It’s no secret that college students are notorious for not getting enough sleep, and this can have negative consequences on their academic performance, physical health, and mental wellbeing. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of sleep for college students and offer tips for how they can get better sleep.
Importance of Sleep for Students
Sleep allows the body to heal itself after a day of working hard and being active. It also helps to regulate hormone levels in the brain which can help with feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression. The quality of sleep you get can impact how you feel during the day, so it is important to get a restful sleep each night.
Most students know that getting a good night’s sleep is important, but many don’t realize just how important it really is. Sleep is one of the most important aspects in our lives. Many college students have trouble with sleep which can lead to issues with their studies. A recent study found that college students who get at least 8 hours of sleep perform better academically than those who don’t. This study also found that students who didn’t get enough sleep were more likely to have lower grades and were more likely to feel overwhelmed by their coursework.
So if you’re a student, make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep. Your grades will thank you for it.
How Much Sleep Should a College Student Get?
In college, you’re constantly working hard to make sure you get your work done and maintain a social life. You have to balance classes with extracurriculars, homework with jobs, and parties with studying. It’s not an easy balancing act. But one thing that can help is getting the right amount of sleep each night.
Research shows that college students should get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night. But unfortunately, most college students don’t get nearly that much. In fact, a recent survey found that the average college student gets just six hours and 48 minutes of sleep each night.
How Many Students Get Enough Sleep?
College students are busy. Between going to class, studying, and working, it can be hard to find time for anything else. So how many students are actually getting enough sleep? Unfortunately, not as many as you might think. A recent study found that only 30% of college students said they got the recommended amount of sleep on weekdays. And on weekends, that number went down to 26%. That means that the majority of students are not getting enough sleep during the week when they need it the most.
There are several reasons why college students might not be getting enough sleep. For one, many students have early morning classes which make it difficult to get a full eight hours of sleep.
How to Know if You Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep
Many people do not get the recommended amount of sleep. This can be a problem for people of all ages not just for a college student. To fix this, it is important to know the symptoms of not getting enough sleep and take steps to get more rest.
Here are four ways to tell if you aren’t getting enough sleep:
- If you find yourself yawning frequently or struggling to keep your eyes open during the day, it is likely that you are not getting enough sleep.
- Another sign of lack of sleep is if you have difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks.
- You may also find yourself feeling irritable or grouchy during the day if you are not getting enough sleep.
- Finally, if you find yourself falling asleep unexpectedly or nodding off during the day, it is a sign that you need more rest.
If you experience any of these symptoms during the day, it is important that you take steps to get more sleep.
Tips To Help Students Improve Their Sleep
As college students, we often find ourselves pulling all-nighters or skimping on sleep in order to get our work done. Below are tips that can help you get the shut-eye you need to perform your best.
Avoid Caffeine in The Hours Before Ded
This means no coffee, tea, or energy drinks after lunchtime. Caffeine can stay in your system for up to eight hours, so if you want to sleep soundly through the night, it’s best to cut it out after lunchtime.
Establish a Regular Sleep Schedule
Waking up and going to bed at the same time each day will help train your body to sleep better. And while it may be tempting to sleep in on the weekends, resist the urge. Staying up late and sleeping in can disrupt your natural sleep rhythm and make it harder to get up for your early during the week.
Avoid Working or Studying in Bed
When you work or study in bed, your brain starts to associate your bed with being awake and alert, which makes it more difficult to fall asleep. So save your bed for sleeping and find a comfortable place to work or study elsewhere.
Keep Your Bedroom Dark and Cool
A dark and cool environment is ideal for sleeping. If you can’t control the temperature, try using a fan or wearing light layers of clothing to stay comfortable. And if light from outside is keeping you up at night, try using blackout curtains or an eye mask to block it out.
Get Up and Move Every Few Hours
Sitting in place for too long can make you feel stiff and sleepy. So every few hours, take a break to walk around or stretch your muscles. Moving around will help keep you awake and alert.
Limit Screen Time Before Bed
The blue light from screens can disrupt your natural sleep rhythm and make it harder to fall asleep. So put away your phones, laptops, and TVs at least an hour before bedtime. And if you can’t avoid using screens in the hours before bed, try wearing blue light-blocking glasses or downloading a blue light filter for your devices.
Following these tips can help you get the sleep you need to perform your best. So next time you’re feeling tempted to pull an all-nighter, remember that a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for your academic success.