I’m a 19-year-old university student, and I have a serious issue with oversleeping. I aim to sleep from 12 AM to 5 AM, but I keep falling back asleep until 9 AM. I end up feeling like I’m wasting precious time I could be using to study or work.
I want to limit my sleep to 5 hours because I have so much to do, but I struggle to stay awake once I get up. Does anyone have tips or strategies to help me stay awake and not fall back asleep?
Your body needs more sleep than 5 hours. Most adults require at least 7–8 hours for proper functioning. Trying to force less sleep will harm your health and productivity in the long run. Please consider adjusting your schedule to prioritize sleep.
Why are you trying to limit your sleep so much? Getting enough sleep improves your ability to focus and retain information. Sleep deprivation could be counterproductive. Try scheduling your study sessions more efficiently instead of sacrificing sleep.
Go to bed earlier, and when your alarm goes off, physically get out of bed immediately. Consider placing your alarm across the room so you have to get up to turn it off.
If you insist on reducing your sleep, consider a polyphasic sleep schedule where you break your sleep into smaller chunks throughout the day. For example, sleep 3–4 hours at night and take a short nap during the day. This is used in some extreme cases, but it’s not ideal for everyone.
You’re more likely to stay awake if you get consistent, high-quality sleep. Aim for at least 7 hours and focus on good sleep hygiene: keep your room dark, avoid screens before bed, and wake up at the same time every day.
Cutting your sleep to 5 hours will only harm your long-term health and performance. Instead, focus on time management and get at least 7–8 hours of rest. Sleep is critical for your brain’s ability to retain information and perform well.
Sleep is more important than whatever you’re sacrificing it for. Listen to podcasts by experts like Matthew Walker to understand how crucial proper rest is for success and well-being.