2008 Woodie Awards
Rest Easy With a Good Night's Sleep
Victoria Licata Staff Reporter
Issue date: 9/22/05 Section: Features
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The risks that accompany sleep deprivation in college students vary from each individual. Without an adequate amount of sleep, students do not stand a chance to accomplish their homework or other activities sufficiently. Productivity and energy levels are lowered when someone isn't well rested.
"On a good night during football season, I get maybe six to seven hours of sleep a night," said Michael Buesser, sophomore, Hillsdale, N.J.
Six to seven hours of sleep a night is a sufficient amount of rest, which can get you through the day and its activities, such as football practice. It is when students get less than six hours of sleep that their bodies will become rundown and will make it harder to study for a test and do homework.
Let's take the example of an 8:00 A.M. class the morning after being out all night. Sleeping three to four hours the night before an oral presentation would cause slurring of words, a monotone voice and a slower response from the individual. The person may not notice, but the other students and the professor may pick up on it. When the brain doesn't receive the necessary amount of sleep at night the effects may be noticeable.
Someone who is energized from a full nights sleep will not have the same problems of a sleep deprived person. They will be able to deliver a more accurate, up-beat presentation.
Not only is going out to party a reason for sleep deprivation but stress, guilt, friends, excitement and family may be some reasons for insomnia and restless nights spent tossing and turning.
"When I have a big test the next day or I have something exciting to look forward to I sometimes cannot sleep, but what I find works is reading, and that usually puts me to sleep when I am anxious," said sophomore, Maureen Garvey, Stamford.
Feeling excited or anxious at night may occupy the mind. With thoughts swimming around in your head it is difficult to calm down and get some shuteye.
Stress or guilt may also be the reason for not sleeping at night. If the conscious is plaguing at something that happened during the course of the day, the mind is stuck repeating the incident over and over again. Many times, this is the only part of day when your body can relax, causing everything from the day to surface up to the front of your mind.
Some ways to help get rid of stress from homework or classes can be to write things down and keep organized. If work is taken care of when it needs to be, it will prevent stress, which can help ease your sleep deprivation.
Dealing with problems concerning friends, family or other related issues will help minimize feelings of guilt, which will be less to worry about when bed time rolls around.
Other helpful tips to consider; drinking coffee, soda, or eating chocolate will keep the body energized and will make if more difficult for you to fall asleep. So even if you have those heavy eyelids these common stimulants will keep you awake.
Daily activities can help sleeping at night, such as exercising regularly, yoga or meditation and dealing with top priorities. A good night's sleep will ultimately result in a better performance during daily activities and make it easier to succeed in any task that comes along the way.