All-Nighters are essential to the average procrastinator. Some of us just aren't made to study. I personally can't study unless there is some sort of pressure to do so and get it done. What do I end up doing ? well sadly I end up pulling all-nighters, often. So what is an All-Nighter ? Well the name pretty much describes it. When you are hard pressed for time and need to study, you spend the entire night or maybe till 4-5 AM studying and trying to catch up.

There is much debate over this topic. I think it comes down to what you are pulling the all-nighter for. People say it is bad if you are pulling an all-nighter the night before a test, because come test time you are way too tired and also because when it is 3-4 AM and you are exhausted they claim you are trying to stuff and not actually taking in any information. Now on the other side, when you have a test coming up and don't know the information, sleeping and doing nothing isn't really an option for most of us. Regardless of what people say, I have gone from knowing nothing to knowing everything simply from pulling an all-nighter. If the test information you need to learn isn't too much, all-nighters are amazingly effective in terms of learning everything because you know that you have hours and hours to spend, and tend to take your time and study each part fully instead of hurrying and trying to go to bed or hurrying before the test in the morning. Also think of this, it may not truly help at all, but you are going to bed directly after studying. It is possible that going to bed directly after studying will help you recall some more information in the morning, who knows. Either way, if you have a test and need to learn more information than all-nighters are a good idea. They work for me, they can work for you.

First of all, avoid all-nighters if you can. So planning isn't really an option for most. But if it is in the evening and you just realize that no matter what you are going to have to pull an all-nighter, there are some things you can do to assure you will be successful.

* If you are pressed for time and just realized your about to pull an all-nighter, set the alarm clock for 30 minutes and take a quick nap.

* If you are feeling a bit tired and know you are going to have to pull an all-nighter try to fit a good workout in just before starting. It is pretty hard to sleep for several hours after a workout, mind you not to tire yourself out from the workout or you WILL fall asleep.

* Buy some sort of energy drinks. (THIS IS LIKE A LAST STAND PRECAUTION)

* Make sure you have access to plenty of ice and water.

* Find some sort of music that you enjoy but will help you remain awake. In all honesty don't pick anything that has a slow pace. I hate techno but it sometimes helps me stay awake.

* Just before studying (this can be after the nap or workout also) take a cold shower. I know cold showers can be painful, but you will be wide awake.

* Get out your studying papers and such and organize them so at 3 AM you aren't struggling to find the paper you need to study from.

Alright so the time has come and you are beginning your all night study session. Get a glass of ice water out, turn all the lights on, open all the windows so the room is cool but not freezing cold. Make sure you are sitting at a desk or table. Do NOT lay on your bed or on the ground. Remember to not get comfortable at all. It seems harsh but if your sitting in some cushioned chair or on your bed you are just going to fall asleep. Don't drink any caffeine just start sipping the ice water occasionally and begin studying. At some point if you start to feel yourself getting tired turn on the music. Don't turn it up too loud you need to be able to focus. Every time your glass of ice water is empty, don't hesitate, go and refill it. It is crucial to keep drinking the ice water as it keeps you awake and keeps you running to the bathroom. Use these bathroom breaks as your small breaks to let your brain relax for a bit and then get back to studying. I would suggest for every hour of studying you give your mind 10-15 minutes to relax so you are not cramming your brain and forgetting things due to overload. During your breaks remember to keep snacking. If you are staying awake you are going to have to eat just like you would during the day, especially in order to keep studying and using your brain. At all cost it is important to remember NEVER lay down unless it is a timed nap which I wouldn't advise taking unless 100% needed. If it does come to it and you just can't go on than you can pull out the energy drinks, however, only if you have enough to keep drinking 1 every few hours. This isn't healthy at all so do it at your own risk, but if you want to actually make it to the test and start drinking energy drinks than you will need to drink 1 ever few hours right up till the test in order to stay awake. Keep a positive attitude and enjoy owning the test in the morning. As an extra tip that a teacher told me once. If you like to chew gum, chew gum while you study and chew that same exact flavour of gum when you take your test. I don't know if it is true or not but this teacher claimed to have read a study which said the taste of the gum could help you remember some of the content you studied. Who knows, but once again there's nothing to lose in trying.

Good luck pulling your all-nighter. Most the time if you make it through you might not feel too tired the day of the test. It is later that night that it will really hit you hard and you will have no problem sleeping. Just don't try 2 all-nighters in a row. That simply doesn't work out, been there and tried that...failed miserably.

I hope this helps. If I pull any more or get any advice from others on things I can add I certainly will add to this article in the future. If this was helpful to you feel free to link to this article by clicking "share it" and "link to this page". If you are a Hubpages member you can receive extra impressions to your adsense account simply for linking to this article !