Sleep: Your New Homework Assignment

Imagine sleep as a school assignment; that’s how it should be treated. Many individuals’ workplaces demand high-performance each day, no matter what state you’re in or how much you slept. But being sleep-deprived is a strong reason to not meet expectations as it does hinder one’s ability to function. Thus, nap time, as silly as it sounds, should be a constant part of the school curriculum as it improves our performance, energy, and will lead to increased success in the classroom.

In a MSNBC interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta introducing his book Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age, he mentioned how “we know that sleep is the time of the day when you’re actually getting memories stored… you’re washing away waste products that [build] up plaques later on in life.” Science tells us it’s crucial for everyone, including young adults, to fulfill their need to sleep, not just for academics and social performance, but mental and physical health. A Time Magazine article titled “Let Your Kids Sleep More For Better Grades” also enforces sleep’s importance by citing research done by McGill University and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute which claimed “children who had a better quality sleep performed better in math and languages.” Additionally, clinical psychologist Reut Gruber said, “short or poor sleep is a significant risk factor for poor academic performance that is frequently ignored,” and “sleep efficiency” is something to track too. People have a tendency to lie in bed but end up not sleeping right away, which is not efficient. 

There are various ways, some stranger than others, to resolve a lack of sleep (on the part of both the school and students) like adjusting school hours to later times, reduce “busy” work and use class time so that students have more time to sleep, or construct a safe way and place at school where students can rest their eyes. If napping increases happiness and success, why not make time for it and mold it into a healthy habit? For an inside look onto the matter, I interviewed a few of my classmates. Celia Hughes, a high-school student at The Galloway School, as well as another classmate who opted to remain anonymous, sleeps approximately 5-7 hours each night, and scientists say that’s less than an acceptable amount which results from extensive school and activities.

This is not a protest against school because education is also a necessity, yet sleep and our responsibilities are on a balance scale where the latter are too heavy. In fact, although I love writing, my energy is now fading and the yawning is too consistent. If only I had more sleep in my schedule.