Whoever thought to start the school year in late summer was a good idea must have been a sadist. Just before the days get darker and the trees start dropping their leaves, you have to start rising early in the morning for classes. We know you’d much rather hibernate, but it’s important to remain alert — not only in class, but during your study sessions, too. Learn how to stay awake while studying, even during those shorter days.
Know—and Meet—Your Sleep Requirements
It should come as no surprise that the most effective way to stay awake is to get enough sleep. Most college students in their late teens and early twenties need at least eight hours a night. Society seems to reward those who give up sleep in exchange for more activity. But pleasing others is not always the best choice for your long-term health—or your grades. And you can’t compare yourself to your roommate who bounces out of bed after five hours. If you sleep the right amount of time for you and wake up refreshed each day, you can actually get more done in less time.
Pay Attention to Biorhythms
Every individual has his or her own natural sleep and wake cycles. These may not necessarily line up with the cultural standard of working in the morning and afternoon and resting in the evening. If you’re more mentally alert in the evening, then use your daytime hours between classes to attend to other things, such as working out and recreational activities. Schedule most of your study time in the evening. If you feel more focused during the day, try to study between classes and before dinner. Then use those last hours of the day to relax and unwind.
Stay Healthy
Your overall health is tied to your ability to stay awake. Eating a well-balanced diet is the key to feeling alive throughout the day. Have three meals a day plus a couple of snacks if you need them. Lay off the junk food as much as possible; sugar, excess salt, and unhealthful fats will sap your sap. Try to drink water instead of soda and coffee. Take a multivitamin, and explore natural energizing supplements instead of reaching for the energy drinks. Exercise regularly, even if it’s at light intensity. If you do all these things and still find yourself falling asleep when studying at normal hours, you might want to visit your campus health center for a checkup.
Arrange Your Environment
Now that you’ve taken good care of yourself, it’s time to focus on your surroundings.
- While it’s tempting, studying on your bed or sofa may not be the best idea—particularly if you have to do your work during those hours when you tend to feel sleepy. Work at a desk. A study carrel at the library is even better.
- Keep the temperature on the cool side, so you’ll stay refreshed. If you can’t control the thermostat, dress in layers and strip down to a light tank or tee. Feeling warm will cause you to drift off.
- Build automatic breaks into your study schedule. Plan to study 25 minutes out of every half hour, or 50 minutes out of every hour. Use break time to go to the restroom, check your phone, grab a drink or snack, or simply walk around and stretch. Getting through the next 25-minute session is much easier to deal with mentally than sitting down to two straight hours of studying.
- Join a study group, or at least find a study buddy. It’s difficult to fall asleep when you have company.
What Not to Do
Don’t rely too heavily on caffeine, sugar, or other stimulants. You want steady energy, not spikes and dips. And don’t take naps if you can’t keep them short. Long naps (more than 30 minutes) can make you feel even groggier and will throw off your regular sleep schedule.
Staying awake while studying is a challenge that you can easily overcome. First and foremost, it’s a matter of understanding and respecting your own body’s need for sleep and your natural patterns of alertness. Then, you set up an environment and a study plan that keep you alert. Finally, you avoid anything that might interfere with your wakefulness.
