Spike. Liquid or pills.
[quote]rrjc5488 wrote:
SeanT wrote:
I get real jittery when I use 2 Spike tablets, I feel like I must exercise or I’ll puke. When I use one I don’t really feel much an effect so choose wisely.
1.5. You can break the tablets in half, you know.
That said, yeah, stand in the back of the room. I’ve done it before on days where I’ve lost sleep the night before. Or, sit in front of the room, right in front of the teacher, you’ll try harder to stay awake.
Two of my professors have both said standing has worked, and it worked for them while they’re were in college. Chances are, most professors have heard it before, and wont think you’re retarded. If anything, they’ll realize you’re putting more effort into paying attention in class.[/quote]
Yeah, it works, unless you fall asleep standing up, which has happened to me. But that was in the Army, and I only dropped my rifle. I don’t recommend trying that either. It didn’t go over well.
DB
I find it alarming that many peoples’ first suggestion is to take some type of stimulant to resolve this problem.
Then we ridicule those looking for a quick fix (ie: magic pill) for their weight problem when they should simply change their lifestyle, diet and exercise regiment.
gets off soap box
take classes that interest you
sit in the front
drink coffee by the gallon, it cold anyways so might as well have it to warm up
take adderall
do a line or two or three before you go to class
do a wake n bake in the morning
my suggestions based on past experiences
I had the same problem staying awake after my morning classes (I never take afternoon classes. I try to schedule everything before 12pm, then I work a part-time job to 4 or 5 pm) before I got a part-time job.
I would go to sleep around 1am and wake up at 7am for my morning classes. I would come home and take a 2hr nap. I would still be exhausted after the nap.
Just over the past few months I started to go to bed between 11 and 12, which gives me a solid 7-8hrs of sleep. I found going about the same schedule each day (waking up, working out, and going to sleep at the same hours each day) allows me to wake up without my alarm and be fully charged and ready to go. I used to have a really hard time waking up that early in the morning. Now I don’t have to take naps in the afternoon.
I do find that after going to class then having a break between something else usually makes one wind down and tired. Try to do something between classes (if you already aren’t) to keep yourself on your feet. Or do something that does not make you tired. I know it is extremely hard to stay awake during classes, especially calculus. You could do what I did and just teach yourself and go for the exams only 
Every now and then I do feel a little sluggish. I try to wake up the same time on the weekends as I do on weekdays, and NOT play catch-up. That does not do me any help. When monday rolls around my body wants to sleep those extra three hours I can pull out over Saturday and Sunday.
Instead of sleeping those extra hours on the weekend I will do something that relaxes me to get rid of any stress. Maybe play a few video games or read.
Various solutions:
1)Keep the current exercise volume, and sleep more.
2)Lower the exercise volume, and sleep like you are doing now
3)Avoid exercising, and sleep less than you are doing now
It’s extremely basic. If you don’t rest at night, you will be forced by your body to rest; and what’s the best for him to rest if not a warm room with a monotonous voice in the background?
In any case, I never have had that problem. It’s much harder to concentrate on studying from books than hearing a lecture, which can actually be pleasurable.
[quote]XxMAGxX wrote:
I find it alarming that many peoples’ first suggestion is to take some type of stimulant to resolve this problem.
Then we ridicule those looking for a quick fix (ie: magic pill) for their weight problem when they should simply change their lifestyle, diet and exercise regiment.
gets off soap box[/quote]
I get adequate sleep averaging seven hours per night. My diet and activity are on the healthy side. That being said since first using Spike tablets and now Shooters my days feel more energized and productivity has gone up. I don’t see anything wrong with using a healthy supplement that enhances mood or energy levels. You are right to a point just wanted to clarify that.
D
[quote]bushidobadboy wrote:
etaco wrote:
Modafinil.
A ha, a fellow convert… Yes OP, 200mg of modafinil, and one Spike will give you a laser-like focus to studying. Whether that be sitting up in class and blurting out all the answers, 'cos you’re just so switched on, or sitting in a relatively noisy section of the library, but being able to effectively tune out the distractions, and study like a machine…
Also, make sure you get quality sleep. I use melatonin for this @ 3mg just before bed.[/quote]
I also agree.
ZMA might also work well for sleeping.
(Disclaimer: I haven’t tried modafinil yet, but I’ve read this suggestion many places from many people. It seems to be well tolerated.)
So far my tea idea worked out so far. I take a sip every few minutes and I’m knocked awake. I’ve heard things about Spike, and it’s not that expensive.
I’m just wondering if anyone thought this might be something more serious…such as sleep apnea?
I don’t have trouble staying focused in class. It’s a matter of will power, but I agree with the idea to stand up for those of you having trouble. People do it at my college all the time, and the teachers encourage it. Where I go attendance to class is mandatory so skipping is not an option. Keep your mind busy and working during class and you’ll stay awake.
With all of the stimulant recommendations I’m surprised nobody suggested an E/C/A stack. Spike tablets could be used for the caffeine then use a low strength enteric coated aspirin and 10-25mg of an ephedrine salt (typically sold as HCL or SO4). The only problems I’ve had with this is being too jittery for class or the occasional difficulty sleeping if I take it before an evening class.
Taking ZMA is usually enough to get me to sleep though. If it isn’t I suppose melatonin could be used. However I do agree with the other posts suggesting you re-evaluate your diet and sleep schedule before turning to stimulants on a regular basis.
go to bed earlier.
get on a schedule. go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time each day, even on the weekends.
have a mid morning cup of coffee.
eat a bigger breakfast.
make sure you are drinking enough water.
if all else fails, pack a little coke in a pen and snort it when you get sleepy.
During a break in the day I have a 1-hour power nap in the student lounge area on one of the couches. I wake up, eat a snack and I’m refreshed for the whole day.
Just set your cellphone alarm and your good to go. I don’t know if lots of other schools have comfy furniture and fireplaces in the quiet rooms. lol
I was gonna say stop being a pussy but instead I’ll just say to shake the fag out your system, dude.
Seriously though, pretty much what everybody else said:
-Wake up at the same time every day regardless. This is the tough part bc that snooze button is RIGHT THERE!
-Drink coffee or however you prefer your caffeine
-Actively listen. If you’re paying attention to the material and trying to make connections with it, you won’t have any trouble staying awake.
-Talk to the girls. You’ll be less likely to fall asleep and start drooling on yourself if there’s a cute girl in the room.
-Will power man. Make good grades a little higher on the priority list (without moving fun down on the list) and you’ll tough it out.
And remember, since it’s Friday night/Saturday morning, there are probably some people going through BUDS who are finally getting some shut eye right now after going through the whole week on about 3 hours of sleep.