Tips On Pulling An All Nighter As Efficiently As Possible
Pulling an all nighter is not easy for a lot of people. Here are some tips that might prove to be useful, if you're new to 'game'.
Go Ahead, Panic A Little
You know right before the end of a test when the invigilator announces that we've got only 5 minutes left, and you're barely even finished, so you end up trying your best to think faster and to make quicker decisions? Many people do better under a little pressure, so believe it or not thinking faster and making quicker decisions might do your work some good. It might also help you finish the work before morning, rendering staying awake all night unnecessary.
Avoid Heavy Meals
Many people try hard to keep themselves awake by eating while working. This will work, but only temporarily. Having something to digest will make you feel light-headed which will make staying awake even more of a challenge. If possible, avoid eating a heavy dinner and avoid eating while working.
Avoid Coffee, Drinking Water
If you are not a coffee drinker, you don't have to drink coffee in order to stay awake. Drinking water will do the trick. Coffee although a stimulant, is also an anti-diuretic. So even if it will keep you up for several hours, you might not feel so well in the morning. Keeping your body hydrated will energize you, so avoid coffee and drink water instead.
Get Comfortable, But Not Too Comfortable
Avoid doing your work in your bedroom. Having your soft bed there alone, will be a difficult temptation to resist. Sit in front of a desk and sit the way you would if you were in a library or your classroom. That way it's comfortable enough, but not too comfortable that's going to make you want to sleep.
Avoid the "Just A Few Minutes" Nap
Whether you're a nap person or not, all nighter time is the wrong time to take your quick naps. You are sleepy, and any 'nap' you take will be during your normal sleeping hours. Your mind and body will not recognize it as a nap; instead, it will be recognized as the routine sleep you indulge in every night. This will not do you any good, so do not spoilt yourself and avoid taking such naps at all cost.
Avoid Distractions
If you normally sleep for 8 whole hours every night, your all nighter will potentially be a period of 8 whole hours. Do not spend any of the 8 hours watching TV, listening to music (and singing along), having a late-night dinner, surfing the internet, etc. If it will take a lot of time and if it will distract you from the work you're supposed to be doing, do not do it. If you can't work without some music, listen to tunes without the words in them, or listen to music with the volume on low.
Some things that work well for others will not work for the rest. So if you're constantly having to stay awake all night, make sure you try different recommended methods and understand which one works best for you.
Copyright photos: 2006 David H. Lewis and 2008 Viorika Prikhodko (via iStockPhoto.com)