{shortcode-c329657b2f3231cc52dd50b9448c2828ec2c036d}The time has arrived when Harvard students (attempt to) flex their academic skills through exams and papers that would crush weaker students. With great power comes great responsibility, but between formal season and move-out, that great responsibility piles up a little too quickly for my liking. So, as you look to Lamont, with its café windows glowing in the distance, for the solution to all your productivity problems, this all-nighter veteran is here to share the tips the opps don’t want you to know.

An unhealthy amount of caffeine
As someone who avoids the bitter taste of coffee like the plague, trust me when I say some caffeinated assistance is necessary. Although you may be able to survive your usual day without caffeine, the basic rules of the universe do not apply to an all-nighter of this caliber. Some options for a decent boost reminiscent of the nitrous oxide from “The Fast and the Furious” are Celsius, a very dark cup of coffee, or really anything backed by Big Caffeine. You’ll need a cup of green tea at the very minimum. Good luck if you try to last the night without it; you’d be stronger than me.

Attire perfect for the occasion
I know what you’re thinking: Who will care about my sartorial choices when I am typing 326 words a minute at 4 a.m.? The answer: you, pookie. The same way a good hiker requires a decent pair of boots, you need to make sure your outfit can make it through the night. A comfortable layered outfit allows you to remain equipped for the multi-layered adversity you’ll definitely experience. Whether it be a sudden blast from the AC or the expected sweats that set in during the home stretch, you must be ready to tackle it all. Bonus tip: Run through a solid skin care routine before you arrive at Lamont because there’s no way a full face of a long day’s grime and sweat is the best starting point.

The ultimate study playlist
I feel like this one goes without saying, but the trick here is in the curation. High BPMs are critical to ensure you’re staying active and awake. A good standard to consider is whether it works for CPR. If so, it’ll probably work for you. Although the lofi study soundscape might be your go-to during your chill, Smith Center study days where you only have a mere outline to complete, I recommend throwing in the occasional chaos track to ensure you don’t get too comfortable while writing your 25-page single-spaced junior tutorial final.

Friends (that are not made along the way)
It’s time to put your friendships to the test. Taking on such a Herculean task really should be a group project, because no one can hold you more accountable than an equally desperate comrade. You’ll hit a point a few hours in where you may start to believe that you have indeed developed the sudden ability to awaken from a nap right as the clock strikes that 15-minute mark, but trust me, it’s better safe than sorry. With the help of good company, you’ll be sure to have someone to kick you awake if you start nodding off. So gather the suitemates and recluse yourselves from society like the academic weapons y’all are; if you make it to dawn, trust that your friendship can survive any international trip in the future.

Continuous reality checks
Yes, goals should be big and bright, and you should aim at the sun (or whatever they say at high school graduations). But the backrooms of a 24-hour library are not the place for a sunshine mentality. There, you must implement a clear game plan. Maybe you can actually write three different 12-page research papers in eight hours, but I’d suggest you not experiment with that a day before the deadline. So be realistic and make a checklist of what needs to get done, ideally with smaller benchmarks for timed check-ins during the night. But remember that you may hit a lull at some point, so give yourself grace. Oh, and if any extra motivation (other than the looming deadline and your grade hanging in the balance, of course) is necessary, imagine that somewhere out there (New Haven, lol. Losers) an unknown Yalie is praying for your downfall.

Throw a touch of whimsy in there
When you’re six hours in and fully convinced that permanent under-eye bags will remain with you as a neat souvenir, no motivational cat poster can save you. So make it fun, as impossible as it sounds! Bring your favorite snacks, make a collaborative playlist, have a mini library photoshoot, and go outside and actually touch some grass every few hours. Maybe even set up a reward system for the group check-ins so you can Pavlov’s-dog yourself into wanting to work efficiently.

Although the Sleep GenEd professors may strongly advocate against an all-nighter (and Flyby is definitely not telling you to let your health take such a hit), we know our audience. So good luck to everyone hitting up their group chats to see what snacks to buy. Don’t forget to pack your emotional support water bottle. We hope you get to enjoy a nice 12-hour sleep with a cold pillow after.