Ohio University students might find themselves snoring in class even more than usual thanks to the university’s new semester schedule.
There are 135 classes that now start at 7:30 a.m., according to the university’s course offerings page. Because of the switch, students on their natural sleep cycle might be losing more Z’s than they can afford.
Sleep is vital to a person’s cognitive function, and there have been several studies that show the average young adult’s circadian rhythm does not support early morning activities, said John Kemerer, medical director of Campus Care and an assistant professor of family medicine.
The effects of fatigue were so disturbing in Minnesota that state lawmakers decided to make it illegal for high schools to begin their days before 8:00 a.m., he said.
“(Students) were dying in car accidents due to sleep apnea,” Kemerer said.
The effects of fatigue are also seen on OU’s campus. Kemerer said many students are currently ill with the common cold, and the most commonly felt symptom is fatigue.
While doctors are concerned about students’ lack of sleep and the resulting fatigue, students and professors alike do not see many problems with the earlier class start times.
Mark Lucas, a physics professor, said that he has not noticed any substantial changes in his Introduction to Physics course after its switch to a 7:30 a.m. start. There are 111 students enrolled in the course, and between 70 and 80 are present during each lecture, Lucas said.
“They’re engaged,” he said. “I use clickers and they’re taking things seriously.”
Some students enjoy the earlier start times because they have the rest of the day to finish their schoolwork.
“Personally, I like having morning classes because I’m more productive (afterward),” said Holly Castle, a sophomore studying nursing.
She said she believes if a student is motivated to do well in school, waking up and succeeding shouldn’t be a problem.
Castle goes to bed at 10:00 p.m. on school nights in preparation for her 7:30 a.m. nursing clinical.
Kemerer said students should follow in Castle’s footsteps and be more disciplined when it comes to their sleeping patterns.
“It requires you to fight your natural biorhythms,” he said. “You should start preparing about two weeks before you get here.”
For students who have trouble fighting these biorhythms, Kemerer recommended they avoid electronic stimulation for two hours before bed.
“This means getting off Facebook … and turning off your TV,” he said.
The body recognizes the electronic stimulation as a means to stay awake, he said. Those still struggling to fall asleep should consider putting orange light bulbs in their rooms. This dimmer lighting is meant to stimulate sunset, the time human bodies are naturally programmed to fall asleep.
“If you lived in a cave … your body would be programmed to fall asleep at sunset or just a few hours after,” he said.
bl171210@ohiou.edu
