As a college student sleep can be very hard to come by. With obligations like class, studying, parties and work, sleep is usually low on the priority list. Students will do all kinds of things to avoid sleep. This sometimes includes: downing energy drinks, popping pills, and binge drinking. (Disclaimer: All of these things should be avoided).
If this sounds like you, or you constantly find yourself staying out late and stumbling into your 8 am class, then keep reading. Hopefully this article will inspire you to take on a better sleep schedule.
Benefits of Getting Enough Sleep
Increased Memory
Ample sleep is the recipe for improved memory, which is especially useful for college students. Sleep helps your brain retain new information through a process called memory consolidation. So, more sleep translates into less study time.
Better Mood
Lack of sleep can leave many people feeling like Oscar the Grouch. Those who don’t get enough sleep are usually slightly irritable and don’t function well in the morning hours. This is often is blamed on not being a “morning person”. Truth is though; anyone can be refreshed and in a better mood as long as they receive enough sleep the night before.
Weight Control
Along with all of the alcohol, fast food, and lack of exercise, not getting enough sleep can contribute to weight gain. Sleep helps regulate your metabolism, so make sure you get enough to avoid the freshmen 15.
Image Credit: Scott McLeod
Tips to Get More Sleep
- Don’t schedule morning classes if you are the type of person who wants to party every night of the week.
- Take a 30-minute power-nap in the afternoon to get you through the remainder of the day.
- Avoid caffeine, especially at night.
- Exercise at least 5 hours before you plan on going to bed.
- Use your desk for studying, not your bed.
- Use earplugs if it is noisy around your room.
- Try and keep a sleeping schedule.
To Sum it Up
Sleep is very important for your health and can leave you with a more keen memory, a better mood and a slim belly. Always remember to listen to your body. When it demands sleep, give into those sagging eyes and find a quite place to lay your head down.
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Mohammad Arfeen
Someone asked me what is one thing premed students can't do that other students can, and I had no idea, they responded sleep. I wish I could get more sleep but these exams…
Ashley W
About the power nap – I’ve found that it is very true that most people become very sleepy right around 1pm or 2pm. Seriously, taking a nap during that time would seriously help me and a lot of my friends.
About the exercise – my friend Cris has a huge problem with that. Because his classes run so late he can only to go the gym at night which works against him in many ways. He isn’t able to fall asleep until much later than he would normally because his body is not in the resting mood.
About the noise – during tests my classmates and I usually ask the teacher if we can listen to our iPod. I personally listen to classical music because it sounds smart and I want to rum off (hah). So even an alternative to those who hate silence, put on your own background music to remove any possibly of auditory distractions
Dan Northern
Power napping around 1 or 2 is perfect because that's right when I get done with class. I wish I could take more of them though.
Chris is running into a problem there. I suggest he try running in the morning before class. It may be hard getting used to waking up earlier, but it will probably work out better for him.
That's a good point about the noise.
Nick
I think eating healthy has a lot to do with your sleep
Sam
And don’t forget to keep your room dark as much as you can. This might also help since body produce more melatonin when the environment is darker.