What is the best time to study? It’s one of those endless debates among students; is it better to study at night or during the day? Each side has its own loyal advocates who will speak at length of the benefits of their preferred method to try and convince you of the benefits of their choice.

Everyone thinks they know what the best time to study is but the reality is that each person is different and there is no clear winner from a scientific point of view. There are some people who get more out of studying at night while others find the best time to study to be the morning or the afternoon. In terms of objective reasons for both sides, we’ve researched the following benefits to try and answer once and for all what is the best time to study?!

Best time to study

4 Benefits of Studying During the Day

1. After a good nights sleep, you’ll likely have more energy and a higher ability to concentrate the next day.

2. Society is structured around being active during the day and sleeping at night, so by sticking to this norm there are undeniable benefits such as being able to go to the library or book shop.

3. Most people are contactable during the day so it’s easier to communicate with your friends or teachers during the day if you have any questions.

4. Natural light is better for your eyes. Artificial light hurts our eyes and can affect our natural sleep rhythm.

4 Benefits of Studying at Night

1. People are more active, louder and intense during the day. At night it’s only you and the night owls so you can study in peace and quiet.

2. If you’re lucky enough to live near a library that’s open late, you will notice that the library is near deserted when you want to study late.

3. At night there are fewer distractions than during the day. Most of your friends are asleep and your social networks will be less active.

4. It is true that things look different by night. The night can increase your creative efficacy and help you see concepts differently.

There are possibly more reasons why each of these options could be the best time to study. It’s important to note however that ultimately it all depends on your individual preferences. Sadly, there really is no objective ‘best time to study‘! It all depends on your personality, what you’re studying, your resources, time management and your natural sleep cycle.