BILLINGS - College students are at a time in their lives where they're busy both academically and socially, leaving little time for sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 8.5-to-9.5 hours of sleep for adolescents, and 7-to-9 hours for adults.

Lauren Lutz, who is an MSU-Billings graduate student and the MSU-B Rimrock Hall Director, said, "Many of the students that I see on a day-to-day basis are getting anywhere from 4-to-5-to-6. So they're constantly tired, yawning in classes, they're not able to concentrate, their stress levels become higher."

It's not uncommon for students to have many commitments, which can make it hard to find time to sleep. Jose Araya, a student at MSU-Billings, said, "Not only do I do the RA job, I also do play soccer for the school and I do carry 18 credits a semester." When asked if he had ever pulled an all-nighter, he said, "Yes, I have."

Doctors say health, performance, and moods are all affected by inadequate amounts of sleep. From the St. Vincent Healthcare Sleep Center, Dr. Thomas Thigpen said, "Everybody knows that the person who doesn't sleep well is more likely to be grumpy and, and irritable. There's no question about it."

If students are tired of falling asleep in class, experts have some advice they can follow. Darla Tyler-McSherry from the MSU-B Student Health Services, said, "No caffeine after 6 p.m. Get into that good habit of doing something relaxing before you go to bed. Keep your room dark and cool and moist."

But if getting a good night's sleep just doesn't fit into your schedule, there is another alternative. "Naps can be great as long as they're not too long or too late in the afternoon," Tyler-McSherry advised.

In a few years, students will be in the professional arena, where finding time for quality sleep could continue to be a challenge. "We all require different amounts of sleep and that that may change over our lifetime," Dr. Thigpen said.