prepare a proper schedule to keep your mind prepared about what is coming, and slowly and gradually, it will automatically fall into the cycle. Also, don't forget to take breaks to refresh your mind and get mental health support for students if needed.

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Find Out When You Are Most Productive

There are plenty of studies conducted on human psychology that can tell us about how our biorhythms affect our sleep schedules and energy levels. As such, we have come to learn that people may have special times of peak productivity as well. So how do we know what is the best time to study for students? Here are a few ways that can help:

1. Don't Assume

Just because your peers prefer staying up all night to study, that doesn't mean that would work for you, either. For all you know, studying in the morning is when you're most predictive. Figure it out by trying both!

2. Learn About Biorhythms

You can teach your brain to work effectively when you need it, for example, in class, instead of being productive and energised when it's time to go to bed. A consistent schedule that repeats every day can help you find your peak productivity time. 

3. Keep an Eye on Your Circadian Rhythm

Your circadian rhythm is your body's internal clock. It runs on a roughly 24-hour cycle and dictates when you feel awake, sleepy, and hungry and when your body produces certain hormones. It even affects your mental performance throughout the day. You can use student well-being services and apps to track your circadian rhythm and then make a suitable schedule based on your findings.

4. Analyse Your Typical Day

Once you start paying attention to how you feel throughout the day and tracking your daily activities, you can see a pattern: You'll find one long peak of productivity or a few shorter ones instead. Once you know this, you can find out when you are most productive. 

Best Time to Study: Things to Keep in Mind

Once you've decided which time frame works best for you and what is the best learning time for students, you can start making time for it. In addition, we have offered a few things to remember. You can keep these things in mind while planning your session to make it more effective and to get the most out of your learning time.

1. Morning Focus

Many students find the best time to study in the morning when they are more alert and focused.

2. Avoid the Afternoon

During the afternoon, energy and concentration levels may dip, making it harder to study effectively (unless you’re an afternoon learner). Take short breaks or engage in light physical activity to refresh your mind.

3. Evening Creativity

Some students experience enhanced creativity and problem-solving skills in the evening. Use this time for creative tasks or self-examination.

4. Find your Peak Time

Pay attention to your own body and brain patterns to decide your peak times for studying. Everyone is different, so find the time that works best for you.

5. Plan Breaks

Include short breaks into your study routine to control burnout and maintain focus.

6. Consider Circadian Rhythms

Remember that our bodies have natural rhythms, so try to align your study schedule with your circadian rhythm for optimal productivity.

7. Sleep Well

Prioritise good sleep habits as they directly impact cognitive functioning and memory retention. Ensure you have enough restful sleep to support your learning.

8. Stay Hydrated and Nourished

Proper hydration and nutrition are essential for optimal brain function. Drink water and eat nutritious meals to fuel your study sessions.

Tips to Study More Efficiently

Besides knowing the best time to study, you can also follow certain tips to study more efficiently. These include the following:

1.  Make Notes

Taking notes will help you summarise key points, organise information, and help in memory retention. Focus on the most important concepts and ideas while making notes.

2. Use charts & diagrams

Visual aids like charts, graphs, and diagrams make complex ideas easier to understand. When using charts and diagrams, ensure that they are clear, concise, and relevant.

3. Create a Productive Space

Your study space greatly impacts your productivity. Make sure to choose a quiet, clutter-free place, free of distractions. You can also personalise your space with the items that inspire and motivate you.

4. Get Proper Sleep

Sleep is vital for optimal cognitive function. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep at night will help you retain information and learn better.

5. Stick to a Study Plan

Why a study plan? Because this can help you organise your study sessions and manage time effectively. Break down your study material into small chunks. Be realistic with your schedule and take breaks in between.    

Finding the best time to study is essential for maximising our learning and output. No one solution works for everyone, but we can use the knowledge and advice shared in this blog to choose the best time for students to study. There are various methods we might use to increase our learning capacity. It's also critical to remember that our lives influence our study, so we should experiment to see what methods work for us. We may be successful in our learning journeys by prioritising our study time and utilising these techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is morning or evening the best time to study, is 3 am the best hour to study, how can i focus 100% on studying, does music help in studying better, what is the best time to study and memorise.

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Homework: A New User's Guide

Cory Turner

If you made it past the headline, you're likely a student, concerned parent, teacher or, like me, a nerd nostalgist who enjoys basking in the distant glow of Homework Triumphs Past (second-grade report on Custer's Last Stand, nailed it!).

Whoever you are, you're surely hoping for some clarity in the loud, perennial debate over whether U.S. students are justifiably exhausted and nervous from too much homework — even though some international comparisons suggest they're sitting comfortably at the average.

Well, here goes. I've mapped out six, research-based polestars that should help guide you to some reasonable conclusions about homework.

How much homework do U.S. students get?

The best answer comes from something called the National Assessment of Educational Progress or NAEP . In 2012, students in three different age groups — 9, 13 and 17 — were asked, "How much time did you spend on homework yesterday?" The vast majority of 9-year-olds (79 percent) and 13-year-olds (65 percent) and still a majority of 17-year-olds (53 percent) all reported doing an hour or less of homework the day before.

Another study from the National Center for Education Statistics found that high school students who reported doing homework outside of school did, on average, about seven hours a week.

If you're hungry for more data on this — and some perspective — check out this exhaustive report put together last year by researcher Tom Loveless at the Brookings Institution.

An hour or less a day? But we hear so many horror stories! Why?

The fact is, some students do have a ton of homework. In high school we see a kind of student divergence — between those who choose or find themselves tracked into less-rigorous coursework and those who enroll in honors classes or multiple Advanced Placement courses. And the latter students are getting a lot of homework. In that 2012 NAEP survey, 13 percent of 17-year-olds reported doing more than two hours of homework the previous night. That's not a lot of students, but they're clearly doing a lot of work.

Source: Met Life Survey of the American Teacher, The Homework Experience, 2007. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

That also tracks with a famous survey from 2007 — from MetLife — that asked parents what they think of their kids' homework load. Sixty percent said it was just right. Twenty-five percent said their kids are getting too little. Just 15 percent of parents said their kids have too much homework.

Research also suggests that the students doing the most work have something else in common: income. "I think that the debate over homework in some ways is a social class issue," says Janine Bempechat, professor of human development at Wheelock College. "There's no question that in affluent communities, children are really over-taxed, over-burdened with homework."

But the vast majority of students do not seem to have inordinate workloads. And the ones who do are generally volunteering for the tough stuff. That doesn't make it easier, but it does make it a choice.

Do we know how much homework students in other countries are doing?

Sort of. Caveats abound here. Education systems and perceptions of what is and isn't homework can vary remarkably overseas. So any comparison is, to a degree, apples-to-oranges (or, at least, apples-to-pears). A 2012 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development pegged the U.S. homework load for 15-year-olds at around six hours per week. That's just above the study's average. It found that students in Hong Kong are also doing about six hours a week. Much of Europe checks in between four and five hours a week. In Japan, it's four hours. And Korea's near the bottom, at three hours.

Source: OECD, PISA 2012 Database, Table IV.3.48. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

How much homework is too much?

Better yet, how much is just right? Harris Cooper at Duke University has done some of the best work on homework. He and his team reviewed dozens of studies, from 1987 to 2003, looking for consensus on what works and what doesn't. A common rule of thumb, he says, is what's called the 10-minute rule. Take the child's grade and multiply by 10. So first-graders should have roughly 10 minutes of homework a night, 40 minutes for fourth-graders, on up to two hours for seniors in high school. A lot of of schools use this. Even the National PTA officially endorses it.

Homework clearly improves student performance, right?

Not necessarily. It depends on the age of the child. Looking over the research, there's little to no evidence that homework improves student achievement in elementary school. Then again, the many experts I spoke with all said the same thing: The point of homework in those primary grades isn't entirely academic. It's about teaching things like time-management and self-direction.

But, by high school the evidence shifts. Harris Cooper's massive review found, in middle and high school, a positive correlation between homework and student achievement on unit tests. It seems to help. But more is not always better. Cooper points out that, depending on the subject and the age of the student, there is a law of diminishing returns. Again, he recommends the 10-minute rule.

What kinds of homework seem to be most effective?

This is where things get really interesting. Because homework should be about learning, right? To understand what kinds of homework best help kids learn, we really need to talk about memory and the brain.

Let's start with something called the spacing effect . Say a child has to do a vocabulary worksheet. The next week, it's a new worksheet with different words and so on. Well, research shows that the brain is better at remembering when we repeat with consistency, not when we study in long, isolated chunks of time. Do a little bit of vocabulary each night, repeating the same words night after night.

Similarly, a professor of psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, Henry "Roddy" Roediger III , recommends that teachers give students plenty of little quizzes, which he says strengthen the brain's ability to remember. Don't fret. They can be low-stakes or no-stakes, says Roediger: It's the steady recall and repetition that matter. He also recommends, as homework, that students try testing themselves instead of simply re-reading the text or class notes.

There's also something known as interleaving . This is big in the debate over math homework. Many of us — myself included — learned math by focusing on one concept at a time, doing a worksheet to practice that concept, then moving on.

Well, there's evidence that students learn more when homework requires them to choose among multiple strategies — new and old — when solving problems. In other words, kids learn when they have to draw not just from what they learned in class that day but that week, that month, that year.

One last note: Experts agree that homework should generally be about reinforcing what students learned in class (this is especially true in math). Sometimes it can — and should — be used to introduce new material, but here's where so many horror stories begin.

Tom Loveless, a former teacher, offers this advice: "I don't think teachers should ever send brand-new material that puts the parent in the position of a teacher. That's a disaster. My own personal philosophy was: Homework is best if it's material that requires more practice but they've already received initial instruction."

Or, in the words of the National PTA: "Homework that cannot be done without help is not good homework."

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How to Stay Up All Night Doing Homework

Last Updated: June 9, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jeremy Bartz, PhD . Dr. Jeremy Bartz is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice based in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Bartz specializes in treating depression, anxiety, OCD, mind-body syndromes, chronic pain, insomnia, relationship difficulties, attachment trauma, and resolving the effects of narcissistic trauma. He received a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Brigham Young University and completed a fellowship In Pain Psychology at Stanford's premier pain management clinic. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 224,368 times.

Staying up all night to do homework is not advised, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. If your homework has piled up to the point that the only way to complete it is to pull an all-nighter, then make some preparations and get your head in the game. You’re in for a long night.

Getting Organized Before Your All-Nighter

• Make sure you have all the resources you’ll need –all your books, assignments and stationery.
• If it helps you to have music playing as you work, work near a speaker. But choose instrumental music to avoid being distracted by focusing on the song lyrics instead of your assignments.

• Feed your body protein rich foods, like peanut butter sandwiches, turkey sandwiches or hummus and carrots.
• Stay away from sweets; the sugar will cause you to crash.

• Put the biggest assignments that are due first near the top of the list.
• Put smaller assignments that you can complete quickly and easily near the bottom of the list. Try to do these towards the end of your night when you’re exhausted.
• Any assignment that isn’t due the next day should be completed on another night.

• Approximate how long each assignment will take you and then block off an appropriate amount of time in your night to do the work.
• Schedule high priority assignments early in the evening, when you’re still at your best.
• Schedule in a ten minute break every two hours. Use this time to get up and walk around and give your brain a break.

• Don’t nap for longer than 30 minutes. If you nap for longer than 30, you risk entering into REM sleep cycle.
• If you don’t have time for a nap, take a fifteen-minute walk outside. It will accomplish the same thing.

• Make a concrete plan of what time you’re going to begin working and stick to it. Set an alarm, if you have to.
• Turn off your phone and any other distractions that might impede you from beginning your work.

Executing Your All-Nighter

• For every caffeinated beverage you drink, drink a cup of water.
• As the night goes on, increase the time between caffeinated beverages.
• If you feel yourself falling into a slump, take a multivitamin.

• A quick workout can boost your brain's ability to learn and retain information, which will help you break through your slump.
• Don’t do a full workout – instead, do some quick exercise in the form of 10 pushups, 10 jumping jacks or 10 sit ups.

• If pinching isn’t cutting it, splash cold water on your face for an added boost.
• Lower the thermostat in your house or study area to keep your body alert.
• Take a cold shower to freeze yourself awake.

• The closer the light is to your eyes, the better, so try to work near a desk lamp or computer screen.
• Change rooms every couple of hours so your eyes don’t have time to fully adjust to the bright lights.

• Keep a stash close to your desk and dip into it whenever you feel yourself slowing down.
• Drinking mint tea is also a great way to get some added caffeine.

Staying Motivated During Your All-Nighter

• Don’t invite over a friend who only wants to talk and hang out. You need someone who will motivate you, not distract you.

• If you know you can’t go all night without checking Facebook, deactivate your account for the night. You can reactivate it as soon as all your work is done.
• Give your social media passwords to a friend or parent for the evening so you can’t break in to check your accounts.

• Use your priority list from earlier, cross each item off the list when it’s completed, then move on to the next one.

• Every time you finish an assignment, throw a five minute dance party. You’ll get some exercise in and you can listen to your favorite song.
• Give yourself five minutes to check your phone after completing an item on your to-do list.

• Take 10 - 15 minutes every two hours to grab a snack or take a walk.
• If you feel overwhelmed, take a 10 minute break to meditate.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Expert Q&A

Tips from our Readers

• Since you'll be using them for a prolonged period, make sure to charge up all of your electronics! If your laptop or phone dies halfway through your study sesh, it can take up some of your valuable time to re-charge them.
• If there are certain foods you know make you tired or sluggish, try to avoid them while you study. Choose food items you know for sure won't make you want to take a nap.
• If you can get any sleep at all, do so. Even if it's just a half hour to an hour, your brain can really use that time to regenerate!
• Staying up for too long can be dangerous. Do not stay awake for longer than 36 hours consecutively. Disregarding this advice can lead to sickness and possible death. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you know you have this much homework, start it as early as possible or during lunch or other down times at school. Starting the homework at 4:00 PM is better than doing it at 4:00 AM! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/find-a-quiet-place-to-study/
• ↑ https://au.reachout.com/articles/foods-that-help-our-brain-study
• ↑ https://www.fnu.edu/7-techniques-improve-study-habits/
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/
• ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/coffee/
• ↑ https://www.apu.edu/articles/6-crucial-study-habits-for-college-students/
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/how-to-start-exercising-and-stick-to-it.htm
• ↑ https://students.ubc.ca/ubclife/pull-all-nighter-if-you-have
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-new-home/201905/chew-or-not-chew-gum-when-studying
• ↑ https://www.fnu.edu/10-reasons-form-study-group/
• ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/psychology-rewarding-yourself-with-treats
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-future-self/201804/giving-yourself-break

About This Article

If you need to stay up all night doing homework, there are a few ways to help you stay as productive as possible. First, break down your work into smaller tasks and write a schedule to cover everything. Make sure you take regular breaks to walk around and refresh yourself. You should also turn off your phone, log out of your social media accounts, and avoid any other distractions to help you focus. Keep the main lights on in your room and open a window, which will help you stay awake. You’ll probably need caffeine and some healthy snacks, like fruit and nuts, to keep you going. Just make sure you spread them out over the night so you don’t crash after a few hours. For more study tips, including how to do a coffee nap to wake yourself up, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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I Do My Homework in the Morning – Is it Really Worth It?

If you are finding it hard to do your homework in the morning, there are some things that you can do to make it easier. The first thing that you should do is create a time frame that you will work on the assignments during. For instance, if you need to do your homework in the morning, then write down when you want to do it and complete it. Some students like to do their homework at night, so they put it on their night table or under the pillow before they go to bed. Others like to do it early in the morning and then again in the evening.

If you cannot find the time to sit down at a table and do your homework, then why not use your computer? You can download software that will help you to grade effectively using the internet. There are many different types of software programs for home schooling, so you should choose one that fits your needs. Some of them allow you to enter your assignments, make a report, and then download the workbook right to your computer. This allows you to do your homework while you are doing other things.

Students also find that if they use their planner on their computer, then it makes it very easy to do their homework. They can enter the homework and turn it in when it is due or review it later, if they wish. They no longer have to write it down on a calendar, as well as remembering what materials they need. The computer is a great resource for students who want to do their homework on their own time, with their own schedule.

Another thing that some students do to help with homework, is to keep a notepad and pen on their night stand or desk. This will allow them to take notes when they have a few minutes, instead of writing it down in their books. Taking a quick note is important, so that you will remember what material was needed, what works and what does not. Homework help can also come in handy during class, when the teacher is teaching a different topic that you may be confused about. By writing down the facts, you will know what you should expect to learn.

Many parents want their children to do more than just get good grades in school. They want their kids to be happy, too, and to enjoy school. One way to do this is to do extra things for their kids outside of school, to show that you care. If you are going to be gone for a long period of time, find out what the school has to offer your child outside of class. Some schools even offer field trips on occasion, which can bring a lot of fun for everyone, including the parents. With some of the great homework help available, you can make sure that you get plenty of outside activities for your child during the week, as well as in the morning and in the evening after school.

It can also help to have some homework help at home, as well. Some students are better off being taught the basics by themselves, and some do best in a group setting. If you think your child might benefit from individualized instruction, make sure you discuss this with your school counselor or principal, so that they can make a recommendation for your child. You may also do extra courses with your child, on subjects such as Spanish, for example, if you know that he or she will enjoy the subject. Having a little extra homework help during the week can really help, especially if you know your child best and can work with him or her in small groups to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

The biggest thing that many students miss out on is personalization. Homework is something that you are giving to someone else, and most people find that it is easier to do things the “professor” way instead of putting it in yourself. With more students doing their homework at home rather than going to school, the need for personalized instruction is even more important. Personalized homework help can help ensure that your child understands what his or her assignments are and why they are needed. If you are having problems putting together personalized homework help, there are many companies that will do the work for you at a reasonable cost, right from their own home. This type of help can make sure that you get your work done efficiently and correctly.

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How to Avoid Doing Homework in the Morning

Last Updated: February 8, 2021 References

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a Private Tutor and Life Coach in Santa Cruz, California. In 2018, she founded Mindful & Well, a natural healing and wellness coaching service. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. Emily also received her Wellness Coach Certificate from Cornell University and completed the Mindfulness Training by Mindful Schools. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 9,767 times.

Waiting until the morning to do your homework can cut into your sleep and be bad for your health. Without enough time to finish up your work, you might also find that your grades suffer. To get homework done earlier, you should design a schedule and stick to it. Cut down on distractions and find the motivation the plow through your assignments.

Developing a Routine

• The advantage to finishing your homework as soon as you get home is that you don’t need to worry about school for the rest of the day. The disadvantage is that you might have trouble concentrating without a break. Also, finishing your homework directly after school will interfere with prime playtime.
• The advantage to working directly after dinner is that you have some time to rest and might be able to concentrate more when you get to work. The disadvantage is that once you start pushing back homework you can be tempted to procrastinate for the rest of the night. If you hold fast to working immediately after dinner, however, this can foster discipline. [1] X Research source

• Write your schedule down and stick it on the fridge or another place you visit daily.
• Alternatively, use a computer scheduling program that can alert you when you have something to do.
• If you are having trouble figuring out your schedule, ask your parents if they can help you.

• You might make a plan to work on homework for 2-3 hours as soon as you wake up on both Saturday and Sunday, for instance.
• You could even ask your teachers to give you assignments ahead of time so you can do them over the weekend rather than throughout the week.

• Finishing a paper several days in advance will also give you time to review it with fresh eyes and better notice things that need to be fixed.

• It is good to start your day by squeezing a little bit of lemon into some water and drinking it. The lemon water will help you digest your food, giving you more energy when you eat.
• Food that can give you energy throughout the day includes oatmeal, yogurt with granola, and eggs.

Eliminating Distractions

• Make your workspace your own with decorations that make you happy. You are more likely to be productive when you decorate your workspace to your taste.
• The colors in your workspace have been shown to affect your performance. Red creates greater attention to detail, which is a good skill for a subject like math. Green and blue tend to encourage creativity, meaning they might be useful when you are working on creative writing.

• Consider preparing for the SAT and ACT over the summer or winter break, so that they don’t interfere with your school year work. [11] X Research source
• Ask friends who are also in your extracurricular groups how they manage their schedule. They might be able to give suggestions.

• For example, consider going a couple of days without using any technology.
• Alternatively, promise not to use any technology after a certain hour of the day. This can also make it easier to sleep, because the light from screens causes insomnia.
• Consider spending more time on activities that build your attention span. These include reading books and meditating.
• Consider downloading an app for your cellphone or computer that blocks distracting websites.

Finding Your Motivation

• Make yourself a big breakfast in return for finishing up your work on time. Watch a show that you enjoy. Go for a jog.
• You could also ask your parents to pay you or give you gifts if you get an A on your report card. This can help motivate you to get to work. [14] X Research source
• For more immediate reward, you could go out with your friends to a movie when you finish a big assignment.

Expert Q&A

• If you’ve gotten into the habit of setting an early alarm so you can finish your homework in the morning, ask a family member or roommate to wake you up on time instead. This will force you to finish your homework the night before since you won’t have time to do it the day of. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://gunnoracle.com/2012/03/19/studying-at-night-provides-more-benefits/
• ↑ http://mom.me/parenting/6133-ideas-kids-not-forget-homework-school/
• ↑ http://www.studypoint.com/ed/school-stres/
• ↑ http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/5951-2.html
• ↑ http://www.inc.com/travis-bradberry/11-tweaks-to-your-morning-routine-will-make-your-entire-day-more-productive.html
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/procrastination/
• ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/coping-school-stress?page=2
• ↑ http://psychcentral.com/lib/lets-talk-about-homework/
• ↑ http://mom.me/parenting/5940-tips-kids-remember-turn-their-homework/?p=2
• ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesmarshallcrotty/2013/03/13/motivation-matters-40-of-high-school-students-chronically-disengaged-from-school/#2bfaea7251b9
• ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/11/12/should-parents-help-their-children-with-homework

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How much time should you spend studying? Our ‘Goldilocks Day’ tool helps find the best balance of good grades and  well-being

Senior Research Fellow, Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia

Professor of Health Sciences, University of South Australia

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Dot Dumuid is supported by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellowship GNT1162166 and by the Centre of Research Excellence in Driving Global Investment in Adolescent Health funded by NHMRC GNT1171981.

Tim Olds receives funding from the NHMRC and the ARC.

University of South Australia provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.

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For students, as for all of us, life is a matter of balance, trade-offs and compromise. Studying for hours on end is unlikely to lead to best academic results. And it could have negative impacts on young people’s physical, mental and social well-being.

Our recent study found the best way for young people to spend their time was different for mental health than for physical health, and even more different for school-related outcomes. Students needed to spend more time sitting for best cognitive and academic performance, but physical activity trumped sitting time for best physical health. For best mental health, longer sleep time was most important.

It’s like a game of rock, paper, scissors with time use. So, what is the sweet spot, or as Goldilocks put it, the “just right” amount of study?

Read more: Back to school: how to help your teen get enough sleep

Using our study data for Australian children aged 11 and 12, we are developing a time-optimisation tool that allows the user to define their own mental, physical and cognitive health priorities. Once the priorities are set, the tool provides real-time updates on what the user’s estimated “Goldilocks day” looks like.

More study improves grades, but not as much as you think

Over 30 years of research shows that students doing more homework get better grades. However, extra study doesn’t make as much difference as people think. An American study found the average grades of high school boys increased by only about 1.5 percentage points for every extra hour of homework per school night.

What these sorts of studies don’t consider is that the relationship between time spent doing homework and academic achievement is unlikely to be linear. A high school boy doing an extra ten hours of homework per school night is unlikely to improve his grades by 15 percentage points.

There is a simple explanation for this: doing an extra ten hours of homework after school would mean students couldn’t go to bed until the early hours of the morning. Even if they could manage this for one day, it would be unsustainable over a week, let alone a month. In any case, adequate sleep is probably critical for memory consolidation .

Read more: What's the point of homework?

As we all know, there are only 24 hours in a day. Students can’t devote more time to study without taking this time from other parts of their day. Excessive studying may become detrimental to learning ability when too much sleep time is lost.

Another US study found that, regardless of how long a student normally spent studying, sacrificing sleep to fit in more study led to learning problems on the following day. Among year 12s, cramming in an extra three hours of study almost doubled their academic problems. For example, students reported they “did not understand something taught in class” or “did poorly on a test, quiz or homework”.

Excessive study could also become unhelpful if it means students don’t have time to exercise. We know exercise is important for young people’s cognition , particularly their creative thinking, working memory and concentration.

On the one hand, then, more time spent studying is beneficial for grades. On the other hand, too much time spent studying is detrimental to grades.

We have to make trade-offs

Of course, how young people spend their time is not only important to their academic performance, but also to their health. Because what is the point of optimising school grades if it means compromising physical, mental and social well-being? And throwing everything at academic performance means other aspects of health will suffer.

US sleep researchers found the ideal amount of sleep for for 15-year-old boys’ mental health was 8 hours 45 minutes a night, but for the best school results it was one hour less.

Clearly, to find the “Goldilocks Zone” – the optimal balance of study, exercise and sleep – we need to think about more than just school grades and academic achievement.

Read more: 'It was the best five years of my life!' How sports programs are keeping disadvantaged teens at school

Looking for the Goldilocks Day

Based on our study findings , we realised the “Goldilocks Day” that was the best on average for all three domains of health (mental, physical and cognitive) would require compromises. Our optimisation algorithm estimated the Goldilocks Day with the best overall compromise for 11-to-12-year-olds. The breakdown was roughly:

10.5 hours of sleep

9.5 hours of sedentary behaviour (such as sitting to study, chill out, eat and watch TV)

2.5 hours of light physical activity (chores, shopping)

1.5 hours of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (sport, running).

We also recognised that people – or the same people at different times — have different priorities. Around exam time, academic performance may become someone’s highest priority. They may then wish to manage their time in a way that leads to better study results, but without completely neglecting their mental or physical health.

To better explore these trade-offs, we developed our time-use optimisation tool based on Australian data . Although only an early prototype, the tool shows there is no “one size fits all” solution to how young people should be spending their time. However, we can be confident the best solutions will involve a healthy balance across multiple daily activities.

Just like we talk about the benefits of a balanced diet, we should start talking about the benefits of balanced time use. The better equipped young people and those supporting them are to find their optimal daily balance of sleep, sedentary behaviours and physical activities, the better their learning outcomes will be, without compromising their health and well-being.

• Mental health
• Physical activity
• Children's mental health
• Children and sleep
• Children's well-being
• children's physical health
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Study at night, not early in the morning

By Brittany Tankersley | Photographer

Since exam one is just around the corner for many students, the dreaded question of when to study looms overhead. Do I wake up early and study, or do I stay up late? As a senior, I have struggled with this decision more than once, but staying up late has most often given me the best result.

Getting a good night’s rest is definitely important, but sleep can also help with the recall of study material. Especially on those exams for which you only study once, it is better to stay up late and get some sleep after memorizing terms than to wake up early and cram.

I have also experienced sleeping through morning alarms. This not only causes you to be late for your test but also prevents you from studying at all prior. It is a terrible situation to be in and could easily be fixed by studying at night instead.

It is also easier to coordinate schedules with friends at night for group study sessions, since many Baylor students have classes early in the morning. Group study sessions are a great tool not only if you are struggling to understand a concept but also to simply keep yourself accountable and prevent procrastination.

While night studying is better than morning studying, it is still important to set some guidelines before you study. Try setting up a time frame during which you plan to study, and set your phone aside during that time. This helps maximize your study time so that you can get more sleep and not waste time.

The nighttime is also more peaceful than the morning. By 7 p.m., I have usually eaten dinner and done everything I needed to do for the day. This allows me to have a clearer mind and fully focus on my studies.

Ultimately, it is up to you when you choose to study, but as a senior who has stayed up late, woke up early and missed a test or two, I can definitively say that staying up late is the best form of studying.

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Associations of time spent on homework or studying with nocturnal sleep behavior and depression symptoms in adolescents from Singapore

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Q: Homework Triggers Epic Tantrums from My Child

Sometimes, the mere thought of buckling down for homework after a long day of school is enough to invite meltdowns and anguish from students with adhd and executive function challenges. you know they are tired and worn out, but still the work must be done — and without nightly terrors. try these tricks to defuse the situation..

Q: “Many nights, my son falls apart at the mere mention of homework. Or, he convinces himself an assignment is too difficult and gives up – after a major meltdown. He doesn’t want to get a zero for not completing work, but is completely blocked emotionally. He feels like he’s too stupid. How can I help him recover after an emotional breakdown?”

When a child suffers a meltdown at 7pm, we as parents focus on getting through the meltdown. But what we need to do is rewind the day back to 8am, and think of all of the things that led to this point. Where is the break down beginning? What is leading us to this point? Typically these major tantrums don’t happen out of the blue.

Homework doesn’t start when your child sits down to do homework. It starts when he first walks into his first class of the day. Does he hear what the teacher had to say? Does he have his homework from the night before? Does he even know what is being asked of him? Does he need some systems and strategies in place to refuel his executive functions after depleting them all day at school?

My son had a similar issue. He was explosive about getting homework done. Here are a couple things that worked for us:

[ Free Download: How Well Does Your Teen Regulate Emotions? ]

• Play “I Spy” and focus on what is getting in the way of your child’s work . Is it using Twitter during homework time? Or difficulty sustaining effort?
• Engage your child in the process of getting started . While you are having a snack after school, ask, “What’s your plan?” Or, “What are your priorities for tonight?” This can prepare his brain for what’s next for the evening without nagging him.
• Make it easy to get started . I tried to make things as simple as possible to avoid overwhelm. A sheet of 20 or 30 problems – even if they were simple computations – would put my son into a tailspin. Instead, I would put out one math problem or one vocabulary word at the beginning just to get the ball rolling. Remove barriers to entry by starting small and simple. If your child gets stuck, ask, “What’s your first step?” This can help dial back the overwhelm.
• Stop distractions and procrastination . I would sit in the room with my son while he worked. I wasn’t communicating, or helping after he got started, just being there – doing something else, and sometimes re-directing him back to work. Act like a force field to keep your child focused and anchored to whatever task he’s trying to complete.
• Get moving . Grab the flashcards and take the dog out for a walk. Ask them as you move around the neighborhood. By the time you get home, the assignment is complete, but it didn’t feel like studying . Do math problems with sidewalk chalk – anything to break up the emotion of the moment.

Not every strategy works for every student – throw a few things against the wall and see what sticks. This advice came from “ Getting It Done: Tips and Tools to Help Your Child Start — and Finish — Homework ,” an ADDitude webinar lead by  Leslie Josel  in September 2018 that is now available for free replay.

Do you have a question for ADDitude’s Dear Teen Parenting Coach? Submit your question or challenge here.

The opinions and suggestions presented above are intended for your general knowledge only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your own or your child’s condition.

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Finally, Science Explains Why You Do Your Best Work in the Middle of the Night

You may have a predisposition to late hours. here's how to deal..

Ah, sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care. Great when you can get it. A blight on productivity when you can't.

It's tough to manage even a slight shift in hours , like the semiannual shift to and from daylight savings time. But what do you do when you're permanently out of sync? Night owls know well the pain of being expected comply with Benjamin Franklin's early to bed, early to rise regimen when you find yourself up late, winding down about the time many are winding up for the coming day.

Wait a minute before blaming yourself. A new study from researchers at the Rockefeller University and Weill Cornell Medical College suggests that the habitually time-shifted may be the subject of a mutation of the CRY1 gene, which is linked to the circadian cycle -- the 24-hour rhythm of sleep and wakefulness found in many animals, plants, and even some bacteria.

In a normal body, a number of genes turn on and off at various times to regulate our daily activity. The CRY1 gene usually helps govern the activity of these other genes. But in the mutation, CRY1 is active for longer periods, skewing the timing. The result is delayed sleep phase disorder, or DSPD, in which the 24-hour clock becomes delayed. As many as 1 in 75 people may have a copy of the mutated gene, which is dominant.

If you're a true night owl, you may have developed compensating behaviors, like scheduling meetings late or working from home. There can be clear benefits, such as having the world sleeping around you when you're being creative and productive. However, there's still the often the nagging need to deal with the rest of humanity.

Knowing you have the mutation doesn't change anything, other than potentially giving you an explanation. But, according to the researchers , as well as other authorities, there are things you can do to stay on a more conventional schedule:

• Avoid alcohol and stimulants like coffee and nicotine, particularly late in the day. Alcohol can help you doze only to reverse its actions in a few hours. Coffee and nicotine can keep you from falling asleep in the first place and then wake you periodically. If you use prescription medicines that are stimulants, like asthma inhalers, talk to your doctor about strategies to control their effect on your sleep.
• Enforce a strict schedule. You want waking and sleeping at particular hours to become a habit. Don't sleep in and make sure you're ready to head to bed at a reasonable hour.
• Cut the naps. This is a particularly painful suggestion for some people, but they can help disrupt your schedule. If your body needs sleep at the end of the day, it will be easier to obtain it.
• Get regular exercise, though not right before bedtime. Tire yourself out.
• Avoid eating or drinking right before bed, or your digestive system could crank up and keep you awake.
• Control your sleeping environment. Ensure a dark room (with blackout curtains or a sleep mask if necessary) and control temperature and noise levels so you can drift off comfortably.
• Practice relaxation techniques before going to bed to help reduce stress.

A refreshed look at leadership from the desk of CEO and chief content officer Stephanie Mehta

Privacy Policy

I Thought I Knew My Mom. Then I Found A Grainy Polaroid That Forced Me To Reconsider.

Guest Writer

A few weeks before moving out of my parents’ house for college, I stumbled upon a grainy Polaroid of my mom in her 20s. I stared, dumbfounded, as two questions formed in my mind. First, who was this person? And second ― why didn’t I know her?

The mom I knew threatened to divorce my dad frequently and required me to wear camisoles under shirts to cover my stomach. We fought often about when I could hang out with friends, and where, and for how long. She also stayed meticulously up to date on my life by insisting I catalog every minute of it in a ritual I called Tell Me About Your Day. It went like this:

“So, tell me about your day. What happened in first period? Did you talk to Mr. Gallaher like I asked you to? What about the book report, did you turn it in? OK. What did you do in second period? Nothing? Come on, what topic are you learning? Did they assign homework? OK, I want to print the assignment description.”

As I grew older, this questioning felt like endless nagging at the end of a long day. I began approaching the conversations like interrogations to be endured. I didn’t appreciate that my mom wanted to be involved in my life. Instead, I saw Tell Me About Your Day as part of a wider pattern in which she tried to control me.

For instance, in middle school, when my mom overheard my friends’ parents using my chosen nickname, Jackie, she yelled, “Don’t call her that!” and lectured them on why the name was “trashy.” Similarly, she disapproved when I wore makeup or anything form-fitting. Being told to cover up made me feel uncomfortable in my body and ostracized from peers who wore what they wanted. I began to rebel by changing into prohibited outfits at school.

As an adult, I recognize how my mom’s role as the primary authority in our home made it easier to reduce her to a rigid micromanager. While my dad traveled for work, my mom was constantly around. The sheer amount of time she spent with me made her the parent who enforced rules and also the parent most likely to annoy me.

But this awareness did not come until later. Back then, I simply complained, until one day, when I was 16, I decided that I wouldn’t do Tell Me About Your Day anymore. No. The first time I refused to describe my day, the word thudded like a heavy book on a table. My mom protested for a while before she lost track of how many summaries I owed her and focused on my siblings.

From then on, I wielded the power of a no . When my mom tried to convince my teenage siblings and me to read children’s books with her — no . When she begged us to create Pinterest crafts for holidays and birthdays well into adulthood — no . The knowledge that she couldn’t force me to do anything I didn’t want to do was freeing.

However, exercising this right came at a price: I was now an outsider in my own family. Passing through our kitchen, I’d catch glimpses of my brother, sister, and mom cuddled together on our couch watching a travel documentary. I’d feel a dull longing for intimacy, but after a series of my no s, Mom had stopped asking me to join them.

“Ironically, although she noted every minute detail of my life, my mom rarely shared stories about her own childhood or young adulthood.”

I felt as if I were peering at a misty landscape from a distance, wishing to cross a lake to reach the shore yet knowing I had no oars to paddle. I missed being involved in my family landscape, but by that point, I had been moored for so long that I was afraid to disturb the water.

This distancing didn’t help me add to my meager knowledge of my mom’s pre-kids life. Ironically, although she noted every minute detail of my life, my mom rarely shared stories about her own childhood or young adulthood. Her reticence was overcome only by her annual remarks about the anniversaries of her parents’ deaths, and she never mentioned her sister, whom I haven’t seen in over a decade, or her brother, whom I’ve never met. And every time I commented on what seemed like a less-than-perfect marriage to my dad, she changed the subject. My mom protected these topics with her own implicit no s ― shrugging, evasive language, silence.

So, when I found the photo of her at my age, looking carefree and lovestruck, it felt like seeing a flash of light rebound off a mirror. In the image, my dad grins at my mom through round glasses, and she reclines in a large leather chair, her shoulders scrunched up in laughter as if she and my dad are sharing a hilarious inside joke. She’s even wearing a crop top!

I had to know more to make sense of it. I wanted to show the photo to everyone and beg for more information, but I knew my dad, a private person, would be upset if the picture were shared. Instead, I asked him questions under the guise of a college assignment, and his answers shocked me. I learned that my mom worked in Finland, frequented Chicago’s jazz clubs with my dad, and loved living in Colorado. Listening to my dad talk, I imagined my mom as an easygoing voyager, exploring the world and carving out her place in it.

After months of building the courage to talk to my mom directly, I discovered the details of how she had watched both her parents die, on her own. She called 911 when her dad collapsed from a heart attack, but the ambulance arrived too late. She was 17. Years later, one August, she took a semester off grad school to care for her ailing mother. By Christmas, cancer had taken my mom’s only remaining parent.

With these revelations, suddenly I saw my mom as a complex woman who had survived unthinkable trauma, and I better understood her desire to learn everything about my life. When both of your parents are stripped away with little warning, of course you cling to the people you have left. I thought about all the ways my mom expressed love that I had disregarded, blinded by teenage frustration.

At 23, I feel guilty about distancing myself from her. With her parents dead, she stands on a shore of her own with no way to paddle closer to them except by imperfect remembrance. I don’t want to stand on that untraversable shore any earlier than necessary. And when the time does come, I want to remember more than just my mom’s rules. I want to know real stuff ― her dreams, the places she’s lived, the people she’s loved, and the sacrifices she made.

The first step required closing the distance between me and my mom. Now that I’ve grown up and can dress however I want and go by any nickname I like, I find myself reaching for my phone to call her more. I followed my sister’s lead and started intentionally scheduling one-on-one time with my mom to go on bike rides or explore my Pittsburgh hometown.

Last April, my mom visited me in New York. At a fancy restaurant, I said, “So many weddings must happen here.”

My mom’s face wrinkled as she shared that her mother used to work as a bridal consultant helping women find wedding dresses. It was another flash of unexpected learning, and I listened raptly, feeling like I was with the woman in the photograph. Maybe that woman was always there; I just hadn’t noticed.

I wonder now how much of my limited knowledge of my mom’s past results from my lack of asking. Who was she? Who might she still become? How has saying no precluded the chance of knowing her more deeply?

These are much more difficult questions than my mom’s queries about homework. These questions require an openness between us that may be painful. They emerge from the fundamentally unequal relationship between parents and children: While parents witness every stage of their children’s lives from prenatal growth to adulthood, children know their parents only as caregivers. For many of us, this means we wake up one day and realize that we don’t know the people they are outside of parenthood. But there’s so much to discover.

I’ve apologized to my mom for some things in the past; she’s done the same, and now our relationship is stronger than ever. (The main thing we fight over is when I write about her – sorry, Mom).

Mostly, I’m thankful I’m no longer standing on that impassable shore, peering at my mom through the mist. I haven’t asked all the hard questions yet, but I’m proud that I’ve grabbed an oar and rowed closer to her.

Jacqueline LeKachman is a New York-based freelance writer and English teacher who has contributed to The Washington Post, WIRED, Business Insider, and Shondaland. She is writing a book about complex family dynamics and can be found on Twitter @JacquelineLeKa .

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