How To Balance School During Ramadan

Ramadan is a special time for Muslims around the world—a month dedicated to fasting, reflection, prayer, and giving back. However, for students, balancing academics with the spiritual and physical demands of Ramadan can be challenging.

That's why we caught up with our community at Crimson Global Academy (CGA) to hear how our students and teachers have developed strategies to navigate this period effectively, and feel their best during this time.

"During Ramadan, we fast to be reminded of the less fortunate, which reinforces the need to be thankful. We also try to increase our Ibadah (worship), dua (supplication), and sadaqat (charity) and during this time. With this in mind, I try to prioritise these actions during Ramadan, however, I also remember not to neglect my academics. I think having set times to do Ramadan and academics is very important." - Noor S, CGA Student, Turkey

Finding a Balance Between Academics and Worship

Maintaining a balance between school and Ramadan requires structure and discipline.

Here's how CGA students achieve this:

“After I eat suhoor (meal before fasting begins), I will pray Fajr (morning prayer), read Qur’an (holy book), and try to read a bit of Tafseer (interpretation of the Qur’an) before starting my classes. I find that this helps, as throughout the day, I get caught up with academic responsibilities such as classes, homework, and leadership roles.

Then, at night, after I eat iftar (meal to break the fast), I single out that time for Ibadah (worship). This is a peaceful time for me as I can do my worship without thinking of anything else and getting distracted.” - Noor S, CGA Student, Turkey

Shekha takes a similar approach but emphasises small adjustments that can make a big difference to her day.

“Balancing school and Ramadan can feel like you’re juggling a bunch of things at once, but with a little strategy, you can totally rock it!

Start by planning your day around your priorities: school, prayers, and meals. Make your suhoor count—fill up on foods that will keep you energized, like oats, protein, and water. Break your schoolwork into small chunks (because let’s face it, who wants to do a massive pile of work in one go?). And when you’re feeling tired, don’t hesitate to take a quick break or adjust your schedule.” - Shekha A, CGA Student, Tanzania

"It’s important to remember that our whole daily routine changes in Ramadan and we’re waking very early and sleeping very late. You won’t be able to maintain your daily routine, so you should adjust it in whatever way works for you. Maybe that’s sleeping late to wake up refreshed in the afternoon or maybe that’s waking early and having a nap later. It is important to add some extra sleep into your routine as you will probably be up late at night. If you do a sport, it doesn’t need to stop for the month. Just be more mindful of your body and take regular breaks, because exercise is still important. And make sure you eat healthy foods." - Hafsa M, CGA Student

Our students agree that effective time management is key, and being intentional about scheduling worship and academic tasks helps maintain a balance.

Communicating with Teachers About Fasting

A key part of managing Ramadan while studying is ensuring teachers are aware of the challenges fasting students may face. CGA’s global and flexible learning environment allows for these accommodations, making it easier for students to continue to perform well even during Ramadan.

“At CGA, I have found that communicating with teachers about fasting and Ramadan, in general, is very easy. My teachers have always been understanding, and most of the time, they are quite fascinated by it and ask questions, which is meaningful to me. It is something that I love explaining to them, and it means a lot that they are interested in such a sacred time for all Muslims.” - Noor S, CGA Student, Turkey

“Let them know that you’re fasting, so they can be mindful of your energy levels. This doesn’t mean you have to explain everything in detail, but a quick heads-up goes a long way. If you need extra time for assignments or a break during class, don’t be afraid to ask. Teachers want to help you succeed—it’s like having an extra team member rooting for you!” - Shekha A, CGA Student, Tanzania

Best Times to Focus on Schoolwork During Ramadan

One of the biggest adjustments during Ramadan is figuring out when to study effectively while fasting. Without the usual eating and drinking schedule, energy levels fluctuate throughout the day, making it crucial to plan schoolwork around those peaks and dips.

The key is recognising when you feel most alert and productive and then structuring your schoolwork around those windows of energy.

“I find it easiest to focus on school mostly in the mornings as I have just eaten and still have energy. However, by late afternoon to evening, it is much harder as I have less energy.

So, in the morning, I focus mainly on learning new concepts and doing homework for subjects I find more difficult, such as Maths and Chemistry, as that takes more energy. Then, during the latter part of the day, I focus on doing mainly revisions of all subjects, so mostly old concepts, revising for exams, etc.” - Noor S, CGA Student, Turkey

“The best time to dive into schoolwork is right after suhoor—your energy is higher, and your brain is sharper. That’s your prime time to tackle the tough stuff—whether it’s maths problems or essays. If you’re feeling sluggish later, no worries! Work on lighter tasks or take a mini-break to recharge. And after iftar, when you’re fuelled up again, you can tackle homework with fresh energy.

Knowing when you’re at your best means you’ll get more done without feeling drained. So work smart, not hard, and keep your energy in mind!” - Shekha A, CGA Student, Tanzania

A Teachers Perspective

Farah Iqbal, a CGA English Teacher also shares how she manages her responsibilities during this sacred month and gives her advice to students navigating through this time.

“I usually try to time-box everything. Time boxing helps me visualize my daily tasks and know exactly how much time I need to give to each one. Of course, it’s not always ideal, so I also take short breaks in between so that I’m not clustering everything together.”

For students who are fasting, she advises against staying up all night to study, as it can lead to burnout:

“I know pulling all-nighters to study seems like an easy routine to follow in Ramadan, especially since you will be waking up before sunrise for suhoor, but this can quickly cause you to burn out. Try to pace yourself by following as normal a routine as possible, take short breaks or naps in the afternoon to re-energize, and have a well-balanced meal at both suhoor and iftar.”

When it comes to study techniques, she finds a mix of structured scheduling and mindful reflection helpful.

“Both time boxing and eating balanced meals help me stay focused and productive. Incorporating some kind of meditative and reflective practice also slows down a rushed pace throughout the day and allows me to be more fully engaged and present in everything I do.”

For students looking to optimise their study schedule, she suggests focusing on schoolwork early in the morning and then again in the afternoon before energy levels dip. Staying engaged during lessons, asking for breaks when needed, and eating nutritious meals are also key to maintaining focus.

“An oatmeal smoothie, dates, eggs, and yogurt are my go-to meals during Ramadan. Try not to load up on sugar-rich foods or drinks, and balance your carbs with a good amount of protein to sustain energy throughout the day.”

Whether you’re a student or a teacher, finding what works for you and making small adjustments can make all the difference in making the most of this month while keeping up with school commitments.