Sleep and Learning : be.georgetown.edu

College students are notorious for being sleep-deprived. Although it is recommended that college-age students get eight hours of sleep each night, very few actually do.

Lack of sleep over time, however, can impair a person’s capacity to learn new material. In fact, it has been documented that sleep-deprived students perform worse than students who get enough rest.

A person builds “sleep debt” after a few days of sleepless nights. Over time, “sleep debt” can negatively affect one’s daytime performance and function. It can also affect one’s mental and physical health. This can result in tension, irritability, depression, confusion, and lower life satisfaction.

Here are some tips for getting a better night’s sleep:

• Relax and slow the pace of your activities in the evening.
• Avoid caffeine in the late afternoon and evening.
• Exercise and remain active, but avoid exercise late at night as this can contribute to inability to fall asleep.
• Avoid napping in the afternoon. It will help keep your sleep patterns steady.
• Try to develop a regular sleep pattern.

Getting enough sleep every night is worth it. Learning requires a good night’s rest.