I Wouldn't Sleep If I Didn't Have To. by Julyssa

I Wouldn't Sleep If I Didn't Have To. by Julyssa - January 2019 Scholarship Essay

As the majority of the world lay their groggy heads to sleep, their bodies relaxing, healing themselves from the stressful day it had just encountered. I am preparing myself for the long quiet night I have ahead of myself, for I take advantage of the world becoming still, quiet, and peaceful. I would very much describe myself as a night owl, I enjoy working very late into the night; for the night is peak time for me to concentrate and align my thoughts. Apart from that, I believe strongly that after a long day of routine, the mind switches gear from doing the usual, daunting tasks to having a creative and energetic surge.

While the world around me is calm and quiet I take advantage of my newfound flow of energy to work on preparations for the next day ahead of me. I work best at night because there is no outside world to distract me, my day in theory is over but I thankfully have a full night of working ahead of me. Working at night is more fulfilling as I discovered. Having things already done and in order for the next day gives me an immense sense of relief. I could compare it to a situation where a person leaves themselves money in the clothes they will wear the next day, so that they can buy themselves a snack or a coffee. It is a feeling of reward and pride in oneself, a gesture of affection for themselves; after all, self-love is very important if you are going to sacrifice precious hours of sleep.

I tend to do school work at night because I personally keep information more accurately and efficiently when I am able to focus on one subject at a time. Unfortunately, when it is daytime my mind seems to always attempt to multitask and process what I am learning in my classes all at once. The night alleviates my distractions and I forget about what I learned in my time at school until I begin to review that specific classes work. Doing one subject at a time makes me in turn, more successful as a student. I come back to school the next day rejuvenated, with my last interaction of the work fresh in my memory. Though the disadvantage of being a night owl is the lack of sleep, I find it much better to be a little tired than to be full of energy and behind.