All-nighters: are they really worth it?
Just about everybody has experienced the panic that sets in the night before a big exam.
Many have tried to combat this panic by staying up and cramming in a few more hours of studying.
This is especially common when it comes to final exams, which can be worth up to 30 percent or more of a student's final grade for a class.
By skipping those few hours of sleep, students think they will be more prepared for exams; however, this is not always the case.
According to a University of California study, giving up sleep to do extra work has an adverse effect on academic performance.
The study found a strong connection between extra studying in place of sleeping and poor marks on exams – exactly what students try to avoid.
Harvard Medical School has also done extensive research on the effect of sleep on memory, further illustrating that sacrificing sleep to study could lead to worse results on exams.
"Lack of sleep exacts a toll on perception and judgment. In the workplace, its effects can be seen in reduced efficiency and productivity, errors and accidents," a Harvard Medical School study said.
Central Michigan University students have mixed feelings about pulling all-nighters, many saying they see both positive and negative aspects.
"I feel more confident after pulling an all-nighter because the information is so fresh in my mind," Traverse City sophomore Gabrielle Davidson said.
However, this is not the Davidson's preferred way of studying, as she said taking exams on little to no sleep affects her memory and quickness.
"I think it is a much better idea to break up the studying into chunks that you study throughout the week before the exam," she said.
Jennifer Doyel has similar feelings about staying up all night to study.
"I think that sometimes they are necessary evils," the Onsted senior said. "They definitely help when cramming, but honestly, it is way better to study gradually and get some sleep."
Not all students have had successful experiences when staying up to study. Ryan Nagi tried to pull an all-nighter once, and it did not go exactly the way he had hoped.
"I've only pulled an all-nighter once in my four years of college," the Commerce Township senior said. "I ended up falling asleep around 6 a.m. and slept through my chemistry final exam."
Countless students have suffered through all-night study sessions, but very few will recommend them to other students.
"I would not suggest all-nighters to other students, unless they will have time to give their body extra rest within 24 to 48 hours of pulling an all-nighter," St. Clair Shores sophomore Ian McCain said. "They are not worth it and are simply a procrastinator's way of getting by in college."
The bottom line is that finals are important and individual students need to find what is best for them. Start studying early and do not risk having a bad all-nighter experience.
Grab some friends, hit the books and get some sleep so those final exams do not stand a chance.
