If you’ve gone through the college experience, you probably already know that some of the stereotypes about college students and sleeping are true. For many young adults, sleep isn’t a top priority. From late-night study sessions to spending time with friends, college is known for keeping people up late so they don’t get the sleep they need.
Then, you have to wake up early for that 8 am class and do it all over again.
While it’s easy to feel young and invincible in college, that kind of schedule isn’t sustainable. It won’t take long for you to burn out, struggle with your classes, or for your health to deteriorate.
Sleep should always be a priority. College students need quality sleep to be able to stay focused, motivated, and healthy.
Whether you’re currently in college or know someone who is, let’s dive into the importance of quality sleep in college, and how students can prioritize getting enough rest.
Why Is Sleep So Important?
Getting enough sleep is important for everyone, but it’s especially crucial during your college years as you try to keep up with a busy schedule while doing your best in school.
According to the CDC, students need to get the proper amount of sleep to stay focused, improve their concentration, and boost their academic performance. You’re not going to be able to give your full attention to your studies if you’re exhausted or fatigued more often than not. Sleep deprivation can lead to poor memory recall and concentration. You might struggle to complete homework or do well on tests.
In addition to the academic pitfalls of not getting enough sleep, it can also negatively impact your mental and physical well-being.
Getting enough sleep brings countless physical health benefits, including:
- A stronger immune system
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Reduced risk of diabetes
- Increased energy levels
- Decreased inflammation
Adequate sleep also reduces your stress levels and can make it easier to deal with the effects of depression and anxiety. It’s not uncommon for college students to struggle with these conditions, and prioritizing sleep is one of the best ways to manage symptoms and fight back. When you don’t take care of your mental health symptoms, they can become worse and create a “vicious cycle” that makes it even harder to sleep.
What Are You Doing Wrong?
Obviously, pulling frequent all-nighters and going out with friends instead of sleeping isn’t beneficial to your sleep hygiene. However, there might be less obvious habits and actions you’re dealing with each day that could make it hard to get the sleep you need.
For example, college students tend to ingest a lot of caffeine. Whether you can’t “function” without your morning coffee or you feel like you need a pick-me-up each afternoon and grab an energy drink, those caffeinated beverages could be keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep. That’s especially true if you’re trying to stay awake for a while to study and use caffeine to keep you focused. While caffeine is a great way to stay energized all day, it will also keep you from falling asleep quickly. Caffeine can also raise your anxiety levels, making it even more difficult to sleep.
Maybe you try to get enough sleep each night but you can’t seem to rest no matter what you do.
If so, you’re not alone. Sleep disorders like insomnia affect over 70 million Americans each year. These disorders are triggered by different things, but some of the most common causes are:
- Life stressors
- An unhealthy lifestyle
- Medications
- Chronic pain
- Mental health issues
Insomnia can impact people differently. Some people have a hard time getting to sleep, while others might be able to get some rest for an hour or two before waking up. Obviously, neither of these situations is going to get you the rest you need.
To fight back against insomnia, keep a routine, use natural sleep aids like calming music or lavender essential oils, and make sure to practice proper sleep hygiene.
How to Get More Quality Sleep
Speaking of sleep hygiene, it’s the first thing college students should prioritize if they know they’re struggling to get the rest they need. Thankfully, it’s easier than you might think to develop healthy habits that can improve your sleep quality.
Start by going to sleep around the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning. An occasional exception is fine, but try to stick to that routine as much as possible. When you do wake up, make it a point to get out of bed quickly. It can be tempting to lay underneath the warm blankets for a while as your mind and body adjust to being awake, but doing so can actually affect your sleep at night and cause you to feel more sluggish throughout the day.
One of the best things you can do to get better sleep is to take care of your mind and body. Exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy diet. Find ways to de-stress every day if you’re worried that anxious thoughts are keeping you awake. Things like yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and journaling are all fantastic ways to manage your mental well-being.
If you’re not getting enough sleep because of a busy schedule or heavy workload, consider making adjustments to meet your needs.
For example, if you tend to have late-night study and strategy sessions for final exams, try a different approach this semester. Create a schedule, study with a clear direction, and avoid distractions as much as possible. When you have a plan in place, you’re less likely to cram everything in late at night. Not only will you get better sleep, but you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and better equipped to retain the information you studied.
If you’re dealing with a physical or mental health issue that’s making it difficult to sleep at night, the best thing you can do is talk to your doctor or mental health professional about what’s going on. Most campuses across the country have resources available that can either get you the help you need or direct you to the right people. Being a college student doesn’t make you immune to health issues, and the sooner you get them taken care of, the better.
However, if you’re otherwise healthy, chances are you’re not getting quality sleep because of habits and choices. You have the power to change that and get the sleep you need. Now that you understand why sleep is so important for college students, take the time to make healthy habitual changes in your life, and prioritize getting enough rest. You’ll do better in school, feel better mentally and physically, and establish foundational habits that you’ll stick with for the rest of your life.
