I’m only willing to risk sounding like your grandmother rather than the Grand Marshal because I’ve come to experience, firsthand, the importance of getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising on a regular basis. Believe me, I know all too well what it’s like to have three exams, two papers, and one presentation happen in the timespan of a week, and consequently, what it’s like to sacrifice things like sleep, food, and exercise in favor of completing these assignments.

I’ve never been one to subscribe to such an abstract idea of “wellness.” While I could appreciate the idea of my lifestyle affecting me, it wasn’t a priority for me because I couldn’t always see it. As a student skilled in the art of pulling all-nighters, it took me a while to see that staying up for 30+ consecutive hours didn’t actually help me score higher on an exam. It wasn’t until I realized there was a definitive physical component to my lifestyle—such as getting enough sleep—that I began paying attention to more than just my original priorities, which included going to class and learning the material. I began to treat my body like I treated my car.

Let’s start with fuel. Coming to campus was a big change in this regard because I was no longer having my meals determined by what my mother put on the kitchen table. Food was food. Even worse, it took time out of my day to purchase or prepare it. I followed the mindset that if it kept my stomach from distracting me from my work, it was enough. If it went well with a caffeinated beverage, it was even better. Looking back, it is now very clear to me that living on chicken patties, French fries, and Pepsi my freshman year was not the best idea.

Then there’s sleep. Operated continuously, even the best engines will start to have problems. Beginning in late high school, I treated sleep like a luxury. With the same lackadaisical attitude of a person deciding whether to cook dinner or order takeout, I would decide whether I’d sleep that night. While an engine may begin to overheat or experience accelerated wear, the human body has its own issues. We retain less information, make more mistakes, and our reflexes suffer. There’s also the unseen and sometimes permanent impact on metabolism and the immune system. I’ve learned that sleep belongs on your schedule, not on an option list.

Routine maintenance is necessary for cars, as well. I find it amazing how people are more likely to bring their laptops to the VCC than they are to bring their bodies to the health center. Dull pain in your stomach? Nah, that’s fine. But can’t check your e-mail? That’s a crisis! I’ve had some pretty interesting conversations with people—they’ve involved week-long headaches and mysterious abdominal pain, among others. The most common argument is that people “don’t have time,” with “It’s nothing” ranking a close second.

Maintenance doesn’t only mean bringing your “car” to the mechanic when something is burning, grinding, or sticking. It also means changing the oil and staying on top of things, including exercising periodically. We have all the resources we need. We’re fortunate enough to have a great gym and a fully-staffed health center. Use them!

And remember, as the end of the semester is approaching and you’re cramming for your four finals, taking care of yourself is no substitute for a 100 percent on an exam, but you’ll have a much better shot at getting that 100 percent if you sleep well, eat an apple rather than French fries, and exercise every once and awhile.