When I started medical school, I assumed I could study anytime and still be productive. After all, if you’re serious about your studies, you should be able to focus whenever, right? Well… I was so wrong. 😅
I later realized that not all study hours are created equal. There are peak concentration periods—times when your brain absorbs and retains information much better. Some people are morning learners ☀️, others thrive at night 🌙, and some (like me!) function best right after a good nap! 😴
📝 Why does this matter?
Because knowing your power hour can make the difference between spending five hours struggling through a topic vs. two hours of high-impact, efficient learning.
Here’s what I learned the hard way:
✅ If you’re a morning person, don’t waste that time on chores or distractions. Use it for your most demanding subjects.
✅ If night works best for you, structure your routine so you get some rest during the day to stay alert.
✅ Some people don’t fit into a strict “morning vs. night” category. Maybe your best study time happens after a workout, after listening to music, or after a nap. Pay attention to your energy levels and experiment!
For me, my peak focus time was anytime I woke up from a good, restful sleep. That meant even if I took a nap in the afternoon, I would wake up feeling refreshed and ready to retain information instantly. So I adjusted my schedule—I slept early in the evening so I could wake up at night to study when everywhere was quiet.
But wait—should you only study during your peak hours? NO! 🚨
Let’s be real—the workload in university is TOO MUCH to only study at one specific time of the day.😅 Your peak concentration period is for deep work—your hardest subjects, topics that require critical thinking, or concepts that need full focus.
👉🏽 Other times? Do lighter academic tasks:
📌 Reviewing notes
📌 Organizing flashcards
📌 Watching educational videos
📌 Preparing for group discussions
🔎 How to Find YOUR Best Study Time?
📌 Experiment: Try studying at different times and note when you focus best.
📌 Track retention: Which time slot helps you recall things easily?
📌 Be intentional: Once you figure it out, schedule your toughest topics during that time.
⚡ Why This Is Important NOW
You’re in the early weeks of school—this is the perfect time to test and discover your most effective study hours. The earlier you figure this out, the easier your journey will be! And when you do, guard that time fiercely. Protect it like it’s your WiFi password!😅
We’ll be diving deeper into other study strategies soon—time management, note-taking, active recall, and much more! So stay tuned. 😉
One thing I didn’t know in the beginning of my time in med school—but learned later on—is how crucial it is to know your peak study time. When I first started, I didn’t have any idea about this, but after I discovered it much later, it made a huge difference. Even though I learned it later in the game, it really helped me out, and it could do the same for you. So, take this advice seriously—figuring out your best study time is a game-changer! 😎
Tell me—have you noticed when you focus best? Morning, night, or some other time? Share your thoughts!👇🏽😁
