How do you guys stay alert for the exam?

[derrick rose]

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Hey guys, what helps you perform to your maximum capacity during a full length exam?

What do you eat/drink? How much sleep do you get? What do you do before the exam? What do you do during the breaks?

I have been somewhat fluctuating in my performances in full lengths; however, I find that a cliff bar and red bull (sugar free) do quite fine during breaks in the exam! I am also going to try taking melatonin the night before and see how I perform...I am unsure, as it does increase the quality of sleep but can last too long and even interfere during your test!

 

[Mad Jack]

Have a well-balanced breakfast with plenty of protein, some whole grains, and simple carbs. Coffee tends to work better than energy drinks for most people because you have to drink it all before the test and too much caffeine can be anxiety inducing, which is the last thing you need while taking the most important test of your life thusfar. So take it easy with a medium or large coffee rather than a Monster, Rockstar, or Red Bull. And don't do the sugar free- your brain runs on simple sugars, you might as well give it what it wants. Hell, I actually ate a Snicker's bar before my exam.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Hey guys, what helps you perform to your maximum capacity during a full length exam?

What do you eat/drink? How much sleep do you get? What do you do before the exam? What do you do during the breaks?

I have been somewhat fluctuating in my performances in full lengths; however, I find that a cliff bar and red bull (sugar free) do quite fine during breaks in the exam! I am also going to try taking melatonin the night before and see how I perform...I am unsure, as it does increase the quality of sleep but can last too long and even interfere during your test!

Melatonin has a short half-life from my understanding.

 

[goft20]

Cocaine keeps me awake.


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[Jason12]

Cocaine keeps me awake.


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heroin injection does the magic for me.

 

[goft20]

heroin injection does the magic for me.

Nah..heroin makes me hallucinate too much..don't want to be seeing clowns on verbal..cocaine ftw.


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[derrick rose]

Melatonin has a short half-life from my understanding.

So do you think melatonin is alright to take? My exam is an 8 am one, so it is a bit of a concern for me!

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

I think so, it's half life is 30 minutes.

 

[shh-pthway]

apples and peanut butter =]


I also brought cans of illy espresso for the breaks. Illy is the best!

 

[derrick rose]

I think so, it's half life is 30 minutes.

I know, but I tend to wake up all groggy. Im pretty sure it has an inverse relationship with cortisol levels (which give you some wakefulness) and that effect extends until the next morning...but don't quote me on that!

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

You're sleepy cycle is probably messed up. Do you usually sleep and wake at around the same time?

 

[derrick rose]

You're sleepy cycle is probably messed up. Do you usually sleep and wake at around the same time?

+/- and hour or two!

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

If you got good sleep then adrenaline should keep you alert.

 

[shh-pthway]

If you got good sleep then adrenaline should keep you alert.

.... and not just the night before. Good sleep is crucial the days leading up to the exam.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Sure is. When is your exam? You should be experimenting to see what keeps you most alert. If you have noticed that you taking melatonin interferes with your alertness then don't use it.

 

[Thoroughbred_Med]

Have a well-balanced breakfast with plenty of protein, some whole grains, and simple carbs. Coffee tends to work better than energy drinks for most people because you have to drink it all before the test and too much caffeine can be anxiety inducing, which is the last thing you need while taking the most important test of your life thusfar. So take it easy with a medium or large coffee rather than a Monster, Rockstar, or Red Bull. And don't do the sugar free- your brain runs on simple sugars, you might as well give it what it wants. Hell, I actually ate a Snicker's bar before my exam.

Red Bull actually only has 80 mg caffeine. A large coffee has ~ 180 mg

 

[Mad Jack]

Red Bull actually only has 80 mg caffeine. A large coffee has ~ 180 mg

If you're buying the small cans. I usually get the 20 oz ones, which have 190 mg/can. All that other crap in Red Bull aside from the caffeine is present as well- taurine, guarana, etc, which has pretty variable effects depending on how well they work for you. I'd rather do a medium coffee (120 mg/12 oz) with three sugars and three creams myself, tends to make me feel far less jittery under stress than a Red Bull.

 

[DielsAlder]

Small coffee and a high protein breakfast before the exam (bacon, egg and cheeses are my favorite). Protein bar and a bottle of gatorade/water for breaks if needed.

 

[derrick rose]

Oh by the way, I am finding cliff bars to be my savior during my breaks. It has protein and some simple sugars to replenish your brain fuel!