Catching Zs to avoid Ds

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By Jeremy Byers

As final exams approach, many students are facing deadlines for papers, research projects, group projects, theses and, for a lucky few, take-home exams. As colleges have made their curricula more demanding, students are falling behind in classes, grades and health.

The need to keep up with an ever more competitive field of students in academia has taken a toll on the mental and physical health of students. Striking a balance between a social life, studying, sleep and, often, a professional life has become increasingly difficult.

“You can choose two of three things in college,” said Barbara Criag, a Latin professor at LSU, “sleep, party, or study. It’s all about time management.”

A recent study by Harvard University indicated that more people are sleeping less than six hours every night, and 75 percent of students are troubled by insomnia a few times every week. Sleep deprivation can lead to many health problems such as high blood pressure, weight gain and a decrease in the immune system’s power to fight off infection, which often is the culprit for outbreaks of the cold and flu each year.

Most students have seen at least one person fall asleep during class at some point in their career, but according to health experts, it is becoming an all too common sight.

Sleep deprivation can lead to falling asleep during the daytime, which can cause injuries, traffic accidents and, more common among students, mental errors which lead to misunderstanding a question and subsequently giving the wrong answer.

To circumvent the lack of time for sleep, some students have taken to experimenting with prescription drugs such as Adderall.

“I split a 20 milligram pill the night before the exam to study, then another one an hour before the exam to cram and focus during the test,” said Jenna, who wishes to have her identity withheld. “I don’t have a [prescription], so I just ask friends who have them and buy them lunch in exchange.”

Though the pill may give an edge to students who are in desperate need of a study aid, it doesn’t come without risks. Adderall, or amphetamine-dextroamphetamine, includes side-effects such as hot flashes, profuse sweating, nausea, stomach pains and even involuntary movements. Doctors say not to take the drug unless it has been prescribed to you.

“I’m not worried about any side-effects anymore,” said Jenna. “I was the first couple times I tried it, but now it’s a pretty smooth ordeal with no issues, except that I can’t sleep for about six hours after I’ve taken one.”

Another alternative to sleep is the new generation of caffeine, chiefly, Red Bull.

It emerged from the dawn of the dotcom era, and somehow managed to survive the extinction of so many 2 a.m. conference calls and offices with fold-out beds. Now it is marketed toward college students, and not just at bars, which mix it with cheap vodka so that patrons can get a buzz and maintain awareness. But at $1.99 for just 8.3 ounces, it isn’t a very cheap alternative to old-fashioned dozing.

Students across America and Europe have given billions of dollars to the company by downing its product, which has only endured one change to its line-up: sugar free. The brand is so successful that it has never printed an ad or launched a Web campaign.

Caffeine, however, also has its side effects, such as diarrhea, frequent urination, and even facial flushing. The biggest problem with caffeine is that it is addictive, and if a consumer stops drinking it cold-turkey, he or she can experience withdrawal symptoms, like headaches, anxiety, depression and fatigue.

“I try not to drink it too often, but a cup at CC’s in the library every morning is all I need to get a quick pick-me-up,” said Michelle Port, an English junior. “Eventually, the guys behind the counter memorize what you get every day, which reminds me of how much money I spend on coffee.”

At about $2 for a cup of Joe, it’s not difficult to spend more than $40 a month to get a few jitters before and/or during class, but when a student has a hang-over from too much Red Bull and vodka the night before, coffee is often the next vice to which they turn for help.

Doctors say that staying in shape is the best way to consistently get a good night’s sleep and to maintain a healthy metabolism. Exercising produces endorphins, which allow the body to be able to relax more easily and be better prepared to cope with stress.

In a study by the University of Chicago, reducing the amount of sleep to just four hours a night for a week produced dramatic changes in glucose tolerance and endocrine function, which resembled the early stages of diabetes, just within one week.

Getting at least six to eight hours of sleep each night, doctors recommend, is the best way to stay sane and healthy throughout college. Using stimulants to stay focused may work every now and then, but it will eventually take a toll on the health of students.

Finally, to be clear, there is presently no evidence that supports the theory of learning by osmosis, so it is not necessary to sleep with a book as a pillow.

Send your comments to editor@tigerweekly.com

Originally Published: Issue 589 - December 5, 2007

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