I am non-studying in the 12th grade. This means that I have to study much harder. My question is how could I study more and yet take care of my prayers and other acts of worship? Can, for instance, pray only 8 Rak'ah in Taraweeh and go back to studying, or should I pray 40 Rak'ah and neglect studying?

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

Our religion is a religion which is situated in the middle, there is no monasticism in it like the monasticism of Christians, and there is no materialism in it, like the materialism of the Jews.

We make use of the means of this world to prepare for the Hereafter.

A Muslim is in need of both.  We perform the Salat and we sleep, we fast and we break the fast.

Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {But seek, with that (wealth) which Allâh has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of legal enjoyment in this world, and do good as Allâh has been good to you,…}[28:77].

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to make the following supplication:  (‘O Allah, set right for me my religion which is the safeguard of my affairs. And set right for me the affairs of my world wherein is my living.  And set right for me my Hereafter on which depends my after-life. And make the life for me (a source) of abundance for every good and make my death a source of comfort for me protecting me against every evil’) [Reported by Muslim].

The brother asking the question should balance between his studies and his efforts in performing actions of worship, and doing the Fard and Wajib duties regularly.

In relation to what you have mentioned about Taraweeh, it is more appropriate for you to pray 11 Rak’ah as the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to pray 11 Rak’ah, and then go to your studies.

We ask Allah to enable you to do good and guide you to what is best.

Allah knows best.