Continue reading »]]> All-nighters seem to be a rite of passage to every college student. It seems that it is actually a necessity when it comes to finals weeks. However, have you actually thought about what all-nighters actually do to your body? Most think that all-nighters just give you baggy eyes and a tired day the next day, but all-nighters have much more serious consequences. If you don’t believe me, here is why you might think twice about pulling an all-nighter. It might seem fun at the time, but there are things that all-nighters do to your body.

1. Weight gain.
Have you wondered why college students put on the “freshmen 15”? All-nighters may have something to do with it. If you are up all night, you body is going to want to have treats to keep it up and running. If you are staying up well past your bed time, you will run the risk of eating a lot more than you normally would.

2. Digestive problems.
When people pull an all-nighter, they may be damaging their digestive system. Staying up all-night affects the way that our bodies are able to filter glucose. This could lead to diabetes or kidney problems. While we sleep, our body takes time to repair. If we don’t sleep, it is harder for our body to recuperate.

3. The ability to retain information decreases drastically.
If you don’t sleep, you are able to remember less. If you don’t sleep, you will be less likely to remember all of the things that you studied the night before. This poses a problem for the late-night studying that we do. Even if it is a short nap before your test, make sure to catch some extra zzz’s to be able to remember the stuff you studied.

4. Poor concentration.
If you are tired, you will be less likely to concentrate on the test that you are taking. If you find yourself struggling to concentrate, it may be because you aren’t getting enough sleep. Make sure to get some sleep so you can ace the big test.

5. Bad decision making.
When you don’t have a lot of sleep, your ability to make decisions (and the right ones) becomes even harder than before. You are going to need this skill when you are taking the 200 question multiple choice test!

So next time you consider pulling an all-nighter, consider these 5 things that happen to you when you do.

About the Author?
Neltje Ana is a writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers is a site that helps people that may be too busy to go to a traditional school and want to enroll in online masters degree programs.