College life is exciting; make new friends, chase your dream of being in a particular industry, and finally, you’re there – this is your make-or-break opportunity, before you can start your professional life. Most importantly, living away from your parents and school friends. It might be exciting, but the reality hits you, and you realise that you are going to leave your comfort zone behind, and how you will settle into your new life and environment. You haven’t even rested well for many nights, and it’s morning time, so you have to get ready and leave. Once in a while, it is considered ok, but when it becomes an everyday habit, and you find it difficult to sleep in a routine, then it is a serious sign. You need to find a good doctor and get some help. In this blog, we will learn about insomnia and its impact on college life.
Why Can’t I Sleep Before College Starts?
Pre-college insomnia is quite common, but why? Because the stress of the change and academic pressure is high. Considering the performance changes that come with routine, making new friends, and settling into a new room can be stressful for many kids.
Racing Thoughts
You’re asking big questions at night:
- “Will I make friends?”
- “What if I fail my classes?”
- “Am I ready for this change?”
- “Is my roommate going to be a nightmare?”
Such thoughts can cause stress and anxiety, leaving you feeling restless and ultimately preventing the child from sleeping properly at night.
Schedule Shifts Mess With Your Circadian Rhythm
Staying up till 2:00 AM, binge-watching or engaging in ‘doom-scrolling’ (endlessly scrolling through negative news or social media posts), and waking up at noon make it hard to snap back into an early college routine. Your biological clock gets confused, and insomnia can creep in.
Unspoken Pressure to “Start Strong”
Whether it’s internal pressure to excel academically or external expectations from family and friends, the mental load of college is substantial. You might not even realise how much you’re holding in until it manifests at night in the form of restless tossing and turning.
What Happens If I Ignore It?
Insomnia is curable, but when left unaddressed, it can significantly impact your performance and overall well-being. Here’s how it will affect you in future, when ignored -
- Academic performance - Well, you are there to study well and perform well. But if you are unable or suffering from insomnia, then it will hamper your concentration and you won’t be able to focus properly in your class or do well in exams or submissions.
- Mental health: As you are lagging in your studies and your performance is being affected, it will further impact your mental health, as you will become even more stressed. You might feel depressed and much more.
- Immune System - Yes, when you are not able to rest well, the direct impact is on your immunity. You will often fall ill and hence miss classes, resulting in delays in submitting your work.
- Social apprehensions - When you are unable to sleep properly, you are less inclined to be social and meet people. You are already feeling depressed, and you feel afraid to meet anyone.
Online Insomnia Treatment?
We understand that you are preparing to start your new life and don’t have much time to spend visiting clinics and doctors. Here’s your secret to treating your insomnia online.
At SDKare, we offer:
- Online therapy sessions tailored for insomnia
- Video consultations with mental health professionals
- Ongoing support and check-ins so you’re not left hanging after one call
- Secure platforms that prioritise your privacy and comfort
Now, you don’t have to waste your time travelling or waiting in lines. You can sit in your room and wait for the doctor to come online, speak freely, and let your emotions and fear pour out. Our professionals are here to help you and make you feel better, providing a range of tools to manage stress and promote restful sleep. This online platform puts you in control of your treatment, offering convenience and accessibility that fit into your busy college life, all while prioritising your privacy and comfort.
Here’s how a consultation can help:
Identify the root of your insomnia
Whether it’s anxiety, a sleep schedule issue, or an undiagnosed condition like generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), a therapist will help uncover what’s driving your sleepless nights.
Once the root cause is identified, we develop customised sleep strategies tailored to your specific needs. These strategies are not generic tips, such as ‘just relax,’ but rather fundamental, science-backed methods that have been proven to improve sleep quality.
Forget generic tips like “just relax.” Our providers walk you through fundamental, science-backed strategies like:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
- Mindfulness and grounding exercises
- Sleep hygiene coaching
- Routine-building support tailored for college life
Address mental health holistically
If your insomnia is tied to deeper emotional struggles—like depression, trauma, or social anxiety—we’ll help you address those, too.
And the best part? You can access all of this from your dorm room, childhood bedroom, or favourite coffee shop. It’s discreet, convenient, and judgment-free, offering a safe and accepting environment where you can seek help without fear of judgment.
Resetting Your Sleep:
As you speak with your therapist and pour out your feelings, this is the perfect time to reset your sleep. With the following strategies, you can improve and reset your approach.
Stick to a Wake-Up Time
Whether it’s a weekend or a weekday, it doesn’t matter; you must stick to your wake-up schedule. It helps anchor your internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep at night. You don’t need to be up at 6:00 AM, but avoid sleeping till noon.
Create a “Sleep Buffer” Zone
Start winding down at least 30–60 minutes before bed:
- Dim your lights
- Play calming music
- Journal out your fears and goals
- Try progressive muscle relaxation or deep breathing.
You’re not a machine. And pulling all-nighters isn’t a flex—it’s a fast track to burnout. Prioritise sleep like you would an important class or exam.
Use Your Bed Only for Sleep
Train your brain to associate your bed with sleep, not scrolling, snacking, or studying. It helps reinforce healthy sleep cues.
Final Thought
Going into college is exciting, but let’s understand it from the student’s point of view; it’s a life-altering change. You need to change cities or countries; you need to leave your friends behind, and then finally leave your comfort, your room, and your parents behind. Move to the dorm, adjust to college life, and work on your academic excellence. Whether you’ve had one sleepless night or many, online insomnia treatment is just a click away. At SDKare, we specialise in helping young adults get to the root of their insomnia, so you can stop spinning at 2:00 AM and start living fully at 2:00 PM.
