The Night... not just for Elves and Owls! by Teagan

The Night... not just for Elves and Owls! by Teagan - January 2019 Scholarship Essay

So what does the phrase "night owl" really mean? Isn't it the habit of many adults to stay up late and operate on very little sleep? But this isn't the essence of a "night owl", now is it?

When a person is referred to as a "night owl" it usually means that they prefer the evening instead of the morning. The Cambridge dictionary's definition says that a "night owl" is a person who prefers to be awake and active at night. Myself, I feel a pull towards the evening sky and the moonlight. Science says that it has to do with an individuals bio-rhythms. This makes sense to me as I often feel myself becoming sharper and more acute at night. A third explanation suggests that it has to do with the evolutionary development of societies and their mutual protection. While some slept at night others were awake to protect the group. I'm not certain that all of these ideas don't have some merit. Maybe they all apply to some regard. I know that I love the night sky and feel more alive after dark than during the day.

I believe that I am most productive during this time because of my bodies bio-rhythms. I have realized that my attempts to do my homework in the afternoon are usually without proper focus and intent. I cannot make myself remain focused on finishing the work. I also find that the work is often not my best efforts. However, in the late evening, my focus seems to be there without effort and I have my best and most creative ideas flow without struggle. Sometimes, I will work ahead just because I feel a natural surge to stay awake and accomplish more homework or even reorganize my bedroom.

Of course, I could be wrong. Perhaps the surge that I feel at night is not a bio-rhythm. Perhaps the surge that I feel is a fight-or-flight trigger. Knowing that I am now only hours from having my homework due might just be the trigger which fuels my creative juices and spurs my attention to it's most focused. As I am also intent on achieving my best grade point possible, It may just be that I am willing to trade sleep for accomplishment. This is, in fact, very likely. Many type "A" students, and personalities in general, push themselves and use more hours of the day than the typical individual. Is this really why I am a "night owl"?

I have to return to my earlier question regarding lifestyle and our modern society of being up later than in centuries past. I do not believe that it is just my school work that forces me to identify as a night owl. I know that it is the fun and anticipation I feel when I think about getting things accomplished at night. It is how I feel when I think about the moon and night sky. Sure, Why others are sleeping I can get things done that they cannot but most of the time it's just the feelings I have of belonging; belonging to the night; belonging to the nocturnal world of Elves and Owls.