Rest for success: The science behind sleep and why students need it

Larena Tannert is a journalism sophomore and opinion columnist for Mustang News. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.

Towards the end of my freshman year, after a week straight of surviving on less than five hours of sleep each night, I found myself blankly staring at my computer in my common room, trying to complete a simple assignment that should have taken 30 minutes. 

This night became my breaking point. I quickly realized that sleep was much more important than I ever recognized. Once I learned to prioritize it, my physical, social and emotional health all improved significantly. I wish I knew then what I know now: making sleep a priority isn’t just good for your health, it actually improves your grades.

Two hours had gone by, and I had only written a single paragraph. My eyes were drooping, and I was slowly nodding off, thoughts scattered as I leaned back into my chair. 

Earlier that day, I had completely blanked during a class discussion. When the professor called on me, I had to shamefully ask her to repeat the question. Walking back to my room that evening, I nearly stepped into traffic because I had lost any ability to focus or complete simple tasks, such as looking both ways before crossing a street.

The worst part? I wasn’t even partying or procrastinating. I was genuinely trying to manage my busy schedule: keeping up with coursework and intramurals while maintaining some semblance of a social life. 

Sleep had become an expendable luxury in my packed schedule—the first thing sacrificed when time ran short. I was going to sleep at 3 a.m. every night, often on my dorm’s common room couch rather than my own bed. 

When I first arrived on campus, I quickly learned that the college lifestyle often treats sleep as optional. Between social events, club meetings, study groups, and assignments, sleep becomes the first thing to be sacrificed. The pressure to do it all can be overwhelming.

I pulled all-nighters before exams and stayed up late to finish papers. I thought everyone did this. I mean, just walk into any college study spot and you’ll see it: students hunched over laptops, chugging coffee, and bragging about how little they’ve slept. 

The results? My concentration faltered, my anxiety increased, and surprisingly, my grades suffered despite spending more time studying.

So I made a decision that changed everything: I prioritized sleep.

Now, I aim for 9-10 hours every night, even (especially) during exam weeks. This means sometimes saying no to late-night hangouts or starting assignments earlier in the day. But the benefits have been undeniable.

First, my academic performance improved significantly. Research backs this up – sleep helps consolidate memories and enhances productivity. Those extra study hours gained by skipping sleep? They’re actually counterproductive when your brain is too exhausted to function.

Second, my mental health stabilized. Sleep deprivation is strongly linked to anxiety and depression, issues already prevalent among college students. When I’m well-rested, I can handle stress more effectively and maintain a positive attitude.

Third, my physical health benefits. Regular sleep strengthens immunity, supports healthy weight management, and gives me the energy for physical activity. As someone who plays beach volleyball almost daily, it is important for me to be energized and refreshed, something a good night’s sleep provides.

Of course, maintaining good sleep habits in college requires strategy and discipline. I’ve learned to keep a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends, use my bed only for sleeping, not studying, create a relaxing pre-sleep routine, plan ahead for big assignments to avoid last-minute panic, and minimize caffeine after noon.

College is a time of immense growth and opportunity. The pressure to maximize every moment is real. But I’ve learned that sacrificing sleep doesn’t actually give us more time, it makes the time we have less productive and enjoyable.

So, to my fellow students: sleep isn’t lazy. It’s strategic. It’s self-care. And it might just be the competitive advantage you need to thrive and achieve academic success.