Truth 1. Before a major decision, get some Z's

This sounds like something your mother would tell you, but now Mom has a team of researchers at her side to back up what she says. Studies show that students who get enough sleep before a test can achieve higher grades—even if they don't study more. One of my study partners in college used to keep a jar of No-Doze on his desk and offer them around like candy during study sessions. Maybe he would have been better off just turning in early and arriving at the exam well rested.

Sleep deprivation, on the other hand, can lead to disastrous decisions. Three Mile Island happened on the night shift. Some of those who decided to launch the Challenger space shuttle had been awake for 72 hours. U.S. transportation ...

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