According to the Assistant Professor of Psychology – studying late at night

study late at night

According to Daniel Niparko, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Maharishi University of Management, this technique helps declarative knowledge and relational memory function improve which are the two types of memory that most people need for doing well in school.

The Different Types of Late-Night Studiers

• There are generally three types of late-night studiers: those who study because they have to, those who study because they want to, and those who study because they can’t sleep.
• Those who study because they have to are usually taking an evening class or working on a project with a deadline. They may not be particularly happy about it, but they’re trying to make the best of the situation.
• Those who study because they want to are usually students who are passionate about their studies and enjoy learning. They often find that they retain information better when they study at night, so they make the most of their nighttime hours.
• Those who study because they can’t sleep are usually people who suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorders. For them, studying is a way to pass the time and hopefully improve their grades.

How to Make the Most Out of Studying Late at Night

If you’re like most college students, you’ve probably found yourself up late studying for exams or writing papers more times than you can count. While pulling all-nighters may seem like the only way to get everything done, studies have shown that they are actually not very effective. In fact, they can actually lead to poorer grades and more anxiety. So what’s a student to do?

There are a few things you can do to make the most out of studying late at night:

• Bite right
  Eating sugary snacks might help you keep going during late-night studying, but your body will wear out much faster and you won’t be able to retain the information as well. Small doses of caffeine have been shown to focus the mind and increase learning power through the night. Protein-rich foods are also important because they produce more long-lasting energy (glucose is short-term). Don’t go overboard though!
• Break right
  If you don’t take downtime during the night, your studying isn’t going to end well. There’s nothing worse than sacrificing sleep time when you could be resting. Try taking a 10-minute break every hour during the night. Not only will this help to reduce fatigue, but you’ll also be able to concentrate more, which will increase your durability and improve your performance. It might seem like a waste of 10 precious minutes per day, but think about what this means for studying for 50+ minutes without needing a break–it’ll mean more productivity and less fatigue on your part.
• Stay well away from the bed
  I know it feels good to get on the bed and get comfy but don’t. It will be great for only about 10 minutes, then you’ll start to get sleepy. That’s a big red flag when it comes to how not to study at night. Stay away from the bed as much as possible; there’s no point putting anything else in your life that will make you drowsy too! You should have plenty of work for studying on your hands without taking more on.

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• Avoid heavy dinners
  Heavy meals before bedtime can make it hard to sleep. It’s not a secret that this type of meal causes drowsiness, which is the exact opposite of what you need for your late-night study sessions. Eating light but healthy snacks during the 10-minute breaks in your studying will make it less likely that you’ll fall asleep when it’s time to get back to work.
• Switch off the electronics
  Let’s face it. It can be hard to focus when you’re trying to study and you’re waiting for the next episode of your favorite show on Netflix to come on or your phone has a text from your friend. However, one way to implement this step is by downloading all the material first and staying off Wi-Fi while doing your studying. You want to eliminate distractions – so filtering out Wi-Fi will help.
• Set regular alarms
  This is for two reasons. The first one is to ensure that you stay awake and don’t nod off. The second one is a good marker of how much time has passed since you started – simply use it to measure how long you’ve been productive! That jarring sound will force you to snap out of your drowsiness, even if you don’t want to be, and once you are, why not put those groggy thoughts to good use?
• Write as you read
  Many people understand that taking notes while reading is faster and better than just reading the text. So, it’s recommended to keep a notebook nearby and a pen handy, so you never have to worry about forgetting the key ideas or information in your book. The best way to study effectively is to highlight important passages as you go along.
• Keep moving
  One way to keep your mind fresh is to move from one place to another. Moving from different places will stimulate you, avoiding stagnation. After every hour or two hours, move and change your location for a time. This will help you maintain the focus and direction you started with at the beginning of your study session.
• Learn to power nap
  A good tip for studying at night is powering naps. Everyone knows about napping, even college seniors (they should because dorms are loud!). Napping usually lasts around 20 to 25 minutes and power naps have great benefits! The brain wakes up feeling refreshed and more receptive to new material. As always, be careful that you don’t fall asleep when napping in this time frame. Set an alarm before you nap just in case.
• Play the right music
  When studying for big exams, some people find that music can be helpful so long as it’s not too distracting. I always play some soft and quiet music in my room before finals week starts. It keeps me awake but allows me to stay focused on what I’m doing. There are plenty of types of music you can choose from- so just try them all out!
• Stay away from groups
  Studying in groups can be beneficial if every person boosts productivity by studying more efficiently at night. But you need to study with the right people or it will lead to even more time wasted and fewer hours of sleep.
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  The Pros and Cons of Studying Late at Night

  There are both pros and cons to studying late at night. Some students find that they can focus better at night, while others find it harder to concentrate. Some students prefer the peace and quiet of studying late at night, while others find it more difficult to stay awake.
  Pros:
  – You can usually find a quiet place to study
  – There are fewer distractions
  – You can customize your study environment
  – You can work at your own pace
  – You can take breaks when you need them
  Cons:
  – It can be harder to concentrate
  – You might get sleepy
  – You might not have access to all the resources you need

  Conclusion

  It’s often been said that studying late at night is not the most effective way to retain information. However, there are a few benefits to pulling an all-nighter every now and then. For one, it can help you get ahead on your work so that you don’t have to stress about it during the day. Additionally, studying at night can help you focus better because there are fewer distractions. If you do decide to stay up late to study, make sure that you take breaks and stay hydrated so that you don’t end up making yourself sick.