How to Survive the All-Nighter

…Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
-Dylan Thomas

Though Dylan Thomas wasn't exactly talking about staying up all night (indeed, this poem's subject matter is much more grave), these words express the sentiments of those who have ever had to face the dreadful ALL-NIGHTER. Though it sure isn't the ideal way to get things done, in college you will inevitably be forced to endure the dying of the light. Let's face it. College is fun and you're liable to procrastinate until deadline night. Even if you aren't a procrastinator, there may come a time when it all just piles up too high. Whatever the case, you'll need to arm yourself for a duel with the darkness. Here are some tips!

Strategize

Just thinking about the fact that you may have to spend all night battling your academic demons is enough to make you feel exhausted. So don't think about it too much. Treat the all-nighter like another day. Think of it as one big project and disregard the lack of sleep part of it. Remember that you can always make up for the lost snooze time, but it may not be possible to make up for missed assignments or bad test grades. The first thing you should do is make a list of what needs to be done for the night. If you need to write a paper or finish (or start AND finish) a project, simply prepare to work as usual. Treat it like just another day. Work for an hour or so at a time and give yourself very brief breaks. If you've got to cram for an exam, then you'll want to organize your night into study sessions. This may seem difficult because you could be tempted into taking "study breaks" that turn into you falling asleep until dawn. Avoid this by studying for 30 minutes at a time f ollowed by 15 minute breaks that involve physical movement. This way, you maintain your concentration all night without succumbing to sleep.

Uppers, uppers, uppers!

You don't want to ever really do this, but for the all-nighter, you may have to stock up on some serious caffeine. Red Bull is the devil, but it could be just the thing to get you through the night. Go ahead and allow your self several energy drinks, but don't go overboard! Always drink a glass of water after every coffee or energy drink, and don't drink more than one for every couple of hours! It is possible to overdose, and if you drink too much all at once, you may be too jittery to even function.

Exercise

Physical movement is also really great for keeping yourself awake. If you keep yourself in motion, your body will forget to be sleepy. If you start to feel like you're about to doze off, or if your thoughts are getting a little slow and droopy, it's perfectly acceptable to go for a 10 minute jog, or do some jumping jacks. Get your heart rate up naturally by doing aerobic exercises. Keeping yourself physically active during the all-nighter will help you fight your instinct to sleep and overcome boredom and fatigue.

Nap

If you really need to put your head down for a moment, then allow yourself to do so. Just make sure it's absolutely for no longer than 20 or 30 minutes at a time. Set an alarm clock and place it next to your ear. You should also avoid napping in your bed. Instead, try napping with just your head down on your desk, or at least on a chair. If you allow yourself to nap in your bed, you probably won't be able to get back out, ruining your entire night of progress. Again, 20 to 30 minutes is fine, but much longer than that will severely hinder your motivation. Your body will put itself into total rest mode and you will probably be completely comatose until morning. Stick with a short nap however, and you should be alright to move on.

Moral Support

If at all possible, try going through the all-nighter with some study buddies. Team work is honestly one of the best ways to get through the all-nighter (or anything). If you're behind on work, chances are someone else in your school is also behind. You could send out an email blast to other students. If it's the day before a big exam, you can probably find many other students planning their own all-nighters. Take advantage of this and gather yourself an army of study partners. There is always power in numbers, and it's a lot easier to go through a difficult time when you have moral support. Having other people (or just one other person) around will help you stay motivated. You guys can poke each other with sharp sticks if one person starts to doze off.

Whatever happens, remember to be strong. If you're smart, you'll do everything you can to cut down on your need for all-nighters. You know you can do it. It's all about mind over matter. Keep your eye on the goal and remember that as soon as the ordeal is over, you'll enjoy the best sleep of your life! Good luck!