I'm currently in a bit of a conundrum. I have a major exam in about 12 hours that I pushed off studying for until tonight. Unfortunately, this week I happened to have back to back tough exams, and I haven't slept since Tuesday night (It's currently Thursday at 3 am). I'm not used to pulling all nighters like this, but I feel like I function very well when I'm tired compared to most people I know. For my mental sanity and memory retention, do you think I'd be better off sleeping now for like 6 hours and then finishing studying in the hours leading up to the test, or should I finish all my studying tonight and sleep until the exam?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. :thumbsup:

On a side note, I think it would be cool to have been up for 48 straight hours. Never done that before.

I would finish studying and then sleep up until your exam. That's probably not the most efficient or effective way of doing it, but I could definitely sleep easier knowing that I'm done my studying.

Note: This is what I would do. I can't guarantee that you won't wake up feeling like [censored] and forget your hours of study.



It sounds fun, but trust me, it's not. After the first day you feel horribly tired (obviously.) Once you fight that off, you just sort of coast along, and it almost feels like you're in a dream.

I say you're [censored] anyway, but studying first and then sleeping before the exam is probably best. I never study the day before, that way I can get a bit of peace and quiet in my head. Helps me to focus better during the exam.

I can only second the above replies. A healthy sleeping schedule would be best, but lacking that... stay up for now or you'll feel like hell after only 6 hours. In fact I'd go so far as to suggest staying up until the exam's over, then crashing (probably for like 12+ hours if you're really sleep deprived by then). If you time it right, you'll slip into the "no sleep zone" and have crazy energy and alertness.

It doesn't last, though...

Bonus suggestions:

• Stretch
  
• Drink lots of water

I don't think that's necessarily a good thing. That's when you start getting a bit delusional. Not the best state to be in for an exam. I agree with you about the all-nighter though, if OP can handle it.

True; seriously impaired judgement is amusing for (some) social events and such, but not such a cunning idea for exams or anything else important.

Well okay, more seriously impaired judgement in my case, but you get the point...

Yeah, I'm sure you're both right. I've only really "used" it for physical challenges before.

Good luck with the exam(s) though, Eldest!

Lack of sleep leads to lack of Serotonin production, which leads to impaired cognitive function.

Study some, sleep, wake up, study some.