Circadian rhythm allows the body to predict when important daily events should occur, such as sleeping and eating. While our bodies try to maintain a steady circadian rhythm, in college it is easy to develop an out-of-sync clock, which may affect students’ ability to perform and maintain good health.

8a.m. to 10a.m.

Weighing Oneself: “The best time of day to weigh yourself is first thing in the morning, immediately after getting out of bed,” said Prof. David Levitsky, nutrition. Stepping on the scale at this time after using the bathroom, but before eating breakfast can provide the most accurate reading of your weight.

Columnist Cristina Stiller '12 is staying up late and causing a scandal. 

Florencia Ulloa '11 reminds us that we are not alone in our sleep deprivation.

Put down your textbook and put on that eye mask! 

I am writing this at about 9 A.M on Sunday morning and chances are most of the Cornell student body is still asleep. Exams really mess up my sleep schedule. Normally, I’m cozied up in my most glorious bed by 11 or 12 P.M but lately I’ve been looking at the clock for the last time around 2:30 A.M. And the sad part of it all is that my body won’t seem to let me sleep in. Some internal clock starts freaking out at 9 in the morning and won’t shut up until I’m in the shower.

It probably comes as no surprise that college students make up one of the unhealthiest demographics in the country. Part of it comes from the “invincibility-complex” that plagues every incoming freshman. Trust me, I’ve been there. I can’t even begin to count how many times I headed to class in shorts and a t-shirt when the temperatures were below freezing outside. But then when you graduate, you realize just how senseless you were all those days and you finally understand that if you actually took a few seconds to take care of yourself that you wouldn’t have been sick as often as you were.

Freshman year can be rough. Everyone experiences some form of severe discomfort during this first baby step towards adulthood. My big hurdle happened to come pretty early on.

I awoke the third day of Orientation after my first night of debauchery at a frat party. I felt a wonderful mixture of discoordination and comfortable grogginess. College was going to be sweet.