Is Studying at 3 AM Good? Tips on Overnight Success

Especially if you are a student, studying is the single most important task you need to carry out. This is true whether you are trying to finish high school or earn a college degree. Some people claim that they are more attentive and creative in the wee hours of the night, but is studying after midnight good for you?

In general, studying at night is good for night owls who tend to be more alert and energetic in the evening. It is also good for anyone who cannot study very well in the daytime because of everyday tasks and distractions. To be beneficial, studying at 2 or 3 AM should be paired with enough sleep before or after.

No matter if you are an owl or a lark, you can use studying at 3 in the morning to your full advantage whether you are trying to ace the SAT or pass a major college exam.

Continue reading if you need to gear up for a test, and getting a low or failing score is not an option.

Below, you will come across some of the things you need to know about picking the best time to study. By the time you reach the end of this article, you will have a better idea of whether you should study at 3 AM or some other time.

First things first — let’s get this critical question answered once and for all…

When is the Best Time to Study for Test?

The best time to study is when the mind is fresh, and there are very little to no distractions. Some prefer to study in the morning as their minds are fresher. Others prefer to study at night as there are fewer distractions. Picking the best time to study is a matter of preference and circumstance.

Knowing yourself is the most important thing when figuring out the best study time for you.

Needless to say, there is no winner between people who believe that it’s better to study in the daytime and people who claim that it’s better to study in the nighttime. Everyone’s a winner. Whether you are a night person or more of a morning person, you are on the right track study-wise if your scores are nowhere near the failing mark!

Still, many would like to find out the answer to this critical question…

Is It a Good Idea to Study at 3 AM?

Studying at 3 AM is a good idea for those who have more brain power and higher energy levels in the wee hours of the night. The same is true for those who can focus more at night as they have accomplished their everyday tasks already and have fewer distractions and interruptions to worry about.

Clearly, night owls are the ones that can benefit so much from studying at 2 or 3 AM. That’s because they tend to be more alert and energetic during this time.

But just because you are a self-confessed early bird doesn’t necessarily mean that you should no longer give studying at 3 AM a try.

In some instances, it’s a good idea to go beyond your comfort zone and what’s customary for you. This is especially true if you are on a crunch time, and getting a high score is the most important thing.

People who could benefit from late night studying

Believe it or not, both nighthawks and early risers can benefit from studying at 3 AM or any unconventional time to study. These are some of those that could benefit from it the most:

• Night people. Clearly, studying when everybody else is asleep is perfect for anyone who feels more alive and vibrant in the nighttime.

• Busy individuals. With so many duties and responsibilities at work or home, busy people who need to ace exams have no choice but to study late at night or early in the morning.

• Insomniacs. Instead of tossing and turning in bed, students who are suffering from insomnia may put their sleepless hours to good use by studying.

• Bored people. Monotony can cause mental fatigue and burnout, which is why trying something new, such as studying at 3 AM, can make preparing for an exam interesting and exciting.

• Hard workers. For some students, especially those who are determined to finish high school or college with flying colors, 24 hours is not enough to learn everything.

The good, the bad and the ugly

It cannot be denied that studying is good for any high school or college students. This is particularly true when there are forthcoming exams. While studying at 3 AM offers some benefits to some students, including especially the ones mentioned earlier, there are also some downsides to it.

Let’s talk about the positives and negatives of studying at late night:

Pros

• Better focus. Whether a night owl or a morning lark, the majority of everyday tasks happen during the day. And since there are no other tasks to do at 3 AM or so, one can focus so much better on studying.

• Fewer distractions. Because everybody else is fast asleep, one can have all the peace and quiet in the world. Experts confirm that distractions make it harder for the brain to retain pieces of information.

• Fresher mind. Studying at 3 AM after waking up makes it so much easier to study because the brain has just obtained its much-needed rest and rejuvenation, most especially after a long and exhausting day.

• Increased retention. According to scientists, studying right before bedtime helps the brain process information better. This medical fact can be beneficial for students who tend to catch some shut-eye past 3 AM.

Cons

• No daylight exposure. Sunlight helps increase the production of serotonin, a hormone that helps to stabilize the mood. Studies reveal that serotonin is also an important role player in learning and memory.

• Lack of a support system. It’s both an advantage and a disadvantage when one’s classmates are sleeping. There will be no distractions alright, but there will also be no one to ask when in a pickle.

• Reduced focus. Especially if the student is not used to staying awake and studying at 3 AM, it may cause him or her to have a hard time focusing at school as a result of sleep deprivation.

In the long run

After graduating, flexing your brain at 3 AM or so can help you strategize better about your career or business as you can focus and concentrate so much better. But then, it can be habit-forming, too, and you may fail to function very well, especially if you have a 9-to-5 job that requires alertness, such as doing accounting or operating a machine.

Now that we know the pros and cons of studying at 3 AM, many still can’t help but wonder…

Is It OK to Study at Night?

Studying at night before sleeping is OK, provided that the individual is not yet sleepy. Scientists confirm that the brain is able to process information better right before bedtime. No matter the preferred time to study, one must get ample sleep to give the brain enough time to rest and recover.

Although there is nothing wrong with studying at night, not every student will find it beneficial for them and their school performance to study before hopping into bed.

Especially if one is already feeling exhausted or sleepy, there is no point in studying — it’s unlikely for his or her brain to be able to process and retain pieces of information very well. So, in other words, the individual might wake up the following day not being able to remember anything.

When it comes to studying, you should figure out when you are more alert and can focus better.

Takeaway

Refrain from assuming that studying at 3 AM is only for students who are lazy or like to party all night long. In many cases, studying at 3 AM is the smartest step to take, especially by night owls.

Above, we talked about the pros and cons of studying at 3 AM. No matter if you are a natural night person or you are looking for a more effective way to study because your grades seem to be going downhill, the best time for you to study is when you are alert and don’t have to worry about other tasks or deal with all sorts of distractions.

Related Questions

How many hours should I study a day?

For most people, studying one to two hours a day is beneficial. Per week, it’s a good idea to keep in mind the rule of thumb that says one should provide two hours of study per one hour of class. Taking regular breaks when studying can help prevent study fatigue and allow the mind to focus better.

Can I die from studying too much?

According to a Harvard Medical School study, excessive brain activity, such as due to too much studying, could lead to a shorter life. So, in other words, using your brain to think too much and too hard could cause you to die sooner than necessary. Resting one’s mind is important for longevity.