Celebrating Ramadan while studying

Javeria from Pakistan is studying the International Year One in Engineering. 

Ramadan is the time of the year, where Muslims from all over the world unite and connect with each on their belief in Islam. However, Ramadan this year is like no other. Being able to take online classes allows us to get ample amounts of rest as well, which in turn makes fasting way easier. As an international student, I am lucky to be in the company of so many Muslim students who can I can relate to when it comes to Ramadan and Islam in general. My non-Muslim tutors and classmates are not any less supportive and they are always there to lend a helping hand and the accommodating well-being team at the University of Huddersfield is there for us to reach out to in times of need.

Choosing what to eat

The best part about celebrating Ramadan in the UK is that I can enjoy my Sahoor (meal before beginning of fast) and Iftar (time of breaking fast) in many different ways. Back in Pakistan we did not have a huge variety of fruits and frozen items, so you best believe I am making the most of it now. A walk in the morning is refreshing and gets me started for the day, and also distracts me from any growling noises in my tummy. My Sahoor is sometimes cereal and fruits and Iftar consists of many different baked items, even though it is not easy to resist the fried ones.

Tips for balancing Ramadan with study

Having online classes makes the day go by smoothly; however it also means that you might become lazy. My advice to students would be to have proper Sahoor which includes energetic food items such as dates and bananas. Make sure that you get some fresh air in the morning to prevent any laziness throughout the day. I make sure to get enough sleep at night so that I am able to focus in classes and do any assignments throughout the day. It also makes it easier to be able to have groceries at home so that you do not have to tire yourself during your fast, but it could also be a great way to exercise and pass the time if you did not already go for a walk in the morning.