Sleep - a top predictor of college grades and graduation
Sleep - a top predictor of college grades and graduation
At the start of another academic year I have only one piece of advice to students – prioritize sleep.
Among the most important things I read this summer was J.E. Brody’s NY Times article An Underappreciated Key to College Success: Sleep, and the primary research she references.
Brody reports findings from researchers at The Center for College Sleep who have studied the sleep habits of tens of thousands of college students.
Here are some highlights:
‘Sleep quality and quantity equal or outrank such popular campus concerns as alcohol and drug use in predicting student grades and a student’s chances of graduating.’
‘College students who fail to adopt more wholesome sleep habits are more likely to find themselves unable to handle their chosen course load and less likely to reach their academic potential.’
‘For each additional day of sleep disturbance a college student experienced each week, the likelihood of dropping a course rose by 10 percent and grade point average fell by 0.02, even when most other factors known to influence academic success were taken into account.’
‘Although in one survey 60 percent of students said they wanted information from their colleges on how to manage sleep problems, few institutions of higher learning do anything to counter the devastating effects of sleep deprivation on academic success and physical and emotional well-being. Some, in fact, do just the opposite, for example, providing 24-hour library hours that encourage students to pull all-nighters.’
(I found this last point especially important and aim to discuss it with my fellow administrators when we return to campus.)
Individual faculty members can also play a role in helping students prioritize sleep. Given the findings reported above, I would argue we musttalk about the importance of healthy sleep with our advisees and in the least mention it in our classrooms. My own course starts in less than a week and we will discuss the Brody article in week 2. However, I feel further compelled to take a closer look at my syllabus to determine if I am assigning work to my first-year students that has the potential to keep them unnecessarily awake into the wee hours. In my advising hours, I will make a point of talking with my students about their sleep habits. I am keen to learn how they approach it, and if necessary try to help them set a plan for better quality and quantity.
The start of a new academic year is the perfect time to take a good hard look at your sleep habits, determine your personal sleep needs, and make a commitment to prioritize them. This past week we returned to a consistent 8 hour / night sleep schedule at my house. Lights out and no late-night tech is non-negotiable and with a little training everyone has already embraced the new routine. If you need some tips to get you started I recommend: The Guide to Sleep for College Students & Older Teens: Expert advice on how to get a good night’s rest.
Wishing you a restful semester.
