A night owl, I am by Olivia

A night owl, I am by Olivia - January 2019 Scholarship Essay

Growing up everyone has heard, “The early bird gets the worm,” at least a few times. As a kid, it was always ingrained in my mind that getting up bright and early was the best way to start a day. I would constantly hear adults saying how great it felt to get up at five in the morning and get a workout in before work. However, I never shared the same passion for the mornings as I felt everyone else did. I never understood why waking up so early that I could barely keep my eyes open was benefitting me. In fact, I would go through my day so tired that I would need a nap right when I got home from school. I would always have so much energy after dinner though, almost like my body was finally starting to wake up. I could stay up for hours studying, reading, or cleaning while everyone was fast asleep. I would feel so energized at night, and this is when I came to the realization that I was in fact a night owl.

At night time, the whole world stops for a little, and I love that. It’s allows me to be very productive because while everyone is asleep, I have total peace and quiet to do my work. There is no need to worry about my whole family making noises in the house, or what construction is going on outside. Being completely alone and in silence I am left with nothing else but my thoughts. I have come up with some of my best ideas at night. It’s one of the few times a day I feel like a have a totally clear head space. As a result of this, I find myself specifically putting things off to complete at night. For example, when I get home from school I do not immediately start my homework like some of my friends do. I don’t start my homework until late in the evening because I know I will be able to complete it faster and more efficiently then during the afternoon.

Cleaning has never been something I have fully enjoyed, but it is something that I must get done. While most people clean during the day, I find I am the most productive when cleaning at night time. After coming home from a full day of school, and getting up at five in the morning, the first thing I want to do is rest. Consequently, my body recharges and I finally start to feel more awake in the evening time. When I am bored at night I turn to cleaning. Having that I have the most energy at night, the cleaning goes by so much quicker and is actually enjoyable. While cleaning at night, I am able to get my chores done while everyone is asleep. Being productive at night allows me to go to sleep feeling accomplished and ready for the next day.

Reading has always been a passion of mine, but as I get older it’s becoming harder to find the time for it. Between school, sports, extracurricular activities, and a job I barely have time to breathe let alone sit down and read for a few hours. Being a night owl has allowed me to find time to do something I love again; reading. Reading at night is one of the best times to read in my opinion. With complete silence I am able to read much more productively than I would during the day. I am able to finish books much faster when I read at night due to no distractions and complete silence. For example, the night before my English test I was able to reread the whole novel in one sitting. I aced the test the next day and without rereading the book, I’m not sure if I would have been as successful. I genuinely enjoy reading more at night now and will continue this practice as it has proven to benefit me.

Being a night owl has not only allowed me to foster my creativity, be productive, but it has allowed me to bring back a passion of minel; reading. As a result of this it has brought much joy into my life. Although some may turn a head at the peculiarity of being night owl, I will continue to practice this habit. At the end of the day, whatever works best for everyone is what they should stick with. As for me, a night owl I am, and a night owl I will always be.