Six Sleep Tips for Post-Secondary Students

With the long summer days coming to an end, classes for college and university are just starting for the year and whether you are going back to on-campus learning or your classes are still virtual, it’s time to get your sleep routine in check.

It’s no secret that post-secondary students are not exactly known for having the best sleeping habits. Sleep is essential for everyone, but if you are a student in college or university, it is more important than ever to make sure you are well-rested during the daytime so you can concentrate on your studies and have a successful semester.

Here are a few tips for post-secondary students to get a good night’s sleep;

1. Keep your sleep schedule as consistent as possible: many class schedules in college and university can vary day to day, meaning you may have to deal with classes in the early mornings and/or late evenings. Try your best to go to bed and wake up at within 1-2 hours (even on weekends!)
2. Practice good sleep hygiene: make sure your sleep environment is cool and dark, take advantage of blackout curtains and earplugs if necessary. Following a relaxing routine right before bed will also be important to help you prepare for a good night’s sleep.
3. Don’t use your bed for anything other than sleeping: as tempting as it may be to take your laptop on the bed to finish that essay, don’t do this!
4. Avoid caffeine before bedtime: a cup of coffee may seem tempting if you are doing homework into the evening hours but this will keep you awake at night.
5. Keep alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis to a minimum: all of that late night partying is not great for your sleep cycle. Limit how much you drink in the evening hours and don’t use nicotine or cannabis too close to bedtime.
6. Keep your naps short: if you absolutely need to nap during the daytime, one hour or less is recommended, that way it doesn’t interfere with your bedtime.