Student Health Services

College students report at least two times as many sleep difficulties as the general population. This is of particular concern because poor sleep quality can cause increased tension, irritability, depression, confusion and lower life satisfaction. There is also strong evidence that getting adequate sleep can positively affect academic performance and GPA.

Sleep Quality vs. Quantity

In order to maximize the benefits that sleep provides, students need to consider both sleep quantity AND sleep quality. Experts recommend that young adults aim to achieve 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Additionally, students should remember that sleep quality is actually just as important as – if not more important than – sleep quantity. Sleep quality includes how restful your sleep is and how frequently it is interrupted. Check out Tips for Getting Good Sleep to learn steps you can take to improve your sleep quantity and quality!

Source: Bulboltz, W.C., Loveland, J., Jenkins, S.M., Brown, F., Soper, B., Hodges, J. (2006). College Student Sleep: Relationship to health and academic performance. In College students: Mental health and coping strategies (pp. 1-39). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.