Fresh bedsheets and dusk walks: Experts’ sleep tips for freshers

When you feel groggy, it’s tempting to chug multiple coffees or fizzy drinks. But caffeine hangs around in the body and blocks the build-up of sleepiness throughout the day.

Too many flat whites and you’ll not only be short of cash – you could also develop a sleep problem.

Alcohol may also be a tempting way to boost your confidence around new people, but it doesn’t help you sleep.

“When you fall asleep [after large amounts of alcohol], you’re anaesthetised really. It’s like having an anaesthetic. You’re not asleep,” Baker says.

In fact, alcohol pushes out the deep sleep which restores you physically, and replaces it with lighter sleep, which doesn’t.

Emma Young, deputy director of student services for health and wellbeing at Manchester Metropolitan University points out the low-key alternatives during freshers’ week.

“There are lots of alcohol-free events now, like sip and paint. You can also try wellness and wellbeing clubs, like yoga and crafts, if you don’t fancy the sport or music societies.”