Napping Before Beginning Studying

[JackMcCoyDA]

At my school, we have class from around 9 to 4 or 5 and this is including Anatomy lab. Usually when I get home, I am so beat from taking notes and relating information in the lecture that I need to take a nap, RIGHT when I get home. I usually wake up around 7 (today I woke up at 8 :/) and then I feel perfectly fine to study the day's material. Usually I would finish with my notes around midnight and then I would try to memorize that days notes until about 1:30 to 2:00. Then I go to sleep and try to wake up around 6:45, to get to school by 7:00 so I can pre-read for then next days class.

The reason why I'm asking about this is because I really feel good after my nap, even though it's long, and I usually retain most of the information that I memorize that night, just because I've read it before class, gone to class, read and took notes after class and then memorized those notes before going to bed.

Does anyone have any thoughts or criticisms for what I've been doing and suggestions on how what do better?

P.S. I'm trying to find times to go out and have fun. I didn't understand when medical school students said that until now... Usually, if I stay with my material, I can ALWAYS go out on Saturday nights, which should be fine for my financial situation. Haha!

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[Mr hawkings]

If its working for you, dont change it. It would be one thing if this was something you were planning and didnt know if it would work. You obviously have your system worked out so unless if you're failing, i wouldnt change anything

 

[lildave2586]

We had a lecture in neuro on sleep and the neurologist talked about "sleep hygiene." He said to never take a nap longer than 20 minutes, because at that point you will start going into deep sleep. At about 90 mins, you are coming out of an REM cycle, so that is also a good time to wake up.

My point is that I think you could get an equally restorative sleep with less time. Try it and see what happens. The 20 minute thing has worked pretty well for me.

 

[MossPoh]

After lecture I'm exhausted too. I usually grab a quick bite to eat and funnel as much caffeine down as possible. I then lay down in a recliner with my alarm set for about 30 minutes but I tend to pop up refreshed after 20 to 25. (About the time I really feel the caffeine kick in)

 

[da8s0859q]

At my school, we have class from around 9 to 4 or 5 and this is including Anatomy lab. Usually when I get home, I am so beat from taking notes and relating information in the lecture that I need to take a nap, RIGHT when I get home. I usually wake up around 7 (today I woke up at 8 :/) and then I feel perfectly fine to study the day's material. Usually I would finish with my notes around midnight and then I would try to memorize that days notes until about 1:30 to 2:00. Then I go to sleep and try to wake up around 6:45, to get to school by 7:00 so I can pre-read for then next days class.

Have you considered not going to class at all?

 

[swamprat]

have you considered adderall

 

[JackMcCoyDA]

Exi: Right now I'm in a summer medical school program and we're taking a bunch of tough courses and we're required to go to class. I think I may try not going to class in the Fall when classes start for real but I kind of like the structure going to class gives to my day. Plus I love being in the whole medical school atmosphere, surrounded by geniuses, residents and physicians so we'll see.

I will try the 20 minute napping thing because since I wake up so late in the evening I am usually up until 2:30 to 3:00am in the morning studying. If I could cut that down than I could honestly get done and get to bed by or a little after 12:00, leaving more time to get up in the morning to pre-read for the next days lectures.

Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming!

 

[JackMcCoyDA]

I honestly have considered Adderall but I don't think I'm going start taking it until I feel too burned from energy and that I feel like I can't study even after my nap. I have quizzes in all of my classes next week so I will definitely let you guys know how it goes and if I need to do more or less from here on out.

I keep hearing that you're constantly adjusting your studying in medical school so I will try not to set too strict of a schedule and will leave room for adjustments.

 

[da8s0859q]

Exi: Right now I'm in a summer medical school program and we're taking a bunch of tough courses and we're required to go to class. I think I may try not going to class in the Fall when classes start for real but I kind of like the structure going to class gives to my day. Plus I love being in the whole medical school atmosphere, surrounded by geniuses, residents and physicians so we'll see.

Oh yeah, summer programs. Not sure why I read your post as "I just finished M1, ... ."

I totally understand -- I do kind of like going to class -- but unfortunately, the tradeoff is time. I stopped going to many lectures a little later in the year (finished M1 late May), and while I missed the more social aspect of it a little bit, you might find that you have a little more time to cover material how you want to (and then have a little more time for yourself afterward).

I was always a class-goer in undergrad because that's what worked really well for me, but having so much more stuff to know makes that a tough sell when it's just not the same game anymore.

 

[MossPoh]

I think just snagging adderall because you're tired is a bit much. Especially if you don't need it. Taking it at that time may also keep you up for way longer than you'd ever want to be up.

 

[da8s0859q]

I think just snagging adderall because you're tired is a bit much. Especially if you don't need it. Taking it at that time may also keep you up for way longer than you'd ever want to be up.

Agreed. **** Adderall.

 

[theVster]

Adderall does not really help that much unless you legitimately have ADD. It can also be very bad for you if you don't need it.

I personally feel more tired after naps. But that's just me

 

[Funky]

I do love the 15 minute power nap when I'm really exhausted on my desk in the library.

 

[lisichka]

if it weren't for my short naps, i wouldn't make it so far. it is incredibly empowering and energizing. i recommend it.

 

[phospho]

Why is it that some people (i.e. me) just can't do naps? If I sleep, there's no way I'm getting my ass up after only 15 mins. I need to sleep for at least 3-4 hours. If I wake up before, I'm really really tired. I'll sleep 1-2 hours if I really absolutely have to. It'll take me the same amount of time if not more, just to be able to focus though, because I wake up so exhuasted.

I mean... it takes me 20 mins just to fall asleep.... wake up after 15 mins ?

I guess I take naps the wrong way, or some people just can't do naps.

 

[Antibodies]

Why is it that some people (i.e. me) just can't do naps? If I sleep, there's no way I'm getting my ass up after only 15 mins. I need to sleep for at least 3-4 hours. If I wake up before, I'm really really tired. I'll sleep 1-2 hours if I really absolutely have to. It'll take me the same amount of time if not more, just to be able to focus though, because I wake up so exhuasted.

I mean... it takes me 20 mins just to fall asleep.... wake up after 15 mins ?

I guess I take naps the wrong way, or some people just can't do naps.

Yeah, I noticed short naps don't help me either. I wake up tired and disorientated. So I don't nap, I just try to go to sleep early (~12am) and get enough sleep during the night.

 

[shreypete]

Why is it that some people (i.e. me) just can't do naps? If I sleep, there's no way I'm getting my ass up after only 15 mins. I need to sleep for at least 3-4 hours. If I wake up before, I'm really really tired. I'll sleep 1-2 hours if I really absolutely have to. It'll take me the same amount of time if not more, just to be able to focus though, because I wake up so exhuasted.

I mean... it takes me 20 mins just to fall asleep.... wake up after 15 mins ?

I guess I take naps the wrong way, or some people just can't do naps.

👍👍

ditto, they just don't help me and besides, like you, I can never really fall asleep for such a short time. Hell I have already have a hard time falling asleep, so it would technically take me 30 min. to fall asleep, 2 hrs of sleep and then wake up and waste another 30min. in hope of staying awake and not falling back to sleep. So that's a loss of 3 hrs. That's why I just study until 12-1 and then go to bed and wake up in the morning (around 6-7).

 

[jennynwan]

this thread is very helpful, I struggle with the same sleeping/studying issues, but I guess it will be better understood when school starts in the fall

 

[Ischiowhat]

Lectures can be quite draining. That's why I never really went. 😀

-sleep in
-study
-watch lectures at double speed
-????
-profit

 

[LordATPSynthase]

Lectures can be quite draining. That's why I never really went. 😀

-sleep in
-study
-watch lectures at double speed
-????
-profit

This except they aren't draining for me since I don't pay attention

 

[iamsoopaman]

if it ain't broke, why fix it?

 

[Vivid03]

Go to bed earlier. Get a good long rest and after you find x amount of time of sleep the night before that leaves you with energy to not nap stick with it. Napping takes up your time that you could be out socializing, eating, studying, ect. Just get proper rest and if you really get tired think about going for a brisk jog or some kind of exercise to get you going or just drink some cold water and some nice healthy food. I suggest you stay away from coffee. I know it works for a lot of people but I'd rather get energy from juices then coffee personally

 

[beachblonde]

sounds masochistic, but just go for a run after class. you'd be surprised how much energy working out will give you. the time trade-off is way better, too: 30 min of working out vs. 2-3hr nap. you could go to bed earlier then (and maybe not be so tired after class in the first place....).

worth trying, at least.

 

[BRRF]

What you've described is a sleep pattern known as "biphasic sleep". ie nap in early evening, stay up late, wake up early. Typically your nap should be 90 minutes - or one sleep cycle. Your core sleep should be 4.5 hours. Some people can manage 3.

This is a more effective sleeping method than the '8 hour' good nights sleep. If done properly you can survive on less sleep and have more regulated energy levels throughout the day.

Also, you will retain your post-nap material better because sleep clears your working memory and refreshes you for more memory work.

I think it's simply the best way to sleep. I'd say stick to it but try to keep a sleep log so you can find which nap times work best for you and whether you need 4.5 or 3 hours core.

 

[student1799]

I definitely benefit from naps, but not in the evening, because they ruin my sleep. If I nap after 5 pm, I get a raging case of insomnia when I go to bed around 1 am--even though I'm still tired.

What works best for me is a nap around 2 pm, when I'm hitting that daily lull I always experience. I wake spontaneously after 25 to 40 minutes, feeling refreshed.