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All-Nighters: Are They Really Worth It?

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Amanda Norell
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Purdue chapter.

As college students with crazy, hectic lifestyles, the occasion is rare when we are able to sit in peace for 5 minutes, let alone nap. Between schoolwork, student organization, jobs and internships, and some time to actually have fun, little time is left for sleep. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep is recommended for college students, but for some of us, we’re lucky to get 3. All-nighters are all too common on college campuses, and Purdue is no exception. I’ve battled through my fair share of all-nighters, but when the state of my GPA appears to hang in the balance of my projects and papers, I rarely think about how my health is being affected by not hitting the hay. Here are some facts about sleep deprivation you may want to think about before staying up all night.
 
1. Sleep Deprivation has Serious Effects on Heart Rate
Studies have shown that on average, those who receive little sleep have significantly quicker heart rates than those who receive the recommended amount. Even just a few days of sleep deprivation can cause significant stress on the heart. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults should be getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

2.  Concentration, Memory and Energy Levels are Compromised
When we sleep, our bodies go into “clean-up” mode to repair damaged cells and conserve energy for the next day. By halting this process through lack of sleep, connections in our brains are weaker and, as students, we are not able to retain or recall important information in class. Sleep is necessary to receive and maintain good grades, and college students need to find a way to balance their work with their sleep. 


3. You Can’t “Catch Up on Sleep”
It seems like it would make sense: you sleep for 4 hours one night, so you sleep 10 the next to balance out on what you missed. The National Sleep Foundation, however, begs to differ. A study by the Harvard Medical School shows that even sleeping an extra 10 hours to make up for two weeks worth of 6-hour sleeping nights, your reaction time is actually more impaired than if you had pulled an all-nighter. There are some ways to ensure quality sleep when you’re not getting your recommended amount, such as wearing eye masks to block out light and maintaining a steady sleep and wake schedule.
 
I know it can be hard sometimes, but finding that balance between schoolwork and sleep is essential for collegiette™ success. Becoming more organized and creating a schedule for yourself is one of the first steps you can take to ensure you are getting the proper amount of sleep. Sweet dreams, collegiettes™!
 
*Sources
1. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-18/parenting/29949232_1_memory-consolidation-sleep-students
2. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-09-16-sleep-deprivation_N.htm
3. http://www.sleepfoundation.org/alert/you-cant-catch-sleep
4. http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need
5. http://www.sleepdisordersguide.com/blog/sleep-deprivation/does-your-teen-sleeps-till-past-noon-or-stay-awake-all-night/
6. http://ecoki.com/sleep-remedies/

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Amanda Norell is a junior at Purdue University where she is working toward a communication degree, supplemented by an art and design minor. A true Midwesterner, Amanda was born in Chicago and raised in northern Indiana, just minutes from the Michigan border. In addition to being Purdue's Campus Correspondent, Amanda is also a junior board member on Liberal Arts Student Council, a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, and has both edited and written for The Exponent, Purdue's independent daily student newspaper.  She has held internships in both event planning and career development, and has her sights set on becoming an event and wedding planner after graduation. She cannot get enough of campus in the fall, crepes from Greyhouse, Urban Outfitters, and simply lovin' life.