In theory, reading days are four days to study hard so that you can ace your final exams. But all that free time can go to your head, and before you know it, exams are upon you and you haven't even cracked the binding on your books. You may wish that you could turn back the clock and hit those books, but Doc Brown and his De Lorean are nowhere to be found. So if you don't want to fail your exams, you're going to have to bite the bullet, sacrifice a full night's worth of sleep and pull an all-nighter (or three). If you have ever woken up, drowning in drool, wondering what happened after you decided to "just rest my eyes for a second," then read on, because you definitely need Street's help.
Stay cold. Cold air and harsh lighting are good for keeping you awake, so turn down the thermostat. Drinking ice cold water, or splashing your face with it, can help you stay awake too. Not only is there the obvious shock factor, it will also make you have to pee often, keeping you awake (though not at your desk).
Sit up straight. Your mom may tell you this daily because no man will ever love a sloucher, but it applies to studying too. Lying on your bed while studying will only remind you of the sleep you're not getting, making you more likely to doze off and wake up the next morning, half an hour late to your exam. Avoid the bed/sofa/comfy chair and choose a cold, hard desk chair.
Set an alarm. If you do choose to assume a horizontal study position, make sure you set a buzzer before settling into your "studying." At least this way if you accidentally fall asleep you can show up to the exam on time, albeit unprepared.
Get off the internet. If your homework doesn't require a computer, ditch it and study in a computer-free zone. If it only requires Word, go somewhere with a non-existent wireless signal. If you need the internet, stay strong, and stay off of Facebook. No matter how much you're tempted to log on and trawl the Penn network for that fly guy who sits next to you in Psych, memorizing his favorite movies won't earn you any points on test day. If you have no willpower, get your roommate to change your password - temporarily, of course.
Alternate tasks. To keep your mind alert, spend approximately 50 minutes working and 10 minutes resting every hour. Be careful not to nap during these precious 10 minutes. Instead, grab a hairbrush and do a choreographed routine to the Backstreet Boys or find a mate and hit the stacks. Even though you're in a major time crunch, short breaks are important in order to maintain productivity. If you have more than one class to work on, switch subjects every hour. This is the perfect time to start something new, even if the change is from biology to calculus. Thrilling, we know.
Avoid eye strain by using these two key methods: dim the screen of your computer and give your eyes a rest from reading every 10 minutes by looking around the room.
Stay fueled. You're extending your day by about 50%, so eating more is essential. If you usually have 3 meals a day, consider a fourth at about 3 a.m. Avoid starchy or sugary foods and instead go for something with higher protein content. This will re-energize you and help you avoid that nauseated feeling you get after an all-nighter. For snacks, opt for healthier foods such as nuts or fruit.
Caffeinate wisely. Drinking energy drinks, consuming excessive amounts of coffee, or taking NoDoz will give you a short burst of energy, but will not sustain you for the long run. If you must drink caffeinated beverages, know that once your intake stops, the energy flow will end too. So, be sure to keep your intake steady until you can go to sleep after the test. Doses around 5 p.m., 8 p.m., 12 p.m., 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. should do the trick. As with any drug, remember to pace yourself, and make sure you know your limits.
Take 10-minute power naps. You may be exhausted, but a three hour nap is never okay. A short doze, on the other hand, can reinvigorate you for more studying. Set a loud timer for ten minutes (think death metal or rock music). But remember to turn it off after the test, so that you can sleep peacefully and rest. for the next all-nighter.
