👋 Hello, my friends at GRE Prep Club!

Keeping a (basically) full, regular sleep schedule is a very important part of managing GRE-related stress.

When we don’t sleep well, everything feels more difficult. Problems that seem manageable when we’re rested can feel overwhelming. On top of that, sleep plays a key role in how well we absorb and retain information. If you’re not getting adequate rest, your ability to focus and make consistent progress with your GRE prep will be affected, whether you realize it or not.

Of course, the realities of life don’t always make it easy to get 7 or 8 hours of sleep a night. Work responsibilities, family obligations, and other factors can get in the way. Still, if you’ve been feeling particularly stressed or burned out, it’s worth taking a closer look at your sleep habits.

Ask yourself: Am I going to bed at roughly the same time each night? Am I averaging fewer than 7 hours of sleep? Am I trying to make up for lost sleep on weekends or cramming late into the night multiple times a week? If the answer to any of these is yes, your current routine might be adding to your stress more than you realize.

Improving your sleep habits doesn’t mean you have to completely overhaul your schedule overnight. Start with small changes. For example, use a smartwatch or fitness tracker to monitor your sleep patterns. Or simply set a consistent bedtime reminder on your phone. Try to shift your bedtime gradually and avoid screens for a little while before bed. Even moving toward a more regular routine — say, getting to bed just 20–30 minutes earlier than usual — can have a noticeable effect on your focus, energy, and stress levels.

At the end of the day, sleep is not a luxury during GRE prep. It is a basic part of the process. Taking your rest seriously is a form of preparation in itself.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GRE prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep