News Feature: Story # 4

Four months ago Jesse Spencer, a junior at Washington State University, was prescribed Adderall to help him stay focused throughout the day while he attended classes. Due to his varying schedule on a day to day basis Spenser has found it difficult to take his Adderall at the same time every day. After about a month of being prescribed Adderall Spenser started experiencing the effects of insomnia.
“The side effects of staying awake for too long are very evident,” said Spenser. “It first starts with the shadows under my eyes, and then I usually start having hallucinations”.
Spencer returned to the doctor and was prescribed Ambien for his insomnia. It is difficult for Spencer to decide if he will take an Ambien before he attempts to go to sleep because it is required that he dedicates at least eight hours to it. Even when taking the Ambien sleep is hard to obtain due to the lingering effects of the Adderall.
“The Ambien puts me to sleep about one third of the time,” said Spencer. “If I stay awake past the time that you’re supposed to fall asleep in then I know I’m guaranteed to hallucinate.”
Sleep deprivation has a disproportional prevalence among college campuses. Many students attending college are faced with the task of balancing school, work and trying to maintain a social life. It is evident that sleep becomes less of a priority for many students as their responsibilities increase.
In order to cope with the many responsibilities of living a college lifestyle a growing trend has sparked. More than ever students have turned to utilizing caffeinated drinks and prescription stimulant drugs in attempts to compensate for lack of sleep and loss of focus. These products have been trapping many students in a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation.
The consequences of not getting enough sleep negatively affect both student’s grades and their short and long-term health. The National Sleep Foundation reports that weight gain, anxiety, loss of the ability to focus and hallucinations are just a few of the many serious repercussions of sleep deprivation.
WSU psychology major, Amy Hjelt, is like many other college students who juggle several daily responsibilities. Hjelt begins her day with classes followed by either work or contributing her time to Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse. She then must make time to do school work while trying to spare some time for socializing with friends. Since Hjelt switched her major to psychology last year she has learned the importance of getting enough time for sleep each night.
“The classes I have taken since declaring psychology have made me aware that sleep needs to remain a priority so I can sustain myself throughout the week,” said Hjelt.
Hjelt got her sleep schedule on a healthy track by first cutting out energy drinks and coffee in order to prevent a mid day crash.
“It was hard at first to not get an energy drink after classes,” said Hjelt. “After about a week I noticed I had better quality sleep at night and I didn’t feel as anxious before falling asleep.”
Professor teaching psychology 328: psychology of self-control, Dr. Samantha Swindell explained to her students during lecture a helpful technique that can assist individuals who have trouble falling asleep at night. Swindell recommended narrowing the actions that occur in ones bed to only sleep and sex. This will help one to fall asleep more rapidly.
Many students are unaware of the consequences that pushing sleep lower on their priority list has on their health and scholastic performance.
“Sleep needs to be made a priority, especially in college, in order to be mentally and physically healthy,” said Hjelt. “If not you’re going to burn out.”


Outline
Lede: Jesse’s story – Adderall to focus insomnia  Ambien to sleep  hallucinations = vicious cycle.

Nut graph: Pressure of fulfilling many responsibilities required from college students leads to use of caffeinated and stimulating products. These products can/usually do lead to sleep deprivation.

Body: Amy’s story – has become more aware (through taking more psychology classes) of how energy drinks had been negatively affecting her. She broke the cycle compensating for lack of sleep with energy drinks and now feels more balanced.

Dr. Samantha Swindell, Psychology professor, gave tips on how to fall asleep faster in order to get a good night sleep.

Conclusion: Quote – highlighting that sleep is needed to prevent illness and to keep up in school.

Prepared questions for face-to-face interview:
Face-to-face interview with Amy Hjelt
1. What is your daily schedule like?
2. How many hours a night do you get of sleep?
3. Do you drink energy drinks or coffee?
4. How do you deal with meeting deadlines under pressure?
5. How has taking more in depth psychology classes helped you understand the importance of sleep?

Face-to-face interview with Jesse Spencer
1. What is your daily schedule like?
2. How long ago were you prescribed Adderall?
3. How long ago were you prescribed Ambien?
4. What is your sleep schedule like?
5. What are the personal effects of sleep deprivation that affect you?

Sources
1. Amy Hjelt – Face-to-face interview - Cell: (360) 708-6349
2. Jesse Spencer – Face-to-face interview - Cell: (253) 232-5435
3. Professor of Psychology - Dr. Samantha Swindell - Office phone (509) 335-3715
4. www.sleepfoundation.org