6 Ways to Get Better Sleep in College

Getting a good night's sleep can be hard for college students with all the studying and socializing they do, but sleep is vital. Good cognitive performance, forming long-term memories, and mood control are just some things you'll get if you stick to the following tips for better sleep.

1. Cut the Coffee

One reason coffee houses have become popular is that young folks frequent them. Yes, coffee can help you feel more alert in the mornings when you need to bring your A-game, but you can't drink this all day. The caffeine in the drink makes you stay up longer than you need to. Try to limit your coffee intake as much as you can.

2. Calming Supplements

The stress college students are under is pretty high. You have to worry about studying, work, finances, and your grades among other things. You don't want these concerns to hurt your ability to have a good night's sleep, which is the reason you should consider a calming supplement. There are a few options out there like CBD, but you must find quality CBD oil for sale to promote relaxation, especially before going to sleep.

3. Turn Off Electronics

Sometimes, the reason you aren't going to sleep is that you're using an electronic device. Maybe you're just unwinding by watching something online. This is fine during the day, but your smart device may be keeping you up longer. Shut off all smart devices at bedtime so that you allow yourself to calm down and sleep. If you continue to give your brain a reason to stay focused, it'll do its best to keep you up and you don't want that.

4. Don't Study in Bed

Again, you want to avoid giving your brain a reason to stay up and study. Your books or that study guide you have to study shouldn't be in bed with you if you're planning to go to sleep. All of this information can excite your brain and keep it up, which is the opposite of what you want. It's good practice to stop studying at least 30 minutes before your bedtime.

5. Create a Sleep Schedule

Yes, you are going to need a bedtime, and it needs to be the same time every night. You'll also need to make sure you are waking up at the same time each morning. You may think you're too old to have a sleep schedule, but it's good to get your body used to sleeping and waking at the same time every day. This helps your brain regulate the production of melatonin better, and that means you'll sleep better. Melatonin is the sleep neurotransmitter that helps you fall asleep. Stick to the schedule even on your days off or on those days when your classes don't start until late.

6. Consider Good Ear Plugs

It would be nice if you can go to a completely quiet room, but that's not always possible for college students. There are times when others next to you will be a little loud at night. This is a reality you have to accept so that you can take steps to address it, like considering good earplugs. You'll have to find plugs that you're comfortable with, but these should help muffle out noises that could make it hard to sleep.

These are just some things you could consider to sleep better as a college student. It may be a good idea to talk to others to find out if your peers have additional helpful tips for you.