Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The years spent in college are infamously known as sleep-deprivation years. Whether it is due to pulling all-night cram sessions before a test, partying or the endless schedule to keep up with, college students are not getting enough sleep.
“I don’t sleep a lot at all. I’m a really light sleeper and wake up often and easily,” says Lauren Hagg, a freshman from Wichita. “If I get three hours of sleep I can easily function throughout the day.”
College students are now sleeping 1 to 1.6 hours less than they did a generation ago, according to a study at the University of Michigan.
To help with our sleep deprivation in college we tend to take naps. While society often sees this as a sign of laziness, studies show that taking a 20 to 30 minute nap during the day actually increases mental judgment, reasoning and problem solving.
“There is an art and science to napping,” says Dr. Edward Creagan from Mayo Clinic hospital in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Creagan says that a 20 minute nap between 2 and 3 p.m. is the most helpful to restoring energy and alertness. Taking longer naps makes us feel lethargic and “we lose that edge and sharpness,” Dr. Creagan says.
Annie Calvert, a freshman from Andover, sees this same result when she takes naps. “Naps give me more energy to finish out my day if I didn’t get a lot of sleep the night before,” Calvert says.
Three helpful tips Dr. Creagan says can help people fall asleep are a cool, quiet environment, a consistent routine before going to sleep and the use of padded eye shades to help with complete darkness.
So instead of pulling all-night study cram sessions, don’t be afraid to be more productive and take a nap first.
More ZZZ's Please
Enter unconsciousness and see what goes on before the alarm clock goes ...
Slipping in extra sleep goes far
All-nighters may do more harm than good.
Daytime dozin'
Essential Life Skills: Cramming for a Test
In case of emergency, read quickly.
Web site helps correct harmful study habits
Students who deprive themselves of sleep to study will not retain information. ...
Sleeping through school
Siestas in sociology? Napping in neurobiology? Keeping up your energy for class ...
Better Options for Bad Situations: Naps
If you're going to do it, be smart.
Better options for bad situations: All nighters
If you're going to do it, be smart.
Obesity linked to sleep deprivation
A Study found a link between obesity and a lack of sleep. ...
Overworked students' dangerous race against time
Is too much work and too little time putting students' health at ...
Add some zzz's to get some A's
Getting sleep during finals week can pay off on actual exams.
The Science of Sleep
How your sleeping habits affect your lifestyle
Success of all-nighters depends on the student
Whether it be studying for two hours or staying up all night, ...
Sleepless in Lawrence
Between midnight and 5 a.m., some Lawrence residents are wide awake.
Study: It’s easy to fake ADHD symptoms
Researchers say anyone familiar with ADHD symptoms could obtain Adderall.
Blog: Catching Some Zs or Cs?
Choosing Sleep Over School
Shake it up before you go-go
Being sick, tired and stressed is no way to spend Fall Break. ...
Sleep awareness week confronts bad student hygiene
Tables on campus Monday through Thursday offer tips for healthier sleeping.
The A to Zzzzz's of Napping
Are you a napper?
Buser: Sleep well, avoid stress
College students are putting rest on the back burner.
A good night’s sleep relies on many ...
A regular sleep schedule, stress management and natural aids all help the ...
The alternative for healing
A look at unconventional medicinal techniques
Power naps can combat sleepiness
Mommas on the Hill
For moms on campus, Mother’s Day comes more than once a year.
A case of the jerks
What’s behind those sudden slumber interruptions?
What did I forget again?
How to improve your memory for tests ... and life
1 ... 2 ... 3 ... OCD
Trying to break free from obsessing about obsessing
Spring Break Countdown
Experts give advice on what to do to prepare for spring break
Blue Christmas
Some people think cabin feer is to blame for a change in ...
The buzz about caffeine
As more caffeinated products hit the market, researchers look into risks.
Sleep apart, stay together
Why sleeping separately is good for some relationships.
Miles from Ordinary
From Albania to Zimbabwe, KU students come from all over the world
Electronics cause sleep loss
Even the presence in a bedroom of devices such as computers and ...
Maybe too soon for flu shots
Some officials say an early flu shot wears off too early.
A Bright Idea
Did you know that your appliances use energy even when they are ...
Dangers of stimulant abuse
As the abuse of stimulants rises among students, worries increase about the ...
Better Options: Caffeine
If you're going to do it, be smart.
Good for you / bad for you
Coffee? Yes please
Morning Brew: Coffee and the sports page
Despite changing trends, the tradition remains the same.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Better Options for Bad Situations: Napping
One of the reasons students get less sleep now is electronics. Checking Facebook and Twitter late at night disturbs sleep in at least two ways: 1. It keeps your mind active when you're trying to rest. 2. The bright light from cell phones and other devices disturb your sleep cycle.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID