In my (admittedly, very short) life, I’ve learned that a) I don’t need as much sleep as other people, and that b) being a morning person helps tons. I’ve thus avoided pulling many all-nighters by just waking up early and getting started a couple of hours after I get out of bed, instead of leaving it for the night. Any person can generally avoid all-nighters by managing their time well and starting to work days or even weeks in advance, or by just keeping up with classes. However, this guide is not going to be me telling you ‘I told you so’, so let’s start with the first tip.
1. Take a nap
If you know ahead of time that you’re going to be pulling an all-nighter, skip the internal debate on whether it’s a good or bad idea and go straight back to bed. It’s a miracle what an extra one or two hours of sleep will do for you once the sun sets: you’ll be able to stay awake for much longer. While your work may not be of the best quality, you’ll at least get some more work done, and you’ll be able to revise later once you’re well-rested.
2. Prepare your environment
Always clear your desks of distractions before you get down to business. Put your phone away and use your laptop or work device to check messages if you need to. Make sure you have a good lamp so you can see all your notes through those sleepy, blurry eyes. If you’re doing an all-nighter, you might as well make sure the lack of sleep is worth it – don’t get distracted!
3. Plan your tasks
Right before I cram, I always make a list (mental or physical, it doesn’t really matter) of what I want to get done in this jolly time I have ahead of me. Break down large tasks into manageable chunks and think about what to prioritise. If you’re just starting the all-nighter, I would recommend doing the hardest things first, when you’re most alert and awake. The easy, repetitive stuff can be done later, and your body will thank you for it.
4. Snack up
No all-nighter is complete without its tantalising snack times, so make sure your stock of snacks is ready and waiting for you. I always try to have at least a banana or apple within reach, with some granola bars saved for later. Some people study better with energy drinks or caffeine, which isn’t a problem, but I would avoid anything too sugar-heavy. Sugar in general can lead to energy crashes, which is the exact opposite of what you want from an all-nighter. To successfully pull an all-nighter, I would recommend something high in protein and carbs – things pizza is very high in 😉. Sandwiches and cheese are also great options if you have them.
5. Stay hydrated
I won’t lie, energy drinks and coffee have gotten me through some very tiring days. However, it’s never wise to over-do something, especially something potentially dangerous like caffeine and sugar, so make sure you’re drinking your water at all times. Caffeine also dehydrates you, so you’ll want to keep a water bottle nearby anyway. I’ve heard that starting the night with water and saving the caffeine for later is a good strategy, but I’ve never tried it. If you want to avoid caffeine (which I think is for the best), then some friends recommend a vitamin C-rich drink or snack before the all-nighter, because apparently it slows down your circadian rhythm and works magic on your brain. Whatever the case, remember that water is going to be your friend at this time!
6. Take breaks
Ideally, the Pomodoro technique is the best studying method for your brain. It sounds great: you study for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, then rinse and repeat. In reality, you’ll probably study for an hour, realise that it’s been an hour, and take a 15-minute break to compensate. There’s nothing wrong with either of those – just remember that your eyes and brain need to rest periodically. So get up from the chair after that hour-long burst, stretch, walk around, and relax for a bit.
7. Use dark mode
This one’s a bit of a personal preference. My eyes get tired really easily, and staring at bright white screens almost halves the time I can stand staring at something. Luckily, most websites and apps have a dark mode setting, making it a little easier on the eyes - especially if you’re working until late at night. Plus, dark mode just looks way better (in my opinion).
8. Listen to something
The night is dark and full of terrors – some light music might keep you company, and keep you awake too. I like listening to movie soundtracks when I’m studying, mainly because the Oppenheimer theme is great for working, and because instrumentals don’t distract you as much as songs with lyrics. If you REALLY want to get a ton of work done, I’ve found that listening to white noise with some noise-cancelling earphones helps. White noise can be a bunch of things: from rain splattering to the sound of an aircraft cabin at night. It helps get me in the zone, which is exactly what I want from an all-nighter.
9. Take a cold shower
If you have time, take a quick, relatively cold shower when you’re on a break. It doesn’t have to be freezing cold, of course, but just lukewarm enough to wake you up. You don’t always have to do this, but if you’re taking a walk around the house and see that the shower’s free, well… why not?
10. Don’t stay up for the sake of it
Based on some of my own experiences, 1.30 to 3.30 A.M. is this weird period where you’re just dead and hate the world and everything in it. I’m probably more likely to stop studying around this time, though if I’m lucky most of my work will already have been finished if I managed my all-nighter well. If you find yourself on your phone during a quick break and are having trouble putting it down, then just admit defeat. If you think you can’t study anymore, then it’s better to just sleep.
After your all-nighter, it’s important to go to bed early the following day and get back to a normal sleeping schedule. Your body will probably need around two to four days to recover from the lost sleep, so you’ll be fine for the most part, but doing this too often can lead to serious health risks. This brings me to probably the most relevant tip I’ll give: if you can avoid an all-nighter, please just do so. Reassess the series of events that led to you being up at 3 A.M. reading up on theorems and proofs (or any other study material) so that you don’t have to do it again. All-nighters are an unhealthy part of student culture, and while you might not have a choice at times, you can always plan and avoid a full all-nighter. Whatever your situation, you’re probably not alone in your decision, so grit your teeth and put your hours in!
