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Barely hearing the teacher’s voice, senior Renisha Patel slumped into her seat, her eyes heavy and tired from a restless night. 

It was 9 a.m., and her head pounded with the relentless rhythm of exhaustion. As she pulled out her English textbook, she glanced at the clock and sighed, knowing the day ahead would be another marathon of classes, extracurriculars and endless homework.

“I can’t follow along in class because I can barely keep my eyes open,” Patel said.

In today’s fast-paced world, many students like Patel are finding themselves increasingly short on sleep, and the consequences are becoming more apparent. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 70% of high school students don’t get enough sleep on school nights.

The struggle to get rest comes from a mix of factors, including the influence of academic pressures, outside obligations, procrastination and biological aspects. As these different factors clash with students’ natural sleep patterns, many find themselves caught in a cycle of sleep deprivation.

In today’s competitive educational environment, students face intense pressure to achieve top grades, excel in standardized tests and secure spots in prestigious colleges and universities, often leading to long study hours, late-night cramming and a reduced amount of time for sleep. 

“I would say that the amount of homework I have, merely because of the rigor of my classes, makes me stay up later trying to complete it all,” Patel said.

Trying to balance classes and academic demands in school with the other aspects of life can contribute significantly to sleep deprivation among teenagers.

Patel is involved in the school’s varsity girl’s volleyball team. Long practice hours and afterschool games often contribute to having less time to do her homework on time and get good sleep.

“Right now we’re in volleyball season, so I come out of practice around six, and then I have to drive home, and I live pretty far,” she said.

This dynamic illustrates a broader issue faced by many students: the struggle to balance various aspects of their lives while managing their need for rest. 

There’s also the procrastination paradox. 

Procrastination is a common challenge among students, and its effects extend far beyond missed deadlines and last-minute cramming. 

For students like Patel, procrastination often translates into a cycle of stress and sleep deprivation that can be difficult to break, and like many other students, Patel often finds herself putting off assignments and studying until the last minute.

As deadlines loom closer, the need to catch up on work often leads to late-night study sessions and early morning cramming, leading to further sleep deprivation.

This lack of sleep exacerbates stress, making it even harder to focus and complete assignments effectively. The cycle repeats itself, creating a pattern of sleep loss and academic struggle.

Biological factors related to their age also cause teenagers to grapple with sleep issues.

Naturally for teens, melatonin production doesn’t kick in until late at night. In addition, hormonal changes associated with puberty also play a role in teens’ sleep patterns. 

“I usually don’t get too tired very early, which is why I start doing my work so late. But then it just perpetuates a toxic cycle,” Patel said.

Kris Swartzendruber, Michigan State University Extension educator, states that adolescents have internal clocks that differ from those of kids and adults. 

“The body’s circadian rhythm, which acts like an internal biological clock, is reset during the teen years, telling the person to fall asleep and wake up later,” Swartzendruber said.

These hormonal fluctuations may affect sleep quality and duration, adding another layer to the complex relationship between sleep and adolescent development. 

By understanding and addressing the biological underpinnings of sleep issues, the well-being and academic success of teenagers can be better supported. Schools, parents and policymakers must collaborate to create environments that support healthy sleep habits, helping students navigate this critical stage of development with improved rest and resilience.

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2024 print edition.