5 tips to deal with jetlag, college edition

By: Ngai Yeung ‘23

Going to class hours after getting off a 12-hour flight is no fun. Not only was I exhausted from the trip, but I was also jet lagged after being in a drastically different time zone. I felt unreasonably drowsy at random times throughout the day, and even though I was tired, I’d wake up at 4am unable to go back to sleep. Since adjusting to a new semester is hard enough when you’re running in the correct time zone, here’s some tips to get through the days to weeks you could spend in a jet lagged haze.  

Avoid Scheduling Anything Unnecessary Your First Week Back

It’s the beginning of the semester, and you’re itching to meet up with your friends. But instead of meeting up with everyone to do everything, prioritize what absolutely has to get done and leave the rest for when you’ve had time to adjust. Go easy on yourself as your body feels extra tired. Try to avoid important meetings or making major decisions until your symptoms have eased. 

Communicate with Professors, Roommates, and Friends 

I’m not saying you should skip class to sleep in and email your professors afterwards to blame it on jetlag, but If you doze off in class, be prepared to explain yourself. Give your roommates a heads up that you might be sleeping at abnormal hours and coordinate so they can hopefully be understanding and can keep the lights low or speak quietly while you’re trying to catch up on sleep.

Take Short Naps Between Classes

There are jetlag calculators on Google that can help you adjust to your new time zone and tell you when to get some sleep to sync up faster. Whether you’re using those or you’re just plain tired, let yourself nap in between classes. Some prime spots on campus include the couches inside URC’s many rooms, the cushioned window sills inside the digital lounge on the third floor of ANN, and of course the couches in TCC by the doors. 

Eat Regularly and Avoid Caffeine

For the sake of your body and for the purpose of adjusting your internal clock, try to eat meals at regular hours. Avoid caffeine unless you really need that extra boost, and avoid alcohol as it negatively affects your sleep quality. Wow, I sound like WebMD.

Give Yourself Grace 

FOMO is real, but your physical health is so much more important. Take care of that first. You have the whole semester ahead of you. Jet lag is categorized as a temporary sleep disorder, so give yourself some grace and allow yourself extra time to rest — if you can — as your body recovers. 

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