The other day, I got a text from my friend at 4:00 a.m. She was pulling an all-nighter and it definitely wasn’t her first one of the week; it was Tuesday. When I asked her what she had going on that was keeping her so busy, she simply replied with “Life.”

It’s an unfortunate reality for many students–chronic sleeplessness, all-nighters, dozens of cups of coffee. It’s also the unfortunate academic culture we’ve established, but in reality, there is nothing noble or desirable about staying up all night to finish your homework. Often times, it is something you can avoid.

Now before you start listing out all the responsibilities and extracurriculars you have to justify your excessive workload, let me say this: I totally understand that some people are spread very thin across their various organizations. However, if your workload is directly impacting your health; if you’re going to bed at 4:00 a.m. every night, then it definitely is, that is a good enough reason to thin out the crop.

Prioritize your commitments and step down where you can; it is tough to admit that you can’t do something, but you will thank yourself in the long run. Chances are you have so many things on your plate that you’re unable to contribute meaningfully to every organization you’re part of, so your peers will thank you too.

There are also steps you can take to manage your time wisely. I call it “feng shui-ing your existence”. They’re simple tips that you’ve probably heard a million times over: use a planner, break up your tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks, keep your phone on silent when you’re studying. The one big thing I would add is to delete your social media–a desperate measure I know, but there is no reason to check your Twitter if it is 2:00 a.m. and you’re still working on homework.

If you’re regularly sleep-deprived, you need to take it seriously. Don’t brush it off on the amount work you have; actively try to change your habits so you finish your tasks more efficiently.

Set a strict bedtime after which you promise yourself you will not work. Take baby steps if you have to: start with 3:00 a.m., then 2:00 a.m., then 1:00 a.m. and soon you’ll be sleeping by midnight!

Sleep deprivation is a dangerous game, and it could cause you and the people around you serious harm, but if it’s already a habit, you can break yourself out of it. All you have to do is take the first step, and the rest will come from there.