Classmates are always bragging about sleep deprivation—“I was up until 3 a.m. this morning!”—like it’s a badge of honor, but getting enough sleep helps you stay alert and improves memory. It also protects your body against viruses that typically roam college campuses from one semester to the next.
Aim for a solid 6−8 hours of sleep each night in order to wake up feeling rested and ready to take on the day. Sticking to the same schedule for going to bed and getting up in the morning will prevent a disruption to your biological clock. Also, you should view your bed as a place for sleeping only—not where you read, study, watch TV, or look at your phone. This will make falling asleep much easier. It can also help to nix caffeine after midday, and practice winding down with a relaxing bedtime routine like yoga or meditation.