Survival of the most awake: pulling an all-nighter

By: Paresh Jha

Posted: 12/8/08

You have heard all the tips on studying well in advance and time management, but the reality is that a lot of us always end up cramming. It is the way of the college world, whether you are an art history or chemistry major. So instead of a list on ways to study properly in advance, here are some tips on cramming, staying awake and making those last few hours actually count.

Don't get comfortable

It's 2 a.m. and you still have a lot left to tackle for that final at 8 a.m., but your body is tired, your eyes are droopy and you feel terrible. You really should have thought about studying earlier, but don't dwell on the past; it'll likely send you spiraling into depression.

Your first instinct is to just grab your book and lie down in bed and study. Bad idea! You will most surely fall asleep and wake up panicking. The idea is to shock your system out of its comfort zone in order to keep yourself awake and as focused as you can be. Remember, once everything is over you can sleep as much as you want.

For now, open the windows and let in some cold air. If you love the cold, then turn up the heat. If you get sleepy while sitting down, stand up and walk around with your book. Remember, the more out-of-the-ordinary and inconvenient your setup is, the more likely your cramming session will succeed.

Beware of food

It is widely known that, after a good amount of food, all anyone wants to do is crash. Ordering full scale meals at 1 a.m. while studying is going to take a large chunk of time away from your cramming session and put you to sleep.

If you absolutely must eat while studying, make sure to stick to light snacks that can help the mind and metabolism. Granola bars, almonds, any sort of nuts and chocolate can be beneficial.

Energy drinks

"Along with a powernap, my two tried-and-tested energy drinks a night help out my all nighters. But that's me," said 5th-semester biology major David Wu.

Maybe one or two energy drinks won't hurt, but who knows? You are staying up all night regardless and that is not healthy to begin with. Whatever the case may be, it would be wise not to binge on these energy drinks since it could be likely that the crash from that high may just happen during your exam. The last thing your professors need is drool pools as opposed to eraser stains on their tests. You may just be better off with some water or Gatorade since these will at least be able to keep you hydrated. The thing about energy drinks is that, besides the crash, they tend to dehydrate you. So buyers beware, Red Bull may be your friend at midnight but could be your worst enemy at 6 a.m.

Unconventional breaks

Breaks are going to have to be short, infrequent and productive in calming you down and keeping you awake. So during some of these breaks you need to make every second count. Walk outside and take in the cool air. It is going to be cold during finals week, so that may be able to help.

A quick shower could also be beneficial. Even if you've already showered, getting in there and having the water hit you will likely keep those eyes open.

This next tip obviously depends on the person. Some people (mostly guys) find that sex tends to put them to sleep, but the converse is not unheard of either. Having a quickie during a study break can do many things. It will reduce your stress level and make your brain release endorphins, neurotransmitters that gives you the feeling of wellbeing. But hey, having sex and then showering pretty fast can certainly make you feel better, more alert and ready for the rest of the night. Obviously, this can easily become a distraction so take that tip with some caution.

Other ideas involve getting up for five minutes every hour to do some quick exercising. This increases blood flow and allows your body to keep up with your mind.