If there’s one thing you pick up in college that’s actually useful in the real world, it’s learning how to stay up late to get work done. I have a deadline today for a project at work, so I stayed late last night to get it done. By late, I mean really late, and by really late, I mean past midnight. I guess there’s still some grad student left in me even after graduating.
My night owl days started in high school. I was so busy with extracurricular activities that some days I wouldn’t even get home until 10 PM. That didn’t leave much time to get all of my homework done. While some people would have just blown off the homework, I was determined to get it all done, and I did get it done.
Of course, staying up late to finish all of my work had its consequences. I honestly think that I fell asleep at least once in almost every single class I took in high school. Looking back, I guess I was just getting prepped for college.
Oddly enough, I almost never fell asleep in my college classes. During a few semesters, I didn’t have any classes before noon, and none of my classes were that boring. College was great because I could do my work at night when I felt most awake, and I still had time to get a regular amount of sleep.
On the other hand, I’ve had friends who prefer waking up early to get work done. Being a night owl, I’ve never been able to understand these morning types, which is why I refer to them as freaks. For example, one of my old college roommates used to be done with his homework before I made it out of bed. Freak.
So are you a night owl or a morning person (freak)?
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to my RSS feed or via email for free updates.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I am MOST DEFINITELY a night owl. My family is split down the middle. My dad and I are night owls, while my mom and my sister are “freaks”.
I can get SOO much accomplished at night. And if I tried to do the same in the morning, I would get about half of the same accomplished. The only reason I have to get up in the morning now is because I have kids of my own. But I try to sleep as late as they will allow me to. They’re my alarm clock. 
Night owls unite! although, i must admit that ever since being married i now go to sleep before midnight each night…..which is kinda weird. i also stopped sleeping in past 10 on the weekends now, which is also weird. you know, i think i’m getting old!
I’m a morning person. I get up every morning at 5AM (sometimes earlier) and get started on my day whether or not there’s school. I tend to focus better in the morning with all the new energy. During the late hours, my body and mind are tired and I just want to kick back and relax or go to sleep.
For the record, the night owls are the freaks. The phrase “Freaks Come Out At Night” didn’t become popular for nothing.
I never was a morning person, but as I get older (ha, 26!), I’ve found mornings more appealing to getting stuff done. When my routine is going smoothly, I’m more of a morning person than ever. When things get hectic, I revert.
I must admit, I am a freak…I’m in the midst of my fourth year as an undergrad and I’ve been working for the last three of them. Whenever give the opportunity to select a preference for a work schedule I always requested the opening shift. There is just something about having work, homework and class done while the day is still young. One of my roommates last year worked as a night club bouncer and he would work until 4am, come home and play video games until 8am and sleep until 5pm…the guy would wake up, walk into the kitchen and say good morning as I was cooking dinner!!! Couldn’t handle missing most of my daylight in bed…so paint me a freak
I am definately a night owl. I only get up before 9 AM if I really HAVE TO. During my undergrad days I would stay up all night the few nights before something was due. I studied the night before as well all night and usually slept like 3 hours before the exam. It was a common practice for me and I am sure there are a ton of better methods but that is the one I chose.
Now during my part time grad school experiences I have become an even bigger procrastinator and find myself doing my hw and projects during my work hours. I will continue this til they tell me not to do so.
Budgets are Sexy: It’s funny how significant others affect your sleep schedule.
AJ: Touché.
Vaughn: Your roommate reminds me of one of my old friends. We used to call him around 4 PM to see if he wanted to hang out, and we would wake him up.
Definitely a night person. Only thing that bugs me, is I tend to eat less appealing food in the night since I don’t want to wake people up with some serious cooking.
I don’t know how you Night Owls do it. I am amazed at how you can survive on only five or six hours of sleep each night. I have a lot of friends like that. I just can’t do it. I need at least 7 hours, 8 is best. I get too sleepy otherwise and I just love to sleep! It’s rejuvenating to me!
I’m a night owl. Not because I don’t LOVE my sleep, though. I’m getting used to it, but I used to sit, doing my homework at two in the morning, and crying. I couldn’t take it. Now, I practically live off of three to four hours of sleep…There’s no other option. And I’m way too groggy in the morning. My brain isn’t functioning. Of course, maybe that’s because I only get a few hours before I have to wake up…High school is hell. I hope it’s worth it.
I always stay up really late to do my homework, i like doing homework better during night, but i am really tired during the school day. I try not to fall asleep though. But if i have a study hall and have nothing to do then, i will just sleep through that, then i wont be as tired in my next class.