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I remember just few weeks ago sleep was something to be expected. Now as I’m settling into the year, I’m asking “what happened?” I actually know. The reality is I gladly sacrifice a few z’s for a better project, or a tighter script, or a crisper edit. I love what I’m doing, and sometimes sleep is a casualty. I’m very busy and it’s a good thing.

For example, the other day I finally got my hands on the Bolex Camera to prepare for our Grant Park project. For a first year student, I feel like I’m about to be initiated into a secret society. We are the ones with the tripods and cranky cameras. So when we hit the streets, fatigue brought on by late nights is replaced by the adrenaline of calling “Action!”

But for those of you that may still be having problems sleeping, I offer you a few tips. Understand I am not a professional and the following advice is for entertainment purposes only and my rationale is bogus. If you want professional advice you probably wouldn’t be reading this. Now that that is out of the way here we go:

1. You can listen to fine classical music. The great part about this is you’ll become smarter by osmosis. Listen to enough of the classics and you’ll never confuse your Johanna Sebastian Bach with PDQ Bach.

2. You can plan out your day. Think about how productive you could be if you only could get some sleep.

3. Visualize yourself sleeping. Actually this is pretty boring…boring enough to sleep!

4. Think of all the things in life to be thankful for. This may seem corny, but it will make you realize you have a great support network or you’ve been shafted. I won’t tell you my results.

5. Download a fine, enriching audio program from the interweb. The next best thing to reading is having someone read to you. Now you can feel like royalty.

6. Invent the next big thing. I was one nap away from inventing Pajamajeans.

7. Create positive affirmations and focus on them while lying still in bed. Think, “Who else is going to do….” Or, “You can…”

8. …Second guess yourself. Trust me, if you spent all night obsessing over every mistake you made, you’ll totally forget you can’t sleep.

9. Exercise, exercise, exercise. You’ve got to get tired somehow.

10. Read my blog. What could be more relaxing and joyful than my thoughts burrowing in your head?