I have taken Melatonin for years as I have something called Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome.  Basically, I have trouble falling asleep until very late, and then I want to sleep later to get the right number of hours of sleep.  Not conducive to waking up for work. 

Melatonin is a great homeopathic remady for people who don’t get the best quality sleep.  Its over the counter so its easy to aquire, and you don’t have to worry about it creating big changes in your body.  When you first start taking it, you may be drowsy the next morning, but stick with it.  Eventually, you will be tired when you need to be, and you will fall asleep right away.  Then, when your alarm goes off in the morning, you will wake right up because you got quality sleep.  I believe that most adults benifit from the 3mg dosage, but ask your pharmasit.  There is also a 5mg dose and a microgram dose (mcg) which can be used for kids. 

Take melatonin an hour before you want to be in bed and plan on getting 8 hours of sleep.