The Impact of Sleep Quality on Academic Performance Among Medical Students at a Medical University in Malaysia.

Sleep plays a crucial role in supporting memory, attention, and emotional balance, yet medical students often face disrupted sleep due to heavy workloads, clinical duties, and lifestyle habits. This study explored the relationship between sleep quality and academic performance among second-year MBBS students at a medical university in Malaysia. A qualitative case study design was used, with twelve participants selected through purposive sampling using semi-structured interviews and analysed through thematic analysis. Four major themes emerged: (1) late-night study culture reinforced by peer norms and guilt over early rest; (2) cognitive and emotional consequences of poor sleep, including impaired focus, reduced memory, and heightened anxiety; (3) academic stress and lifestyle disruptions, such as examination pressure, irregular schedules, and digital device use; and (4) coping strategies, ranging from adaptive practices like short naps and group study to maladaptive reliance on caffeine. Findings suggest that cultural and institutional factors strongly shape sleep patterns and their academic impact. The study highlights the need for health-promoting initiatives at the university, including awareness programmes on sleep hygiene, stress management interventions, and workload adjustments to foster healthier academic cultures and enhance student well-being.