dealing with sleepiness on heavy research assignments Forum

[rouser]

just a rising 3L here. despite working (only) 40 hrs/wk at summer job, I'm having a little bit of a tough time staying alert when dealing w/ heavy research on Westlaw. I don't consider research to be stressful, but keeping the focus throughout the day can be tough. I'll usually take an energy shot before work, and then spare an additional energy shot for after lunch, and balance this as needed w/ anxiety pills if I get overly wired on caffeine. when I'm writing a memo I don't get tired. It's the prolonged research on Westlaw that sometimes makes me sleepy. just wondering if people have certain strategies or techniques for staying focused/productive throughout the day when dealing w/ heavy research. TYIA.

[chem]

just a rising 3L here. despite working (only) 40 hrs/wk at summer job, I'm having a little bit of a tough time staying alert when dealing w/ heavy research on Westlaw. I don't consider research to be stressful, but keeping the focus throughout the day can be tough. I'll usually take an energy shot before work, and then spare an additional energy shot for after lunch, and balance this as needed w/ anxiety pills if I get overly wired on caffeine. when I'm writing a memo I don't get tired. It's the prolonged research on Westlaw that sometimes makes me sleepy. just wondering if people have certain strategies or techniques for staying focused/productive throughout the day when dealing w/ heavy research. TYIA.

I like to have more than one project. When I start to lose focus on one, shifting to another usually refreshes my attention span. Rinse repeat

[ymmv]

just a rising 3L here. despite working (only) 40 hrs/wk at summer job, I'm having a little bit of a tough time staying alert when dealing w/ heavy research on Westlaw. I don't consider research to be stressful, but keeping the focus throughout the day can be tough. I'll usually take an energy shot before work, and then spare an additional energy shot for after lunch, and balance this as needed w/ anxiety pills if I get overly wired on caffeine. when I'm writing a memo I don't get tired. It's the prolonged research on Westlaw that sometimes makes me sleepy. just wondering if people have certain strategies or techniques for staying focused/productive throughout the day when dealing w/ heavy research. TYIA.

Whenever I stop working out frequently enough this starts to happen. I suggest getting to the gym more often if possible.
I also find that getting up to take a brief jog up and down the stairs every couple hours wakes me up and keeps me focused.

[OutCold]

More caffeine is always the answer.

[Genuine4ps]

just a rising 3L here. despite working (only) 40 hrs/wk at summer job, I'm having a little bit of a tough time staying alert when dealing w/ heavy research on Westlaw. I don't consider research to be stressful, but keeping the focus throughout the day can be tough. I'll usually take an energy shot before work, and then spare an additional energy shot for after lunch, and balance this as needed w/ anxiety pills if I get overly wired on caffeine. when I'm writing a memo I don't get tired. It's the prolonged research on Westlaw that sometimes makes me sleepy. just wondering if people have certain strategies or techniques for staying focused/productive throughout the day when dealing w/ heavy research. TYIA.

Whenever I stop working out frequently enough this starts to happen. I suggest getting to the gym more often if possible.
I also find that getting up to take a brief jog up and down the stairs every couple hours wakes me up and keeps me focused.

Exercise is TCR. Make sure you're eating healthy too.

Are you getting plenty of QUALITY sleep? Your room should be absolutely dark, and by this I mean you should not have even a large digital clock. I've learned that quality of sleep is just as important as length.

You also said you're on anxiety medication. Those often cause sleepiness.

Finally, talk to your doctor and see if you have any medical issues that need to be addressed.

I've been in your position too, and it really sucks to have to do research when you can't think about anything other than going to sleep. I learned a long time ago that when something like this is disrupting your day, get it taken care of.

[salix]

just a rising 3L here. despite working (only) 40 hrs/wk at summer job, I'm having a little bit of a tough time staying alert when dealing w/ heavy research on Westlaw. I don't consider research to be stressful, but keeping the focus throughout the day can be tough. I'll usually take an energy shot before work, and then spare an additional energy shot for after lunch, and balance this as needed w/ anxiety pills if I get overly wired on caffeine. when I'm writing a memo I don't get tired. It's the prolonged research on Westlaw that sometimes makes me sleepy. just wondering if people have certain strategies or techniques for staying focused/productive throughout the day when dealing w/ heavy research. TYIA.

Whenever I stop working out frequently enough this starts to happen. I suggest getting to the gym more often if possible.
I also find that getting up to take a brief jog up and down the stairs every couple hours wakes me up and keeps me focused.

Exercise is TCR. Make sure you're eating healthy too.

Are you getting plenty of QUALITY sleep? Your room should be absolutely dark, and by this I mean you should not have even a large digital clock. I've learned that quality of sleep is just as important as length.

You also said you're on anxiety medication. Those often cause sleepiness.

Finally, talk to your doctor and see if you have any medical issues that need to be addressed.

I've been in your position too, and it really sucks to have to do research when you can't think about anything other than going to sleep. I learned a long time ago that when something like this is disrupting your day, get it taken care of.

Also, water. Caffeine and certain medications can be very dehydrating, which can cause fatigue and lack of focus.

Additionally, get away from your screen for a bit. Just 5 minutes of walking halls/stairs while listening to good music can do wonders. You can spare it. You're not working optimally if you're this tired anyway.

[CicerBRo]

Put in some headphones and play some heavy Metallica while you're researching. Problem solved.

In all seriousness, as a fellow heavy coffee user, recognize that at a certain point caffeine loses its effectiveness. It actually starts to make you MORE sleepy because you need more and more caffeine to reach the same point. So you will reach a point where to be fully awake, you will NEED a coffee.

You should spend two weeks withdrawing from all but two cups of coffee a day like I did. It sucks, but it is worth it at the end of the two weeks.

[ymmv]

Put in some headphones and play some heavy Metallica while you're researching. Problem solved.

In all seriousness, as a fellow heavy coffee user, recognize that at a certain point caffeine loses its effectiveness. It actually starts to make you MORE sleepy because you need more and more caffeine to reach the same point. So you will reach a point where to be fully awake, you will NEED a coffee.

You should spend two weeks withdrawing from all but two cups of coffee a day like I did. It sucks, but it is worth it at the end of the two weeks.

Jesus Christ, dude, what were you drinking before.

[Yardbird]

For every 20 minutes you stare at a computer screen, you should take 20 seconds to look at an object 20 feet away. Part of your sleepiness could just be from eye strain.

[toothbrush]

Just a rising 2L here but so far my job has given me the same sleepiness. I also get migraines by the end of the day.

I think a lot of the advice is creditted itt. Definitely drinking water to balance out the caffeine, not staring at the screen all day, and taking breaks.

I would also say that you should try to sit up straight. I find that when I sit back in my chair (it pushes back) and I get extra sleepy (duh).

[Anonnn]

Honestly, more caffeine is not the answer. I had the same problem as you 1L summer. Got to the point where I was drinking one of those huge iced coffees from Dunkin every day and still nearly falling asleep at my desk.

My advice:

1) Cut back or eliminate caffeine - It will be hard for the first day or two but you will a) sleep better and b) be more awake.
2) Exercise at least a couple of times during the week
3) Don't eat a huge lunch.
4) Get your full 8 hours of sleep and try to get it by going to be before like 1AM.

[jbagelboy]

TLS

[ghosthaunter]

I used to have a major problem with drowsiness when staring down my monitor or reading long term. I found a lot of it was due to just how I was either sitting or my eyes were tired. I've found a few supplements like nootropics to help push me through the night without becoming tired or distracted, like Piracetam or Adrafinil. The piracetam also is reported to help increase memory retention and recall, but I've only just started with that. The adrafinil I looked into after hearing about Modafinil, and seeking out a nonprescription alternative, which led me to its precursor.

You can read more about nootropics at https://www.smartdrugsforthought.com/ and wikipedia.

[Anonymous User]

I print out a few cases that get passed the preliminary pass and walk around reading them instead of in my chair, doing this once an hour keeps me awake.

[ghosthaunter]

Stretching is also a good idea too. You'd be surprised how a quick few minutes spent stretching can help wake you back up. It also helps you think a bit more clearly, at least IMO, considering it should help blood and oxygen flow throughout your body including your brain. There's been studies done that have shown that standing while studying or testing can actually improve overall performance.

[dowu]

Stretching is also a good idea too. You'd be surprised how a quick few minutes spent stretching can help wake you back up. It also helps you think a bit more clearly, at least IMO, considering it should help blood and oxygen flow throughout your body including your brain. There's been studies done that have shown that standing while studying or testing can actually improve overall performance.

I stand at my legal job (by choice) all day and I'm a lazy pos.

[Anonymous User]

I print out a few cases that get passed the preliminary pass and walk around reading them instead of in my chair, doing this once an hour keeps me awake.

I do the same. I am finding it is a lot easier to read cases as hard copies even sitting at my desk than staring at a screen.

Also, for ever half hour or so of research/drafting, I take a couple minute break. Either just pop on espn or something or take a walk around the office.

[CicerBRo]

Put in some headphones and play some heavy Metallica while you're researching. Problem solved.

In all seriousness, as a fellow heavy coffee user, recognize that at a certain point caffeine loses its effectiveness. It actually starts to make you MORE sleepy because you need more and more caffeine to reach the same point. So you will reach a point where to be fully awake, you will NEED a coffee.

You should spend two weeks withdrawing from all but two cups of coffee a day like I did. It sucks, but it is worth it at the end of the two weeks.

Jesus Christ, dude, what were you drinking before.

5 cups a day man, and like 2 of those cups were red eyes. I know, I know: super unhealthy. -_-

[Genuine4ps]

5 cups of coffee a day is a lot, but it's not a highly unusual amount.

[Cicero76]

5 cups a day man, and like 2 of those cups were red eyes. I know, I know: super unhealthy. -_-

I just noticed that you exist. Are you my bro?

[CicerBRo]

5 cups a day man, and like 2 of those cups were red eyes. I know, I know: super unhealthy. -_-

I just noticed that you exist. Are you my bro?

Of course I'm your bro, bro.

[ghosthaunter]

Stretching is also a good idea too. You'd be surprised how a quick few minutes spent stretching can help wake you back up. It also helps you think a bit more clearly, at least IMO, considering it should help blood and oxygen flow throughout your body including your brain. There's been studies done that have shown that standing while studying or testing can actually improve overall performance.

I stand at my legal job (by choice) all day and I'm a lazy pos.

Hahahah! Try tossing in some stretches then! Or take some supplements or nootropics. Adrafinil, or Sunifiram might be cool for what you do and help you push through those "lazy dozing off periods".

[Nebby]

Stretching is also a good idea too. You'd be surprised how a quick few minutes spent stretching can help wake you back up. It also helps you think a bit more clearly, at least IMO, considering it should help blood and oxygen flow throughout your body including your brain. There's been studies done that have shown that standing while studying or testing can actually improve overall performance.

I stand at my legal job (by choice) all day and I'm a lazy pos.

Standing desks are so great; I wish I had one.