Does anyone else get extremely tired while reading textbooks?

[Sarah Hay]

I am in my second and last year of my associate degree nursing program and am currently taking Medical Surgical Nursing for Adults and Children II and Nursing Skills. When I read the Med-Surg text, I get SOOO extremely sleepy! Is this common or is there something wrong with me? If this happens to you, what do you do to prevent yourself from just going to bed and going to sleep? (Other than your exam grade and strong desire to pass that NCLEX...)

Thanks!

Sarah Hay

[mshultz]

Are you getting enough sleep?

I have had this happen to me. If I am sleepy to the point where I am no longer learning anything, I take a nap, and then continue to read afterward.

[Sarah Hay]

I think I am. However, with the new, more demanding schedule I have to wake up every morning Monday-Friday (except clinical days) at 6 am and I am use to sleeping in to around 11 or 12.

[tracyd77, RN]

It happens to me too, but not everytime. I normally have to change my environment (ie. Go sit in the uncomfortable chairs--they'll keep ya awake ;-)), take a walk (20 min-enough to really get your blood pumping), go start some laundry or other chore that I haven't had time to do or even give in and take a nap. I usually find that I can cat-nap for even 10-20 min and I feel refreshed. Our instructors suggest breaking your reading up b/c after a certain period of continuous reading/studying, you stop retaining it anyways. I try to spread my reading out over a few days for this reason. Also u might need to rethink the time of day u r trying to read. If late in the day doesn't work, try early... Think about how u feel after eating too... I'm sleepy right after I eat. When all else fails... COFFEE!! I started making a whole pot of coffee, adding the cream/sugar for the whole pot, letting it cool and then adding milk and I keep the pitcher in the fridge... Instant frappicino but WAY cheaper! :-)

[Sarah Hay]

Thanks Tracy. I think your post is especially helpful. And yeah, it is kind of common sense to sit in the uncomfortable chairs to keep from dozing off! I also like the coffee idea ... my BF looks at me silly when I put ice in my coffee to cool it quickly. Haha, I'll try that tomorrow night! Thanks again! [=

[mkach]

I love the frappachino idea, I will have to try that. Class does not start until Sept. 9 but I have started my reading...and falling asleep

[madnurse2b]

You will find this gets worse as school goes along - I mean someone in nursing school without sleep deprivation, c'mon! I agree with the read for twenty minutes go for a walk - even 5 minutes. Good for you and the attention span. I will also take it with me to the gym and read while on the recumbent bike - keeps me from being bored out of my mind by the reading or the exercise! Good luck and stick with it.

PS I own Starbucks stock!

Just keep dancing!:dncgcpd:

[Sarah Hay]

Cheers Starbucks!

[Coruscatedgirl]

Believe me, you are not alone! Yes, I can fall asleep in an instant while reading! Many people gave you some good suggestions. I like coffee, no, make that LOVE coffee, so drinking it 24/7 is never a problem for me. Reading out loud was one suggestion someone else gave you, and it is very useful at times when no one is around! I use it! Sometimes even singing what you read to the radio in the background works wonders, too! :chuckle

[simplyme09]

Well, maybe you need to read and take notes at the same time. I know I need to be physically doing something in order to retain anything from a book. So I either read and type notes or write extra notes down while a read. Also, u should try taking some B vitamins for more energy

[Sarah Hay]

Thanks for the advice guys. [=

[JillFRN]

I too am like some of you guys. Within an hour sometimes I am sleeping on my books. I don't think it helps that I am laying in my comfy bed either or reading for hours at a time sometimes.

[MsPC]

I have used a ton of the techniques mentioned above. Especially coffee and tea. I study a lot in bed, but that helps make the sleepy come faster. I prefer studying at a table or desk but I have to write and take notes, or be active during my writing or I am bored to death.