Observing Ramadan during the Academic Year by Amira
I’ve often been met with looks of perplexity when expressing my excitement each time Ramadan approaches.
Many seem to be confused as to why I’d look forward to a month of not being able to eat or drink during the day, especially while keeping up with my studies. From an outside perspective, it does seem rather absurd.
However, Ramadan is an extremely blessed month, filled to the brim with opportunities for personal growth, spiritual reconnection and immense reward for good deeds.
That said, Ramadan has never been entirely easy or stress free, even though the days are a lot shorter this time around (one of the few benefits to our bone-chilling winters) and having observed Ramadan many times during my studies at Herts, I do have some tips for those who may be finding it challenging to balance it with lectures and assignments:
This is something I’m sure many students are already familiar with (perhaps more in theory than in practice) but I believe it is especially important if you are planning on participating in Ramadan during the academic year.
I recommend going shopping before the start of Ramadan, preferably during the weekend. Stock up on items with a long shelf life, such as canned beans or chickpeas, tinned fish, pasta, oats, dehydrated fruit and nuts. Many of these options are high in fibre, which help to keep you full during the day.
As tempting as it is, do refrain from opening the Uber Eats app!
It is also essential to stay hydrated during this time, so on top of drinking lots of water I recommend including cucumber, watermelon or any other food with high water content to your suhoor/iftar.
After lectures I made sure to prepare a few simple items for suhoor that I could keep in the fridge and eat throughout the week, such as boiled eggs or pancakes. This not only conserved energy, but also got me out of many stressful situations when waking up late for suhoor!
This may seem like common sense, but when you’re in the zone, it’s very easy to go hours without giving yourself a break.
Many Muslim students have been fasting for years and might think that they can handle their studies fine. In many cases this is true, however we are all human after all, and it’s imperative that we don’t push ourselves harder than necessary.
Short, 15 minute breaks every hour are most effective I’ve found, maintaining focus and preventing fatigue and burnout. Remember, a well rested body and mind ensures better focus and more effective studying.
Ramadan is an event to be shared with others, so you don’t want to be hidden away in your flat by yourself. Be sure to check out the Islamic Society or the Chaplaincy for any events that might be held during the month.
It’s great to be around people while studying, holding you accountable if you get distracted but also supporting you through difficulties. Hosting an iftar with friends is also a lovely activity, and even if you don’t have any other Muslim friends, it’s still a great way to not only boost your morale but also share the beauty of Ramadan.
Remember to not push yourself too hard. If you are struggling this Ramadan, please check in with Student Wellbeing, and make your lecturers aware of any difficulties you are facing.
I hope these tips help you balance both your religious and academic duties, just as they have for me.
Ramadan Mubarak!
Written by Amira Ebrahim