I Need Sleep

I really want to sleep.

Originally, that first sentence was not a part of this article. It was just a pressing thought in my mind, and it was kind of a protest to writing this article. It was originally supposed to be on “dating and overstepping boundaries.”

But sadly, I do not care.

I do not care about dating or college or anything happening in the world because I really want to sleep. Exhaustion brings out the absolute worst in me. Which is fair, I guess, because I suppose if I deprived myself of food or water like I do sleep, I would be equally as miserable.

But starvation and dehydration are not socially acceptable; sleep deprivation is. A starving figure raises concerns and calls for doctor’s appointments. Deep, bruise-colored bags under the eyes just raise eyebrows and cause nervous laughs. People don’t mind when you’re tired. Nearly everyone on college campuses isn’t sleeping as much as they should. “Get some sleep” becomes as empty a platitude as “have a good day!”

It’s only Band-Aids over bullet holes, amiright, T-Swift? The fact of the matter is to get to the roots of this problem would be to get at the roots of this institution and all private, prestigious institutions, and in writing this I do not have the zeal to demand a change from anyone but myself. It’s not Kenyon’s job to take care of me — it’s mine, and I’ve been doing a poor job.

In high school, I had a teacher who considered stealing in the following way: If you steal a candy bar, your honor can be bought for the price of that candy bar or less. If you lie to get your 13-year-old child a 12-and-under free meal, your honor could be said to be equivalent to those $8.99 chicken tenders. Upon this line of thinking, whether it be right or wrong, you could say that in getting 5 hours of sleep I am saying, “30 pages of Nietzsche is more important than me.”

Undoubtedly, there will be times in any person’s life where sleep or a meal must be sacrificed. BUT to make a habit out of constantly belittling yourself, hurting yourself, as to read a couple more pages or to participate more often in class, is insanity.

My mom all year has continued to press: “What would happen, Becca, if you just slept?”

Well, Mom, I would probably not participate in class discussions. I might be late on an assignment. I might not do as well on a pop quiz.

I might also be happier.

I might begin to do homework more efficiently.

I might begin to develop a better relationship with myself by slamming my books on the floor and yelling, “NO, FREDRICK NIETZSCHE, YOUR THOUGHTS ARE NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY WELL-BEING!”

I might live longer if I do so, at least, because lack of sleep has the following health risks:

I don’t know about you Kenyon, but I’m going to sleep. And you should, too. 

Image credits: deakincomsci2015.wordpress.com,