A culture that respects lack of sleep has persisted at Ivy League colleges for decades and continues today. Harvard students in particular disregard the detrimental effects that late nights and all-nighters have on their academics and overall wellbeing.
Of all the confusing terms and lingo you learn freshman year at Harvard, "Lamonster" sticks out the most. A Lamonster is a student who spends all day and night in the most widely-used undergraduate Harvard library, Lamont. The fact that we even have a term for these night owls points to the prevalence of sleep deprivation on Harvard's campus. We actually have a Tumblr account that documents Lamonsters' exhaustion. Interestingly enough, categorizing yourself as a "Lamonster" immediately triggers a respectful response from peers. In our twisted logic, if you spend all night studying, you must be a dedicated student.
These all-nighters are truly more harmful than helpful. Harvard student Will Clerx '14 set out to scientifically change the perception that less sleep leads to better grades and a healthier life. "Lack or disruption of sleep over time can unsettle the body, affecting important hormones such as melatonin and cortisol and increasing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes," Clerx learned.
Clerx created a study that tested the effects of light exposure on Harvard students and found that irregular sleep-wake schedules lead to interrupted circadian clock patterns in the brain. These patterns result in less hours of sleep and decreased academic performance that stem from a loss of concentration and memory. "I could tell college students they could sleep more," Clerx said."But if I could tell them that if they slept more regularly it might be the difference between a B+ and an A-, that has very tangible meaning." Clerx emphasizes that if college students reduce light exposure prior to sleeping, we can regulate our sleep and live healthier and more productive lives.
Students want results. That's why we pull all-nighters in order to finish papers and fit in any more information before exams. But, if we can translate the importance of sleep into the desired results (grades, in this case), there is hope for many more restful nights. With the existing research on the correlation between brain patterns and sleep, it's time to defeat the Lamonsters on campus.
This post is part of our series on sleep culture on college campuses. To join the conversation and share your own story, please email our Director of College Outreach Abby Williams directly at abigail.williams@huffingtonpost.com. And you can find out here if the #SleepRevolution College Tour will be visiting your campus, and learn how you can get involved. If your college is not one of the colleges already on our tour and you want it to be, please get in touch with Abby.