THE COGNITIVE AND ACADEMIC IMPLICATIONS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION IN ADOLESCENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

This study explores the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on the academic performance of high school students. Drawing on psychological and neurobiological evidence, the paper demonstrates how insufficient sleep disrupts mood regulation, memory consolidation, and cognitive function. Through a cross-sectional survey of adolescents aged 13–18 across multiple continents, it assesses the relationship between sleep patterns and academic engagement. The findings reveal a clear link: students who sleep less report greater emotional instability, reduced focus in class, and diminished ability to retain information. These effects are shown to impair academic performance in both the short and long term. The paper argues that improving sleep hygiene is not just beneficial but essential for academic success. As the demands on teenagers grow, this research underscores the importance of sleep as a non-negotiable component of holistic development and educational achievement.