I may, or may not, be among the majority of students when I say the term “all-nighter” sends a chill down my spine.

With all the responsibility and pressure that comes with attending college full-time, I understand there are often times when students find themselves running out of hours in the day to accomplish everything on a to-do list that never seems to end.

I do not, however, condone sleepless nights.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, students aged 18-24 need between seven and nine hours of restful sleep each night.

I cannot remember the last time I slept for more than six hours during the week, but I try to make up for the missed hours on the weekends, which usually throws my sleeping schedule out the window.

At times, it seems impossible to think about committing seven hours to sleep when my time is already committed to so many other activities throughout the day.

A study from the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health found that a lack of sleep can contribute to a lower GPA, moodiness and motor vehicle accidents.

It is contradictory to say that missing out on sleep is beneficial when studying because those that forgo sleep to study often find themselves suffering in the classroom.

8 a.m. lectures are difficult enough to sit through without the struggle to keep my eyelids open.

Contrary to popular belief, all-nighters and endless cups of coffee do not have to be the reality for every college student.

Time management plays a big role in the way our days pan out, whether they are productive or fruitless.

Being able to organize our day-to-day activities in a way that can be realistically conquered is a great first step to taking control of our routines and sleeping habits.

Caffeine is also a hindrance when it comes time to wind down for the night.

A cup of coffee placed artfully in front of a computer screen and an open textbook may seem like an opportunity for a perfect Instagram post, but in reality, that seemingly harmless cup of Joe will keep us up for hours, even after we have made a conscious effort to go to sleep.

Quit the coffee during the hours leading up to sleep, the caffeine can cause anxiety and fitful sleeping.

There may be a stigma around college students and caffeinated all-nighters, but that does not mean we need to stick to it.

Making sleep a priority is a vital, yet overlooked, part of being successful throughout college.

And, in all honesty, well-rested people are just easier to get along with.

Go to bed, Eastern!

Katelyn Siegert is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at kesiegert@eiu.edu or 581-2812.