I'm curious about your last statement. I guess I'd be considered a night owl by most people, and certainly have poor sleep hygiene in the eyes of early birds, but I find myself most motivated to do really "intellectual" work about 2-3 hours after dinner. For the record, when I say "intellectual" work I don't specifically mean academic, but more broadly creative. Do you specifically mean something like learning in the classroom setting?
Now I'm also curious about the differences in free-form learning (which I guess I'm talking about) vs the more traditional classroom learning. Do you have any insight on this?
I'm referring to the ability to learn and retain material, doesn't have to be in a classroom. So I don't think that whether you're reading, being lectured, etc. would impact whether the time of day affects you. As for being creative, I imagine the same arguments for mornings being more productive would apply (better physiological state).
I have a feeling you might enjoy "The One World Schoolhouse" by Salman Khan (as in Khan Academy).
Now I'm also curious about the differences in free-form learning (which I guess I'm talking about) vs the more traditional classroom learning. Do you have any insight on this?