College Lesson Learned #44

#44- Come up with some tricks other than caffeine when staying up late. You’ll need it eventually.

Despite what people might actually think, staying up late is a science and not an art. If anyone ever says differently, tell them that they’re wrong… respectfully. I don’t want no fights.

So why is it a science and not an art? Good question. Let me briefly explain.

Art is a form of expression, communication, and possibly a way of life. Although some may say that staying up late is a way of life for college students, the evidence is clear that this is a science. Science pertains to the laws of nature, human physiology, and has a clear and concise way of replicated testing. In fact, if you disagree, try out my steps to not sleeping and see if they work. And if you agree, well then hopefully I’ve presented some new data that you can use for your own trials.

Step  1- Have a drink

No alcohol. Not what I mean. You should have a drink no matter what it is. I do highly recommend, fizzy, bubbly, and/or drinks that are absolutely loaded with caffeine, but water will also work. Also make sure that you have A LOT of it so that you will have to get out of your seat to either refill or to grab another. Motion is the key. If you want to further improve results, put your beverage into a smaller glass or cup.

Step 2- Eat some food

This is where the freshmen fifteen comes into play. Don’t eat something heart like a bowl of soup or a turkey sandwich, have something unhealthy, sugary, and/or spicy. Chocolate, a favorite candy, or some form of potato chips will suffice. Jalapeno cheddar Cheetos on average yield the best results.

Step 3- Work in a quiet place with SOME distractions

I never liked working at the library, it just never seemed to do it for me. I would work in my room, but I would leave the door open, inviting people that I possibly didn’t want, walking into the room. If every so often you have the loud person playing Rock Band or Call of Duty, or a stranger walking into your room, hey it kept you up didn’t it?

                Sub-step 3a- If you are an auditory learner, one who likes to listen to music while you work, please do so. However, make sure that you pick loud songs that get the bass and your heart pumping. Pretty much any guitar hero song will do the job.

Step 4- Take breaks to move

Get up and walk around. Slap yourself in the face. Do whatever it takes to stay physically active.

Step 5- Take a shower if after 2am.

I am a strong believer in the belief that nothing good happens after 2 am… with the exception of a shower. Showers are a sure way to make sure that life is good, you’re alive, and to rejuvenate and reawaken from the monotonous tapping of a laptop or the scratch of a pencil on paper.

I guarantee that these five steps will make your life easier when staying up and doing that paper that you had two-ten weeks to do, yet you never have time until the night before to do.

Moral: Staying up late is what cool kids do.