It’s that time of year again: leaves start growing, snow turns into rain, and the Geese are back and as loud as ever. As the sun starts to set later and jackets are taken off, almost two billion people around the world prepare for a very important time of the year. For many Malaysians and Singaporeans, Ramadan brings memories of times with family and friends, bustling night markets, and the simple joy of “buka puasa” every night. Although there are several phenomenal MalaySing restaurants that you can check out, it’s safe to say Ramadan in Toronto doesn’t nearly feel the same as it does back in Malaysia/Singapore. Of course, a major reason for that is because it’s also the time of year when the cramming commences. As exam schedules start to appear on ACORN and students start panicking over that one class they never studied for all term long (admit it- we all have that one class), it’s easy to forget your physical and mental health while studying and fasting at the same time. We at MSSA care about your wellbeing, and we want you to achieve the grades you desire during this important time of year. So here are a few tips for dealing with exam stress during Ramadan:
1. Make arrangements with your residence
For those living in residence, be sure to make arrangements with the staff to ensure that they are able to meet your needs during this time. Most dining halls and shops close at around 7:30PM, just before the sun sets. However, residences will offer accommodations for observing students to get food well after 8PM. Be sure to email the front desk with your personal reasons and dietary needs, and they will more likely than not cater to your needs.
P.S. All residences have Halal food options, so don’t worry about that.
2. Don’t sleep late!
You often hear stories of students pulling an all-nighter the day before a morning exam, only to fall asleep in the exam hall. Well those stories are probably exaggerated, there certainly is some truth to them. Studying in the middle of the day can be hard, not to mention without having to eat anything, but it’s always better to wake up early in the morning before the sun rises to get a quick bite and then studying. Studies have shown that people who wake up earlier have more productive days in general, and staying up until the sun rises doesn’t count. So if you’re reading this at 1 in the morning, wind back that alarm clock and get sleeping!
3. Stay off the junk
There’s a misconception that people lose weight during Ramadan, although I’m sure many of you know that’s certainly not through. A lack of physical exercise and excessive food intake during sundown hours cause people to gain a few pounds after a month. Let’s be real, we’ve all been to 7/11 at 2 in the morning before- we’re all University students after all. It may be tempting to take another late night trip to the nearest 24-hour store when you have an exam coming up in two days that you didn’t study enough for, but think again. Make sure you’re getting enough of everything: I feel like the word ‘balanced diet’ is being thrown around a lot, but please get your share of carbs, protein, fibers, and whatever vitamins you need. Studying is important, but so is that salad you’ve been keeping in your fridge for a week.
4. Call home
If you’re reading this right now, your parents are probably halfway across the world right now, watching their favorite afternoon TV shows as you cram for your exams late into the night (which again, you shouldn't be doing). As cliche as it sounds, do make sure to check in with them some time. While you probably have made plenty of friends here, through MSSA or what not, it’s always nice to complain about school with your parents once in a while. Ramadan is a month when you spend time next to your loved ones, and thanks to technology, you can do it from 13 thousand kilometers away too.
If you ever feel lost or frustrated during this time of year, remember that UofT does have a wide array of mental health services that you can use. For starters, check out the University Mental Health Resource Page, where you can find a lot of helpful resources designed to support you during crucial times of the year. If you want to meet other MalaySings and talk about any problems you are having, MSSA holds events every month, and you can either check them out on our website or follow our instagram page/facebook for weekly updates.
We wish you a happy Ramadan, and good luck with your exams!
Signed,
The MSSA Team.