We’re at that point in the semester where everything is due at the same time. Everything. For all classes. Readings, essays, take-home tests–you name it.
Most of us collegiettes have around five classes or 15 hours (although there may be some of you, over-achievers, taking 18 hours), which means you may be a bit over-whelmed and short on time to get everything done. You’ll probably be losing a little shut-eye to meet those deadlines.
Before you sacrifice your sleep, here are a few tips to help you get through the night and get your work done.
Plan ahead
The best thing to do if you absolutely have to pull an all-nighter is to plan ahead and use good time management. You don’t want to stay up the whole night, only to realize you didn’t finish what you needed to. Planning ahead may mean mapping out what you’re going to do at exactly what time; the materials you will need to get your work done; where you’re going to spend your time (in a study room or the library or in your living room if you have one); what you’re going to eat or drink, etc. For example, you may need your laptop to write that paper or listen to music when you’re studying, so planning to pack that computer and some headphones is key to success. When it comes to food and drink, you should think about laying off the carbs and caffeine, eat foods full of nutrition that will keep you energized and not make you crash. Protein-rich foods, such as nuts, will help keep your energy up and keep you feeling fuller longer. If you need to drink caffeine, do so in small bursts, unlike the large dose that may give you a crash later. Remember your body tends to build up immunity to anything you take for a prolonged period of time, so whatever it is, like coffee, may not have as strong of an effect as it used to. If you need a burst of energy, pinch yourself or walk around. Typically, you should take a break every so often, like every 30 minutes, and walk around or do jumping jacks. And make sure you’re staying hydrated with plenty of water.
Limit Distractions
You need to be focused and stay in a rhythm to finish whatever your assignments. If that means setting aside your phone or other electronic device, so be it. Besides, who’s going to be up all night to talk to you anyway? More than likely, the vast majority of your friends will be going to bed long before you do.
Social media can be a huge distraction. But you can download Apps that will actually help. In particular, there is an app from the App Store called Moment. According to Jason O. Gilbert on Yahoo Tech, once the app runs in the background of your other apps and gets a sense of how much time you spend on your iPhone or other electronic device, it lets you set a daily usage limit and will “nudge” you when you get close to the limit. When you reach your limit, there will be a notification telling you to drop the device and have a nice day.
Health and Safety
Last but not least….
Thinking about your health may mean going to bed early the next day or taking a nap at some point when you have time during your day. Sleep is vitally important. Without sleep, your concentration level decreases, you weaken your immune system, you increase your stress as your body increases its level of cortisol, and it weakens your working and long-term memory because your recent memories are transferred to the neocortex to be stored. When you are sleep-deprived, it’s like driving drunk, meaning you don’t realize how impaired you are until it’s already affecting you. You could mess up at work, fall asleep during class, or any number of things.
If you spend the night in the library, you should think of your transportation to your room or to class. Unless you plan on showering in the locker room in the fitness center and brought a change of clothes, you’re going to want to go back to the room and freshen up before class. Depending on how far your room or class is, you’re going to want a bus, a friend, or some other safe transportation to get you safely where you want to go. We are lucky to have a transportation system called Safe Ride where you call the number, 828-262-7433, and give your name, where you are, and where you want to go, and a Safe Ride marked van will arrive shortly to take you where you need to go. However, the system stops running at 2 a.m., so you would have to plan accordingly if you’re staying the entire night. It’s probably not wise to be walking home at 3 a.m., so make plans ahead of time if you know it will be a long night.
Websites used:
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/this-new-ios-app-could-cure-you-of-your-iphone-90357333444.htm.
http://insideherprettylittlehead13.wordpress.com/2012/02/25/how-to-pull-…
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moment-track-how-much-you/id771541926?mt=8
http://appalcart5.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html