It’s 1:49 AM. Your eyes are burning from staring at your computer for hours. Your back has gone numb from leaning over your desk, but you have a history paper to finish, and you have yet to even start your math homework. You have to be up in less than 5 hours, but the to-do list of unfinished work matters more than sleep–at least that is what school has taught you to believe.

If this is a scenario you find all too familiar, you, too, are experiencing sleep deprivation. This is not okay! Sleepless nights in the name of academic achievement should not be normalized. School systems are contributing to student sleep deprivation by assigning excessive workloads and maintaining an academic culture that prioritizes exhaustion over well-being.

I cannot recall how many times I have been in that exact position, the leg I’ve perched on for the past hour, numb. My eyes, closing on themselves. But I remain there, feeling obligated to push myself beyond my limits, to finish my never-ending pile of work.

At least I am not alone. A study shows that about 70% of high school students do not get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep (Brooks). But it’s no problem, right? I’ll catch up this weekend.

But that is the problem; students do not understand how vital consistent good sleep is to our lives. According to a study by Stanford, “one good night of sleep can’t fight a whole semester of inconsistent sleep” (Siagal). So bad news for us: sleeping less during weekdays to prioritize studying and “catching up” by oversleeping on the weekends is actually associated with worse academic performance.

Studies funded by the National Institute of Health found that irregular sleep schedules and later bedtimes are linked to students with lower grades and behavioral problems in school. (“Irregular sleep"). With overwhelming workloads keeping students from sleep, many students are trapped in an endless cycle where academic stress harms sleep, and lack of sleep harms academic success.

So why is sleep so essential?

First off, we need to be educated on the value that the role of sleep plays in our daily lives. When we go to sleep, our adolescent brains are undergoing major reconstruction, making sufficient sleep vital for mental and physical wellness development. Without enough sleep, every system in our developing minds and bodies is biologically disrupted; our memories from the day cannot be solidified, our emotions cannot be regulated and processed, and our metabolic waste cannot be cleared (Askew). While this insight is helpful for whoever stumbles upon reading this essay, schools must think to include this information in education.

Furthermore, the main factor contributing to our reduced quality of sleep is the heavy demands of our workload. Another Stanford study found that less than 1% of students reported that homework was not a stressor (Parker). This is not just a handful of us struggling to balance our schoolwork with outside activities and sleep; it is a virtually universal issue.

I have often been told that academic stress is needed to prepare us for the “real world” and should motivate us to do well. I think that is a misguided opinion that further glorifies student exhaustion. While some academic rigor and challenge can be motivating, the excessive workloads and constant pressure schools place on students have gone beyond a healthy push and into exhaustion that is harmful. Preparation for adulthood should teach us how to manage and balance our work with rest, not encourage burnout.

Additionally, many adults argue that sleep deprivation is primarily the result of procrastination, believing that it is the students' responsibility to manage their schedules effectively. Although procrastination can worsen student stress, even highly organized students find it impossible to balance workloads across multiple classes and responsibilities outside of the academic realm without sacrificing rest.

So what is the solution?

There are many steps that we, as students, can take to manage our time better, limit distractions, and ask for help when academic pressure becomes overbearing. But schools must also recognize their role in addressing the issue and supporting students in balancing both academic success and healthy sleep habits.

School administrations should make room in their curriculum to educate students about the importance of sleep and the connection between adequate rest and academic performance. Creating stronger support systems for students struggling to balance schoolwork and well-being is essential to preventing burnout and more serious health issues.

Sleep deprivation should not be the price students must pay for succeeding in school. If schools truly value our learning, they must prioritize student well-being alongside academic achievement by reducing unnecessary homework, providing dedicated study time during the school day, and educating students about healthy sleep habits.

This Article was edited by Head Editor Yusuf Eltom