mesa legend - NEWS - Lack of sleep damages students’ grades and health

April 18, 2006
NEWS
Lack of sleep damages students’ grades and health

Ivy Villaflores
Mesa Legend

College students are familiar with not getting enough sleep. Between balancing work, school and social life, catching enough sleep can sometimes seem like another task to accomplish rather than a necessity.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, the recommended amount of sleep for teens and adults is 8-10 hours. However, most teens are only getting 7 hours or less.
“I don’t think I’ve slept for more than 5 hours since the summer,” said MCC student Angie Buehl. “I go to school fulltime, and I work two jobs. I usually don’t get home until midnight, then I do my homework and finally crash around 2 a.m. I usually get up a little before 6 a.m. or 7:15 a.m. at the latest,” Buehl said.
Buehl joins a demographic of many sleep deprived students on the MCC campus. Dr. Skip Pollock, an MCC psychology instructor estimates that about 80 percent of MCC students are sleep deprived.
“Jobs, school, family life and then having a social life are all factors that cause sleep deprivation,” Pollock said.
Dr. Khalil Aydin, a family practitioner, explained lack of sleep in college students prevents them from retaining information to their full potential. Aydin explained how concentration is affected.
“Falling asleep at the wheel has become an extremely dangerous and fast growing cause of accidents. Truckers, graveyard shift workers and students who don’t manage their time and are on the road without enough sleep are all at risk for hurting themselves and others on the road,” Aydin said.
Not getting enough sleep can lead to other health concerns. Insomnia, a weak immune system and irritability are just a few changes in the body and mind that come from little sleep.
Aydin advises students to take control of their time management.
“Try to sleep at the same time every night if possible. If you think you need a nap during the day, take it. Listen to your body. Even a quick 15 minute power nap can help,” Aydin explained.
“I know we are in the ‘Starbucks’ generation, and coffee and other stimulants such as Red Bull are popular among college students. Minimize caffeine intake. Drink fruit drinks and water that replenish your mind and body. You’ll feel healthier,” Aydin said.
“Most of all, prioritize. Don’t put off things that can be done earlier. Procrastination often makes us experience ‘25-hour days.’ Make a regular schedule and try to follow through as often as possible,” Aydin added.