College is a very busy time in a young person’s life – between classes and studying and work and spending time with your friends it can be hard to find enough time to sleep. Many students skip out on much-needed sleep in favor of extra studying and social time which can cause short and long term health problems including poor performance in class.
Want to have a successful academic career and graduate with a good GPA – then you need to get regular sleep – and that means more than just an afternoon nap on the weekends
How Many Hours of Sleep do Students Need?
Students need about 8 and a half hours of sleep per night – which is only a little more than the average adult. The need for slightly more sleep is due to a still growing body and a need to be on top of things academically.
If you have had a late night studying you may find yourself needing a few extra hours of sleep the next day. The is called sleep debt and the only way to overcome it is find a few extra hours to sleep. As your sleep debt grows larger and larger it will become harder to focus, drowsiness will increase and you may find yourself drifting off at work or in class.
Why Students Need Sleep
All nighters with extra coffee before a big test may seem like a good way to cram in some extra study time but it can hurt your test scores and long term health. Students need to average at least 8 hours of sleep per night in order to have the best performance in the class room. This may sound hard when trying to fit school work in with your job and social life but your grades will thank you!
5 Ways College Kids Can Sleep Better
Getting a good night of rest while in school is hard – especially if you live in a dorm with roommates. A regular bedtime and sleep schedule can go along way in the classroom. If you are struggling to stay awake in class try these 5 tips. They will help you feel more refreshed and prepared for class.
1. Don’t Drink on School Nights
Many college students drink – but doing it on a school night is a sure fire way to stay up late and sleep in the next day. Beer, wine and hard alcohol may be fun with friends but the hangover and missing sleeping will be rough the next day.
2. Use an Alarm
Getting out of bed in the morning is rough – especially if you have early classes. Use an alarm clock to make sure you are up on time every day. Late nights and early mornings make it easy to oversleep!
3. No Caffeine after Dinner
Coffee, Red Bull and Monster are all full of Caffeine and sugar – perfect for keeping you up all night. Avoid sugary drinks after dark so you can go to bed at the normal time.
4. Hit the Gym
Need to burn off some extra energy – then hit the weights or treadmill at the school gym. Working out will tire your body and mind making it easier to fall asleep once you are in bed.
5. Keep a Routine
Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day (especially on school nights) is important for getting better sleep. Your circadian rhythm will make you feel tired at the same time every day so it is important to keep a steady routine.
Average Bedtime for Students
The average college student goes to bed well after midnight – at about 12:30 AM. This leaves less than 8 hours for sleep and rest. In fact, college kids average about 7 hours of sleep per night! The best time to go to bed while in University is around 11 PM but getting in bed at that time can be tough!
Consequences of Lack of Sleep
Missing out on sleep can cause poor grades plus other health problems. The most common problems for students due to missing sleep is missing class due to oversleeping, sleeping in class and forgetting about homework and projects!
Marie Seska
Marie Seska is one of the most trusted sources on the net for sleep information. She searches the web - as well as the latest medical journals to bring her readers the latest news and information.
