Game on

Brandon Carter

While some may believe that video games have little or no impact on how a student performs in college, few have considered to what extent video games actually impact students. According to a study by Steve Jones, a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois at Chicago, “Fully 65% of college students [surveyed] reported being regular or occasional game players.” Although the number of college students actively involved in video games might come as no surprise, the extent to which the games affect students may. The same study showed that, “Close to half (48%) of college student gamers agreed that gaming keeps them from studying “some” or “a lot.” In addition, about one in ten (9%) admitted that their main motivation for playing games was to avoid studying.” Considering how much studying can affect grades, it becomes more evident as to how much video games can affect how a student performs in school.

Also, video games tend to affect a student’s sleeping habits. According to an article on MSNBC, “About 41 percent of college gamers play after 9 p.m.” Sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, especially in college. By playing these games so late, students are postponing their bed time and losing possible hours of sleep. Take for example my roommate, recently when a game was released that he really liked he stayed up for hours every night playing it. He routinely went to bed around 4 a.m. and skipped his classes during the day. Because of this he is now doing poorly is several of his classes. Sleep is something the body can’t go without and still function properly. Therefore, video games by affecting you sleep habits influence how students perform in college.