“Want to ace that test tomorrow? Here’s a tip: Put down the coffee and hit the sack.”

Don’t believe me? Tons of recent research has shown that pulling all-nighters, and the sleep deprivation that results, will actually harm you rather than help you.

“Sleepless night can make us cranky and moody. But a lesser known side effect of sleep deprivation is short-term euphoria, which can potentially lead to poor judgment and addictive behavior, according to new research from the University of California, Berkeley.”

Lack of sleep can result in decreased immune system function and reduced ability to consolidate recently formed memories, says Boston College. Therefore you are more susceptible to catching whatever icky bug is floating around campus and all that information you’re trying to stuff into your head as the wee hours of the morning tick by probably won’t stick as well as you hope.

I could go on. But before you leave, please promise me that you’ll get some sleep every single night this week. Taking a three hour study break to catch some Z’s is actually more helpful than taping your eyelids open and attempting to memorize the neurotransmitters and their functions with a double espresso in your hand. Your grades, and your sanity, will thank you.

Read more about the science here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150123121735.htm
http://psychology.berkeley.edu/news/pulling-all-nighter-can-bring-euphoria-and-risky-behavior
http://www.bc.edu/offices/healthpro/health-campaigns/sweet-dreamzzz/Sleepforhealth/the-cost-of-sleep-deprivation.html

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