Permanent link for Sleep to Succeed on November 11, 2024

Did you know that most college students don't get enough sleep? On average, a college student gets around 6-6 ½ hours of sleep even though they need around 7-9 hours per night. Students who get enough sleep are more likely to perform better academically and receive better grades than their sleep deprived peers. Students who are well rested also tend to have better mental health, strengthened immune systems, better focus, and have a better overall college experience. As a busy college student, you may find it hard to get the sleep your mind and body needs, so here are a few easy tips to sleep like a pro:  

1. Try to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day and sync this schedule with your class schedule. 
2. Limit naps to 20 minutes or less before 3pm. Any naps longer than 20 mins or taken later in the day will make it harder for you to fall asleep at bedtime. 
3. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise. Exercise helps your overall sleep. Make sure your exercise ends at least 1 hour before bed or it might make it harder to sleep. 
4. Make a lights out policy agreement with your roommate to either turn off the lights or dim the lights at a certain time every night. This can also be done with noise level. 
5. Watch your caffeine and alcohol intake. Caffeine affects the quality of your sleep cycle after you fall asleep, so make sure to not drink any caffeine 8 hours before bedtime. All nighters are not beneficial ways to complete your assignments and start studying in a timely manner. Don't wait till the last minute. Alcohol may help you fall asleep initially, but it will make it harder to stay asleep, so it's recommended to stop drinking alcohol 3 hours before bedtime. 

These are only 5 tips for a better night's sleep. If you don't find these helpful, there are others you can try on this website: https://www.sleep.com/sleep-health/sleep-for-college-students. Don’t give up on a good night's sleep! A better rested and more successful you is just around the corner. Keep trying different techniques until you find what works for you. Your grades and overall health will thank you later.

If you or your organization would like to learn more about other aspects of health and wellbeing such as: sexual health, stress and wellness, healthy relationships, and/or other health and well-being topics. Consider requesting the WIT team to come and do a presentation on a topic on health or well-being of your choice and let us help you and your members live your best life.

Resources:  

https://liveatnora.com/importance-of-sleep-for-college-students/ 

https://health.cornell.edu/resources/health-topics/sleep 

https://www.sleep.com/sleep-health/sleep-for-college-students

By: Katelyn, WIT Peer Educator

Categories: Sleep WIT
Posted on Permanent link for Sleep to Succeed on November 11, 2024.