Study Proves It–All-Nighters are Bad for Grades (and may subsequently lead to higher college costs for your family!)
It might seem like common sense that pulling an all-nighter might not be the best way to score high on an exam or essay—and it seems to be a ritual college students are resigned to experiment with. 
Professor Pamela Thatcher of St. Lawrence University has actually scientifically proven that a student’s quality of sleep can seriously impact his or her grades. In fact, she even postulates that most college students do not get enough sleep.
Whether they stay up studying, socializing, or even just surfing the web, you’ll probably notice a change in your son or daughter’s sleep patterns once college starts. Unfortunately, their newfound freedom can mean less sleep hours—which makes it harder to stay awake for class, and harder to focus during study time. (Not surprisingly, one of the most popular posts at our student blog, Surviving College Life, is about how to stay awake during class!).
Lack of sleep can also lead to decreased immune capacity (not good in crowded dorms where colds seem to spread like wildfires) or even depression.
So… What can you do to help? Again, it’s all about knowing your boundaries. Definitely let your student know about this study, and if you’re noticing that he or she seems tired or worn down, it’s okay to subtly mention it—you might just get a groan of annoyance in response, but at least it may get your child to think about it.
Finally, if your student is having trouble falling asleep, you can be a listening ear for him or her to vent—stress is a big cause for sleep disruption for college students. (Our student blog also has some helpful tips about how to relax and fall asleep when you’re stressed—you and your student might want to give that a look!)
So what does sleep have to do with paying less for college? Too little sleep can equal poor grades. Poor grades can lead to your student having to repeat classes. Repeat classes equals increased college expenses. So, in the end, you can actually keep your college costs down by making your student aware of good study and sleep habits! Who would have ever thought about that?! Here’s to a year of good sleep, good grades and lower college costs!
All the best,
Deborah Fox
Deborah Fox is the founder of Fox College Funding, a nationwide company that helps families find creative ways to reduce their college costs.
Photo: study freak by cheryl lee
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