It’s something that a lot of people talk about. Something we all need but do not always prioritize. Something we usually end up chasing after… especially as full-time college students.
And yes, you might have guessed it right: sleep.
I don’t like to admit it, but I am definitely a veteran of pulling all-nighters (and I still do it). Whenever the deadline for an exam or project is closely approaching, I usually end up staying up all night to get the work and/or studying done, leaving me with little to no time for sleep at all. Sometimes it’s because of procrastination, and at other times it’s because I want it to be 100% perfect (even though I didn’t procrastinate).
According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep is essential because it “allows your body and mind to recharge.” It helps the brain function properly and reduces the chance of catching illnesses. A lack of it may lead to negative repercussions, such as attention lapses, reduced cognition, delayed reactions, and mood shifts.
More importantly, if you begin getting used to chronic sleep deprivation, you may experience a higher risk for certain diseases and medical conditions. Examples include obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, poor mental health, and early death.
Based on personal experience, there were several periods of time when I experienced sleep deprivation for weeks on end. It was beyond my control because those were times when I had to complete one exam or project after another; it felt like a never-ending cycle. Another thing I also don’t like to admit is that I tend to become quite a perfectionist when it comes to academics. So even though I am fully aware I am not getting enough sleep, I remain highly motivated and use up the last of my energy in order to carry out the best work that I can.
Then, once this busy week or series of weeks is finally over, I would usually go to bed early for the night and catch up on all the hours of sleep that schoolwork has (sadly) snatched from me.
The results? Well, as far as my grades go, I can certainly claim that my hard work pays off.
I never really visited the doctor for my sleep deprivation because I already knew the gist of what they would tell me. “You need to get more rest.” “Not getting enough sleep is bad for your health.” If anything, I am sure my family and friends would tell me the same thing, because lack of sleep is a common issue that many of us have faced before, and some of them probably still experience it from time to time because of their busy schedules.
It is recommended that adults get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you are a full-time college student like me, it can sometimes be difficult to maintain this goal with all the stuff you have going on in our lives, like classes, hangouts, traveling, etc. However, even if you can’t quite meet this requirement, it’s never a bad idea to at least work towards it or be close to meeting it.
From personal experience, here are a few easy tips on how to work towards getting more sleep:
- Create a sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible. Setting up a consistent time to wake up and go to bed each day can help you regulate what you do with your time.
- Avoid procrastination and finish your assignments ahead of time. Whenever you have free time, always try to prioritize your studies first, so that you can set aside time for rest later on.
- Try to limit your use of screen time at night, or use a blue light filter. Not only would this help your eyes, but it allows you to feel more relaxed.
As you might have observed, my experience with sleep thus far was quite an interesting one. It’s not uncommon, but it is definitely something that I need to work on. No matter where you are in terms of sleep, I hope this article may inspire you to make any necessary changes to help you acquire more sleep.