Wake up! You need that sleep
Lydia West Special from Black College Wire
Issue date: 4/11/07 Section: News
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Tia McCloud, 19, an accounting major, said, "I am involved in numerous extracurricular activities, and have a job. Sometimes it is impossible to get my full eight to nine hours."
Avery Hudson, a 24-year-old psychology major, said, "I don't get enough sleep at night because I don't get home until late. At that time, I have to finish up my schoolwork and watch TV."
Yet some others force themselves to stay awake to party.
"Students in college socialize late at night instead of sleeping," Erica Whales, 18, a sophomore speech and theater major, said.
Chantal Forbes, 18, a sophomore biology major, said, "I'm either studying or partying late at night."
Failure to receive the needed eight hours of sleep can become a habit that affects one's circadian rhythm, the natural rhythm of the body. It serves as a clock that tells the body when to shut down and prepare for sleep and when to feel more alert.
Brandon Hosley, 21, a senior business management major, said she often tries to turn a 24-hour day into a much longer one.
"By the time I feel I have finished all of my tasks, and can go to sleep, I look up and it's a new day," Hosley said. "It is like a continuous cycle that my body has become accustomed to."
Students who have a slower running circadian rhythm may not "wake up" until later in the morning or day, according to Calhoun. They may have difficulty concentrating, and feel a bit groggy or down during part of the day. These "night owls" find it easier to stay up late at night.
If your circadian rhythm is off balance, there are steps to get it back on the right cycle.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends awakening about 15 minutes earlier each day until you reach eight to nine hours of sleep. Avoid naps during this process. While adapting to your new sleep schedule, avoid caffeine, alcohol and other substances that can affect your sleep. Open blinds or shades or turn on bright lights as soon as possible after waking to help reset your internal clock. Avoid bright light in the evening.
"Once your circadian rhythm is on the right track, it is up to the student to go to bed at a reasonable time. Depriving yourself [of] sleep is only going to hurt you in the long run," Calhoun said.
"Sleep is like food to the brain. In order to function properly, we have to have it." Philips said. "Be very mindful, in college your main focus should be on academics," he added.
"Extracurricular activities are good, but if they start to affect your academics and health, back down on them."
Lydia West, a student at Albany State University, writes for the Student Voice. To comment, e-mail bcwire@hotmail.com.
Avery Hudson, a 24-year-old psychology major, said, "I don't get enough sleep at night because I don't get home until late. At that time, I have to finish up my schoolwork and watch TV."
Yet some others force themselves to stay awake to party.
"Students in college socialize late at night instead of sleeping," Erica Whales, 18, a sophomore speech and theater major, said.
Chantal Forbes, 18, a sophomore biology major, said, "I'm either studying or partying late at night."
Failure to receive the needed eight hours of sleep can become a habit that affects one's circadian rhythm, the natural rhythm of the body. It serves as a clock that tells the body when to shut down and prepare for sleep and when to feel more alert.
Brandon Hosley, 21, a senior business management major, said she often tries to turn a 24-hour day into a much longer one.
"By the time I feel I have finished all of my tasks, and can go to sleep, I look up and it's a new day," Hosley said. "It is like a continuous cycle that my body has become accustomed to."
Students who have a slower running circadian rhythm may not "wake up" until later in the morning or day, according to Calhoun. They may have difficulty concentrating, and feel a bit groggy or down during part of the day. These "night owls" find it easier to stay up late at night.
If your circadian rhythm is off balance, there are steps to get it back on the right cycle.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends awakening about 15 minutes earlier each day until you reach eight to nine hours of sleep. Avoid naps during this process. While adapting to your new sleep schedule, avoid caffeine, alcohol and other substances that can affect your sleep. Open blinds or shades or turn on bright lights as soon as possible after waking to help reset your internal clock. Avoid bright light in the evening.
"Once your circadian rhythm is on the right track, it is up to the student to go to bed at a reasonable time. Depriving yourself [of] sleep is only going to hurt you in the long run," Calhoun said.
"Sleep is like food to the brain. In order to function properly, we have to have it." Philips said. "Be very mindful, in college your main focus should be on academics," he added.
"Extracurricular activities are good, but if they start to affect your academics and health, back down on them."
Lydia West, a student at Albany State University, writes for the Student Voice. To comment, e-mail bcwire@hotmail.com.
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