Dreaded finals are here. Have you pulled any all nighters yet as you try to cram in studying 300 pages worth of material for an 8 am exam while sleepily typing a paper due at noon the same day that you will later swear was the best thing you ever wrote?

Here’s the deal, friends: All nighters make you feel like poo and I recommend that you avoid them at all costs. Why do they make you feel so bad? First, because obviously you’re sleep deprived. You go in to take that test you’ve stayed up all night studying for and no matter how many 5 hour energy drinks you’ve chugged, you just can’t seem to come up with the answers. Second, you usually eat cruddy foods at 2 am. Let’s face it. You’re probably not going to make a grilled chicken salad in the middle of the night but will run through Whataburger, stop at IHOP or inhale a whole bag of potato chips because it’s all that’s available. The combined lack of sleep and over consumption of greasy foods seriously makes you feel…well…like poo!

My sweet friends: STOP DOING THIS! Study during the day. Make a schedule for studying and finishing your final projects and essays and stick to it. Your friends will still be there to hang out when you get back from the library or the coffee shop. Study first and hang out later. Your stomach and your grades will thank you!

I love you and I am thinking about you and praying for you during this tough time. You can do it and in a couple of weeks, you’ll be home sleeping in and having home-cooked meals from your wonderful moms who have missed you terribly.

All my love,

Photo: http://oudaily.com/news/2008/dec/15/ample-sleep-vital-studying-retention/