If you are stressed out because you have exams coming up, projects due, people to coffee chat and clubs to participate in — welcome to college. The seemingly shorter hours and diabolical amounts of work we are expected to complete lead to the one thing college students are most well known for: pulling all-nighters.
Let me start by adding a disclaimer: All-nighters are not good for you and should be avoided when possible. While I encourage you to get your beauty sleep, I acknowledge that sometimes sleep is a tradeoff you have to make. So, since many of you will likely pull an all-nighter at least once in your Cornell career, the best thing you can do is follow this guide to do it right.
Preparation
I am no stranger to the all-nighter experience, and the most important piece of advice I can give you is to be prepared. Planning to pull an all-nighter two or more days in advance is ideal. This way, you can plan out what assignments and studying you hope to complete and prepare the resources you will need. Calculate the amount of food, water and caffeine ahead of time, and prevent the midnight run to your local 24-hour minimart.
It is an especially good idea to squeeze in a nap during the day before you pull an all-nighter. Even just one hour of extra sleep can make a difference in your productivity. However, make sure that you do not take any naps after the sun sets, as your body may feel inclined to sleep through the night.
You should always set an alarm — or, better yet, multiple alarms. You need to prepare for the worst, which includes accidentally falling asleep. At the very least, set an alarm that would give you enough time to wake up and get ready in the morning. If you want to be extra sure that you don’t doze off, you can set alarms every 30 minutes or hour.
Environment
Your main consideration when planning an all-nighter should be finding an environment with minimal distractions. This is not the time to try a new study spot; you should choose a place you know you work well in. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t change study spots during the night. In fact, taking a quick break to walk to a new location can be re-energizing. I would recommend the Uris Library Cocktail Lounge and the Clark Physical Sciences Library, which are two 24-hour study spaces on Central Campus.
Proper lighting is crucial as well. The brightness and lighting around us is an indicator to our bodies that we should either be awake or asleep. Wherever you work, make sure the space is brightly lit.
Sustenance
Because you are not letting your body and brain get the rest it needs, you need to fuel up with nutritious foods. I recommend having a variety of snacks high in proteins and carbs. Some great options include cheese and crackers, pizza, fruits, dark chocolate and sandwiches. There are many places across campus where you can purchase these late night snacks. If you are on North Campus, Bear Necessities in Robert Purcell Community Center is open till 2 a.m. every day. On West Campus, Jansen’s Market in Noyes Community Recreation Center is open till 1 a.m. every day. If you are on South Campus, your best option is the 7-Eleven in Collegetown, which is open 24 hours.
Don’t forget to stay hydrated! If you are pulling an all-nighter, your body needs water like never before. At the very least, drink one full glass of water every hour, on the dot (having to pee frequently is a good sign).
Caffeine
Of course we cannot forget about caffeine. It is a magical substance that makes all-nighters much more bearable. Whether you want to drink coffee, tea or energy drinks, caffeine is the secret sauce to staying awake, as long as you monitor your intake. According to Mayo Clinic, up to 400mg of caffeine per day is safe for the average adult. This is equal to about four cups of coffee and just under four regular sized cans of Red Bull. Be cautious because not pacing yourself or drinking more than recommended can lead to a caffeine crash, headaches or jitters.
Work Schedule
To maximize efficiency, I recommend starting your night with an easier assignment to start strong. However, you should quickly transition into the more challenging, dreadful tasks you have to complete. At and after around 3 a.m. your productivity will begin to go down, and you will hopefully have the more difficult assignments out of the way.
In addition to drinking a glass of water every hour, take a five minute break as well. During these five minutes, you should get out of your chair, stretch and walk around to keep your body active.
General Tips
I think you are about ready to pull a productive all-nighter. Just a few more things:
- No matter how much you want to, do not go lay in your bed! Don’t even think about it. Not even ‘I just want to rest my eyes for a second’ — those are famous last words.
- Chew some gum when you feel sleepy. The minty flavor and chewing motion will help you wake up.
- See if any of your friends are planning on pulling an all-nighter. Having someone to suffer with can make it feel more bearable.
- Give yourself time to recover the following nights.
The best case scenario of your anticipated all-nighter is that you overestimate how long it will take you to finish your assignments, leaving you with time to rest. But regardless, you are now equipped with the knowledge necessary to have a successful night of studying. Good luck!
Jeanelle Wu is is a sophomore in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. She can be reached at jkw98@cornell.edu.
