The Triangle

Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Evan Rosen

With fall term coming to an end and final exams approaching for many schools, college students may not be getting the sleep they need in order to perform well.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, college students are suffering from sleep deprivation as a result of part-time jobs, pulling all-nighters or spending too much time in front of the TV or computer.

Another factor in sleep deprivation is the reliance on caffeine in coffee and popular energy drinks.

"I drink a Monster every morning," Jeff Holdsworth, a pre-junior and information systems major who wakes up at 7:45 a.m. on weekdays, said.

According to William Kohler, an AASM spokesperson, caffeine should be avoided, especially at night. Kohler also said college students need to be aware of the dangers of consuming alcohol when sleep deprived because the alcohol sinks in quicker.

Jacqueline Kloss, a psychology professor at Drexel and director of the insomnia program at the Drexel Sleep Center in Manayunk, agreed with Kohler.

"The combination of alcohol and sleep deprivation is a danger and safety issue," Kloss said. "It has a synergistic effect."

Kohler also said that students need to be aware of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS), which is extremely common in college-aged students. According to Kohler, DSPS occurs when someone is unable to fall asleep in order to get up at the proper time in the morning. When the person finally falls asleep, it is not during traditional sleeping hours.

"This is because students stay up between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. on the weekends, and then on Monday morning they can't wake up to get to class," Kohler said. "When this is not corrected, students are forced to drop out."

The delayed onset of sleep throws the internal clock off track, according to Kloss.

"The longer you sleep during the day, the less ability you have to fall asleep at night," she said.

According to the AASM, sleep deprivation not only affects academic performance, but can also lead to irritability, depression, weight gain and can negatively affect the immune system.

"The deeper stages of sleep involve the body's restoration and the improvement of mental functions," Kohler said.

Although students make an effort to get a good night's rest, many admit that sometimes there are nights they cannot fall sleep. Deanna Hoffman, a freshman and physician's assistant major, said she attributes this to stress.

Continued...

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