Never free

It's cool to be a student, there's little doubt about that. You have more freedom, you meet many interesting people, and you get to spend your time learning and discussing things you like. What I don't like about being a student, however, is that you never really have time off, especially during exam periods. When you leave class, you're still preoccupied with thoughts of exams and assignments. And for me, and probably for many of you, this doesn't just go away when it's time to sleep.

It started when I became a student

Something that probably happens to many students. You go from being able to go to bed and relax, to going to bed but maybe not being able to let go of the exam pressure. If it had only been during the exam period, that would have been fine, but in my experience, it lasts much longer than that.

Once you've developed the habit of sleep problems, it no longer matters whether you have exams or not, or whether you're stressed or not. You simply can't fall asleep, physically, no matter how long you lie there staring at the inside of your eyelids. That's why, on one of those nights when I can't sleep, I've tried to write down some of the tips that help me.

• Try not to use screens like your computer, mobile phone, and the like before bedtime.
• Keep a schedule for when you go to bed and wake up.
• Maintain a lower room temperature.
• Try to read a little, preferably something not related to your coursework.
• Don't look at the clock, it only makes you more stressed.
• Limit your intake of caffeine, especially late in the evening.
• And the most important tip, at least for me, is to write down the thoughts that prevent you from sleeping. In lists, journals, or anything else. Putting things on paper gives you a sense of control.

Remember

Lastly, it's wise to remember that you're not to blame for having trouble sleeping. It can happen to anyone, at any time. You simply have to keep trying to sleep and try to minimize stress.