Learn how to get more sleep

College students are the number one demographic to suffer from sleep deprivation. In fact, 63 percent college students do not get enough sleep, according to a recent 2010 study released by the National Sleep Foundation.

The sad thing is that a lot of us are willing to be deprived of sleep just to have one or more hours of study or party time.

As an editor for the Accent, parent of two preschoolers, and part-time college student I am way more familiar with sleep deprivation than most. On an average night I get about 4 to 5 hours of sleep, but I still somehow manage to power through my day and repeat the cycle every day.

I know it's not healthy to get as little sleep as I do, but with my hectic schedule, it's difficult to carve out enough time to sleep, so I've begun researching ways to improve my sleep habits and share them with all my fellow sleepless college students.

The following are a few effective ways to improve your sleep habits and avoid sleep deprivation.

Go to bed!

Obvious tip number one is to get more sleep. Don't stay out late partying, studying, procrastinating studying and/or staying up all night watching television or surfing the web.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, there is no "magic number" when it comes to getting a full night's sleep. It depends on the individual, but the average college student needs anywhere from 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.

The simplest, but not necessarily the easiest way to get those hours is to establish consistent sleep and wake schedules, even on weekends.

One way to do this is exactly the same way I helped get my own kids on a sleep schedule: by creating a regular, relaxing bedtime routine.

Bedtime routines help get your mind and body ready for sleep by creating a relaxing way to wind down from a busy day.

Avoid stimulating activities

Falling asleep is more than just laying down and closing your eyes. You need to create an environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool in order to fall asleep faster and more comfortably.

Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex. Keep out electronics like televisions and computers that can keep you awake. Also, avoid watching television or surfing the internet at least an hour before getting ready for bed since they stimulate your mind and can make it harder to fall asleep.

Monitor how much you eat and drink during the day.

What you do during the day affects your sleep habits. This includes eating and drinking caffeine or alcohol right before bedtime.

Doing any of those will prolong the amount of time it takes for you to fall asleep, so it's best to avoid those activities.

The best ways to avoid prolonging falling asleep is by finishing eating and drinking anything at least two hours before bedtime. This is because is takes time for your body to properly break down food and drinks.

What it really comes down to, though, is your willingness to teach yourself how to fall asleep on a regular schedule to avoid sleep deprivation.

It's important to avoid sleep deprivation because there are several long-term and immediate effects that can affect your health and your grades.

Sleep deprivation can cause heart disease, diabetes, and obesity according to the National Sleep Foundation.

I will be taking these tips to heart because I want to live a long and healthy life, no matter how hectic and busy it is.