*Ah, the desperation of an important test or exam the next day, or a large amount of missing homework that's due tomorrow. Whatever it is, the Sleepless Night b4 is always annoying. Here's how to pull it off and live safely:
*Do your work. Plenty of times, you get sidetracked. Avoid this by setting a constant pace for yourself: 50 minutes of work, and a 10 minute break. Besides, keeping your mind occupied will make it easier to stay awake.
*Avoid caffeine, if possible. See warnings for reasons why. Drink two brimming glasses of ice cold water every 30 minutes. Not only will the cold keep you awake, but you’ll need to urinate very often. It’s difficult to sleep on the toilet.
*Play (softly, if you have a roommate) fast-paced, grating music. You may enjoy it, but it must be, at all costs, harsh and a bit arrhythmic. Try to stick to instrumental music, which is less distracting. This will keep you from being lulled to sleep.
*Work with windows open: cold air will keep you awake. Warm air knocks you out. If you find the cold air is effective in keeping you awake, you can even go to the bathroom and wash your face with cold water. Only wash your face if you are getting tired, you don’t want to waste studying time.
*Set your computer screen to a lower setting, (duller and darker) so as not to strain your eyes. See warnings for why not to.
*Turn off instant messengers, your cellphone, the TV, and do not surf the Internet, edit wikiHow, read, draw, etc. In fact, pinch yourself if you do. This can distract you very easily.
Do not work in bed, on a couch, or on the floor. If you work in any other place than a cold, hard table and chair, you will feel very tempted to sleep. If possible, work somewhere far away from your room/bed, so it’s a pain to go back and sleep. Try to be around some other people, too, so you do not feel comfortable sleeping in your chair.
*Set a timer, if you’re going to nap. Don’t nap for more than 20 minutes, and stay half-awake. Avoid napping at all costs, though. “Just 20 minutes of relaxation” will more likely involve you waking up past your class the next day.
*Rotate subjects every hour, if applicable. You’ll quickly mentally wear out on one topic.
Work through it all. If you have time at the end, pack up your stuff, lay out your clothes, then set your alarm as late as possible, to achieve the most possible sleep.
*Try sitting in different places around the room.
*Remember: if you are tired and are completely slumping over your work, sit up straight. It could immediately make you feel more awake. Yes, it sounds stupid, but try it.
*Eat protein-rich foods like sandwiches, cheese, and other dairy products. Sugary foods may make you feel awake for a little while, but can eventually make you feel drowsy.
*Think positively. Thoughts such as: “I am almost done,” “This is actually not too bad,” “I will get to see the sunrise,” “I will get a good grade” can definitely help.
*Get scared. Sure, it sounds silly, but do it. Watch a horror movie or read something frightening. You’ll be too scared to fall asleep. Do not do this if there is work to be finished, though!
*Note: if you are tired and bored of studying the same thing over and over again, remain positive. You can even try to make a game out of it so studying won’t be so strenuous and dull. (It sometimes helps to time how fast you get math problems done, and try to beat that time:)
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