The following is a journal of sorts that I started writing last night shortly after I realized I was going to have to pull an emergency all night for a final that I forgot about (in addition to another paper that I still had to work on some). The times for each update are accurate and nothing has been edited.
8:30pm - About 10 minutes ago, I came to the realization that I had entirely forgotten about one of my classes (in terms of final exams). I could’ve sworn that not 2 weeks ago, I had talked to the professor and teaching assistant (TA) and turned in a hefty assignment (around 10-12 pages or so). Upon checking with my school’s online course system (which is far from perfect and, often, far from useful), my worst fears came true. Not only did I totally forget about it, but it was due this morning. As in around 12 hours ago. And I haven’t started…yet. I’m thoroughly fucked and have a long night ahead of me, but getting some points for a late paper is much better than getting zero points for a non-existant paper.
9:09pm - Just got back from my first break. Once I got organized and created a rather specific plan for my work, I decided that it was time to take a break (and check on the Yankees score, which is still zero by the way). Now that the inning is finished, as is my (first) cup of coffee, I am back to work with a sombre yet markedly positive demeanor.
9:48pm - Solid work has been accomplished, so time for a break. This time, it’ll be old chinese food to accompany old episodes of Arrested Development. Work will be resumed soon enough.
10:25pm - Hunger satiated, now it’s back to work. I am still optimistic but am working with a strong sense of urgency.
11:35pm - Enjoying the second cup of coffee, but starting to notice a sense mental drifting… It’s not that I’m tired (hell, I slept in until 11am today), but the laziness is trying to take hold.
12:15am - Changed Pandora stations and now starting the third cup of coffee. I need something more upbeat than the classical music that I have been listening to for the last 3 and a half hours. Additionally, I am starting to freak out a little bit…then again, I always do that about this time of night.
12:40am - I believe that, despite the fact that I have probably sacrificed a significant deal of quality at this point, I am half-way done. Time for a break.
1:08am - Some of my comrades have decided to jump ship and have ceased work to watch a movie. If I work at the same rate as I have been so far, I won’t be done until around 5am. I plan to work faster.
2:55am - I have just returned from a break celebrating the 3/4 mark in my work. I enjoyed it by watching some of the movie Cube as well as some GTA4 being played.
5:28am - My pace slowed drastically, but I am finally done. The paper will need some final touching up in the morning, but I must sleep at least a few hours now. Maybe it’s just because I probably should’ve taken out my contact lenses hours ago, but I’m starting to see some weird shit.
9:17am - I slept in later than was planned, but I’m confident that I can still make the noon deadline (even if I wasn’t I don’t have too much of a choice about the matter at this point). Rejuvinated by the nap, I’m optimistic about the rest of the work.
2:54pm - I got in touch with the TA and turned everything in. Fucking done… Note to self: try not to forget about any finals next semester.
I know that, since I took that nap for a couple hours, this wasn’t technically a full all-nighter. Nonetheless, I think it is a relatively accurate representation of what often happens when people claim to pull all-nighters.
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