Maintain study routine

Burning the midnight oil to prepare for the Board Examinations may not really help students. As the exams near, anxious students tend to cut down on sleep but experts say that could affect their concentration level, increase irritability and mood swings.

Burning the midnight oil to prepare for the Board Examinations may not really help students.

HT Image

As the exams near, anxious students tend to cut down on sleep but experts say that could affect their concentration level, increase irritability and mood swings.

“During the Board exam preparations, students do not realise that inadequate sleep could result in lack of concentration,” said Dr Rajesh Sagar, a senior psychiatrist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Dr Sagar says a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of sleep is ideal for a person.

“While some people need to sleep for 8 hours, others can manage with just 5 hours,” said Dr Sagar. “One should sleep for the number of hours that makes them feel refreshed and relaxed,” he added.

“I used to study the whole night thinking it would help me prepare well. But even after sleeping the whole day, I would feel dizzy and could hardly concentrate,” said Mamta Singh, a class 12 student of Lady Irwin School.

Dr Sagar suggests that day sleep cannot compensate for night sleep since it goes against our body clock.

But he also says changing the routine as long as one gets adequate sleep is not advised.

“It is not wise to change one’s routine at this time, since the exams are right here,” said Sagar.

“But they should ensure that they sleep well,” he added.

He also warned students against using stimulants to stay awake at night, as these can have serious side-effects.