{"id":3658,"date":"2020-07-16t01:56:01","date_gmt":"2020-07-16t08:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/sat\/?p=3658"},"modified":"2020-07-16t10:55:49","modified_gmt":"2020-07-16t17:55:49","slug":"how-to-pull-a-successful-all-nighter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/college-admissions\/how-to-pull-a-successful-all-nighter\/","title":{"rendered":"how to pull a successful all-nighter"},"content":{"rendered":"
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we\u2019ve all got those days. three projects are due on the same day. countless huge tests looming before your eyes. deadlines slowly calling out your name as a mug of lukewarm coffee trembles in your fingers. (a dramatic, oscar-winning soundtrack beating to the frenzy of your heart…) you\u2019ve tried everything, but you just don\u2019t have enough time, and you start looking up “how to pull an all-nighter” and “what to do on an all-nighter.”<\/p>\n
there are plenty of reasons not<\/em> to pull an all-nighter—that is, the lack of sleep is highly detrimental to your thinking and reasoning ability, as well as concentration. most sources warn against all-nighters.<\/p>\n but—and this is a big, cautious \u201cbut\u201d—sometimes, there is no avoiding them. so, how do you pull an all-nighter successfully? here are our top tips on how to yield maximum results with, well…minimum sleep.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n you might want to stay awake the entire night, but that\u2019s easier said than done! it\u2019s most feasible when you intersperse your all-nighter with small naps<\/a>. a 90-minute nap (or one full sleep cycle) is recommended if you don\u2019t want to wake up feeling too groggy. nap experts<\/a> (yes, those are a thing!) also claim that afternoon naps are the most ideal, as these nap cycles will be balanced between rem and sws (slow wave sleep).<\/p>\n other all-nighter experts claim that it\u2019s best to sleep for 3-4 hours right after school, then stay up all night. this way, you\u2019ll be well-rested before you get cracking.<\/li>\n <\/p>\n if you have to use the internet, but don\u2019t trust yourself to use it for strictly academic purposes, you can \u201cblacklist\u201d—block yourself from going on certain social media sites for example…or you can \u201cwhitelist\u201d—block everything except for the few select sites that you need. check out your browser settings!<\/li>\n there are also some effective caffeine products like military energy gum (stay awake gum), which can help you, well, stay awake! again, products like these should be used with caution and moderation.<\/li>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n take care to study sitting upright in a desk. lighting should be bright. if you want to be more alert, don\u2019t get too cozy. try keeping the windows open–or if you have a thermostat, keep the room temperature a bit chilly. obviously, you shouldn\u2019t make yourself so miserable that you can\u2019t concentrate, but you should maintain a healthy dose of discomfort to keep you awake.<\/p>\n if you really want to ramp up your awareness, you can try a quick cold shower, too!<\/li>\n 10 tips on how to pull an all-nighter<\/h2>\n
what to do during an all-nighter<\/h3>\n
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\ndon\u2019t pull an all-nighter if you have to be productive the next day! it\u2019s best to time one right after the weekend—or any other time during which you received a good amount of sleep. that way, you can have a ton of energy during the night…and ideally be able to sleep it off the next day.<\/li>\n
\nsome sources argue that it\u2019s better to study in a place that\u2019s not <\/em>your bedroom. this is because your brain associates your bedroom with sleep, so you\u2019ll automatically feel sleepier in that kind of environment. instead, try studying in a 24-hour caf\u00e8 or library…or move your study session down into your kitchen or living room!<\/li>\n
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\nif you want to know how to pull an all-nighter efficiently, the answer is—by eliminating as many distractions as possible! don\u2019t use your phone. don\u2019t go on social media. that includes, twitter, facebook, youtube, etc. unless your work involves internet access<\/a>, put your computer and phone away. spending “just five minutes on your phone\u201d can translate to an entire hour or two lost on social media and other procrastinator-friendly sites. <\/p>\n
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\ncaffeine can do wonders in making you alert, but effectiveness is all about timing. you\u2019ll start getting drowsy as your circadian rhythms kick in–that is, in the late hours of the night into the early morning. it\u2019s best to take your caffeine around this time, but keep your intake at moderate levels…you don\u2019t want to crash! do not drink coffee for the entire day leading into your all-nighter. saving caffeine for when you really need it will make it significantly more effective.<\/p>\n
\nyou might slip up. you could be so sure of success one minute and fast asleep the next. the solution? set up a series of alarms throughout the night, timed thirty minutes apart. this way, you won\u2019t fall asleep early in the night and wake up in the morning, well-rested\u2026.but completely doomed for your test! with this method, you won\u2019t ever lose more than thirty minutes of study time. (if you\u2019re living with someone else, don\u2019t make the alarm too loud. keep it nearby, so you can hear it while not being a bother to others in close proximity.)<\/li>\n
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\narguably the most important thing to do while pulling an all-nighter is: keeping yourself hydrated and filled up with the right nutrients to keep going throughout the night<\/strong>. for hydration, ice tea, fruit juice, and water are preferable alternatives to soda and caffeine. as for snacks, stay away from sugar and heavy carbs! instead, go for fruits, nuts, veggies, and proteins. warning! snack in small portions throughout the night. don\u2019t over-eat, or you might get drowsy and knock out.<\/li>\n
\nanother tempting thing to do on an all-nighter is to drag some blankets over to your desk or study in bed but beware…don\u2019t do this. once you get comfortable, you will be guaranteed to fall asleep.<\/p>\n
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