How to Beat Sleep Deprivation and Excel in CourseworkFebruary 14, 2020

There are a few things that adults need to know about sleepy teenagers. They can't live without gadgets, such that a mobile phone is like a limb. They spend more time on the Internet. They are addicted to coffee and/or energy drinks. All of these would show why they struggle in school. Is there a cure to the problem? Yes. University students must be able to maintain a normal sleeping schedule despite the demanding nature of the coursework.

Studies show that a teenager needs ten hour of sleep, which would enable their cognitive thinking and creative abilities to function when needed. It's understandable that your parents, as well as your grandparents, won't relate to it. Technology didn't make life more convenient during their time. Furthermore, they were able to show restraint and self-discipline when needed. You may be one of those teenagers who would be defensive about it, but it's the (hard) truth. You won't realise that you're a lucky teenager until you travel to the less-glamorous parts of Bali, if not see the children begging for small changes in front of Angkor Wat (in Siem Reap). You could cite about the seemingly absence of poverty in developed countries like Switzerland, but you haven't gone outside of Australia. (Yet.) These scenarios could give you some interesting personal narrative ideas, but you must look at the bigger picture. The term will start soon, so you must come up with a plan.

Turning off your mobile phone would be out of the question, but you could put it to good use. You can holler your course mates when you encounter problem(s) while composing the draft of your assignment. You could browse the Internet for half an hour without looking for information that could provide the bulk of your body of your essays. (If you need an extension, you must make sure that you won't attend a lecture the following morning.) And don't be tempted to research on charity grants and crowdsourcing. It's too early to think about postgraduate degree, even if you're an incoming final-year student. What's next?

Understanding Sleepy Teens: 3 Ways to Improve Sleep

Limit your intake of coffee (or energy drink), if not eliminate it. You might be terrified at this suggestion, as it seems impossible during those busy months. It can be achieved if you figure out what period you're most awake (or productive). It can be late morning or early evening. It can leave you little time for social activities, which you must not be sad about. Think about the secret behind the lives of successful people. Dumb luck has nothing to do with it. If you can't relate to it, then plan your future. There are many ways to meet new people if you're (genuinely) friendly enough. Politeness can get you far, but don't expect a Victorian romance.

Sleep in when you can. If you feel heavy eyes, if not struggling to fight the dizziness, then it means one thing. You must take a nap, if not sleep for a couple of hours. It doesn't matter if it happens any time of the day, as your mates would understand it. You may wonder about the benefits of exercising, which should keep you wide awake during the day (or most of the day). It's possible, but everyone gets tired sooner or later. You can drink coffee (or energy drink) when you have to do an errand or meet your friends (for a study group). If it's paper writing, you must plan another day (or two) for proofreading. This doesn't apply on weekdays (or weeknights if you prefer it). Weekends don't give you the liberty to indulge in anything you want to. And there's no reason to whine about it. (Think about the holidays, the summer season, and what to do after receiving your undergraduate degree.)

Check the quality of your mattress (and chair). Tossing and turning in your bed is not a good sign, so you could ask your parents to assist you in bringing your mattress to a flat near the university. It also applies to your chair, as you don't want to fall asleep while you're in the middle of paper writing. Many teenagers don't give it much importance until they notice the discomfort. Misalignment of the spine could be the worst scenario, so it's better to do it now than be regretful later.

Forget Shakespeare: Books to Put You to Sleep

You might be thinking of reading, which should put you to sleep. It’s a great idea, but it would be wise not to include any titles in your reading list. You deserve a distraction (if you’ve been studying hard). And it would be better to choose a paperback, if not hardbound, instead of e-book. You could still be awake after reading a few chapters. Always read in a sitting position (if you’re in bed), and don’t try to read the entire book (or most of it) in a single day (or night). It could affect your vision, which won’t be good in the long run.

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