By RoselynMartin S. llo.
Contributer
As winter approaches and mornings turn colder, students at the university are finding it tougher than ever to crawl out of bed.
Between balancing classes, sports and social lives, sleep quality is a growing concern on campus, and students are feeling the impact.
“It’s brutal getting out of bed when you know it’s freezing outside,” sport management major Delaney Haines, a senior, said, “but basketball is my passion, so I push through. When that alarm goes off, I don’t even think twice—I just go.”
Psychology major Lastrianna Haynes, a senior, also battles sleep issues, but hers stem more from late-night studying and the pressures of her course load.
“I’ll be up until midnight sometimes, just studying or thinking about all the assignments due,” Haynes said. “Then when I finally get to bed, I’m wide awake. I’ve tried everything from chamomile tea to meditation, but sometimes the stress just wins.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s publication on sleep habits, creating a consistent bedtime routine can help manage seasonal sleep disturbances.
The CDC suggests that strategies like avoiding caffeine late in the day and limiting screen time before bed can aid in establishing a sleep-friendly environment.
Others on campus are trying different strategies to improve their sleep quality and achieve a restful night.
Psychology major Tariq Hollingsworth, a senior, said he sees some students turning to melatonin, but he takes a more natural approach.
“I’ve noticed people relying on melatonin, but I prefer to stay away from it,” Hollingsworth said. “I just switch off my screens and let my mind settle. It’s a gamble every night, but I’d rather fall asleep naturally than depend on something.”
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s report on melatonin use warns that while melatonin can be useful in adjusting sleep cycles, it is not meant for long-term use.
Frequent reliance on melatonin can lead to dependency, which may affect natural sleep cycles if overused.
Haines noted that prioritizing sleep is just as important as training.
“On the court, you need energy to stay competitive, and without proper sleep, you’re setting yourself up to fail,” Haines said. “Sometimes, you just have to remind yourself that sleep is part of the grind.”
Haynes also said that individuals should not jeopardize a good night’s rest.
Haynes said: “If sleep isn’t a priority, everything else suffers. You can push through for a while, but eventually, it catches up with you.”
