Bad habits can mean bad grades, University of Minnesota study finds

By Jeremy Olson

"Comparing grades with survey responses from more than 9,000 students, researchers found that low grades were more common among Minnesota undergraduates who didn't exercise, lacked sleep, watched too much TV, gambled, drank alcohol or smoked cigarettes."

"The first-of-its-kind report also found lower grades among students who suffered stress, asthma, injury or mental illness, but the lead author said the results should be particularly alarming to students with avoidable behaviors..."

"One clear finding: Every mental health stressor -- such as a death in the family or divorcing parents or a financial problem -- in the past year affects grades. Students with no stressors averaged 3.37 for GPAs, while those with five or more in the past year averaged less than a 3.0..."

Full article available at http://www.twincities.com/ci_10763626?nclick_check=1&forced=true