By: Lila Zamansky

Media Production Manager

It’s well past midnight, your room is dimly lit, and you still have two more hours of work left. You tell yourself you’ll study “just a little longer,” but the words start to blur together and your focus starts to drift. Trust me, every student has faced this moment..I have experienced the stress of cramming at 12:00 AM, and after experimenting with both approaches, I have found that waking up early to study is the way to go. While many of my peers swear by the late-night study grinds, my personal experience and research suggest that waking up and studying in the morning is far more effective for productivity, focus, and mental health.

According to Oxford Learning, our teenage brains are at their peak sharpness in the morning after a good night’s sleep. With an alert mind, “students have a better ability to recall details like names, places, dates, and facts,” which I have experienced firsthand. I find that when I study or finish homework in the morning, I retain the information clearly. This contrasts with my reading comprehension late at night: staring at the same page for ten minutes, understanding little to nothing, and having a brain too fatigued to comprehend. Sleep restores brain function, so waking up refreshed allows the mind to process information more efficiently. Studying early enhances memory retention because a well-rested mind is better at forming neural connections and storing new information, therefore making it easier for students to grasp theories and complex concepts.

In my opinion, morning studying also boosts motivation. Dartmouth College adds that starting your day with effective study time creates “a sense of accomplishment throughout the day.” I believe that early studying gives me a sense of confidence. It feels rewarding to begin the day having already made progress rather than dragging myself through the day weighed down by unfinished tasks. However, everyone’s internal clock is different, and some people naturally prefer late-night cramming. But for most busy students balancing school, extracurriculars, and social life, early mornings align better with a productive and sustainable schedule, allowing for less sleep deprivation. Waking up early also encourages healthier habits. To get up early, you naturally go to bed earlier, which results in better sleep routines and less stress. Dartmouth additionally points out that early studying “naturally reduces stress,” since you aren’t racing against time or pulling late-night cramming sessions. 

Through my high school career, I have learned that studying in the morning transforms how I approach school. So, the next time you’re tempted to stay up until 2 A.M. working hard, consider closing your laptop and setting an early alarm instead. Your mind and your grades will thank you. 

(Sources: Dartmouth College, Oxford Learning)