Preparation, surprising ironically, is the largest factor in the success of an all-nighter of studying madness. Seemingly, time to prepare should have led to studying weeks before but you chose to hit snooze three times daily instead. But, now you’ve got one night beofre the comprehensive exam on 25 old dudes whom you’ve never met at 5 p.m. tomorrow, What to do?

Make yourself a plan, outline what you need to study within the allotted hours, it will keep you on track to the finish line before the sun comes up. Don’t forget to schedule small breaks, even as insignificant as ten minutes; this assist you in staying focused during the time dedicated to the study material.

Pack snacks, but junk food is not ideal as the sugar crashes can be brutal. Go for nuts, fruit, granola and power food to muscle through that exhaustive study guide. Also, remember a toothbrush could be the difference between life and death to the kid sitting next to you. Caffeine will be your best friend and make sure to pack a few sugar free energy drinks. Personally, I like Amp and Diet Sunkist, because they still have great taste but lack the intense sugar crashes often leading to drool over your desk. You will save big bucks by bringing energy packed snacks from home to weave through the web of the night; however don’t expect to feel too fantastic walking to that exam after the night in the cell with your books. Most importantly, don’t nap within three hours to launch time; you will end up feeling more groggy than before you shut your weary eyes. I’ll never recommend an all-nighter, but if you must, remember to make plan a procedure before jumping shit to the land of “I feel like a Dinosaur that forgot to fossilize” (I may or may not have said this after 17 hours in my favorite all-nighter coffee shop).