CampusLifestyleSpotlight

Tips For a Successful All Nighter

Have a 6 page paper due tomorrow and haven’t looked at the prompt yet? Have a p-set due in the morning and done zilch? Have a 200 page reading to do and haven’t opened the book? Looks like it’s gonna be a long night. Here are some tips to help you out!

1. Maintain a constant caffeine buzz  – Fill a giant coffee mug during dinner and gradually sip it throughout the night. This will keep you from falling asleep + becoming too jittery.

2. Change of scenery – Studying in one place can get boring and make you more tired than you already are. Try starting in Sterling, moving to Bass when it closes, and then relocating to your residential college library when that closes.

3. Study at a desk – Avoid the couches at the library. Sitting upright will make it harder for you to fall asleep – you don’t want to get too comfortable!

4. Get a motivational buddy – Find someone to stay awake with you and slap you when they see your eyes closing.

5. Avoid carbs and go for protein instead – Eating sugar/carb-heavy food might wake you up for a bit but will inevitably lead to a glucose crash. Snack on high protein foods like nuts and cheese instead.

6. Reward yo’self – Reward yourself after completing tasks to keep you motivated. For example, you get a 5 minute break after finishing a paragraph of your paper.

7. Chew gum – Chewing gum stimulates the brain and helps you stay awake. The act of chewing also reduces anxiety and stress. 

8. Listen to loud music – You can’t fall asleep when you’re listening to fast-paced music with a loud bass, like heavy metal or EDM. Try listening to songs you don’t know, or songs without lyrics, because these can be distracting and lower your productivity. 

9. Get moving – During your study breaks, do something active, like jumping jacks. Exercising pumps oxygen through the body, improves circulation, and leaves you feeling energized and refreshed so you can focus better. It will also keep you from becoming restless and unproductive.

10. Surround yourself with bright lights – Working in a well lit area will reduce your body’s production of melatonin, which will help you stay awake longer.

Whatever you do, stay positive and don’t break! You got this! Good luck!!!