Picture this: It’s 7 a.m. and your coffee maker just broke as you’re rushing to get out the front door. Now you’re scrambling around the kitchen looking for some alternate caffeine drink. A long day consisting of class lectures and possible pop quizzes dawns ahead and you can’t stop thinking about when you get to go back to sleep.
Oh, the typical life of a college student.
Many students find themselves falling asleep in class after only a couple of hours of being on-campus. Eventually, students start wanting one thing, and one thing only, after the coffee and energy drinks wear out a nap.
There are a ton of places on campus where students can find a spot to nap. One place is the Henry Madden Library, where five levels of new furniture give students plenty of comfort.
Ambur Guerrero, 19, escapes the heat and finds tranquility in the library when she has time between her history and communication classes.
“I go to the second floor of the library because it’s air-conditioned and food friendly,” said Guerrero.
Guerrero said she finds herself falling asleep in class during the winter, but not as much during the warmer seasons.
“I’m in my sweats and the heater is usually on,” said Guerrero. “I feel all snugly.”
The library isn’t the only place on campus with couches and spots to rest. The staff at the Health Promotion and Wellness Services Department provides a “couch map” where students can find suitable places to nap around campus.
Some of the locations include the Kremen Education building, the Business building and the Joyal Administration building. The Kremen Education building has four small couches in the basement, and the Business building has six small couches on the third floor. The Joyal Administration building has a couch on each floor near the women’s restrooms.
Students sometimes forget to guard their belongings when they nap on campus, so the staff recommends using your backpack as a pillow to prevent theft.
Whether it’s in the library or in a campus building, many students feel tempted to close their eyes and doze off between classes.
Pre-veterinarian major Taylor Hall, 20, said she usually eats a snack when she is tired, but she isn’t ruling out taking a quick nap in the nature on-campus, during her break.
“I’ve always wanted to take a nap on the grassy hills by the library,” said Hall.
Hall said she goes to the University Student Union (USU) to watch music videos on their multiple television screens or she goes home to her Delta Zeta sorority house to take a quick nap if she has a long break.
Kinesiology major Curtis Kleinman, 23, puts energy back into him by eating a snack, going to the gym and working up a sweat.
“If I’m really tired, I’ll just go home,” said Kleinman.
Students can stay alert throughout the school day by eating a snack between classes, drinking plenty of fluids and resting on breaks. Doing these three things can help, but they don’t replace sleep.
Kathy Yarmo knows a thing or two about the wellness of students. She has been working at the Student Health Center as the health promotion and wellness coordinator for over three years. She acknowledges that a majority of students work and have priorities other than getting the recommended amount of sleep every night. But it’s very important to be well rested before a day of class, she says.
If for some reason students don’t get enough sleep the night before, they can always turn to a nap to refresh their mind and body. Although the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends limiting naps, they suggest taking a short nap (less than an hour) if it’s before 3 p.m.
Students who nap during the day are more likely to be up later in the night, full of energy with a racing mind.
“If you can’t fall asleep right away, get up and do something,” said Yarmo.
The AASM suggests reading a book or magazine, listening to soft music or something else that will relax your body.
According to the 2009 National College Health Assessment at Fresno State, stress among students is the number one factor that influences academic success.
The AASM said: “Your bed is a place to rest, not to worry.” Try to deal with your worries before bedtime so you’re not thinking about your troubles when you should be sleeping.
Sleep difficulties is the second biggest factor that influences academic success among college students, followed by work-related issues and being sick.
“It’s very important for students to practice good sleep hygiene,” said Yarmo.
The AASM defines good hygiene as “anything that helps you to have a healthy life.”
Practicing good sleep hygiene is performing habits to help you sleep better throughout the night without waking up. For example, don’t have any caffeine after lunch and don’t go to bed hungry.
But don’t eat a big meal before bedtime either.
The AASM recommends not drinking alcohol or exercising within six hours of your bedtime. Avoiding these two things can help you fall asleep faster because your body and mind won’t be pumped up. Exercising before bedtime will give you more energy and you don’t want that if you’re trying to go to bed at a decent hour.
One habit that can be tough to maintain is waking up at the same time every morning, even on the weekends and holidays. The AASM also recommends keeping a regular schedule to “keep the inner body clock running smoothly.”
“Best thing a student can do is to make sleep a priority,” said Yarmo. “It isn’t always easy.”
College life can be tough for any student, but hang in there. Endless nights of studying and doing homework will be worth it when graduation day rolls around. Until then, rest up when and where you can.