Sleep is an essential aspect of our lives. It affects our physical and mental health, and as students, has a significant impact on our academic performance. A good night's sleep is crucial to our cognitive abilities, including memory, focus, and attention, all of which are necessary for successful academic careers. In this blog, we have outlined some of the main effects that sleep deprivation has on the body and how it subsequently affects your academic capabilities. According to the National Library of Medicine, “Daytime sleepiness, sleep deprivation, and irregular sleep schedules are highly prevalent among college students, as 50% report daytime sleepiness and 70% attain insufficient sleep. The consequences of sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness are especially problematic to college students and can result in lower grade point averages, increased risk of academic failure, compromised learning, impaired mood, and increased risk of motor vehicle accidents.”

Focus/Memory-

The two most common consequences of getting insufficient sleep are a decrease in focus and memory. Not only are these effects detrimental on their own, but they compound with one another. A lack of focus results in incomplete information retention/comprehension. This effect is compounded because inadequate neural connections are made while learning the information. Inadequate sleep can lead to a reduction in both short-term and long-term memory. Short-term memory is the type of memory responsible for retaining information for a brief period, such as remembering someone’s name when you first meet or recalling the last few words on a PowerPoint when the slide changes a little too fast. Long-term memory, on the other hand, involves retaining information for a few hours, days, months, or longer. Effects on your long-term memory may be more noticeable when trying to remember due dates or recall events from your past. If you find yourself losing sleep stressing over class, try connecting with a tutor to help you master the subject. 

Emotions-

When we don't get enough sleep, we become more irritable and anxious. As many college students know, these two effects are also common side effects of consuming too much caffeine. Alone or combined, irritability and/or anxiety can make it very difficult to concentrate on the material you are studying, much less truly comprehend it. Sleep deprivation can also lead to an increase in negative emotions such as stress and depression, which can further exacerbate problems studying and day-to-day life in general.

Creativity- 

Creativity is an essential aspect of studying, as it allows you to think outside of the box and come up with unique and innovative solutions to problems. When we're well-rested, our brains can function optimally and engage in creative thinking. However, when we're sleep-deprived, we're more likely to engage in rigid thinking and struggle to come up with creative solutions. While some of us may think creativity is only important to certain majors, it is actually important to all majors. Being able to think about a problem and come up with creative solutions is vital for all careers. The world is always changing and presenting us with new problems, and the people who are able to come up with creative solutions to those problems are often the most successful.  

Physical Health- 

When we don't get enough sleep, our immune system weakens, making us more susceptible to illnesses. Illnesses can lead to missed classes and assignments, which then negatively impacts grades. Lack of sleep can also lead to physical exhaustion, which affects the ability to concentrate and retain information during class or while studying.

In conclusion, sleep is a vital aspect of our lives that plays a critical role in academic performance. Getting enough sleep is essential for retaining information, focusing on tasks, maintaining emotional well-being, and being creative. As a student, it's crucial to prioritize sleep by setting a regular sleep schedule, avoiding distractions in the bedroom, and ensuring that you get enough sleep each night. By prioritizing sleep, you can ensure that you're in the best state of mind to succeed academically. While a night or two without 8 hours of sleep can be manageable, if you make a habit of not getting proper amounts of sleep your academic performance will begin to suffer. If you would like to learn more about healthy sleep habits and ways you can improve your sleep check out Why You Should Make a Good Night’s Sleep a Priority by Harvard University.