You have to stay awake!!!

Ugh! Before I discovered that I like Starbucks coffee, I used to have a really hard time staying awake at least one time throughout the day. I actually fell asleep at my desk a few times at my old job, years ago because that was before I fell in love with Starbucks. But, there are still times when I can't control the sleepies with just coffee. On those days, I try to snack if I have something handy. Or, chew gum. Anything to keep at least one voluntary muscle in your body active. But, like you, I would also get up and walk around or jump up and down. Anything to get my blood flowing. Really, the only thing that works when I am that bad is standing up. If I sit at all, I am done for. So, my best suggestion is to maybe stand in the back of the room, if you can. Sorry I can't be of anymore help. Trust me...I know the pain of being that tired and not being able to do a dang thing about it.

Hi there austere! I am a teacher and I know how difficult it must be for students to keep awake especially when their lecturers are boring. Or, the lecturer may not really be boring but for some reasons still feel sleepy while lectures are going on. As a teacher, I make sure that there never is a dull moment in the classroom. It can also get boring at times during seminars and training activities. When I do attend such, I make sure that I find ways of keeping myself up and about. Sometimes, I would go out of the room and do some brisk walking. When I feel better, that's the time I go back. There are also times when I would pinch myself particularly the back of my knees.

I was at the home of a Cuban family and they gave me this tiny cup of Cuban expresso. That was about 8pm. I went to bed about 1am. At 5am I was as awake as a rooster at noontime. I simply could not get a second of sleep, only close my eyes. I hate to think what would have happened if I dranked a cup of that stuff.

as a student who usually stays up late at night to finish up my homework before going to bed, i've tried coffee a lot of times already.. But i don't know why, it doesn't work with me.. it's as if i didn't drink coffee.. it was just 2 months ago when my sister got me a milk tea.. i never thought that the effects on me would be like what the coffee does.. it's made me stay up all night and i was able to finish what i was supposed to do since i was very much wide awake.. But whenever i need to attend a very boring class, i make sure that was able to get enough sleep before entering the room so that while the we are having our discussion in the room, i will not fall asleep though it's a very boring one..

I am not in school anymore or in an atmosphere of higher education where I need to sit down and listen to the lecturer. However, I know that it can be grueling to sit for a long time. It just seems to make you more tired. I myself would drink some coffee at the desk or get up to drink some water from time to time to keep the circulation going.

Hi! :D There was this time that I did not sleep a day a classmate and I had to finish a report that I made finishing touches on the last minute. I really didn't have time to sleep or just make a really short nap. Afterwards, I attended a class because the lesson for that day is important. What I did is I bought some "Nerds" candy (the pink/strawberry one) and I ate it throughout the class (which was from 9am-5pm. Supposedly starting at 7 but the teacher did some preparations first). It helped me a lot even though I was really tired. I don't know if it works for everyone. The thing that kept me awake was eating the nerds and trying to get those candies out of the little box. :D I also used to eat some sweets to keep my mind alert.

Dear friend, There were times when during the exams I used to study the day before the exams at that time I used to take a bucket of water and dip my two legs into it and start studying as I would sit there for may be more than midnight may be till 3.00 morning and would go for a sleep and get up at about 6.00 am and go for exams. This is usually what I used to do to avoid sleep and also I used put some vicks on the eye lids too.

Let me think back to college..... ok.. back then we would drink a lot of coffee and take some pills called NO DOZE which were basically caffeine. It kept you awake but it would make you very jittery. I suppose the best thing you can do is go out like you mention and maybe splash some cold water on your pulse points and face. At least it would keep you up till the end of the training session. You might also try some Red Bull or other energy drink. If used every now and then, I find them effective. Good luck!

well if you are inside a room with a lecturer in front of you i guess you can only do a little. try getting a paper and draw or doodle something. that should keep you awake. well if you can grab a coffee then maybe that's the best solution. have a good day. hope you wont fall asleep on your succeeding training days.:)

Hello austere, Nothing like that as happened to me but I would go wash my face with cold water and have plenty of black coffee to keep awake. Tamara

well, i dont really know but some people drink coffee or red bull or something to stay awake i cant drink caffeine it makes me feel sick lol iv never had to stay awake before, lol.

Its indeed very difficult to stay awake when you feel very sleepy.In my college days first hour after the lunch is very difficult hour to stay awake.Once I slept off on the desk and my professor woke me up amidst her lecture.I felt very bad in front of the class and I never felt sleepy after that incident.

Having worked as an on call doctor and frequently dealing with lack of sleep, i have a few suggestions, based entirely on experience: - Try not to sit down for too long... Stand up, move your toes, stretch, slap your face =). Then again may not be a good idea during a lecture. - Drink caffeinated drinks like Coke, or just gasy drinks. You become too bloated and burp too much to find it comfortable to sleep. - As some pple have already mentioned, buy those super sour sweets.. sure get "high" - Do some exercise.. Obesity naturally leads to lower cardio fitness and poorer circulation.. including to brain.. Brain lacks oxygen.. you know what's next.. Hope it helps.

when I'm very sleepy,I drink coffee as well.but sometimes I go to ladies room,wash my fame to make me wake.I'm working in a company now,if I feel tired I would talk with somebody or make a jok.