Did you ever wonder why some students seem awake and fresh in their earlier classes, but others appear sluggish even much later in the day? Such as why certain people always take an afternoon nap and others work the whole day straight? Even though students’ sleep habits vary widely, there are surprising things behind these differences that unite us.

What causes students to sleep differently?

We can start by noting that students’ sleep habits are not always the same. Research shows that almost 62% percent of students do not fall asleep quickly and a majority of students (over 56%) do not sleep steadily. What time does the majority of students usually head to bed? Almost half of those asked say they go to sleep after 12am, whereas a tiny number go to bed before 10pm. There are students who get less than five hours of sleep and there are others who manage to sleep more than eight hours. 

What is it that brings about these variations among people? Sleeplessness can be caused by studying at night, excess school pressure, endless online scrolling and noisy roommates. For instance, a number of students plan on catching their sleep in the afternoon, whereas others fight exhaustion by powering through it or using caffeine. This leads to a variety of sleep habits among students all over the country.

How do all these differences impede our growth?

This is where things start to become interesting. Despite the fact that sleep patterns vary, the effects of not getting enough sleep are much the same. When people don’t get enough sleep, they often have trouble remembering things and focusing, which may also lead to mood changes. 

Sleep deprivation is common among most teenagers and this situation can make them unfocused, fatigued and result in poorer school results. Have you ever come across a sentence you’ve read many times already but still forget what you read or accidentally forgotten a thing you went over just moments ago? Everyone experiences challenges like this at one point or another.

Even so, it’s not only the number of hours you sleep that counts. Sleeping well during the night is just as important as what you do during the day. Studying can be better for students who get enough sleep as they focus more, remember more and keep their mood stable. Students who have trouble sleeping discover it is tough for them to remain involved in lessons, address concerns or keep friends.

Is there a particular way of sleeping that benefits students’ academic performance?

Some students may be thinking: Is there a perfect sleeping routine for them? Some studies demonstrate that an early bedtime and early rising improve students’ academic performance. Curiously, taking an afternoon nap can improve learning and memory, especially for people who do not get quality sleep at night.

Many outstanding students are able to focus by having a regular night, short morning and afternoon nap, showing that both keeping routines and being flexible are beneficial. Still, the main point is that a regular and quality schedule is more valuable than a stiff daily plan.

How do we relate to one another because of sleep?

Regardless of what we do, each student needs a good amount of sleep. Being sleepy after a restless night shows in our tired eyes, forgetfulness and irritable mood with others. Prioritising sleep helps us with nearly everything, for example, getting better scores in school, feeling better, building good relationships and becoming healthier.

Now, I want to explore how we can give one another support. It might be good to reflect on and ask our friends some important questions right now:

Does the amount of sleep we get each day allow us to feel fresh and healthy?

Is it possible to promote having healthy sleep habits with your study mates or fellow dorm residents?

Can schools and universities help students reduce stress and make their sleeping environments better?

We should make sleep a priority as a team

Think about a school where rest is appreciated as much as learning or participating in additional activities. When students encourage each other to set up good habits and do not sacrifice their well-being for late-night studies. This is a dream most people would get behind.

Difficulties with sleep are not the same, but we all share the essential need to rest and the good it does for us. We should focus on getting more sleep because it helps every student who aims to do well and embrace life.