Sleep skimping slows student success

AMANDA CASTRO-CRIST | Editor A student catches some shut-eye in Parcells Hall, a building full of couches and a popular place for students who need sleep breaks between their daily routine of classes and homework.

Finals are coming, and with the second half of each semester come the dreaded bouts of sleep deprivation.

“Right now, my sleep pattern is messed up,” said Angela Messenger, an elementary education major. “I get four to five hours a night because I wake up at 3 and can’t get back to sleep.”

A lack of sleep at night quickly can turn into a problem during the day in class. But problems staying awake during lengthy lectures are not exclusive to college campuses.

“I fell asleep in trig twice last year,” said Matthew Snider, a high school student taking dual credit classes at Amarillo College.

So far this semester, Snider has had no problems, something that may be attributed to an increase in his amount of nightly sleep.

Illustration by Amanda Castro-Crist
Illustration by Amanda Castro-Crist

“I normally get around seven to nine hours,” he said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Snider gets more sleep than about a third of Americans who report getting less than seven hours each night.

Prolonged sleep deprivation can lead to chronic health problems, including diabetes, obesity and heart problems, according to the agency. Lack of sleep also can lead to issues regarding concentrating on and completing tasks.

Some students still make an effort to pay attention in class regardless of their level of exhaustion or lack of sleep.

“I get about six to seven hours, sometimes four, of sleep, but I have never slept in class,” said Addison Metzger, an engineering major.

Metzger is not alone in his efforts to stay alert.

“I sleep around five hours a night,” said Maggie Scott, an art and fitness major. “I always wanted to, but I don’t sleep in class.”

Below are some of the effects sleep deprivation can have on students, faculty and staff:

Inability to concentrate

Difficulty remembering things

Difficulty working on hobbies

Difficulty driving or taking public transportation

Difficulty taking care of financial affairs

Unable to perform paid or volunteer work

In addition, people are more likely to develop chronic
diseases and illnesses such as:

Diabetes

Cardiovascular
disease

Obesity

Depression

Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention /

www.cdc.gov

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