Sleep deprivation is a problem plaguing college students everywhere. With students committed to more activities and academics these days, sleep is often overlooked. According to Roz Dischiavo, M.A. Director of Wellness, if you need to use an alarm clock to get up you are sleep deprived. Your body should just wake itself up naturally when it has enough sleep to function properly. You can also tell if you’re sleep deprived if it takes you less than five minutes to fall asleep. Dischiavo feels that there is a connection with sleep deprivation and depression which is the number one mental health problem we have in the nation.
STN talked to many students who felt they weren’t getting enough sleep during the school year. To get a better quality of sleep you should try to get at least eight hours of sleep a night. You should not sleep with the light or television on. Also don’t drink alcohol or caffeine within four hours of going to bed.