This academic year begins with a difference. Students not only have to prepare for studies, but also for Ramadan. This is the first time in recent years that it has coincided with the beginning of the fall semester. With daily fasting, suhoor, iftar and prayers, students might find it a little difficult to settle down for studies.
Fasting, which consumes about 12 hours of your day, can decrease your energy. The sudden intake of food during iftar can cause lethargy. Taraweeh, the late evening prayers, can last for hours and go on until 2am. A few hours later it's time for suhoor, a light meal just before dawn to help you fast through the day.
Notes provides tips on how to time yourself effectively and avoid negatively impacting your health and your course work. The trick isn't only with timing, however; it's about getting proper nourishment and sufficient sleep.
Class timings
Many universities have pre-scheduled their classes for the fall semester in view of Ramadan. At the American University of Sharjah (AUS), Zayed University (ZU) and the Higher Colleges of Technology, classes will end by 4pm. AUS registrar Lynda Ataya says this is to give students an opportunity to use the gap between the end of classes and the beginning of iftar to attend to their needs.
"After students have been studying all day they need a break. If students and faculty continue going to classes until four or five in the afternoon, they could be mentally strained and tired. Then they have to battle traffic, rush back home, prepare for iftar and take other factors into consideration," she says.
Many students say they prefer having Ramadan at the beginning of the academic year, as work is significantly less at the start of the year.
"Previously Ramadan used to fall in the middle of the semester, right when mid-terms would kick in and projects would be due," said Rayan Hassan, business student at AUS. "The first couple of weeks in the year are always lighter and so fasting during this time will be much easier."
Iftar offerings
Campuses are providing students with healthy eating options for iftar. While some universities such as ZU will be planning student-organised iftars, others are inviting restaurants on campus. AUS plans to bring in four restaurants that will be offering buffets, say campus officials.
"It is the university's practice to invite outside restaurants during the month of Ramadan to offer the campus community a wider variety of cuisines for iftar and dinner with competitive prices and special offers with the feel of the usual Ramadan atmosphere," said Hassan Abdi Mohammad, business services coordinator in the Operations Department at AUS.
Etiquette for non-Muslims
Non-Muslim students should be considerate of the feelings of those who are fasting.
- "Non-Muslim students should provide academic help to their classmates, especially for group projects and tasks that demand more physical effort," says Dr Tanima Banerjee, student counsellor at the American University of Sharjah (AUS).
- For those who are new to the country, remember that eating, drinking and smoking in public during Ramadan is forbidden as Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during this time.
- "Don't play loud music because neighbours could be fasting and/or resting," she says.
- Banerjee also advises non-fasting people to buy groceries and food beforehand, as shops and supermarkets might be partially closed.
Your Ramadan healthy eating guide
During Ramadan it is possible for students to fast comfortably as long as they maintain sensible eating habits say, Wafa Hilmi Ayesh, head of the clinical nutrition department at Rashid Hospital, and Dr Tanima Banerjee, AUS student counsellor.
Your diet should not differ much from your normal diet and should be as simple as possible. Fasting is a natural healing therapy, helps in cleansing and detoxification and improves motivation and creative energy.
Limit rich foods during iftar as they could disturb your digestive system. Fried foods could cause indigestion, heartburn, and weight problems. Aim to maintain your normal weight.
Because of the long hours of fasting, you should consume slow-digesting foods, which include fibre. They last up to eight hours in the body. Fast-digesting foods will leave you feeling hungry quickly.
Drink as much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar and bedtime so that your body's fluid levels adjust to avoid dehydration.
Avoid caffeine drinks such as coke, coffee and tea. Caffeine is a diuretic and will make you pass more urine, robbing the body of valuable mineral salts needed throughout the day.
Avoid cigarettes as it hinders the absorption of vitamins, metabolites and enzyme systems in the body.
Eating your pre-dawn meal (suhoor) is very important. Try whole wheat bread or oat cereal with one or two cups of milk.
Walk after iftar. The change of environment and exposure to fresh air is beneficial and gives your body gentle exercise. Avoid all heavy excercises or sports.
Break your fast with mild liquids such as juices, herbal tea and soups. Eat dates, fruits, digestive biscuits, and then move on to a fibre rich meal.
Planning for Ramadan
Fasting can take its toll on the body and mind if you do not adjust your schedule accordingly. Students in particular need to manage their time effectively. Here's how:
- Adjust your schedule: By planning in advance, you can adjust your work, sleep and meal schedules to make time for suhoor and iftar. For instance, if you normally go to bed at midnight, during Ramadan, consider sleeping earlier in order to get up early for suhoor. Or if you usually study late, you can instead sleep early and start studying after suhoor early in the morning.
- Alter your sleeping habits: Take a short afternoon nap – a 15-minute siesta is enough to refresh you. This can help your body adjust to waking up early in morning.
- Plan Ramadan family time: Calling a family meeting about a month in advance, explaining the importance of Ramadan, its implications for the family and the need to eat iftar and attend Taraweeh prayers together is a good idea.
- Plan your charity activities: Speak to campus officials to plan what kind of charity work you would like to participate in.
— Source: www.soundvision.com
Middlesex University to open after Ramadan
Middlesex University Dubai is one of the few campuses that has planned to start classes after Ramadan. According to Raed Awamleh, university director, this will allow students to fully to fully observe Ramadan and Eid, spend quality time with their families, and then start classes at a regular pace.
Nevertheless, Awamleh asserted that that this will not in any way take from the learning experience.
"We have planned our academic calendar for the whole year to accommodate for Ramadan without compromising on the length or depth of studies," he said.
