2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Research shows that an adequate and healthy sleep routine has a significant impact on general health and performance. Yet, the importance of sleep health is often underestimated in educational settings, as some courses may demand long hours of preparation and out-of-class work. This is especially evident in courses with physical work or laboratory activities where a set amount of time is not allocated for educational activities, and students may have to spend significant time outside typical working hours. Moreover, industry work norms can foster misconceptions about work-hour expectations that don't align with sleep hygiene recommendations. To explore students' awareness of their sleep routines, a study was conducted at (deidentified) University. This paper reports on the second phase of the study, in which a sample of students from various majors participated and shared their perceptions, opinions, and expectations about sleep-related factors. A quantitative methodology was employed to encompass a broader range of students. A survey was conducted using various recruitment methods in Fall 2023, and the responses were analyzed both within and between majors. This paper emphasizes findings about construction students. The results indicate that the circadian rhythm is not in sync with class schedules and internship experiences. The results also show that construction students generally expect above-average working hours upon graduation. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by highlighting the importance of healthy sleep norms for construction students, an aspect sometimes overlooked in construction education planning and execution.