Introduction
Sleep is one of the most crucial processes in humans. People need to have adequate sleep to function normally as sleep is the time when the body recharges itself (Ibrahim et al., 2021). Many parts of the body require a long duration to regain energy, such as the brain; therefore, sleep deprivation will reduce the brain’s efficacy. The frontal lobes are responsible for cognitive skills, and poor sleep patterns negatively affect brain areas (de Carvalho et al., 2013, as cited in Ibrahim et al., 2021). As a result, sleep deficiency diminishes the ability to retain memory, influencing a person’s educational achievement. University students are well-known for sleep deficiency. There are many rationales that lead to such issues. They start to live on their own, take care of themselves and have other responsibilities to deal with. Students have many concerns to think about, so they have difficulty falling asleep. From a psychological perspective, it is believed that developmental changes in the brain also lead to the shift of bedtime (Roenneberg et al., 2004, as cited in Driller et al., 2022, p.1). The increase in caffeine consumption, addiction to electronic devices, work-study balance, and lack of physical activity are found as common causes that contribute to sleep deprivation. This paper aimed to (1) determine the causes of sleep deprivation and multiple ways they affect students’ academic performance, (2) discuss students’ activities that lead to sleep disruption, and (3) provide various strategies to prevent sleep disturbance.
1. Causes of sleep deprivation and multiple ways they affect student’s academic performance
Caffeine consumption
Due to the busy schedule, university students frequently consume caffeine and energy drinks. Caffeine inhibits adenosine receptors; thus, increasing arousal. Caffeine also prevents sleep-promoting pathways by acting on the gamma-aminobutyric acid neurons of the posterior hypothalamus (Negussie et al., 2021). In short, it is believed that caffeine can boost cognitive function and promote wakefulness (McLellan et al., 2016, as cited in Mykin et al., 2021). However, the effect of caffeine can last for a long time and disrupt the feeling of sleepiness. As a result, the person who consumed caffeine might find it difficult to fall asleep at night. Energy drinks also contain caffeine; therefore, it provides the same effect. Having said that, the amount of caffeine added to the energy drinks is not disclosed by the manufacturer; thus, consumers will not be aware of how much caffeine they have taken in. Consequently, the effect of energy drinks might be stronger than regular coffee. This is the reason why more students consume energy drinks as they want to be more awake. As students want to obtain a stronger wakefulness effect, they have a difficult time falling asleep at night, and their sleep quality will be significantly reduced. As a result, daytime sleepiness is unavoidable, and students will not be focused on the lectures. Consequently, they will likely to be susceptible with academic failure.
Electronic device uses and social media
The prevalence of electronic device uses is increasing nowadays, especially among university students. Students need to access the Internet for their assignments, projects, reading materials and other resources that support their studying. Besides, students use virtual platforms for social communication, listening to music, and playing games. Due to the busy schedule, the majority of students use electronic devices at night, specifically before bedtime. Researchers discovered that about 60 percent of people bring their phones to the bedroom at bedtime (Exelmens et al., 2016, as cited in Ibrahim et al., 2021). Biologically, humans follow the light cycle to determine when to sleep. Humans awake in the presence of daylight and fall asleep in the absence of sunlight. Researchers had found that electronic devices are enriched with blue light which is similar to the morning sunlight; therefore, using electronic devices before bedtime will keep a person awake (Cajochen et al., 2011, as cited in Pham et al., 2021). Additionally, the blue light hinders melatonin-a sleep hormone, which in turn, negatively affects sleep time (Chellappa et al., 2013, as cited in Pham et al., 2021). Moreover, if a person immerses in using electronic devices, they disrupt their sleep pattern without being noticed.
It is believed that students who are likely to become addicted to smartphones will hurt their academic performance (Chaudhury et al., 2018, as cited in Rathakrishnan et al., 2021). Students usually use smartphones to send text messages and browse Facebook while doing assignments. Smartphones distract students’ attention in class. Additionally, students’ motivation to learn will reduce when they are addicted to electronic devices. Furthermore, excessive use of smartphones is time-consuming which shortens students’ sleep duration and time to complete academic work. Smartphones draw students’ attention away from other important tasks.
Work-study balance
Post-secondary education is costly. Unsurprisingly, many university students have part-time jobs besides studying at school. Jack et al., (2021) proposed that students who work a lot due to financial strain will likely experience sleep disturbance. Students are stressed with financial issues; therefore, they have a hard time falling asleep as well as focusing on school. Researchers pointed out that working 20 hours or more will have a negative impact on students’ academic performance (Logan et al., 2016, as cited in Jack et al., 2021). Students have to meet the demand of their courses as well as maintain their work schedule; therefore, they do not have enough time to sleep. Inadequate sleep creates stress. The combination of the stress from work, lack of sleep, and course load significantly reduces students’ well-being. Furthermore, sleep deficiency is also linked with depression which negatively impacts cognitive and physical functioning (Orzech et al., 2011, as cited in Jack et al., 2021). Frequent sleep deprivation makes students fatigued; thus, they will not be able to stay focused on class.
Lack of physical activity
Students have many schoolwork commitments; therefore, they do not have enough time to sleep. As sleep deficiency leads to fatigue, students lack the motivation to exercise. Spending too much time on social networks also reduces the time for physical activity. Some researchers believe there is a bi-directional relationship between sleep and physical activity, which means that physical activity affects sleep and vice versa (Akca et al., 2019, as cited in Memon et al., 2021). Exercising improves physical health and reduces stress which contributes to good sleep quality. As a result, students’ mental health will be significantly improved, which leads to an increase in students’ motivation to learn. On the other hand, many researchers propose there is no relationship between these two variables. Moreover, a negative association between sleep and physical activity can be expected. A person who spends more time sleeping will have less time to exercise. The study by Memon et al., (2021) showed that physical activity can improve sleep quality a little, as well as physical activity, is weakly associated with shorter sleep duration. Further investigation is needed to draw a conclusion about the relationship between sleep and exercise.
2. Reported sleep quality and of university students in different degrees
Medical students
Medical students are swamped with clinical clerkships, hours in classes, and overnight work; therefore, they have a higher risk of suffering from sleep deficiency. Perotta et al., (2021) conducted a study on medical students in Brazil. Their results revealed that about 62.2 percent of students had poor sleep quality. Daytime sleepiness and drowsiness are unavoidable. As a result, students’ life quality and mental health are significantly impacted. By working in a medical environment, an individual witnesses many sorrowful situations. Being able to express empathy is an important emotional response that successful medical workers should have. It is believed that the ability to show empathy will be negatively impacted by sleep deficiency. Prolonged sleep deprivation also leads to the shift in a person’s sleep-wake cycle. Other researchers proposed that students who are sleep deficient from one to three hours at night during the week will have longer sleep duration and wake up late during the weekend (Hansen et al., 2005, as cited in Perotta et al., 2021).
Health degree students
Driller et al., (2022) chose undergraduate Health degree students in New Zealand as their studied groups. The researchers decided to use PSQI, a self-report questionnaire to evaluate students’ sleep quality and sleep disturbance. The questions were provided on a scale of 4 points, and lower scores are equivalent to better sleep quality. Students were then categorized into poor, moderate, and good sleepers. To evaluate students’ academic performance, the researchers averaged the grades of three subjects: Introduction to Human Performance Science, Foundations of Health, Sport and Human Performance, and Understanding Health and Wellbeing. 35 percent of participants were identified as poor sleepers, 33 percent are moderate sleepers, and 32 percent are good sleepers. Results showed that students with earlier bedtime will obtain higher grades and sleep quality/quantity does not correlate with academic success. This finding supports the study of Sweileh et al., (2011) which also revealed no relationship between sleep quality and academic success (p.4). Researchers found that sleep duration does not have a big influence on a student’s academic performance, but bedtime, sleep latency, and wake times do (Eliasson, 2010, as cited in Driller et al., 2022). As such, the association between total sleep time and academic performance is negligible.
Nursing students
Mykin et al., (2021) conducted a study to examine the sleep quality of nursing students. They found that a large number of students consume energy drinks which contain caffeine. Energy drinks are more popular than regular coffee as it provides a stronger wakefulness effect. Mykin et al., (2021) decided to use Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate students’ sleep quality. Results show that students who consume energy drinks had poorer sleep quality than those who do not or consume other caffeinated drinks. Additionally, consuming energy drinks shortens the sleep duration of students; thus, increasing students’ stress levels. Excessive stress levels lead to reduced sleep quality and vice versa; therefore, a vicious cycle will be formed. As a result, students’ performance in clinical settings and in class will be diminished.
Mathematics students
Ibrahim et al., (2021) conducted a study on undergraduate Mathematics students at UiTM, and fifty students participated in this investigation. Results show that 47 out of 50 respondents brought their phones to the bedroom, and a small proportion had caffeine intake at night. Blue light from smart devices interferes with melatonin-sleep hormone secretion; thus, students’ sleep pattern is disrupted. The same issue happens when students consume caffeine as it is a promoting-wakefulness agent. Moreover, Ibrahim and colleagues investigate the association between sleep patterns and students’ academic success. They evaluate students’ academic performance through CGPA, a grading scale in the educational system. Among 50 participants, the researchers found that 11 out of 17 students with CGPA 3.0-3.49 reported their sleep duration was 6 to 8 hours per day. 15 out of 22 students with CGPA 3.5 and above also had the same sleep range. 6 out of 9 students with CGPA 2.50-2.99 happened to be the same. Only 2 students with CGPA below 2.50 reported their sleep duration was more than 8 hours. This finding indicates that oversleep can associate with non-successful academic result. Obtaining just enough sleep duration (6-8 hours) is associated with academic success.
3. Reported sleep quality of university students in different countries
In Vietnam, the investigation by Pham et al., (2021) showed that about half of students reported poor sleep quality, particularly 48.8 percent. Pham and colleagues also mentioned that approximately 57.5 percent of poor-sleep students in Hong Kong, 54.7 percent of poor-sleep students in Taiwan, and 49.4 percent of poor-sleep students in central Vietnam. Moreover, it was found that Southeast Asian university students have the shortest sleep duration compared with those in other regions of the world (Peltzer et al., 2016, as cited in Pham et al., 2021). The differences in educational systems and lifestyles in each country affects an individual’s sleep habit. Students in developing countries are more stressful in terms of finance, environment, and other factors compared to those in developed countries.
Researchers proposed that sleep duration does not have a big influence on students’ academic performance, but bedtime, sleep latency, and wake times do (Eliasson, 2010, as cited in Driller et al., 2022). On the other hand, Gaultney et al., (2010) proposed in their study that students, who are susceptible to severe sleep loss, are at the edge of academic failure (p.4). This indicates a correlation between sleep quality and academic success. Gaultney et al., (2010) conducted their study on American students whereas the authors set up their investigation in New Zealand. The differences in sleep habits and culture among the two studied groups might lead to these contrasting results.
4. Solution to prevent sleep deprivation
It is suggested that students should avoid using technological devices for at least an hour before bedtime. Using electronic devices within 30 minutes before bedtime is acceptable as it will not affect an individual’s sleep quality. Some researchers recommend the use of blue light blocking glasses or blue light filter apps to prevent the interference of blue light in melatonin release. Avoiding consuming energy drinks and caffeinated beverages before bedtime is another strategy. Additionally, taking short naps throughout the day can prevent drowsiness; thus, helping students stay focused in class. Undeniably, smartphone addiction is extremely common nowadays. Smartphones distract students’ attention from their assignments and other tasks; therefore, limiting smartphone use time will significantly increase one’s efficacy in completing their work.
Conclusion
Sleep deficiency is strongly associated with reduced academic performance. Students’ ability to stay focused on class will be significantly reduced as a result of sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep disturbs other human normal functions such as cognitive thinking and memorizing. These abilities are extremely prominent for students’ academic performance; thus, sleep deficiency will negatively impact students’ academic success. Smartphone addiction is one of the major causes that disturb sleep patterns. The demands for students’ accessibility to technology is increasing as they need to catch up with the latest resources. Students use electronic devices for social communication, studying, reading, and other activities; therefore, pre-bed technology is unavoidable. Other common causes, such as caffeine consumption, work-study balance, and lack of physical activity, that contribute to sleep deprivation have been mentioned in the paper. Exercising is believed to reduce stress and improve students’ mental health. However, further studies are required to conclude the relationship between sleep and physical activity.
Students in different parts of the world reported different sleep duration with different sleep quality. Cultural differences in sleep habits and differences in educational systems might be the factors that contribute to the different results. It is believed that sleep disturbances in medical students are higher than in non-medical students. Medical students have more work commitments and clinical practices, so they barely have time to sleep. Furthermore, working in a medical environment is extremely stressful, so students’ mental health is also affected. As a result, many of them are found to have a hard time falling asleep.
Driller et al., (2022) conducted the study on Health students because they aimed to examine individuals, who are more knowledgeable about the impact of sleep on their well-being and performance, have any changes in their sleep habits. Although this paper reports sleep quality of university students in both health-related and non-health-related programs, the differences in their sleep habits are not mentioned. Further studies are required to discuss any detectable changes in sleep habits if the students are more aware of sleep deficiency consequences.
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