For high school and college students in Orange County, pulling the classic “all-nighter” in preparation for a critical exam is somewhat of a time-honored tradition. Even if they’re sleeping on a mattress that is considerably past its prime, a trip to the mattress stores Orange County to look for a new one is the last thing on their minds.

If they’re in high school, they could be trying to make the grade to keep up their GPA, the idea being that they might not get into the college of their choice if they fail. If they’re already in college, it’s hardly less stressful. Many studies have indicated that students are one of the groups that gets the least amount of sleep, so here are a few suggestions aimed at young people who may be pushing themselves harder than they should.

One thing to consider is whether your mattress is worn out, Orange County students. If it is, then look for a suitable replacement at local mattress stores. This is something that’s too important to ignore. If you don’t have the money to purchase a well-made one, ask your parents for help. If you’re not comfortable, you can’t get those rejuvenating hours that will leave you well rested for your classes.

Also, stop using all technology at least 30 minutes before going to bed. That means no TV, no cell phones, and no laptops or desktops. It’s a lot to ask, but you need to get in the habit. Try not to ingest any caffeine after 3 pm. Also, don’t let the weekend completely disrupt your sleep schedule. Try not to sleep more than an hour later on the weekends than you do on the weekdays.

It’s also critical that you do not overload yourself with too many classes or credits. You want to stay competitive and graduate on time, but you also don’t want to burn yourself out to the point that you suffer a breakdown. Some students in Orange County don’t fully appreciate the stress with which they are dealing. If you are not leaving yourself enough time to get a sufficient amount of sleep every night, then consider dropping a class. Your health matters more than academic excellence.

Finally, try to budget your time wisely and don’t procrastinate when it comes to your studying and homework. Even if you haven’t taken more classes than you can handle, if you’re not sleeping because you waited and tried to do a last minute cram-session, that’s hard on you mentally and physically as well. There should be ample time for both sleep and academic pursuits if you make a plan and stick to it.

High school and college can be an exciting time for young adults in Orange County, and you will doubtless look back fondly at this period in your lives. Just be sure that you are taking care of yourself with seven or eight hours of sleep a night, and remember, hit the mattress stores if you don’t have a comfortable place to lay your head.