How Thanksgiving Travel Wrecks College Sleep (and 6 Ways to Fix It)

Thanksgiving break feels great… until you get back to campus and your sleep schedule is completely destroyed. Different beds, late nights with family, long flights or car rides, and weird travel timing all make it harder to fall asleep once you’re back in your dorm.

The good news? You can reset your sleep faster than you think.

1. Set Your Wake Time First (Not Your Bedtime)

The fastest way to fix your sleep after travel is to pick a wake time and stick to it. Your brain will adjust—even if you’re tired for a day or two.

2. Get Morning Light ASAP

Step outside for 10 minutes after waking. Light tells your body, “We’re back on schedule.” It works even on cloudy days.

3. Don’t Let Your Bed Fight You

If your topper or fitted sheet slides (classic dorm problem), it keeps you in light sleep. Use Bedly Straps to anchor everything so your sleep isn’t disrupted.

4. Cool, Breathable Bedding Helps You Reset

Travel often messes with body temperature cues. Breathable bedding like the Bedly Bamboo Bed Set helps balance overheating or cold dorm drafts.

5. No Late-Night Caffeine for 3 Days

Travel = lots of coffee. But to reset your sleep fast, avoid caffeine after 2 p.m. for the first few days back.

6. Don’t Nap Over 25 Minutes

Keep naps short and before 4 p.m. Long naps delay your bedtime and prolong the travel hangover.

Parents: A Simple Reset Kit Helps

A breathable sheet set + stable mattress setup makes the transition back to campus much easier. The Bedly Bamboo Bed Set and Bedly Straps solve most post-travel sleep discomfort.

Bottom Line

Travel ruins sleep—but only temporarily. Reset your wake time, stabilize your bed setup, and keep your sleep routine simple for the first few days back.