Eat well, exercise, and don’t let some jerk break your heart. Oh, and try to get some rest! Whether you’re headed off to college for your freshman year or preparing a loved one to make the leap, it pays to lay the groundwork for a sound night’s sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why? \u201cSufficient sleep on a consistent basis is critical for a healthy immune system, healthy weight, memory, concentration, motivation, academic success, and overall well-being,” says Terry Cralle, RN, certified clinical sleep educator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sleep loss is enough of a problem on campus to have inspired its own field of research. One 2010 study basically equated better sleep and higher grades<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBeing an evening person, sleeping ‘badly,’ getting less sleep, and having inconsistent bedtimes predict a lowered GPA,” the researchers concluded. As for attempting to make up for the loss by sleeping in on Sunday, “that actually worsens the problem,” noted the study authors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The takeaway? Establish a sleep schedule and stick with it. Of course, that’s easier said than done on campus. Impromptu parties, debates about the future of the world, and pulling all-nighters are all par for the course called College Life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On top of that, the typical shared college dorm room is a box just big enough to allow each person a miserly 70 square feet\u2014not exactly conducive to catching Z’s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out our College Essentials collection to make any dorm room more conducive to good sleep:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n