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Test Crammers Beware:

If you went to any progressive highschool (and by that I mean one that did not have metal detectors) or atteneded college, then you know what it's like to cram; 6 to 8 subjects with as many midterms and finals to match can bring the urge to cram to an all-time high. But, science and our past experiences tell us not to bother.

"No one is suggesting that students shouldn't study," says UCLA professor of psychiatry Andrew J. Fulign the study's senior author. "But an adequate amount of sleep is also critical for academic success. These results are consistent with emerging research suggesting that sleep deprivation impedes leaning."

Fuligan claims that cramming leads to a vicious and unkempt cycle:

"As a result, many high school and college students end up with irregular study schedules, often facing nights in which they need to spend substantially more time than usual studying or completing school work."

According to the report, other studies have shown that in ninth grade, the average adolescent sleeps 7.6 hours per night, and then declines to 7.3 hours in 10th grade, 7.0 hours in 11th grade and 6.9 hours in 12th grade.

The reason, Fuligan explains that after a while, students sustain a habit of cramming and dig themselves into an unsalvageable rut.

Of course, science does not take into account the reason why students cram, even though the former know it does not work: after studying hard for the subjects you actually care about, there is only energy enough to "get by." At this point it's not "I have to do well," but becomes a litany of "I've got to get this shit over and DONE with," with the unspoken desire to at least pass the damn thing thrown into the tired chant.

Thus, the Crammer is born.