Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Functions and Academic Achievement in Students

Abstract

The modern educational environment has observed a concerning trend wherein students increasingly compromise on sleep, which may have significant ramifications on cognitive functions and subsequent academic performance. This study explores the impact of sleep deprivation, bringing to the fore its profound consequences. Cognitively, sleep deprivation manifests in various ways. A marked reduction in attention span, paired with a rise in attentional lapses, severely impedes tasks that require prolonged concentration. The integral role of sleep-in memory consolidation suggests that its deficit can detrimentally affect both the encoding and retrieval facets of memory. Moreover, the executive functions are not immune; sleep-deprived individuals face pronounced challenges in tasks that demand planning, decision-making, and error correction. This review also underscores the impediment of problem-solving abilities and creative thinking following inadequate sleep. Notably, emotional repercussions are evident, with sleep deprivation correlating with emotional disturbances, encompassing irritability and depressive symptomatology. Furthermore, sleep-deprived individuals consistently demonstrate an extended reaction time, detrimental to tasks demanding swift decision-making. From an academic lens, the consequences are similarly concerning. Students experiencing sleep deprivation exhibit a reduced capacity to assimilate novel concepts, leading to hampered comprehension and retention. Quantitatively, studies have discerned a tangible negative correlation between sleep deprivation and grade point averages, pointing to a direct academic decline. Furthermore, there is a palpable reduction in the motivation to partake in academic activities among sleep-deprived students. This, combined with heightened cognitive impairments, escalates the propensity for errors in academic tasks. The health ramifications of prolonged sleep deprivation cannot be sidelined, with an evident association between inadequate sleep and increased absenteeism due to health complications.