On average how much sleep do you think a college student should get?
In an 2020 article published by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a college-aged student needs roughly around seven to nine hours of sleep every night.
The question is how can one manage that much sleep with all that is going on in day-to-day life? Many college students have many reasons for not getting enough adequate sleep.
“I have kids plus a part time job, so it’s hard for me to get rest,” said Mary Hinojosa, a student at Carrington College. “Juggling a part time job plus my studies is enough, and on top of that I have to try to be a good mom to my kids.”
Many college students juggle work and go to school. Some are also parents or caregivers to loved ones as well.
So what does a lack of sleep typically look like? A Healthline Media article published in 2021 said an individual who doesn’t get enough sleep isn’t just grumpy or groggy; they are also at more risk of getting diabetes, heart disease, and having mental issues such as certain mood disorders, memory issues and the list goes on.
All of these things can impact a college student’s success.
“At my time at Mental Health we have seen college student’s needing medication for things like insomnia and mood disorders, Just like anything else your body needs a good amount of rest to keep up with daily activities, especially studying which needs concentration, and with a lack of sleep that can be hard to obtain,” said Patricia Owens, former clinician at Mental Health in Santa Clara County.
Have you ever felt tired and couldn’t find the time to rest?
Here’s some tips on how you can avoid needing constant runs to Starbucks or Dutch Brothers for your daily dose of caffeine:
Listen to your body. If your body is calling for rest the best thing to do is to do so, plan your schedule wisely. Don’t put too much on your calendar. Avoid trying to do everything at once and spread it out during a week’s time.
Delegate responsibilities. If you are a single parent or a full time worker with a hectic schedule, make sure you are not afraid to ask for help. Most of the time people will help if they see an individual willing to help themselves.
Always remember getting your z’s lead to getting A’s and B’s.
