Lack of sleep in college students is a significant concern. There are many reasons why sufficient amounts and adequate quality of sleep are important for students, including the following:
Removal of Metabolic Waste Products
While a person sleeps, the brain is more active than you might think. In fact, its “waste management system” kicks into high gear when the brain waves slow down.5
This process is rather complex. As the cerebrospinal fluid enters the brain, it circulates around the cells, collecting waste products as it does so. Then, the cerebrospinal fluid leaves the brain, taking the waste products with it to be flushed away by the lymphatic system.5
What exactly is all this waste doing in the brain? During the day, all of the thoughts, emotions, bodily movements and problem-solving that the brain orchestrates requires glucose and nutrients, and the use of that fuel leaves behind metabolic waste products. Unless those waste products are removed regularly, researchers believe they can contribute to the development of neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s.5
Memory Consolidation
If you ask any college student about what’s helpful to them in achieving good grades, you will likely hear “memory” as one of the items on the list. Unsurprisingly, sleep is crucial for memory consolidation or retention.
Researchers have found that during a specific stage of sleep known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the adult-born neurons (ABNs) in the hippocampus of the brain can undergo synaptic changes that contribute to the formation of memories.6 In other words, sleep is an important part of the process of remembering the information you gain throughout the day, so a good night’s rest after a lecture or two may be the key to improving your subject memory.
Physical and Psychological Health Protection
Not getting enough sleep can lead to severe short-term and long-term health complications. In addition to causing problems with concentration and learning, sleep deprivation can increase the risk of psychological health issues, such as:7
- Mood swings and irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Impulsive behaviors
- Suicidal thoughts
What’s more, your body depends upon sleep to maintain its physical health. Sleep is essentially a form of biological upkeep, and not getting enough of it can increase the risk of:7
- Injuries resulting from accidents caused by sleepiness
- High blood pressure
- Weight gain
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Hormonal imbalances
Lack of sleep can even affect your immune system, making you more susceptible to acquiring infections. This is because your body uses the time when you’re asleep to manufacture antibodies, cytokines and other substances that fight off infections. Without enough sleep, your immune system may not be functioning as well as it should.7
