I need help falling asleep

[Jayme]

I need help. I have the worst time trying to fall asleep. If I manage to fall asleep, I usually wake up after 30 minutes to an hour. It's EXTREMELY frustrating now, and it's going to be even worse starting next week because I'm going back to school, starting my college placement, and I'll be working on weekends. So I'm going to have to get as much sleep possible to keep myself healthy... I'm a light sleeper, so there's that. I have trouble relaxing. My house is hot, and my fan doesn't help much. My father is extremely loud when he gets home from work around midnight, but I can't sleep with earplugs in. I've started going to bed earlier, too. Last night I went to bed at around 9PM... I was still up around 2AM. I did not sleep for very long, and I can't remember any dreams. It's a bummer. I used to sleep like a baby. I need help. If you have any relaxation techniques, please, share them with me. I avoid caffeine close to bedtime, and I've recently started avoiding electronics around bedtime as well. I've tried relaxing myself by reading before bed. I have a bedtime routine. I go to the bathroom before going to bed so I don't wake up having to go pee. Help

[dolphin]

Listen to any noise you hear while falling asleep. Don't think about the noise, just listen to it. Let the noise flow into your ears and block any new thoughts from forming. Do this until you fall asleep. It usually only takes me 5-10 minutes if I can use the noise to keep my mind from wandering, and I'm a light sleeper.

[Jayme]

I honestly didn't think that would work... but it has. I always sleep with my fan on, so I've been focusing on the noise my fan makes. It has helped a lot. Thanks! I didn't think it would be that simple, but hey.

[Queen Zukin]

Also a trick that works for me a lot is counting up from 0 to hundred, but spacing them every other breath. Not spacing them doesn't have the same effect. Like this: Inhale: 1 Exhale Inhale Exhale Inhale: 2 and so on. My mind apparently can't stand not thinking about anything for an entire breath and usually shuts down around 50.