College is not exactly the place that you would think about when you imagine being on a healthy and consistent sleep schedule. However, don’t knock it till you try it! Along with managing my classes and social life, I have found that managing my sleep schedule is absolutely vital to my well-being at school. Here are a few tips and tricks to helping you manage your sleep schedule that I have learned over time.

1. Don’t eat before bed

This sounds ridiculous, I know. Who doesn’t love a good midnight snack? However, as many of us know, food gives us energy and though we may not always think about it at the time, eating before bed is not exactly helping us calm down our bodies. It may be hard to put away that box of cheez-its you’re munching on, but your body will thank you in the morning.

2. Stay on the same sleep schedule every night

This is something that is easier said than done. However, when your body is on a routine it functions much better than when there is a constant change in sleeping patterns. In college, this sounds nearly impossible. Something that helped me personally with this was picking a time for a morning class that I would be comfortable waking up for and not feeling like I’ve slept in every single day. If that’s not feasible, simply set a goal for a time you want to be in bed by and always set your alarm for the same time in the morning.

3. Exercise

Now, I’m not saying that you have to go to the gym every day in order to get a good night sleep. If going to the gym isn’t exactly in your nature or you simply don’t want to, go on a walk, walk up and down the stairs in your apartment, or even do some sit-ups while watching TV. After a good day of exercise, your body will be ready to hop right into bed!

4. Finish your homework early

OK, we all procrastinate. Anyone who says that they don’t is clearly lying. But, I have found that if you get your work done earlier in the day you have more time to relax in the evening and your body naturally starts winding down. Additionally, it allows you to feel tired at a reasonable hour without forcing yourself to stay awake to get things done.

5. Drink caffeine-free tea before bed

Sometimes, all your body needs is a nice hot beverage before bed. This is also a great way to resist those late night food cravings that we all have. I recommend any sort of herbal tea (especially mint or chamomile). Just like when you were a kid and your mom would give you a warm cup of milk before bed, this should help you fall asleep right away!

Without a good amount of sleep, it is hard to function and feel like a normal person on a day-to-day basis. Try some of these tips and tricks to help your own sleep schedule!