High-achieving teens prioritize schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Who has time to sleep? But by flipping that scenario, could they achieve more?
A student asleep in a class. (Photo by Monkey Business Images)
For many high school students, late nights filled with homework, studying and extracurricular commitments have become routine.
At The Tatnall School in the U.S. state of Delaware, students say increasing academic pressure is cutting into their sleep and affecting how they feel and perform during the school day.
Jamie, a junior at Tatnall who averages 5-6 hours of sleep on school nights, notices a difference immediately. “On nights when I get more sleep, I feel alert and engaged with school,” Jamie said. “When I don’t, I feel unmotivated and drained.”
I know exactly what this feels like. This fall, after a long day of school, I had field hockey practice until 5:15 p.m., followed by musical rehearsal until 8 p.m. Since I live in New Jersey, an hour away, I didn’t get home until 9 p.m., then I had to shower, finish homework and get ready for the next day.
Like most of my nights, I didn’t go to bed until after 12:30. My alarm is set for 5:15 a.m.