College students are heading back to school to hit the books. For many, that means all night study sessions and early morning classes. But is derailing your sleep schedule helping you make the grade? The summer break often drives teens and college kids away from the seven to nine hours of sleep that's recommended for young adults.
Grade ‘A' sleep habits lead to ‘A's' in the classroom
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Practicing good sleep habits is important, and a lack of sleep can negatively impact academics.
"It's important for memory," said Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer, DO, a sleep specialist at Cleveland Clinic. "Students who choose to sleep instead of studying all night usually perform better on tests."
Underestimating the value of sleep
Most people – especially young people – underestimate the value of sleep. Sleep is there for a reason. It's not a passive process, rather an active one.
"It's there because our brains need to restore themselves," Foldvary-Schaefer said. "We can't function well during the day and be at our best if we're not sleeping at night."
Tips to develop good sleep habits at school
Many kids also slip into a night owl sleep pattern during the summertime, which can become a nightmare once classes start. Here are a few tips from Foldvary-Schaefer to get you back into an optimal sleep routine:
- Start a bedtime ritual a few weeks before classes begin
- Turn electronics off
- Wind down about an hour before trying to fall asleep
- Resist the urge to drink energy drinks; they can keep you up at night