7 Sleeping Tips for College-Bound Students

Nearly 70 percent of college students are sleep deprived. So for students transitioning from high school to college, adjusting to the new academic responsibilities, social activities – and lack of structured sleep routine from high school – can be tough.

College dorm rooms can be hot, noisy and uncomfortable — all of which robs students of sleep and can cost them in the classroom. Lack of sleep has a wide range of effects and makes students more vulnerable to everything from infections to diabetes – even high blood pressure.

For a crash course on getting a good night’s sleep, Aneesa Das, MD sleep specialist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, offers tips to get the best shut-eye:

• Room should be cool, dark and quiet
• When you wake up in the morning try to get the room as bright as possible
• Turn off screens 30 mins before bed (blue light from screens hinders ability to fall asleep)
• Never fall asleep with TV or computer on
• Too loud? Keep earplugs nearby
• Can’t sleep? Take a shower! (but NOT a cold one)
• “Take a warm shower 2 two hours before bedtime so that as the body naturally cools down it induces sleep.”
• Avoid all-nighters at all cost — once you lose sleep, you never get it back!

Creating a good sleeping environment can be challenging in a college dorm setting, but implementing habits that will encourage better sleep is key for success in a student’s college experience.