The end of the school year is fast approaching for university students. You probably completed and handed in all your assignments early, and I’m assuming you’re getting a head start on studying for exams, right?
Yeah… me neither.
I’m going to guess that most of you out there are in a situation similar to my own. I am a chronic procrastinator. I have been regularly spending 11–12 hours a day in the library starting term papers that should have been written weeks ago, allowing things to fall through the cracks, slowly turning into an exhausted, stressed-out mess. Add to that the stress of graduation and being thrown out into the real world.
I. Am. Freaking. Out.
With this much stress, sleeping and relaxing can be really difficult. I’m going to tell you why these things are more important than you might think.
You might want to re-think staying up all night before your exam. Sleep has been proven to boost your critical thinking, concentration, memory, problem solving, and learning. The whole point of staying up late to study is to get good grades, right? You hurt your chances if you’re overtired because your brain simply does not have the juice to do what you need it to do.
There are also health risks linked to sleep deprivation, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. A lack of sleep can also lead to increased risk of depression, lack of sex drive, and weight gain. I know a lot of my friends brag about how late they stayed up studying, but clearly this isn’t something to be bragging about. Depriving yourself of sleep hurts your body and your grades.
Stress seems to be something that everyone hates. However, in small doses, stress can be really good for us. It motivates us to get things done and keeps us alert. This stress can quickly become negative stress—AKA “distress”—when people face continued challenges without relief. (Sound familiar?)
Distress can cause lots of physical and emotional problems for people. It is often the culprit for lack of sleep, as well as high blood pressure, headaches, and nausea, which is why relaxation is so important. It gives you a break from positive stress so that it doesn’t build itself up into something that is unhealthy for you.
So how can you relax yourself and get enough sleep? First of all, alcohol and drugs are definitely not the answer. They may provide short term relief, but hangover and sleep deprivation from partying are not helpful when you need to get work done. This pattern of substance use can quickly become addicting, which is never a good thing.
Instead, try listening to some calming music, go for a walk outside, and take a few deep breaths before opening your books. If you must pull an all-nighter, try working for an hour and sleeping for half an hour.  Try not to work in your bedroom, since your brain will associate that room with rest instead of alertness.
Eating healthy is also really important. You may think a can of Red Bull and a Snickers bar make the exam snack of champions, but that sugar rush will send you into crash mode a lot sooner than a veggie/fruit tray, granola bars, and water.
Lastly, shut off your smart phone before bed! Emails, texts, and Facebook can wait until morning.
The most important thing to remember is that it’s almost over! In a month you will have nothing to worry about but working for money instead of grades. Go find someone to hug, maybe have a good cry, then buckle down and get it done.
Related: Find out more about eating healthy, and simple yoga to keep you moving between work or study.

Tia Beaudoin is a 20-something preparing to graduate from the University of New Brunswick with an honors in political science and a minor in human resources. She isn't quite sure where her degree will take her, and hopes writing this blog will help her and others figure it out. Tia has lived in several places in Canada, but the Maritimes will always be considered collectively as her "hometown." Her many activities include watching cat videos on YouTube, feminism, karaoke, her sorority, and pondering the mysteries of life.