When Tarynn Theilig arrived at the University of St. Thomas, she was on her own for the first time, away from parents nagging about bedtime. She quickly fell into a routine.
"I studied at the library until 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday and went out Friday and Saturday," the senior neuroscience major said.
That meant she got five hours of nightly sleep during the week. Although she tried to make up for it with 12-hour binge-bunking on weekends, she ended up falling asleep in class — a lot.
Then, Theilig took part in a sleep challenge sponsored by the St. Paul university. Like other students in the voluntary program, she was asked to set a consistent schedule for going to bed and waking up. She also was armed with strategies for sleeping tight, including an app to track and evaluate her sleep cycle.
As the 21-year-old from Appleton, Wis., stuck to the routine for several weeks, her drowsiness lifted and she noticed that she felt less overwhelmed by her schedule and that her classroom performance improved.
"It changed my life," she said. "Now sleep is my top priority. I organize my days around it. I'm cranky if I don't get my eight hours."
Theilig is part of a campuswide initiative, in which the St. Thomas faculty and staff aim to set healthy sleep patterns by demonstrating to students the link between slumber, achievement and overall health.
On campuses nationwide, college wellness efforts advise students on healthy habits regarding nutrition, exercise, tobacco, sex and more. At St. Thomas, wellness includes pushing the value of sleep.