The Power of Sleep: Your Secret to Academic Success
Posted: February 19, 2026 | Author: River Deuel | Read Time: 2 minutes
If you’re looking to build a solid foundation for a strong academic semester, experts say it starts with adequate sleep. However, it can be difficult to balance classes, work, and healthy sleep habits.The sooner you start building a routine, the easier getting a good night of sleep will become.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults from the ages of 18 to 60 years old need seven or more hours of sleep each night. Getting the proper amount of sleep can help with more than just feeling rested in the morning. High-quality sleep helps with stress, mood, attention span, memory, your immune system, and heart health.
Timing and Amount of Sleep
The amount of sleep you get isn’t the only factor when it comes to high quality sleep; the timing is also important. As stated in a recent 2025 article published by Harvard Medical School on sleep hygiene, going to bed and waking up around the same time every day, and having a set bedtime routine helps your brain learn when it’s time to wind down every night.
Sleep Environment
Along with going to sleep around the same time, the environment you are sleeping in plays a large role in the quality of your sleep. During the day, try to have a space for doing homework that is separate from your bed. A desk, dining room table, or the library are great options. You may find that this not only helps your sleep, but also helps with focus while you are working. Keeping electronics away from your bed can also be beneficial, as you should avoid the blue light emitted from most devices for the hour leading up to your bedtime. When it is time for bed, reduce noise as much as you can and minimize light where possible. Earplugs, blackout curtains, and non-adhesive window cling can be helpful in creating this environment.
Caffeine Consumption
“Limit your caffeine intake” are the four words that no college student wants to hear. However, according to the Sleep Foundation, caffeine consumption, especially later in the day, can make you fall asleep later and make your sleep feel less refreshing. This is because caffeine disrupts your natural sleep-wake cycle when it’s consumed in large amounts or too close to bedtime. It’s generally recommended to stop drinking caffeine six to eight hours before you plan on going to bed.
It’s never too late to start something new! Peer support from a friend or roommate can be invaluable in building long-term healthy sleep habits, but can benefit you both. So grab a fellow T-bird and commit to investing in your rest today to set yourself up for the best semester yet.
