When you're a college student, it's almost guaranteed that you'll have a moment of overwhelming homework, which is all due in a short period of time. Maybe it hasn't happened to you yet... if so, you're one lucky soul. But I know that for me, as an English major, my readings pile up quickly, and I get real tired while reading. You don't have to be an English major to have this problem, either. Science textbooks? Those have got to be rough to get through. Regardless of the subject, I think we've all had the moment of too much due too soon, and you find yourself slowly... but surely... nodding off.
Ah, yes. You aren't alone.
So here are 10 ways to combat sleeping while reading:
1. Get enough sleep at night.
This may seem like common sense, but it's really important. Staying up late to do reading is pointless - you won't remember all of it and you're pretty much guaranteed to fall asleep. So instead, go to bed. Sleep. A lot. And then wake up and get reading. It'll be a lot easier to keep your eyes open.
2. Go to a public space to do your reading.
If you try to do it in your dorm room, let's face it - your bed will call your name. Walk to the library. Sit in the dining hall. When there are other people around you're much less likely to sleep (although, I'll be honest... I have fallen asleep in public places while reading. This isn't a guaranteed thing. But it'll help for sure).
3. Don't get too comfortable.
I love to read laying down. You know what else I do laying down? Sleep. Especially if the book is boring or dense, just don't do it. You'll fall asleep, I promise. Sit at a desk, a table, in a chair that makes your butt hurt from sitting in it too long. It won't make you happy, but at least you'll get some reading done.
4. Have a homework buddy.
This can be someone in your class, but it doesn't have to be. And it can be someone who does homework with you or simply encourages you to get through your stuff. If you have someone you can send sad Snapchats to about your progress, I feel you're more likely to get that push you need to get through that book/textbook.
5. Take breaks.
Sometimes you have so much homework that you think you just don't have time for a break. Well, you need them. Even if it's just to go to the bathroom or take a quick lap around the library - it'll wake you up if you tear your eyes away from that page and do something besides reading.
6. Eat something.
Some people have trouble multitasking - like eating and reading at the same time - but I find it's easier to concentrate on my book if I'm munching on something. This can work with gum as well. But again, the small break helps.
7. Make small goals.
My reading schedule is downright atrocious, and my way to combat that is to make very small goals. For example, within one week I typically have to read about 300 pages (on average). That's scary. So I make my small goals - today I'll read three chapters. Or five pages. Depends on how I'm doing that day...
8. Listen to music.
Sometimes having music on in the background can help you focus on your work. Sometimes it lulls you to sleep. So this is really your call, but it can work for some people. You know who you are.
9. Take notes or underline in your book.
When you have a lot of reading, the last thing you really want to do is take more time out of your life for writing notes. I get it. But you need to absorb what you read, and if the options are read for 3 hours and get nothing out of it and fail your class OR read for 4 hours, take notes, and know what the heck is going on... I think you know what option you should really pick. Plus, the break you give your brain while you're writing instead of reading is very helpful. It wakes you up a little.
10. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE.
The worst thing you can do is procrastinate. If you have a lot of reading because you decided to go party all weekend, binge on Netflix, or do homework that's due in two months instead of the reading due in two days, you're just hurting yourself. The more reading you have to do, the more likely it is you're going to fall asleep while reading it (your brain can only take so much!). So do a little at a time and you'll be okay.
While the pulls of sleep are great while reading (especially boring textbooks and novels), you have to resist! Hopefully these tips can help you keep those eyes open while you're trying to do your work!
