By Patrick Greenwell

Sleep is a fundamental part of human health; research has concluded that a good night’s sleep helps the immune system function and improves memory, concentration and attention. For many students, however, a good quality sleep can be hard to achieve.
According to an anonymous Campus Health Services survey last spring, 31.5 percent of University of Louisville students say sleep difficulties negatively affect their academic performance. 
It’s not just U of L students with sleep problems either. Studies across the country have found college students to be one of the most sleep-deprived parts of the population. A Central Michigan University study of 300 students found that 43 percent of students studied woke up at least once a night and one-third took more than 30 minutes to fall asleep.
“Part of the problem is the shift from high school to college, where there is much more self-determination,” said Karen Newton, director of Health Promotion and Education at Campus Health.
Additionally, she attributed the problem, in part, to dorm life. “The group living situation offers a lot of opportunities for socializing,” she said. “There are a lot of people and noise around all the time.”
 Working students often have difficulty managing sleep according to Newton. Students working night shifts often do not allow enough time for a good night’s sleep.
Brandon Wells, an undecided sophomore and former UPS third shift employee, knows all about how work can interfere with healthy sleep habits.
 “I went to sleep when I got back from work, which was 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.,” said Wells. “Sleeping at the opposite time of when it seems logical is hard to do. Balancing it with school is difficult, since you have to schedule classes at special times around your sleep schedule. It’s a chal-
-lenge and a hassle, and it shouldn’t have to be.”
Lack of sleep has a number of effects on overall health, according to Newton. Basic signs of sleep deprivation include dry eyes, aching in all parts of the body and fatigue.
However, poor sleep can also impact a student’s life in bigger ways. Lack of sleep weakens the immune system, causing students to become ill more often and also hurts memory and concentration, resulting in a decrease in academic performance.
Further, students suffering from a lack of sleep find themselves unable to get work done and when they are able to do so, it takes longer than normal. Physical performance suffers as well and the general edginess that comes from poor sleep can cause troubled relationships.
How can students get better sleep? A regular bed and wake schedule, which remains consistent during the weekends, is commonly cited as an important part.
The human sleep cycle is regulated by a circadian clock and a constant sleep schedule helps this internal clock function properly. The National Sleep Foundation Web site and Campus health recommend maintaining a consistent schedule on Sunday through Thursday and no more than two extra hours spent awake on Friday and Saturday nights. 
“A lot of students try to self regulate,” said Newton. “Generally, they have an erratic sleep schedule. Students can’t go on four or five hours of sleep a night and then just sleep in to make up for it.”
Another important part of a good night’s sleep is limiting time spent on the computer, playing video games or text messaging. In Campus Health’s anonymous spring survey, 18.4 percent of students said Internet and computer usage had a major negative impact on their studies and academic success.
According to Newton, computers are also directly related to sleep. Ideally, students should stop using computers at least an hour before going to bed but a half hour before sleep is a good step.  Computer screens affect brain activity and neurological stimulation, which can cause difficulty entering REM sleep, the first and most productive period of sleep.
Some universities have altered their class schedules, starting classes later in the day to allow students to get better sleep. While she does not know how successful it has been, Newton considers this “something to at least look at.”
For its part, U of L Campus Health is working on new sleep education programs to implement in the campus Residence Halls. Additionally, the department offers pilates and yoga classes, which provide university students with a needed opportunity for both physical activity and relaxation skills.
“It’s important for students to know that this poor sleep is a normal problem, it’s not a weird thing,” said Newton.
“We can’t make them get better sleep,” said Newton, “but we can help them learn how to get it.”