The Title Says It All. The Sleeper In This Case Would Be

I became very impatient knowing that I would be sitting for eight hours a day for two weeks. It has been awhile since I had to sit that long, but instead of going with my first instinct to give up due to the lack of not having patience. Somehow after a few days I became more patient with myself and believed in me that I can accomplish what I came to study for. After two long weeks of lectures, and final exams I received a certificate of completion from class. Now that I overcame the class room it was time for my state exam. I first was nervous but at the same time confident because I knew if I tooke my time and have the patience the exam would not be so bad and it wasn’t, because I patiently listen to every detail my instructor gave the class.

For me though, this was not the case. I could not wake up because I was already awake. I was facing reality. A dangerous freight train that doesn't give you any time to escape. It is something you just have to tightly embrace with the hope that you don't fall off. Getting a firm grip on it was tough at first. There was a mound of responsibilities that I took on, not because I was necessarily forced to, but because it felt like it was the right thing to do. My father and sister both had jobs and other obligations that they had to tend to while I was just a child. Someone with no responsibilities other than living out their youth. No one expected much from me, but I expected much from myself. I knew I could handle the pressure and I wasn't about to let my nightmare stop

I’ve been thinking about sleep ever since reading Maria Konnikova’s fascinating, three-part series for The New Yorker on sleep. And then my wife, Crystal, read the series, which got us both thinking about it, and talking about it, and experimenting with it.

Sleep disorders alter ones sleep pattern and often results in the inability to either sleep or sleep soundly. They often cause you to feel restless, tired, fatigued, and irritable. It is estimated that nearly 75 percent of adult Americans experience sleep disorder symptoms at least a few nights per week. At the same time, sleep disturbances in some form are seen in as many as 25 to 30 percent of infants and children (“Sleep Disorders” 2013). Clearly a huge conundrum in the world, sleep disorders affect an inordinate amount of people. Millions of people suffer or have suffered from a sleep disorder at one point in their lives and if mistreated can impact organ systems functioning negatively. Physical disturbances, medical issues,

As I walk into the school, I take a deep breath repeating the words “I can do this, I’ve done it before.” Laying my paper down to the table, the woman gives me the okay to head up to room 222. Walking up the stairs I could feel my heartbeat pound harder and harder, as if I had an elephant pounding on my chest. Realizing this was my last chance to take this test before I started applying to colleges, made my stress level rise uncontrollably.

I pulled into the driveway and saw a soft glow of lights in the garage. I smelled the enticing aroma of a wood fire in the stove and welcomed the warmth it offered. I was shocked and almost taken aback when I opened the door. There was my husband standing tall and proud with a scotch in hand for me to sip away my day, but just to the right of him hung what might have been the most beautiful male I had ever seen.

Walking into my finals I felt unprepared, just like I do almost every time I take a test. However, this felt different, I didn't realize how at the time, but now I do. I didn't care about that final as much as I did previous exams. I had fallen out of love with my major if I was even ever in love with it to start, and I didn't really care. Furthermore, when I was told that I couldn't continue

As I walk down the hallway, I feel the fear creeping over me, it's almost overwhelming. I have to remind myself to breathe, I have it written on my hand “just breathe.” Sometimes the hallway is wide and it’s easier to breathe, but other times, it is so narrow I feel as though the walls are coming together to crush me. People are often flooding the hallway making me drown, and gasping for air. My friend Haley is beside me and I reach for her hand so she can guide me through the flooded hallways. I find comfort and a little confidence with the little human contact I allow.

I looked to my right and I saw fellow classmates sitting across from their assigned computer all glued to the bright screen. They were too focused on their exam to notice anyone coming in and out of the testing room. On the left was a wooden desk with filler paper and a black cup holding red pencils for anyone that needed it. I sat down in the computer that I was assigned, I was struggling trying to turn the computer on and once I finally did and as I was waiting for the computer to set up all you could hear was sniffling. A sniff here, and a sniff there had me wondering if the room was either that cold, or was everyone that nervous for finals. They anxiously tapped on the computer's keyboard inputting answers. I could hear the girl next to me moving around she seemed antsy. A couple of minutes of loading time had passed, and out of nowhere I see the words “click here to start you have two hours”. I felt sick, I knew I usually take longer than two hours to finish an exam but I was hoping for the best. I clicked “start test” and the first question appeared. As I started the test, the first couple of problems were easier than I had

Now, for the anxiety.... Although it pains me to write this out, because it illustrates my failures as well as my

We're graduating! Some of us are excited and can't wait to get out of here and move on to the next part of our lives. Some are sad and don't want high school to end. And some are like me, I don’t know what to think, I don’t know if I'm scared, nervous, or excited. Elementary school, middle school, and high school are all alike in many ways. College is a completely different situation. Yes it's school, but you're on your own, the teachers in college aren't the same as ones we've all had in the past. Generally speaking from things I've heard professors don’t go up to you and voluntarily tell you what you missed and make you do missed work or get you caught up, they expect you to get it from someone else in the class. Professors may lecture without giving you notes to follow, while teachers normally do some sort of visible presentation while the talk about it and if you ask them to stop or go back they most likely will. The list just goes on. Some of you might be getting some anxiety right now. I am not anymore. The word future would nearly give me a heart attack if you told me that a couple months ago. What has kept me calm was some very important words said by a wise soul that I believe is something to remember. "Let your advance worrying be your advance planning" Winston

The day before our two year anniversary started off like any other day we spent together. I patiently waited to see his utter excitement to see me, upon arrival, I waved my parents goodbye and found my way to the front door. The steps to the door felt different today than it had before, they originally gave me chills of excitement, but today they were lacking that quality. With each stride to the next step upward

Despite their counsel, I was determined to take the exam and give it my best shot. Finally, the day of the final arrived. While doing the technical drawing portion of the exam, I noticed that I was quickly running out of time. I began to panic when I realized that it would be impossible to finish the exam at the pace I was going. Panic mixed with anger turned into involuntary tears. The exam proctor, who genuinely felt sorry for me, attempted to console me to no avail. Then suddenly I remembered the words of my coach, “Giving up is never an option!” He would always say that to us, even if we had no chance of winning. As I stretched my left hand to hold the compass, but I felt a sharp pain that made me recoil and it was very sluggish as if it had departed from my body. I realized that I had to resort to unconventional methods due to the betrayal of my arm, such as using my lips, elbow, and chin to stabilize the compass. I was the last person in the class to finish the exam, but I finished it nonetheless. The exam proctor was astonished by my determination and sudden change of attitude. I was the last person to finish the exam, but I refused to give

It took me a couple of days to decide what book to choose. When I finally chose and was ready to start my paper, I wasn't really sure what I was supposed to do. I think that I have a good idea of what to do, however, I wasn't positive. I wrote my paper even though I wasn't sure that I was doing it right. By the time I had even thought to contact my professor it was the night it was due. I had already wrote and proofread the assignment, however, I didn't feel that I was doing it right. Panic began to rise in my chest as j realized that I had to pass this assignment if I wanted a chance of passing the class. I had to turn it in now because the time was just after eleven forty. I clicked submit not even aware that I didn't feel the need to make sure it was the right assignment. I was really nervous to get the results back. I had to pass. When I got the email that it was graded I hesitated. When I worked up the courage to read the feedback. I felt a grin make its way onto my face. I had passed this assignment with flying

It was a warm summer evening as I packed for Navy Boot Camp. I carefully went down the list of things I could take and ensured I didn’t have anything else. A little nervous I went to talk to my parents about my move to becoming my own man. I looked at their faces and could tell that although they were proud they were a little nervous about their only son leaving home for the first time. My mom tried to smile but she was proud yet nervous because I had always been her little guy so she was having a hard time letting go. After a short conversation with my parents I decided to try and rest for the long journey ahead.