Written by Joseph R A Dickerson
Many students admit to it. Large tests or papers in classes get put off to the last minute till there seems like no choice but to pull an “all nighter” to study or write.
There are a few questions posed about this tactic of studying. Does it really work? Does the lack of sleep affect the grade I might get on my test or paper? How long does it take to recover from staying up all night studying? What is the best way to study and retain what I learn?
There are two ways to try all nighters. Most choose the, “stay up till the early hours in the morning studying then sleep for a few hours before the class if not just passing up sleeping for studying.” Still some choose to go to bed after some studying so they can get some sleep and then waking up early in the morning after a few hours to try to study until their test. Both methods are considered cramming when it comes to tests.
“Sleep isn’t just a form of rest!Sleep plays a critical physiological function, and is indispensable for your intellectual development! Those who do not respect their sleep are not likely to live to their full mental potential!” Stated in a article written byDr. Piotr Wozniakon a study on sleep and learning.
“Memory of newly learned stuffimproves only after sleeping at least six hours.”Robert Stickgold, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, said in an article.Dr. George Johnsonuses Stickgold’s studies in his own article on pulling all nighters for tests. Johnson admits to doing it all wrong while studying for school himself by using the all nighter method.
A study conducted by Dr. Katrine Spiegal, Dr. Eve Van Cauter, and Rachel Leproult, subjects had their sleep restricted to four hours a night for six nights. Researchers found the symptoms of the study to mirror that of the aging process. The study showed many different examples including memory impairment which would completely defeat test cramming instead of sleeping.
What studies show is that when we sleep, our memories and things we have learned consolidate. Getting the appropriate amount of sleep allows our brains to file our newly learned material into its correct compartment so we can recall it later. The overwhelming opinion to students trying to cram for tests is to get a good night sleep before and after learning something new.
So get your studying done a little earlier in the week or at least that night so you can sleep on it and be ready for that crazy question you knew your teacher would through in on the test.
