The night before an exam, giving up sleep for a few extra hours of revision feels like dedication. It is usually a bad trade.
What happens while you sleep
Learning does not end when you close the book. During sleep the brain replays and strengthens the day's new memories, a process known as consolidation. Without enough sleep, more of what you studied is lost.
Tired brains learn less
Sleep matters before learning as well as after it. When you are short of sleep, attention wanders and it becomes harder to take in new information in the first place.
Habits that help
Keep regular hours. Going to bed and waking at similar times helps your body settle.
Dim the screens. Put devices away for the last half hour of the evening.
Watch the caffeine. It can linger for hours, so avoid it late in the day.
Review, then rest. A short recap before bed gives the brain something to work on.
The night before an exam
Stop revising early, pack your bag, and go to bed at your usual time. A rested mind recalls more and thinks more clearly than one running on four hours of sleep.
Sleep is not time taken away from studying. It is where studying turns into memory.
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