Sleep Deprivation and College Students essay

College education is of significant importance for its ability toprovide individuals with a structured environment through which theygain skills, knowledge, and independence to work their way towardsbecoming employed and bring a positive contribution to the society.However, it has become increasingly impossible for students to juggleacademics and social life while at the same time getting enoughsleep. The primary obstacle toward the maximization of success incollege is sleep deprivation among many students. Sleep deprivationcan be described as a situation when one obtains inadequate sleep sothat they can support adequate alertness during the day (ClevengerJr, 2013). Sleep deprivation, daytime sleepiness, and irregularsleeping schedules are highly prevalent among the college students.

Sleep deprivation continues to be a significant deterrent towards therealization of educational goals set by college students. The topicis of crucial significance owing to the impact it has on the academicprogress of students. Further, students have failed to realize theirpotential of excelling in academics because of the inadequate sleepthey get. Sleep deprivation occurs when one fails to get adequatesleep (Clevenger Jr, 2013). The condition can be acute or chronicdepending on the prevailing circumstances. College studentsexperience the condition because of the manner in which activitiesare conducted in school. Some barely have time to get good sleepsince they have to stick to the school schedule while at the sametime managing their social lives (Hershner, &amp Chervin, 2014). Thetopic is essential since it directly relates to the wellbeing ofstudents. The inability to get adequate sleep is accompanied bydetrimental effects on the psychological well-being of students,eventually affecting their academic performance. Because of the same,it could be crucial to have an understanding of the topic in detail.

MainPoints

  • Sleep deprivation is highly prevalent among the college students with little information available on efficient ways that schools can disseminate information on the significance of sleep. It is essential to improve the condition among students in helping them get good sleep.

  • Sleep deprivation among college students can be linked to maladaptive effects in the classroom translating to poor performance in academics. The effects of sleep deprivation are prevalent as attested by failure in students to realize their grades.

  • Colleges need to acknowledge the significance of sleep among their students and lead in publicizing the significance of the same while coming up with policies that allow for class schedules accommodative to their students. Schools have a role to play in eliminating sleep deprivation among college students.

Colleges continue to witness a high rate of sleep deprivation amongstthe students. There is scarce information related to why it isessential for students to ensure they get enough sleep despite thebusy schedule. For example, colleges have failed to educate studentson the significance of sleep and why they should improve on the same.Institutions have been unable to come up with awareness programs inschools that seek to enhance knowledge on why it is essential forstudents to have adequate sleep continually despite the busy schedule(Clevenger Jr, 2013). Because of the same, most college student’send up not getting adequate sleep, a move that significantly affectsthem.

Detrimental effects are associated with the inability to get adequatesleep. Poor performance amongst some of the students can beattributed to the lack of sleep. They fail to get enough rest inpreparation for the next day’s class activities. When they attendclass, there is no concentration, and they fail to grasp what isbeing taught. The effect of the same is a decline in their academicperformance. Students fail to concentrate adequately as theinstructor is disseminating information to them. Further, though theinadequate sleep, it becomes difficult for students to get time to gothrough what they have learned in class because there are otheractivities to be taken care of aside from schoolwork. Sleepdeprivation continues to be a significant deterrent toward gettingthe best grades in class among college students.

Colleges must take the leading role in enacting structures thatenable students to have enough time to conduct their activities. Mostinstitutions have subjected students to a rigorous learning programresulting in some not getting time to rest. It is essential that theinstitutions introduce a timetable that gives students time to engagein other activities such as sleep when they need to (Lund, Reider,Whiting, &amp Prichard, 2010). For example, some students havecomplained of a tight schedule where they have to spend a significantamount of time in class living them with no time to rest. Collegeshave a role to play regarding the elimination of sleep deprivationamong their students.

Conclusion

Sleep deprivation among college students is highly prevalent.Colleges have failed to elaborate on the significance of sleep amongthe students, and many fail to acknowledge why they should createtime for themselves. Notable effects arising from sleep deprivationis a poor performance by students due to inadequate concentration.Colleges must come up with programs that allow for more time so thatstudents can engage in other activities. Overall, the detrimentaleffects of sleep deprivation negate the need to address the issueamong students.

References

Clevenger Jr, M. T. (2013). Sleep Deprivation amongst CollegeStudents. Miwah Li, John Moeller, and Charles Smith WoffordCollege, 92.

Hershner, S. D., &amp Chervin, R. D. (2014). Causes and consequencesof sleepiness among college students. Nature and science of sleep,6, 73-84.

Lund, H. G., Reider, B. D., Whiting, A. B., &amp Prichard, J. R.(2010). Sleep patterns and predictors of disturbed sleep in a largepopulation of college students. Journal of adolescent health,46(2), 124-132.