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Bed Time: Finding Time to Rest at College

A well-known sleep apologist, Fátima defends the often underestimated value of a good night’s slumber.

A well-known sleep apologist, Fátima defends the often underestimated value of a good night’s slumber.

Admissions Blog Bed Time: Finding Time to Rest at College

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a college student in possession of any amount of free time must fill up that free time with some sort of commitment. During our very hectic trimesters, everyone seems to be part of a silent competition to have the most packed Google Calendar. Classes, extracurriculars, work, assignments, practices, rehearsals… the list goes on, and I never cease to be amazed at how much energy everyone around me appears to have. 

An screenshot of a semi-fulled, colorful Google Calendar.
This is what my weekly Google Calendar looks like on an average week.

That is until they don’t. And that is because, amidst all the youth and ambition that fills this campus, it can sometimes be easy to forget to prioritize one of the most important makers of our health: our sleep! So, here are some anecdotes and lessons on my favorite time of the day.

Sleep is NOT for the Weak

Half-jokingly stating that “sleep is for the weak” or that “rest is a social construct” got me through many a necessary all-nighter in high school, but coming to Carleton I quickly realized why every doctor and fitness influencer emphasizes sleep so much. I’ve discovered that sleep is not a reward you get for being productive during the day, but a prerequisite for productivity, not to mention overall health and wellbeing.

Ensuring that I get at least 6 hours of sleep during weeknights and 8 hours of sleep during weekends has made me a lot happier, a mental state that translates into improvements to my academic and social lives! When I’m well rested, I am more likely to pay attention in class, think clearly when writing a paper, be invested in my conversations with others, and process my emotions better. I understand once in a while you just have to sacrifice a few hours of sleep to finish that group project or support a friend in need, but generally, I’ve found that most things can wait until morning.

Bed Time Routine

A smiling student reads a book on bed with her feet up the wall.
This is the type of bedtime shenanigans that my roommate has had to put up with for two years.

I LOVE going to bed. I love snuggling with my stuffed animal Piggy, tucking myself in with my blanket (especially in the winter), closing my eyes, and feeling the world drift away as I surrender to slumber. But this experience is made all the more pleasant by my little pre-bedtime routine. You don’t need to have a whole 58-step process set in place to trick your body and mind into thinking happy, sleepy thoughts.

For me, putting on my pajamas is the best way to signal that I am ready to rest and turn off my brain. I brush my teeth and prepare my outfit for the next day, making sure I’ll have everything I need in the morning ready and available. Though I am often too tired to, I try to read for at least a couple of minutes before actually falling asleep. Next thing I know, I am fully asleep, and not even the sound of my roommate microwaving some mac and cheese can wake me up.

Sabbath-ing

Technically not sleeping, sure, but adopting the originally Jewish tradition of not doing any work on the last day of the week has been as beneficial in my life as prioritizing sleep. Taking Sunday as a rest day, during which I allow myself to do nothing other than go to church, hang out with my friends, call my family, and maybe play some piano has given me the mental and physical space to not only explore my faith (the commanded purpose of the Sabbath) but evaluate my relationships, plan the days ahead, and do a grand reset. By the time Sunday night comes around, I feel completely recharged and motivated to tackle the challenge of the week that is coming. 

A close-up of an open book with nature as its background.
When the weather allows for it, my Sabbaths often include a lot of outside reading in the Arboretum.

Naturally, observing the biblical Sabbath is not something that will match everyone’s lifestyle, but I am a firm believer in setting aside some time during the week, even if just a few hours, to forget about all our responsibilities and reconnect with the things and people that matter most to us, in who we find the motivation to continue our never-ending pursuits! 

As a junior, Fátima (she/her) is excited to continue her pursuit of a SOAN major and (hopefully!) Educational Studies, Latin American Studies, and Cross-cultural Studies minors. Outside class, she enjoys her leadership roles with Fellowship in Christ and the Undergraduate Journal for Humanistic Studies. In her free time, Fátima likes spending time with her mentee, poorly playing the piano, watching cartoons, and desperately missing her dog, Cosmo. Meet the other bloggers!

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