College Does This to You, and Aims to Fix It

Institutions launch campaigns to teach skeptical students the virtues of sleep

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 30, 2008 2:26 PM CDT

(Newser) – New research on the connection between sleep and performance has colleges scrambling to get their students to bed, the Boston Globe reports. According to a university doctor, “pulling an all-nighter is the equivalent of driving drunk and is detrimental to reaction time and memory.” But some habits are hard to break, and information campaigns appear to be falling on tired ears.

Sleep deprivation can become a cycle, leaving students feeling trapped in a drowsy cage of their own making. With so much work to do and fun to have, young scholars often stay up late to finish papers for classes they end up sleeping through. Colleges are even sponsoring sleep contests, but the ready availability of caffeine makes a late night look like a good option.

[Images (4)]

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A sleep-boosting organization demonstrates in New York. (AP Photo)

A student catches a nap in a lecture hall. (Getty Images)

Students sleep on campus. (Getty Images)

In class, a dozing student. (Getty Images)

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Sleep is one of those issues we see as much more of a problem than our students do, so it's a little tough getting our message across.
- Dr. David McBride, Boston University

I try to pay attention, but then I'll wake up and realize I had just missed two minutes of whatever just happened. My parents are always concerned. They say I have to get more sleep but they're not here.
- Josh Friedensohn, college student

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College Does This to You, and Aims to Fix It