Restoring My Sleep Cycle with Dewey’s Reflective Model

 After my final exams in December, I enjoyed the holiday period to unwind and relax. However, I ended up staying up late playing games to relieve exam stress and consumed more caffeine in the afternoons. While this felt good during the holidays, it disrupted my usual sleep cycle, and as the start of the next trimester approached, I realized I needed to reset my sleep habits to be ready for the academic challenges ahead. I used Dewey’s Model of Reflective Thought and Action to help me reflect on my situation and find a solution.

Stage	Description
Ideal	To maintain a consistent sleep schedule where I fall asleep at a reasonable time and wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the new trimester.
Reality (Gap)	After my exams ended, I relaxed during the holidays by staying up late playing games to unwind. I also drank more coffee in the afternoon to stay alert, which messed up my sleep cycle.
Causes/Conditions	The post-exam stress, combined with the freedom of the holidays, led to late-night gaming and excessive caffeine consumption. With no academic pressures during the break, my sleep schedule became irregular.
Effects/Results	I was waking up late and feeling groggy, which affected my ability to focus and be productive. As the new trimester approached, I felt anxious about not being prepared for the academic workload, knowing my body was not well-rested.
Goal	To reset my sleep cycle before the new trimester starts by cutting back on caffeine, limiting late-night gaming, and establishing a consistent sleep schedule.
Possible Changes	Limit caffeine intake to only one cup in the morning and avoid it after lunch. Set a gaming limit, stopping at least an hour before bedtime to unwind. Replace gaming with relaxing activities like reading or listening to calming music. Establish a regular bedtime and wake-up time to prepare for the new trimester.
Testing the Hypothesis (Solution)	I will implement these changes over the next two weeks. I will track my caffeine consumption, gaming time, and sleep schedule, reflecting daily on how I feel and my energy levels.
Outcome of Change	By the end of two weeks, I expect to feel more rested, with better energy levels and focus for the start of the new trimester. I hope that resetting my sleep cycle will help me enter the new semester prepared and energized.