Thursday, November 27th 2008

By lindsay fleming

     Two papers due Wednesday at 4pm and midterms Thursday, Friday. This is what my end-of-November schedule is looking like- though I doubt it’s much different from any other student on campus. November is the time of the year when we are running on nothing but sheer adrenaline and cupfuls of caffeine goodness. The only thing that is keeping us at the daily grind is the prospect of winter holidays. We are all counting down the days until we can be free of the never-ending essays, multiple-choice questions, and annoying Scantron version numbers. Though the holiday season is within sight, the amount of work that most of us will have to accomplish between now and then is daunting.

     Looking at my schedule, I try to figure out how I can appropriately budget my time so that I can finish my papers and study for my midterms. After flipping through my agenda at least three times and racking my brain, I come to the realization that there simply isn’t enough time in the day, and I am going to have to pull an all-nighter. The only thing worse than pulling an all-nighter is the horrible headache and tremor that I get around 5:30 AM after successfully downing disgusting amounts of caffeine in order to fight my body’s instinctive urge to sleep. As I prepare for the long night ahead, I decide to do a little bit of research into whether or not there is a “healthy” way to pull an all-nighter.  As a result of my research I found a few helpful tips, which will hopefully be beneficial to all of you during your exam season. 

     First of all, drop the caffeine. The general student assumption is that the success of an all-nighter depends on how much caffeine you can pump into your system. Research has actually found the contrary. You should only be consuming 200 milligrams of caffeine daily, which is equivalent to one full cup of coffee. This limited amount can be very effective at giving you the extra boost that you may need to keep yourself awake and motivated. Consuming excessive amounts of caffeine however, will only increase anxiety and lead to a larger crash afterwards. If you need a steady supply of caffeine then try healthier alternatives like green and black tea, which are also rich in antioxidants. 

     Hydration is very important to keeping your body well in-tuned during your all night study session. This means lots and lots of water. Like a well-sculpted athlete preparing for a marathon, you need to prepare your body for the long road ahead. Continuous hydration will keep you feeling awake and will increase your body’s functionality the next day. 

     Another important tip is to eat well throughout the night. Try to avoid fatty foods like pizza and chips, as they are not very efficient fuel sources and will often make you feel tired. Instead, try to eat a meal rich in protein and vegetables, as they will keep you full and take longer for your body to breakdown, thereby sustaining your energy for a greater period of time. Healthy snacks include things like raw veggies and cheese and crackers.

     Another possible all-nighter tactic is to pretend that you are starting a brand new day. Get changed into a new outfit, not p.j.’s or sweatpants, but something that you would wear to school that isn’t terribly comfortable. Halfway through the night when you can feel yourself hitting a brick wall take a 30 minute break to have a shower. The pounding of the water will refresh your body and awaken your senses. Washing your face with cold water every hour or two can also have a similar refreshing affect.

     Take mini-breaks, but DO NOT nap. Even though your body may be slightly regenerated after a 20 minute nap, you have to remember that a nap at 3 AM could be deadly and turn into a four hour deep sleep. In the case of an all-nighter you are better to keep your momentum and finish early instead of taking multiple nap breaks.

     Try to study somewhere cool. A warm cozy location like your bedroom is a death trap. Avoid studying somewhere comfortable like your bed or couch. Instead try to sit in an upright chair and do the majority of your work at a desk. You may also have to change location every few hours or go for short walks in order to prevent your brain from going stale.

     Using a variety of these techniques will ensure that your body stays fresh throughout the night. The biggest thing to remember is that caffeine is not the magic solution. Excess amounts of caffeine will heighten your body’s levels of anxiety and cause you to suffer a greater crash the next day. Regular intervals of healthy snacks, and a steady supply of cold water are beneficial techniques to keep your body feeling revitalized the next day.

     Despite all of these tips, it is important to note that the best exam study technique is a good night’s sleep. Try to budget your study time before exams start, thereby avoiding the possibility of having to do an all-nighter. Doing your work in smaller, more manageable chunks increases your brain’s ability to retain the information in the long term. Even though proper planning and time management is always ideal, sometimes an all-nighter is unavoidable. In these cases, just remember to prioritize your work, stay hydrated and limit your caffeine intake.