As a senior in college, there are so many things I wish I could go back in time and tell myself as a freshman: enjoy every moment, get as involved as you can, call your mom! But if there is anything I just had to tell my freshman year self, it was to go to bed.
The graph below shows the findings of a study conducted by the Journal of Adolescent Health on the average bed times of high school and college students. As shown below, college freshmen have significantly later bed times than any other group. Their average weeknight bed times are the same as the weekend bed times of other ages! Seriously freshmen, get some sleep!
Average bed times for high school and college students by the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Why Do Freshmen Go to Bed so Late?
My freshman year at West Chester University was one of the best years of my life. I lived on campus in the dorms, and really felt independent for the first time ever. With that independence came new friends, new classes, new activities, new clubs, new schedules, new everything. I felt like a brand new person! The one thing I prioritized the least amongst the chaos was, you guessed it, sleep. All of the adrenaline that comes with being a college freshman may be a universal feeling, but a lack of sleep to go with it does not have to be.
Why is Sleep so Important for Students?
Work hard, play hard: one of the most relevant mantras for college students. College is about finding yourself and experiencing new things, but it is also about developing your own academic and career goals. Increased workload and new class materials can be an overwhelming adjustment. As a college student, it is equally important to focus on your academics as much as it is to have fun.
Although college is a blast (it really has been the time of my life), it can also be stressful. The result of an imbalance of work and play can take a toll on your academic performance, as shown in the graph below by Medicat. Lack of sleep is the third leading cause of negative impacts on academic performances as a college student. Additionally, the majority of students admit they feel overwhelmed by jam-packed schedules. If you want to keep those grades up, once again, go to bed!
How sleep affects academic performances by college students, by Medicat.
Tips and Tricks to Get Some Sleep
1. Plan, plan, plan
I know firsthand how plentiful the distractions are when living a college lifestyle. As easy as it can be to get some serious FOMO when your friends are hanging out, try to make sure all your schoolwork and other responsibilities are done for the day beforehand. Plan free times in the day to sit down and get done as much work as you can, before you won’t want to anymore. That way, you won’t be up all night finishing the assignments you procrastinated!
2. Kick the Caffeine
Hold on, I know that may be daunting. I love a good iced coffee to start my day too. But, if you drink too much caffeine too late in the day, you can say goodbye to a good night’s sleep. I’m not saying you need to ditch caffeine forever, but try to limit yourself by not drinking caffeine too late in the day. Or, maybe stick to one energy drink per day rather than three!
3. Stick to a Maintainable Schedule
It is much easier to get some rest when your body is on a schedule. I know everyday can look completely different as a student, but maintaining some normalcy can make all the difference. Try to give yourself a time frame at the end of each night to hang out with friends and unwind before it gets too late!
My first day of freshman year (fall 2022) vs. My first day of senior year (fall 2025).
I look back on my freshman year as the most transformative (and tiring) experience of my life. My hope is that every freshman feels that way! Say yes to everything, and be as involved as you can! But get a good night of sleep first, or else you’ll just burnout. Seriously, go to bed!
Caroline Shannon is a senior and a Media & Culture major here at West Chester University. She loves all things pop culture, and hopes to one day pursue a career in media writing in entertainment.
