@wormburnzFrustrating! I know personally that if something important is happening the following day that I am almost guaranteed to not be able to sleep or to wake up early, so I feel your frustration. Here are some sleeping tips.
1)
Try to switch of from revision 30-60 minutes before going to sleep. It's really important to begin to wind down before you try and sleep.
This might look like having a set time when you turn off your computer, close your books and turn off your phone.
A routine is helpful. It might be a hot soothing drink ( but try to avoid too much sugar as this will keep you alert) or just tidying or washing up. It sounds pretty mundane, but just putting things in their right place might make you feel more relaxed and in control and help your body know that its the end of the day.
2)
Peanut butter, turkey and cherry juice!I don't recommend them altogether, but they are all help increase serotonin levels in your body which helps you sleep. On that note: avoid having too much caffeine during the day, try to eat regular meals that are giving your body the energy and nutrients that it needs and try not too eat too late!
3)
Deal with your stress in a productive way Make time to do some form of exercise to help release some of your stress. It could be going for a run (in the middle of the afternoon), taking regular breaks and dancing to your favourite music, writing down or reflecting on all the positive things from the day: learnt, this remembered this, practised this etc... or just making time to chat with others about your studies. You can't avoid the exams that are coming but you can approach them in a healthy way.
4)
Try listening to some relaxing musicYou could try Classic FM. They always have lots of peaceful music in the evening so that might help. It will either help you feel more relaxed or it will bore your to sleep. It's win-win situation!
5)
Relax those musclesA method that has helped me is squeezing and relaxing muscles. When you are ready to sleep, squeeze your left foot, keep it squeezed for a few seconds and then relax it. Do the same with the right foot, keep your foot squeezed for a few seconds and then relax it. Squeeze your legs and buttocks keep them squeezed and then relax them. Squeeze one hand, keep it squeezed and then relax it and then do the same with the other hand. Squeeze both hands, keep them squeezed and then relax. Do the same same with your shoulders. By this time, you should be beginning to feel more relaxed, but you could also try squeezing your whole body, keeping your whole body squeezed and then relaxing it. After all of this, your body, should feel more relaxed and ready to sleep.
Hope you get a good night's sleep soon!
All the best,
Oluwatosin – 2nd year student – University of Huddersfield