Who ever says they wished they slept in college more? Well, sleeping could be vital in your career as a student, as well as your health.
Dan Scott, a student here at NIC, said “Every other day I go to bed at 1 am and wake up at 7 am. The other days I go to bed at 3 or 4 am and wake up at 1 in the afternoon.” This type of sleeping pattern is known as having an irregular circadian rhythm. A circadian rhythm is the body’s clock and operates in a 24-hour period. If sleeping patterns frequently change, the body’s circadian rhythm is off which makes sleeping patterns extremely difficult to get back to normal. Kristina Klassen, NIC psychology instructor, stresses that students need to have enough REM sleep. “Without enough REM sleep, you will die within a year” she said.
Social pressures such as partying, staying up late, and taking in substances like drugs or alcohol represses students’ sleep and makes learning and remembering class and lectures extremely hard. It takes 48 hours to process information, and with those obstacles in the way, learning at school is almost impossible.
“Students ages 17-21 can’t fall asleep early physically, your body will not let you.” Klassen said. Unless they had a schedule of waking up early and going to bed early since they were little, it’s almost impossible for students to go to bed early, and also wake up early. As students get older, the time for going to bed gets later, and getting up early for classes gets harder.
Randy Ware, another NIC instructor, encourages his students to create regular sleeping patterns. Students’ health is also a factor with less sleep. Sleep deprivation can interfere with student weight gain, a deficient immune system, and constantly feeling tired which makes school harder. With energy drinks, pills, and high sugary foods and drinks added with very little sleep, a student’s health is quickly affected. A full night of sleep is the body’s way of restoring itself.
On a students’ list, sleeping isn’t near the top, but it’s almost as vital as the air you breathe and the food you eat. Imagine sleeping like gas in a car. With the most amount of sleep, the tank is full. With little sleep, the car is running on almost empty or empty. The Sleep Foundation encourages that students get around nine and a quarter hours of sleep to do their best, and if you can’t get the full nine hours, try taking a nap sometime during the day. Avoid caffeinated beverages and energy drinks or pills before bed. Avoid working out, taking naps, and watching TV or using your computer before bed as well to help fall asleep faster. Sleeping more and making a schedule will not only make students feel better, but also perform better in school, work, and social lives.
Opinions expressed in editorial and opinion articles are the views of individual NIC students. These views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Sentinel, North Idaho College, or any other organizations or groups there-in. North Idaho College is not responsible for the accuracy of statements or opinions shared.
