Observing Ramadan

Advice if you are observing the month of Ramadan.

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The Multi-Faith Chaplaincy is here to support you and can help you access any help and guidance you need.

Here are some helpful tips for fasting while completing your assessments:

Ensure you are well rested the day before
Try to prepare the night before and plan times in the day when you can rest
Check your assessment times and durations carefully and try to avoid rushing around in the morning
Consider good food choices for Suhur (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (breaking fast). Opt for wholesome and filling foods to sustain energy throughout the day and include foods that digest slowly
If your assessment is in the morning, take a rest in the afternoon. If your assessment is in the afternoon, take a short rest in the morning
If you feel tired and sluggish, refresh yourself with wudhu (ritual ablution)
Drink sufficient water between sunset and sunrise. It’s good to sip small amounts while praying, revising, reading and during any other activities – this will keep you hydrated for the following long fasting hours and will help prevent dehydration and headaches
Limit physical activities and avoid any strenuous physical tasks. Take the opportunity to rest when you can and try to avoid the dehydrating effects of sitting in hot sunshine or unnecessary exertion
If your health is put at serious risk due to the fast (through possible dehydration or injury) you can break your fast – you can make up the broken fast at a later date when your health is better

You can find further guidance on maintaining a healthy and balanced diet for Ramadan from the British Nutrition Foundation.

The Multi-Faith Chaplaincy is here to support you. If you need someone to talk to, you can contact the team by emailing chaplaincy (@gold.ac.uk).