Trying to get to sleep the night before...

[Timmythemic22]

I'm going to be staying over in a hotel the night before the MCAT for location conveniences, but last time I took it, I got so worked up I slept maybe 4 hours. I even went down to the bar at 11, had a drink and went back up. So this time around, I'm wondering if I take half of an ambien at 9, if I'll be bright and ready to go at 6. I've had mixed effects with ambien, sometimes it leaves me in a fog for a while in the morning. What's everyones opinion on this strategy, and what gets you to sleep the night before the exam?

Tim

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[Brandon81081]

I would advise you not too. It could go either way. I'd rather take the test with 4hrs of sleep than be in a "fog" for the PS section

 

[RAD11]

I would advise you not too. It could go either way. I'd rather take the test with 4hrs of sleep than be in a "fog" for the PS section

I remember only getting ~ 3 hours of sleep the night before I took the MCAT, but I wasn't sleepy the day of the test. I think it was really the adrenalin rush that kept me awake. I was dead, though, as soon as I finished BS.....now as far as my score went

 

[Brandon81081]

I remember only getting ~ 3 hours of sleep the night before I took the MCAT, but I wasn't sleepy the day of the test. I think it was really the adrenalin rush that kept me awake. I was dead, though, as soon as I finished BS.....now as far as my score went

I managed to get about 3 hrs of sleep as well...I had the adrenalin rush myself. I felt like i had plenty of sleep. Though i dont think lack of sleep is to blame for my poor scores, it might have had played a small role

 

[RAD11]

I managed to get about 3 hrs of sleep as well...I had the adrenalin rush myself. I felt like i had plenty of sleep. Though i dont think lack of sleep is to blame for my poor scores, it might have had played a small role

Haha I guess you and I were on the same boat!

 

[Jwax]

I would advise you not too. It could go either way. I'd rather take the test with 4hrs of sleep than be in a "fog" for the PS section

I'm in whole-hearted agreement. For me, the last time that I took it, I just made sure to not try and go to bed excessively early so I wouldn't have the toss & turn in bed all night deal. I've been only getting 6 or so hours of sleep as is, so that'll probably do it for the real thing. That's what Starbucks is for.

 

[RAD11]

That's what Starbucks is for.

So true. I just remember drinking lots of coffee in the morning and kept me up 'til lunch time and drank more at lunch.

 

[Jacks Mannequin]

I'm taking a half a dose of nyquil around 9 PM. It's been working well the past few days. I was able to wake up at 6 with no problems.

 

[Timmythemic22]

okay... so I'm getting the vibe that maybe I should just try and tough it out, not use the sleep aids.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

the night before I took the mcat I had a really hard time falling asleep, mostly because I was used to staying up late studying/being a night owl. I was really tired that morning, but with all the administrative junk before the test starts, you have plenty of time to wake up before you have to perform

 

[go lakers]

just go to bed at 10
and stare at the ceiling till 12

it'll be grand.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

for the next few nights try some benadryl; it helps you fall asleep and generally allows you to sleep pretty well. try 2 pills tonight; if you feel groggy at 6 am, try only one pill. I am the world's worst sleeper and that has been working for me all summer. I only take one pill since I don't need the sleep now but if it was crucial I'd want to make sure I really get it. I stupidly took nothing for my MCAT and I didn't get more than 1 hour of sleep all night.

 

[Omyss]

what about melatonin?

 

[Foolins]

i had serious problems sleeping before 4am anytime this summer, and to reset my schedule so i could wake up at 8am, i started taking melatonin as soon as it got dark. Worked pretty well for me, and i dont wake up feeling weird. Plus i get plenty of REM.

Also one sweet trick that i'll be using on friday is to work out fairly hard around 5pm. You'll get the rush for a few hours, and then you'll get pretty damn tired. It works best if you haven't worked out for a while (like most of the people cramming for this beast)

 

[deleted106503]

I tried lastnight, but couldn't fall asleep til 2 AM. I set my alarm to 7:30 to make me fall asleep ealier tonight, but I woke up at 10AM instead. My alarm went off and it woke me up, but I just decided I rather have more sleep. I'll try again tonight.

 

[nikorette]

Most can't sleep the night before so make sure that on Thursday night you get plenty of sleep. Personally I took my usual Xanax/Klonopin cocktail. But, I take that every night so I knew what to expect. Good luck all!

 

[Brandon81081]

I tried lastnight, but couldn't fall asleep til 2 AM. I set my alarm to 7:30 to make me fall asleep ealier tonight, but I woke up at 10AM instead. My alarm went off and it woke me up, but I just decided I rather have more sleep. I'll try again tonight.

lol i had the same problem. Setting it for 7 30 and waking up at 10. It's tough. I think i fixed my sleep schedule though. But it took a few days of going to bed at 5, only to wake up at 8...NOT taking my usual 1-2 hr nap around lunch time. It's been difficult.

 

[WestTexasRambler]

I am taking half an ambien, I tried it out a couple of times and it works great for me. I did nothing for the April exam and the inability to focus brought me down pretty far from my average practice scores. Lack of sleep kills is something I have not gotten used to, guess that will all change once residency comes around.