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Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep

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mbasile
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Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2012, 13:03
The title says it all: everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep.

I'm doing everything right: I sleep 8+ hours a night, I exercise 3 times or more per week, and I eat properly. However, as soon as I sit down to study, I start nodding off. I work full time so I tried studying after work and when that didn't work, I tried waking up earlier and studying in the morning and when that didn't work I tried (albeit, unsuccessfully) studying during lunch. I always seem to be nodding off while attempting to study for the GMAT. The funny thing is that I'm wide awake while working, I never yawn and I'm very productive. I only start feeling groggy when I begin sifting through GMAT material.

If anybody has any tips or guidance, I would greatly appreciate it.
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2012, 13:07
1) Caffeine. You may need an extra boost to get you focused and energized. Caffeine has also started to be linked to better retention.

2) Intermingle practice questions with studying concepts. Practice questions get your brain and hand moving so that may keep you up better.
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   28 Feb 2012, 13:12
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WAKE UP!!!!! Haha, here are some tips for you:

Caffeine: If you are able to study with caffeine this could help you stay awake

Don't slouch: A lot of times people slouch at their desk or lean over. Even worse, is using your arm to prop your head up. And even WORSE, is putting your hand on your chin and covering your mouth a little. If you aren't breathing well, the lack of oxygen can make you sleepy. So make sure to take a few deep breaths every 5 minutes or so. This will help with brain activity too.

Chew gum: Cinnamon gum is supposed to be best. Apparently there was a study done that actually shows that chewing cinnamon gum can help increase brain activity.

Don't lay down: If you are studying while laying down or in bed, move!

Don't study right after a large meal: A large meal can make all the blood rush to your stomach and make you sleepy.

Jump around, get the blood flowing: If you feel yourself become sleepy, take some deep breaths, stand up, do some jumping jacks, some push ups, or dance around a little.. get the blood flowing again

Turn on the air conditioning, or put a fan on yourself: It is proven that if you are warm, you get sleepy. That is why casinos keep it sooo cold. keep yourself cold, and you'll stay awake.

I bet you if you use a few of these, you will not get so sleepy! Good luck
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   29 Feb 2012, 06:01
GMATLA wrote:

... It is proven that if you are warm, you get sleepy. That is why casinos keep it sooo cold. keep yourself cold, and you'll stay awake.


Heh heh, wouldn't it be in the best interests of the casino to keep it warm so people get sleepy and the house wins? Coz, the house always wins, doesn't it!
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   29 Feb 2012, 09:14
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Heh heh, wouldn't it be in the best interests of the casino to keep it warm so people get sleepy and the house wins? Coz, the house always wins, doesn't it!


The house always wins because the odds are always in their favor. So they want you to play longer. If you get warm and sleepy, you are going to go back to your room and go to sleep. If you are cold and awake you spend more hours at the tables. More hours at the table means more money for the casino.

This is the same reason why they don't keep clocks in the casino. They don't want you to know what time it is so that you lose track of time and stay at the tables longer.

More hours at the table = more money for the casino

NOT

Warmer you are the worse you play = more money for the casino

They don't care how you play b/c the odds are always in their favor. They just care that you stay at the table for extended periods of time.
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   29 Feb 2012, 09:29
GMATLA wrote:
Quote:
Heh heh, wouldn't it be in the best interests of the casino to keep it warm so people get sleepy and the house wins? Coz, the house always wins, doesn't it!


The house always wins because the odds are always in their favor. So they want you to play longer. If you get warm and sleepy, you are going to go back to your room and go to sleep. If you are cold and awake you spend more hours at the tables. More hours at the table means more money for the casino.

This is the same reason why they don't keep clocks in the casino. They don't want you to know what time it is so that you lose track of time and stay at the tables longer.

More hours at the table = more money for the casino

NOT

Warmer you are the worse you play = more money for the casino

They don't care how you play b/c the odds are always in their favor. They just care that you stay at the table for extended periods of time.


Impressive thinking!
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   29 Feb 2012, 13:03
mbasile wrote:
The title says it all: everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep.

I'm doing everything right: I sleep 8+ hours a night, I exercise 3 times or more per week, and I eat properly. However, as soon as I sit down to study, I start nodding off. I work full time so I tried studying after work and when that didn't work, I tried waking up earlier and studying in the morning and when that didn't work I tried (albeit, unsuccessfully) studying during lunch. I always seem to be nodding off while attempting to study for the GMAT. The funny thing is that I'm wide awake while working, I never yawn and I'm very productive. I only start feeling groggy when I begin sifting through GMAT material.

If anybody has any tips or guidance, I would greatly appreciate it.



I thought it was just me. Maybe this GMAT stuff is too boring. LOL. Sometimes I take 15 to 20 minute naps after work. It helps me but everyone is different. Also, it's difficult to stay focused and when I am reading the study guides or practicing the Official Guide problems. I am considering a class or a private tutor at this point because I am not gasping the material fast enough.
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   29 Feb 2012, 14:51
Maybe try and psychologically trick yourself into thinking that studying in little chunks is "less studying" than thinking you have to study large chunks in one time. I don't particularly like to study for more than 3 hours in one day, even when I can, because I can start to feel a huge drop off in efficiency and productivity when I do. Therefore, I tell myself most days, that I "only" have to study for a couple hours a day. I planned my test date out far enough to know that I should still (hopefully!) be successful by following this pattern over an extended period of time.

And as others have already said above, caffeine is your friend! :)
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   01 Mar 2012, 00:40
The GMAT had the exact opposite effect on me. I lost my sleep over it.

@GMATLA: Excellent explanation about the casino operating model.
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   01 Mar 2012, 08:59
Motivation comes from desire. Are you content in your job ? If no, then swear your manager/firm a few times, then gear up and study :). You need to first make a commitment to yourself to study before you start studying. Its difficult to take yourself seriously when you are trying in a half- hearted manner. Take 5 mins to visualize and talk yourself before you start studying.
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   04 Mar 2012, 10:42
AbhiJ wrote:
Motivation comes from desire. Are you content in your job ? If no, then swear your manager/firm a few times, then gear up and study :). You need to first make a commitment to yourself to study before you start studying. Its difficult to take yourself seriously when you are trying in a half- hearted manner. Take 5 mins to visualize and talk yourself before you start studying.


Lol! So true! These days, whenever I drive into my office car park, I say to myself the GMAT is my ticket out of here! I so badly want this!
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   05 Mar 2012, 13:11
One word summarizes motivation: URGENCY

You need urgency in your life to make changes.

If you are getting paid too much and are too happy with your job, it will be VERY difficult to study for the GMAT.

Urgency can be the fact that you hate your job (great mentions above)!

Urgency can be that all your classmates and friends are attending top schools or have good jobs and you need to keep up with them.

Urgency can be that you really want the extra money or prestige that you'll get when you graduate (assuming your company will hire you back at a higher salary, etc).

Whatever the case may be, identify what that urgency is and it can help you stay motivated. When you drift away sleeping, slap yourself and get yourself back on track.
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   06 Mar 2012, 14:41
gmatpill wrote:
One word summarizes motivation: URGENCY

You need urgency in your life to make changes.

If you are getting paid too much and are too happy with your job, it will be VERY difficult to study for the GMAT.Urgency can be the fact that you hate your job (great mentions above)!

Urgency can be that all your classmates and friends are attending top schools or have good jobs and you need to keep up with them.

Urgency can be that you really want the extra money or prestige that you'll get when you graduate (assuming your company will hire you back at a higher salary, etc).

Whatever the case may be, identify what that urgency is and it can help you stay motivated. When you drift away sleeping, slap yourself and get yourself back on track.


This is my biggest problem. I need to take it before it changes in June but my job is so comfy that I don't really feel that urgency. Plus I make pretty good money. But at the end of the day its not fulfilling, which prompted me to look into b school.
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   08 Mar 2012, 02:08
hahah just read GMATLA's analysis on the casino's....it all does make sense :)
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   08 Mar 2012, 16:25
Sorry about not coming up with any advice but this just made me laugh very hard .
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink] New post   08 Mar 2012, 18:30
GMATLA wrote:
WAKE UP!!!!! Haha, here are some tips for you:

Caffeine: If you are able to study with caffeine this could help you stay awake

Don't slouch: A lot of times people slouch at their desk or lean over. Even worse, is using your arm to prop your head up. And even WORSE, is putting your hand on your chin and covering your mouth a little. If you aren't breathing well, the lack of oxygen can make you sleepy. So make sure to take a few deep breaths every 5 minutes or so. This will help with brain activity too.

Chew gum: Cinnamon gum is supposed to be best. Apparently there was a study done that actually shows that chewing cinnamon gum can help increase brain activity.

Don't lay down: If you are studying while laying down or in bed, move!

Don't study right after a large meal: A large meal can make all the blood rush to your stomach and make you sleepy.

Jump around, get the blood flowing: If you feel yourself become sleepy, take some deep breaths, stand up, do some jumping jacks, some push ups, or dance around a little.. get the blood flowing again

Turn on the air conditioning, or put a fan on yourself: It is proven that if you are warm, you get sleepy. That is why casinos keep it sooo cold. keep yourself cold, and you'll stay awake.

I bet you if you use a few of these, you will not get so sleepy! Good luck


Hey GMATLA,

I took your advice about the caffeine and it seems to be working. After work I go to Starbucks. I tried going to the library but most of them close at 6pm or 8pm in Chicago, which is crazy because we pay 9.75% in taxes and this is the third largest city in the nation.

Update: I think the coffee worked too well. Now I need to find another caffeine fix that is not as strong. lol.
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Re: Everytime I sit down to study for the GMAT, I fall asleep [#permalink]
08 Mar 2012, 18:30

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