The month of May means one thing- final exams. With the end of the semester fast approaching, there’s a lot to be done before grades are put in.
All-nighters are a necessary evil and a true milestone in the college experience. But what do you need in order to make sure that your all-nighter is successful and not just a waste of good sleep?
Here’s everything you need to do in order to pull off a night of staying up late to cram for your classes.
Eat Lots of Carbs
Energy drinks aren’t the only way to stay awake. In between drinking caffeinated drinks, be sure to eat lots of carbs throughout the night. This includes bread, chips, cakes, and pretzels.
Your body can break down any of these options into simple sugars, which your body then converts into insulin. This entire process keeps you energized, so it’s important to keep carb-filled snacks on hand that you can munch on all night.
Caffeinate Gradually
When you’re thinking about pulling an all-nighter, it can be tempting to try to overload your system with caffeine all at once. To stay more awake, drink energy drinks gradually instead.
Health professionals suggest that you consume under 400 mg of caffeine per day. So you could try consuming 100 mg every few hours, which is about equivalent to 1 cup of coffee.
Stay Hydrated
If you’re going to be consuming caffeine and sugar, and carbs all night long, it’s essential to stay hydrated. You should always be hydrating during your waking hours, and if you want to extend your productive time, you should be sure to keep drinking water during an all-nighter.
Ice water especially will give you a little burst of energy from the cold. And if you’re really desperate for an extra little energy boost, you can even splash it on your face to keep your mind alert.
Chew Gum
When you’re not snacking or drinking, you can keep your mouth busy by chewing gum. Studies have also shown that it boosts your mental capacity as you study, associating different topics with the flavor you chew.
Mint gum especially helps to stimulate your senses so that you can stay awake, and it also keeps your jaw occupied so you can fight against yawning.
Conclusion
There are many techniques to staying awake during an all-night study session. Find what works best for you, but also make sure to make time to get plenty of rest. Your all-nighters won’t be as effective if you fall asleep during your exam.
