As students face the start of a new semester, some have opened up about getting used to a sleep routine again, or lack thereof, and it may come as a surprise to many, but quite a few students sleep on campus at LBCC.
Students have taken to sleeping in their cars on breaks, as well as various areas on campus, to remedy their lack of sleep and gain a boost of midday energy.
Other students have long breaks between classes, like student Reggie Walter, “I do it just to kill time before my next class. I set an alarm so I’m not late,” Walter said.
For some students, sleeping in a car may not be an option.
For those students, the fishbowl in building E is a good place to nap, like Vicente Gonzalez who spoke with us about his sleep routine: “I take naps about two to three times a week and sometimes it makes a positive difference, but sometimes it just makes me more tired,” Gonzalez said.
As popular as on-campus napping seems to be, there are other healthy alternatives that help boost energy.
Students can visit the cafeteria throughout their day to replenish energy, with breakfast and lunch served daily.
The cafeteria opens at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday and stays open until 7 p.m., excluding Fridays when it closes at 2 p.m..
Packing a good snack or two for the day and drinking a plentiful amount of water can help as well, like Kaitlyn Mendoza does, “I try to stay awake all day and I eat fruit and protein bars for energy,” she said.
College students have a lot to juggle and maintain within their personal and academic lives.
From holding a job, attending extra curricular activities, balancing their hobbies, and taking a full-time or part-time load of classes, sleep might not be a priority for our fellow students.
Jennifer Musick a professor of Health Education, has good advice to give to students who are lacking sleep, “Depending on the person, seven to eight hours of undisturbed sleep is recommended,” Musick said.
Students are encouraged to get an adequate amount of sleep throughout the week so their academic performance is not altered, Musick explained to Viking News, “Sleep deprivation affects your health and academic performance.”
In most respects, getting a regular night’s sleep is a key component to a successful semester.
Whether students find it most convenient to sleep on campus during breaks or through the night at home, students can find relief in the fact that they are not alone, as many students have reported to be a little more tired than usual at the beginning of a new semester.