News Editor
Between balancing schoolwork, classes and social life, it can be difficult for students to get the sleep they need to be successful in school. But sleep is an important facet of any college student’s well-being.
According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least a quarter of college students experience insomnia, and the condition is heavily associated with students who have depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Christine Spadola, School of Social Work assistant professor, said the amount of sleep each person needs can vary. She said the belief that everyone needs eight hours of sleep is false.
“They say eight hours can be average, but it could be about six to eight hours,” Spadola said. “It’s very individualized. You’re going to know your own sleep need.”
Diet and exercise can play an important role in sleep. Spadola said the more active a person is during the day, the more natural inclination they will have to sleep.
The bedroom environment also plays a role. The amount of light and the temperature in the room can affect sleep. Spadola recommends eye shades, if blackout curtains are too expensive, and cooling the room.
Undeclared business freshman Eduardo Torres said as a commuter, he has to get enough sleep to be able to wake up early and get to school on time.
Torres said he also has found it difficult to manage commuting, going to class, doing classwork and sleeping.
“Your body needs to rest at some point,” Torres said. “If you don’t let it rest, it doesn’t reset, and it’s still tired [from] the day before.”
Biology freshman Eve Gorham said if she had to give tips to another student struggling with sleep, she would say to stop procrastinating.
“Stop procrastinating doing their work, take some naps between the day, sleep on the weekends, do homework as well,” Gorham said.
Spadola said she has seen that the more people obsess over sleep, the harder it can be to obtain.
“Sleep is like love: You can’t force it,” she said. “All you can do is set the stage for sleep.”
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