According to a recent study, one of the most important things a college student needs to be successful is right in their own bedroom – sleep.

Delta State University psychology professor and CMU alumna LeAnne Forquer conducted a survey for the Journal of American College Health, which found many college students have sleep patterns that are detrimental to their daily performance.

The study, which surveyed more than 300 college students, found the group to be among the most sleep-deprived age group in the United States, with 40 to 60 percent having issues.

One-third of the students sampled took more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at night, and 43 percent woke up more than once.

“At college, especially freshman year, it’s so easy to stay up late and hang out with friends because you don’t have anybody to tell you to go to bed,” Forquer said.

Lapeer junior Jamie Mabee said her roommates stay up until 5 a.m., giving them only four hours of sleep until they need to be in class – only half of what is suggested.

“They get really mean and grouchy without sleep,” Mabee said. “I don’t think they did real good last semester either.”

Mabee’s roomates are not the only ones, Forquer said.

“If you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll lose focus, daydream and your grades will lower. It also weakens the immune system, impairs a person’s attention and can lead to difficulty driving,” she said.

This is something Caitlin O’Hara has experienced first hand.

“I’ve fallen asleep at the wheel and had to pull over,” said the Clinton Township sophomore.

But O’Hara said she usually gets eight hours of sleep per night.

So what can college students do to improve their sleeping habits?

“You need consistent sleep schedules, avoid caffeine, limit naps to no more than an hour and make sure your room is nice and dark,” Forquer said. “College students should get eight to nine hours of sleep a night.”

A similar study she conducted, published in the Sleep and Hypnosis journal, determined white noise was effective for college students with sleeping problems.

“Even something like the humming of a fan could help block out things like noisy roommates,” she said.

Forquer said she would like to see sleeping issues included more in college courses.

“Helping students sleep better will hopefully carry over to help them in other areas,” she said.

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