There are people that swear by coffee to stay awake and study. Not people like me. Let’s just say I tried it in college but still found myself struggling to focus and learn at night.
Staying awake to study at night is not for the faint-hearted. You must have set a goal and be determined to see it through. You practically have to live and breathe this goal so it pushes you to stretch your body to its limits.
This will require studying at night.
‘Nights’ in this case can be early mornings just before dawn or much earlier from 12 midnight. The goal is to put in the extra to reach your study goals.
How I struggled with sleep whenever I’m studying
In my first degree, I tried all manner of tricks to stay awake at night to study. Sometimes it worked, but most times it failed.
I tried coffee, chewing gum, chewing nuts, reading to music, putting my feet in the water, you name it. The coffee experiment didn’t work, while others had mixed success. An important piece of information for this period was I often worried that I had some kind of sleep disease. Things took a worse turn at some point I fell into a very bad emotional state and I lost the zeal to study.
Like I found it difficult to concentrate and had an eternal struggle with sleep during study sessions.
Fast forward to my second degree and I’m studying twice on scheduled nights.
What changed?
I think the most important thing is that I got my priorities right. I knew what I wanted, I had a roadmap, and I knew how many A’s I needed to hit 90% of my CGPA before my first exam. Maybe I’ll share how I do this in a future blog post.
How I stayed awake to study at night
The first step on my path to being better at night study is to know exactly what I want. I wasn’t happy with my first degree and needed to correct that. Think of this as a second chance to do something great.
Your study goals can be at the top of your class at the end of the year. I’ll be honest, there’s a way your study goals will be so vivid you can taste it.
This is the force that will give your body that extra nudge when sleep is trying to interfere.
In my case, it got to a point, I woke up twice on select nights every week to study. The first round was from 11pm-1am, then 4-6 am for the second round.
This is the first, and I’d say the most important step to take if you want to study at night. It is this passion that will put that fire in your system that your body can weather hot or cold nights to remain awake to study.
Can you pull an all-nighter without coffee?
Yes, it is possible to pull an all-nighter without coffee. Note, however, that all-nighters are generally not advisable especially when you haven’t had enough sleep.
Your body may feel its full effect during the day with effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. An alternative to using coffee is to make sure you’re well rested during the day, avoid heavy meals at night, take short breaks/naps, and drink water if you have to study all night.
6 tips to stay awake to study at night without coffee
Have enough rest during the day
If you plan to study at night, ensure to have proper rest during the day. Have a bath, eat, and sleep much earlier than you usually do.
This boosts your energy levels and helps you be more refreshed during your study session. Set the alarm to wake you when it’s time so you don’t sleep for too long.
Avoid heavy meals before sleeping
Avoid heavy meals before sleeping if you plan to study at night. You need your body light and ready to go when it’s time.
Take breaks in between
Taking short breaks during your study session can help you stay focused and prevent burnout. Try taking a five-minute break every 30 minutes to stretch, and move around.
You can use the Pomodoro technique to split your study sessions. This can help you feel refreshed and energized when you return to your studies.
Get moving
Like mentioned above, a short break of walking around the house or to the balcony helps reset your body from sitting too long. Physical activity can help boost your energy levels and keep you alert.
Drink water
Drinking enough water is essential for alertness and staying awake. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and drowsiness, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the night. You can also try drinking herbal tea, which can have a calming effect on your mind and body.
Use natural light
A well-lit study area with natural light can help regulate your body’s internal clock and keep you awake. Try studying near a window or using a daylight lamp to mimic natural light. This can help you feel more alert and focused during your study session.
In conclusion, another vital piece of advice is to find a time that works best for you. Set your study goals, study over the course of the semester, and read to understand and teach others.
When you study ahead of time, you leave less room for pulling multiple all-nighters close to exams. Where an all-night is inevitable, you can use any of the tips above to help you pull through successfully. Let me know what you think about these tips to help you stay away and study at night without coffee.