Tips on How to Get Quality Sleep in College

You're about to learn that college is a time in your life when there's ALWAYS something going on. Whether it's campus events, making a trip to the store, going on an ice cream run, or playing a video game, you'll always find someone who's up for an activity regardless of the time of day.

But a lot of this fun can come at the sacrifice of getting a good night's sleep. Check out these tips to help you feel more well rested and in good health at college:

• Get some exercise. Plan to exercise earlier in the day and never just before bed.
• Take a nap. If you have the time during the day, a short nap can do wonders for your energy levels. Just make sure not to nap too close to bedtime or for too long.
• Don't study in your bed. Put books and homework away at least 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime.
• Coordinate bedtimes with roommates. When sharing a room with someone it can be hard to go to bed when you need to and not get woken up when you don't want to. Try to work with your roommates to make sure you each get the sleep you need.
• Get a full night's rest whenever possible. While the amount of sleep each person needs varies, most people need 7-9 hours to feel fully rested. While this may not be possible every night, try to sleep a full night whenever you get the chance.   
• Know that not getting enough sleep can have a negative impact on all aspects of your life. Lack of sleep doesn't just make you irritable, it can also reduce your ability to concentrate and do well in class.
• Avoid all-nighters. While you may feel like you need to study all night to do well you might be doing yourself a disservice. Not getting enough sleep can make it difficult for you to do well, regardless of how much you've studied.
• Create a bedtime routine and stick to it. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, create a schedule that will let your mind and body know that bedtime is approaching. After a few weeks, you should be able to fall asleep when you need to.

With college on the horizon, it's time to start thinking about how you can get the rest you need and stay healthy in college. If you make sleep a priority, you'll feel ready to accomplish what you need to and be ready to have some fun!