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

[smiles82]

Oh, wow. I think my studying time would at least be cut in half if I could find a reliable way to stay awake while reading/studying. I am often falling asleep five minutes after sitting down no matter the environment, the amount of sleep I've had, etc. Even when I don't fall into a sound sleep, I'm continually nodding off and getting a sore neck - not to mention, losing my concentration. Taking notes occasionally helps, but usually it just means I end up with squigglies all over my paper. I'm not a coffee drinker, but Coca-cola and the like doesn't help either.

That doesn't help you much, but just more reassurance that you're not the only one. I'll be watching here to see if any ideas are posted that I think would help me!

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Man every time I read this thread it makes me think of reading textbooks and I start falling asleep.

[nlr5939]

I get on a tread mill and read!!

[Elle_Guerira]

When my studying mojo starts kicking in, I'm totally immersed in my textbooks, but after 2 hours in, I force myself to take mini breaks in between cuz I start getting dizzy & tire out.

[Nepenthe Sea]

Yes, textbooks are great for helping with insomnia. When I start getting tired, I try to lift weights for a minute, or do crunches or something active to take a break and get some blood and O2 pumping to the brain.

[JenniferSews]

I found that giving in and taking a 10-15 minute doze helps, and then I'm good for a few more hours. Of course, having 10-15 minutes to sleep and actually being able to wake up after that is the other problem there.