Tales of an Insomniac
Time: 1:51 AM.
Status: Wide awake, laptop open, fingers poised and typing.
I feel it necessary to share my thoughts with the world. The coherence of these thoughts and experiences may be faulty, as 2 AM rapidly approaches. What time to I have class in the morning? That’s right, 8:00.
For the second straight evening, I find myself wide awake into the wee hours of the morning. My roommate is awake as well, though her actions truly reflect her sleep/lack of sanity. The image of the stereotypical college student concots itself in my head. I see one who delays her studies and other tasks for weeks and weeks, until her deadline is merely hours away. Commence mad rush to finish everything in one night, complete with the sleep-deprived day to follow.
I fully expected to find several versions of this college student synonomous with procrastination everywhere at UT. Suprisingly, I have been surrounded by industrious and dilligent students thus far in my collegiate career. I realized lately that the environment surrounding a person truly effects his/her habits. My roommate Kaylee has demonstrated her dilligence several times over. She is productive to a fault, with impeccable organization. Her side of the room is always spotless, and her assignments are always completed on time, usally early.
Seeing this dedication, I can’t help but adjust my ways. Just last week my side of the room looked awful. I was about ready to call FEMA and enlist some hurricane disaster relief. After days of seeing Kaylee’s organization, I struck a burst of energy and completely organized my side of the room. Unfortunately, it was on a night when I couldn’t sleep, so it was a 2 AM cleaning spree. I don’t think Kaylee was all that thrilled. I feel so much more functional now.
My attitude and demeanor have improved drastically since I followed the example of my roomate. I always worked hard before, but now my hard work translates into efficiency. I have the best roommate ever.
Time: 2:18 AM.
Status: Accomplished. Thanks, roomie.
October 29th, 2009at 7:47 am
Funny entry, I love reading your blogs! Good job on getting your room clean. Makes all the difference in the world, doesn’t it?!
See ya in class!
October 29th, 2009at 12:18 pm
It’s definitely true that being around students who are working hard motivates you. When I used to live on campus, I would study at the library. I always found that environment motivating. However, now that I live off-campus, I don’t study at the library and my motivation has waned.
October 29th, 2009at 1:04 pm
I love you and Kaylee!! Hope you have a good day Stephie Baby
October 29th, 2009at 9:50 pm
Way to go Steph! Isn’t it great what you can learn from your roommate?? Keep up the good work! Thanks Kaylee
October 30th, 2009at 12:34 pm
The open laptop is key to the story. The LCD screen provides sufficient light to suppress mechanisms of sleepiness, and serves as a “zeitgaber” to make you brain think it’s daylight and reset the circadian rhythm…. A little more attention to sleep hygiene (and avoidance of 8AM classes) might help your situation and the situation of many of your fellow students.
Raymond E. Bourey, MD, FACP, FACE, FAASM
Sleep Medicine and Metabolism
Interim Chief, Division of Endocrinology
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research