Students who find themselves drifting off in class or needing caffeine to stay awake may be suffering from sleep deprivation.

Jeanne Burkhart, staff psychologist with Student Counseling Services, said when students are suffering from stress, sleep deprivation may compound their problems.

“Students with problems often experience a loss of sleep due to their problems,” Burkhart said. “Typically, if students are experiencing a loss of sleep, they may have difficulty paying attention and following through with tasks.”

Burkhart said a loss in sleep can affect grades because a sleep deficit can decrease a student’s ability to think clearly.

Randy Hamper, sophomore in physics, said he is sleep-deprived.

“I’m always tired, and it’s hard to get caught up on sleep, even on the weekends,” he said. “I don’t sleep during the day, which can be tiring after I haven’t gotten much sleep.”

Hamper said the main thing that causes his sleep deficit are his study habits. While his ideal amount of sleep is about eight hours, he usually gets only five.

“I spend around 15 hours a week studying, and it’s always done after 9 p.m.,” he said. “I know I’m not the only one that’s not getting enough sleep. In a lot of my classes, about one-fourth to two-fifths dozes off.”

Phil Appleton, associate professor of physics and astronomy, said he also sees people dozing off in class.

“I try to break up my lectures because I know that dimmed lights, slide shows and movies can cause people to fall asleep,” he said.

Michael Stein, doctor of osteopathy in the Neurological Associates of Des Moines, said sleep deprivation is the No. 2 cause of work-related and automobile accidents in the United States, second only to alcohol.

He said some short-term symptoms of sleep deprivation include aches and pains in muscles, mild depression, anxiety and a quick temper. Slower reflexes, impaired vision and “microsleeps” also can result from sleep deprivation.

Stein said someone who is sleep-deprived doesn’t know when the “half-empty tank” may run out completely.

“Accidents at work and on the road are frequently the result of a driver or worker that is sleep deprived,” he said. “Even if you know you are tired, you can’t predict when you will actually doze off.”

Stein also said consuming alcohol when tired only makes people more sleepy the next day.

“Alcohol disturbs sleep and prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep,” he said.

Elizabeth Knurek, health promotion supervisor for the Student Health Center, said given the lifestyle of college students, there probably is a fair number who are sleep deprived.

Knurek said there are solutions for students who are having problems with time and stress management, which ultimately can lead to sleep deficit.

“The Wellness Center, which is a part of Student Health, has a wellness counselor on staff, whom students can make appointments with to privately discuss problems they may have with stress or time management,” she said.