Sleep Disorders and Deprivation Causes and Effects on College Students

To maximize success in college, an obstacle most students have now endured is a lack of sleep and potential sleep disorders. What most do not know is this could actually do the opposite and hurt academic performance (Allan, 2015). Current research has shown that fifty percent of college students report daytime sleepiness and seventy percent experience insufficient sleep (Hershner, 2014). This can adversely affect one’s academic performance due to sleep having vital biological effects on the human body (Gaultney, 2010). Although these facts hold true, there seems to be a continuous increase in sleep disorders experienced by college students and there is a lack of research pertaining to the specific reason(s). One group hypothesized caffeine and alcohol ingestion affect sleeping patterns and lead to high levels of daytime sleepiness (Giri, Pa, et al., 2013). Students lacking knowledge on sleep disorders can be one potential reason leading to disorders left untreated. An important finding showed that students at risk for a sleep disorder in their freshman year are more likely to leave university before graduating (Allan, 2015). This paper will highlight the different sleep disorders and the effects of sleep deprivation on a student academic performance. It will look at the trends of sleep within college students and the different factors that lead to the lack of sleep. This paper will also elaborate on the effects of sleeplessness on mental health and the different body systems and it will also discuss helpful tips to get a good night's sleep.