Are you sleepy?
Here are signs that you may need more sleep:
- “Zoning out” or dozing off during the day
- Losing track of lectures, readings, or videos
- Excessive blinking or yawning
- Tripping or stumbling more than usual
- Feeling sluggish
What can sleep do for you?
The amount of sleep that a college student gets is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. Here’s how sleep helps.
- Fosters memory formation and learning: Save yourself some study time—your brain will be hard at work solidifying memories while you sleep.
- Regulates mental and emotional health: Sleep helps you take on challenges with more resilience and less drama.
- Keeps your immune system strong: You’re more likely to get sick when sleep-deprived, which could mean missing out on social activities, class, and other important events.
- Supports physical health: Sleep helps regulate metabolism and body weight, among many other body functions.
- Enhances your productivity: Getting quality sleep boosts productivity, which can free up time for friends, hobbies, or more sleep!
- Helps you stay alert and safe: Dozing off in class may be awkward, but falling asleep at work or at the wheel could be dangerous. Did you know that drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving?
Top tips for U-M students
- Nap: A nap lasting 10-20 minutes can give you energy, make you more alert and improve mental performance. But beware: naps longer than 30 minutes (after you enter deep sleep) may actually leave you feeling more groggy and tired! Avoid late afternoon and evening naps, which can disrupt night sleep.
- Exercise regularly to wear out muscles and create a more restful sleep, but avoid exercise within two hours of bedtime because it may be too energizing.
- Rethink your drink: Both caffeine and alcohol can disrupt your sleep. Caffeine stays in your system for up to eight hours and can keep you awake. Alcohol, though it may make you feel drowsy, decreases sleep duration and quality.
- Steer clear of all-nighters: Staying up all night decreases your ability to process and analyze information, so you may do worse on exams or assignments the next day. To best prepare your mind, get 7-9 hours of sleep, but even a few hours of sleep are better than none.
- Turn off the tech 30-60 minutes before bed: Staring at your TV, computer, or tablet screen can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle and make it harder to fall asleep. If you can’t turn off the tech, dim your screen, put your phone on silent or use the “Do not disturb” option on your phone.
- Create a positive sleep environment. Think cool, dark and quiet! Use thick curtains or an eye mask to block out light and a white noise machine or ear plugs to reduce noise.
- Clear your mind and relax. Journaling can help de-clutter your mind, and soothing music or warm non-caffeinated tea can help you relax.
- Wake up at about the same time every day, even weekends: Most people need to be awake for 16-17 hours to be able to sleep. So if you wake up at noon on the weekend, it might be hard to fall asleep before 4 AM on a Sunday night.
When sleep is a problem
Minor sleep problems can be managed through lifestyle changes.
If you don’t fall asleep within twenty minutes of going to bed, try reading or doing something relaxing until you feel more tired.
Try using an online REM (rapid eye movement) cycle monitor to help determine the best time to wake up based on your bedtime. It could help you wake up during a lighter stage of sleep, leaving you feeling more rested.
If you experience extreme or persistent sleep difficulties, you may have a sleep disorder. Examples include:
- Inability to fall or stay asleep
- Being too sleepy during the day
- Snoring or pauses in your breathing during sleep
Treatments are available. Talk to your clinician about options.
University Health Service:
- To use UHS, see Schedule an Appointment -- appointments are required for most medical services, although options are available for urgent problems
- Nurse Advice by Phone is available day and night, which may save a trip to UHS or the ER
Counseling and Psychological Services
Free, confidential services for U-M students.
U-M Collegiate Sleep Disorder Clinic
Diagnoses and treats sleep disorders.
Note: Students are responsible for payment of any fees incurred.
National Sleep Foundation
Sleep information and the latest in sleep science, plus an online sleep shop.