Sleep, Anxiety and Health: Decoding Their Interplay in Academic Performance of Higher Education Students

Sleep is fundamental to mental health, cognitive performance, and overall well-being. However, irregular sleep patterns can impact negatively to the academic performance of college students. This study explores the relationships among academic achievement, anxiety, health, and sleep factors, including sleep quality, cycles, and disruptions, using a mixedmethod approach. Quantitative research employed tools such as Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the SF-12 Health Survey and GPA analyzed through correlation Key findings indicate significant correlations between anxiety, academic performance, and sleep habits, with a strong relationship observed between sleep and concentration (with <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\mathbf{r}=\mathbf{0. 6 9}$</tex>). Other variables, such as sacrificing sleep for assignments showed weaker to moderate correlations. Hypothesis testing and ttests highlighted notable effects, including how sleep disruptions impair concentration and the impact of academic pressure on sleep. On average, students reported losing 1 hour and 40 minutes of sleep during exam nights. Thus, this study underscores the critical role of sleep in mitigating academic stress and promoting student performance.