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Sara Kjorvestad
Professor Caroline Reynolds
English 1201.525
March 21st, 2021
Sleep Deprivation in Students
Sleep deprivation is becoming a bigger and bigger problem in the United States. It is
especially affecting students. Many high school students have a very early start to their morning
and their day is filled with many activities and homework so getting sleep is difficult. So how
does sleep deprivation affect a student's success in school?
Many teenagers are experiencing issues with their mental health. Many are becoming
depressed and in need of therapy. There is immense pressure for students in our world right now
and sleep deprivation is a major cause of it. Many students are anxious and depressed and a
symptom of that is restless sleep. One way sleep deprivation is affecting students is by needing
to offer mental health services at school. (One third of teenagers...)
Most would believe that sleep deprivation affects students in a very negative manner. “In
students, a lack of sleep has been linked to diminished academic performance, difficulty
concentrating, increased tardiness, and limited creativity.” (“Sleep deprivation in adolescents”)
Sleep can affect many aspects of a student's life. Students struggle to arrive at school on time and
when they are at school, they struggle to focus and pay attention in class. Sleep deprivation is
affecting a student’s success in school due to a lack of focus.
The average teenager needs eight to ten hours of sleep. However due to teenagers
developing, the body will typically prepare to fall asleep around 11pm. With the early start times
of high schools, seventy one percent of highschoolers, undersleep. Forty two percent of those
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students said they are usually up doing homework. Homework has been a tool to help students
increase learning but now we are finding that students might be more successful without it.
(“Sleep deprivation in adolescents”)
Many students have the false belief that to do well on an exam, they should pull an all
nighter to study. Recent studies have shown that in order to do well on a test, you need to study
as well as sleep. Both play an important role in success. (American Academy of Sleep Medicine)
When students receive enough sleep, it also gives a student confidence. When you are
more awake and alert you feel more capable of learning. Your brain is also able to absorb more
material when you are rested. (American Academy of Sleep Medicine)
One final way sleep deprivation affects a student’s success in school is by making them
more susceptible to illness. Especially now, as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic illness is
everywhere. Lack of sleep can affect your immune system and if you are always sick then you
can’t be present at school. Lack of attendance can affect a student’s success in school. (New
York Times)
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Works Cited
AASM. “GPA & Emotional Effects of Sleep Deprivation on High School Students.” Nov. 2017.
https://aasm.org/poor-sleep-can-negatively-affect-a-students-grades-increase-the-odds-of-
emotional-and-behavioral-disturbance/#:~:text=Hours%20of%20sleep%20per
%20school,of%20emotional%20disturbance%20and%20ADHD.
AASM. “Importance of Sleep & Effects of Sleep Deprivation on College Students.” Nov. 2017.
https://aasm.org/college-students-getting-enough-sleep-is-vital-to-academic-success/
New York Times. “Let Teenagers Sleep In.” Sept. 2018.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/20/opinion/sunday/sleep-school-start-time-screens-
teenagers.html
“One Third of Teenagers Need Help with Their Mental Health.” Education Journal, no. 353, Oct.
2018, p. 6. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=a9h&AN=132610253&site=ehost-live.
"Sleep Deprivation in Adolescents." Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale,
2019. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,
