Blue Valley Southwest students are often seen falling asleep in class, or not being able to pay attention due to the lack of rest they get during the school week.
“During the week I get an average of five hours maybe six,” junior Bryce Hickson said. “If I have work I stay up until 1 a.m.”
While most student’s sleep schedules are similar to this, teenagers need nine to 10 hours of sleep per night to function correctly. There is evidence that around the time of becoming a teenager, there is a shift in the sleep-wake cycle to being sleepy later in the evening with a preference for waking later, according to the Better Health Channel.
With teenagers’ busy lifestyles, it’s nearly impossible for them to get the recommended amount of sleep.
“I think there are many reasons why teens don’t get enough sleep,” said school nurse Jill Stevens. “Some of those reasons could be staying up late to complete homework, especially if they participate in extracurricular activities or have a job”.
School beginning at 7:45 a.m. each day requires an early wake-up call and means teens should be going to bed at around nine at night. If a teenager is involved with any activity outside of school, it is often an even more stressful situation for them.
“I once stayed up talking to one of my good friends on the phone until five a.m and I had a volleyball tournament the next day,” said freshman Danielle Jacobson. “I only got one hour of sleep and I had to stay home because I couldn’t catch my breath, I was so tired.”
Many teenagers are often up late doing unnecessary activities that are often times just for fun.
“I see students that say they are exhausted because they stay up late watching TV, movies or texting, etc,” Stevens said.
Besides school and other recreational activities, there are more things that contribute to the lack of sleep teenagers are getting each and every night.
“Social networking is a constant stimulation to us,” junior Danielle Cross said. “My phone is on for an alarm, but if I get a text or Facebook notification, it goes off.”
Not only are phones considered a big distraction in school, but also when trying to rest for the night.
“Research shows that sleep deprivation can adversely affect the brain and cognitive function, it can make it difficult to concentrate and retain information,” Stevens said. “It can also make one emotionally labile (mood swings).”
The students with more challenging classes are often up late studying and doing projects, which takes away a lot of the needed sleep. This can also lead to many problems within these people’s brains and bodies.
“Long term sleep deprivation can lead to serious diseases like heart disease and mental diseases,” Stevens said.
So next time you’re trying to fall asleep, try turning your cell phone, T.V., and all other electrical devices off.
“I do have students that visit the nurse’s office who would like to ‘just take a little power nap because they stayed up too late’,” Stevens said. Don’t be that student, and get a good night sleep!
“During the week I get an average of five hours maybe six,” junior Bryce Hickson said. “If I have work I stay up until 1 a.m.”
While most student’s sleep schedules are similar to this, teenagers need nine to 10 hours of sleep per night to function correctly. There is evidence that around the time of becoming a teenager, there is a shift in the sleep-wake cycle to being sleepy later in the evening with a preference for waking later, according to the Better Health Channel.
With teenagers’ busy lifestyles, it’s nearly impossible for them to get the recommended amount of sleep.
“I think there are many reasons why teens don’t get enough sleep,” said school nurse Jill Stevens. “Some of those reasons could be staying up late to complete homework, especially if they participate in extracurricular activities or have a job”.
School beginning at 7:45 a.m. each day requires an early wake-up call and means teens should be going to bed at around nine at night. If a teenager is involved with any activity outside of school, it is often an even more stressful situation for them.
“I once stayed up talking to one of my good friends on the phone until five a.m and I had a volleyball tournament the next day,” said freshman Danielle Jacobson. “I only got one hour of sleep and I had to stay home because I couldn’t catch my breath, I was so tired.”
Many teenagers are often up late doing unnecessary activities that are often times just for fun.
“I see students that say they are exhausted because they stay up late watching TV, movies or texting, etc,” Stevens said.
Besides school and other recreational activities, there are more things that contribute to the lack of sleep teenagers are getting each and every night.
“Social networking is a constant stimulation to us,” junior Danielle Cross said. “My phone is on for an alarm, but if I get a text or Facebook notification, it goes off.”
Not only are phones considered a big distraction in school, but also when trying to rest for the night.
“Research shows that sleep deprivation can adversely affect the brain and cognitive function, it can make it difficult to concentrate and retain information,” Stevens said. “It can also make one emotionally labile (mood swings).”
The students with more challenging classes are often up late studying and doing projects, which takes away a lot of the needed sleep. This can also lead to many problems within these people’s brains and bodies.
“Long term sleep deprivation can lead to serious diseases like heart disease and mental diseases,” Stevens said.
So next time you’re trying to fall asleep, try turning your cell phone, T.V., and all other electrical devices off.
“I do have students that visit the nurse’s office who would like to ‘just take a little power nap because they stayed up too late’,” Stevens said. Don’t be that student, and get a good night sleep!