The Big Exam Cram: The Correct Way To Pull An All-Nighter

Cramming for exams during college life is a rite of passage, an event that will occur for all students, no matter if you're a procrastinator or not. Whether it's a big final exam or just one of your checkup tests for an intro course, at some point, you'll find yourself cramming in all that info the night before the test. But like most aspects of college life, there's a way to go about it that's smarter and better. 

First off, over-cramming isn't a good idea. Those cram sessions shouldn't be the norm. Ideally you'll have studied periodically and regularly for a test. Still, sometimes you'll be too busy to have accomplished that, and for one reason another, you'll be up either the entire night or for a good part of the night before the big test. It's never a fun scenario, but make the most of it. It's your last shot, after all. 

Don't fool yourself. You'll need some sort of stimulation to keep you going, so fill up that pot of coffee or indulge in a late-night energy drink. When you do hopefully make it to bed, this won't help the situation, but for those crucial studying hours, it may just be the only thing that keeps you from falling face first into your textbook. If you're not a big coffee drinker, go with what you're used to. Maybe it's some tea or even some extra sugar that will keep you fueled! 

On that note, take a break every hour or so. You'll get even more tired by staying planted in a chair for six hours. Get up and walk down the hall in your dorm, or wherever you are. That little bit of movement or exercise can bring some spark back to your studying, and may be just enough to keep you going for a couple more hours. While you're probably apt to take short breaks to check your Facebook or watch an online video, those breaks can be a good thing too. It's hard to concentrate at a high level for hours and hours straight, so little breaks can help you reset your concentration level. 

When the temptation to sleep becomes too much, sometimes it's best to just give in. That's right. Get a few hours and then do some more studying in the morning. You won't exactly wake up feeling good or ready to go, but at some point the studying task becomes futile when you're that tired. Catch a few Zs, but be sure you wake up early enough to resume studying, as that early-morning review is the valuable final step for a proper exam cram!