Late Night Study Tips

By Sarah Fudin on November 29, 2011

Have you ever found yourself working on a paper late into the night or studying for an exam just as dawn is about to break? If so, then you know that late night studying can be a challenging, tiring endeavor. In most cases, late night studying is not nearly as effective as studying during daylight or evening hours. Being productive and retaining information is much more difficult after a full day of being awake. But, if you have no other choice and you know that you will be in the library, at your desk or in front of the computer late, then here are some tips to help you make the most of your late night study session:

 

late night studying

Photo by Lachlan Hardy on flickr.com

Make a List
When studying late at night, many people tend to feel like they have too much to do and too little time. This can be a very frustrating feeling and can lead to poor productivity. To combat this, make a list of the things you have to do and don’t deviate. By strictly following what your list dictates, you will stay on the right track and you will feel a sense of accomplishment every time you complete a task. As you cross an item off your list, these moments of inspiration can fuel you through the night.

Beware of the Internet
The later it gets, the more distractable you become. With this in mind, it would be prudent (in order to maximize the time you have) to avoid using the internet altogether. If you have to use the web as a research tool or to collaborate with peers, you should — but be careful. Facebook and Twitter are only a click away and can steal your attention for hours. How successful you are at steering clear of distracting sites can make or break your late night studying. If you are able to use the internet solely as a tool to help you study, go for it! But since most of us are guilty of wasting time browsing through our friends’ photos, it is in your best interest to avoid the web altogether.

Work with a Partner
Have you ever gone for a run with a friend and found that for some reason your endurance and speed were far better than the last time you ran alone? Like having a running partner, working late into the night with a friend can motivate you to perform better than if you were alone. Maybe it’s peer pressure or feelings of solidarity, but having someone there with you can help you study. If your friend is willing, have them work with you on what you are doing. Ask them to quiz you or help you edit your paper. Having a light night study companion to lean and to keep you on track on can help you push through the fatigue that comes with studying late.

Take the Right Kind of Break
Being productive when you study late has everything to do with what you do when you’re not studying. We all take breaks from work during the day, and studying at night is no different. You will need to step away from your work at one point or another, so make sure that you are doing something “productive.” This means taking the right kind of break in order to re-energize your mind. Do: take a walk, stretch, drink tea or coffee, have a healthy snack. Don’t: watch television, surf the web or do anything that could grab your attention for too long. There’s no reason to fear late night studying if you are able to manage your time appropriately.


Sarah Fudin currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California’s Master of Arts in Teaching program, which provides aspiring teachers the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree as well as teacher certification in almost every state including Florida teacher certification. Outside of work Sarah enjoys running, reading and Pinkberry frozen yogurt.

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