In a bustling high school hallway, energy drinks and coffee are common sights and remedies that combat exhaustion, often from lack of sleep. Phrases like “I’m tired” and “I stayed up late last night” fly through the crowd. It seems that there is a major issue regarding teenagers and sleep.
 

According to The National Sleep Foundation, teenagers require 8-10 hours of sleep a night. Data collected from a poll completed by Lincoln Way West students revealed that on average students get about 6.5 hours of sleep each night. According to Newport Academy, this lack of sleep can cause irritability, mood swings and trouble concentrating, as well as increased nervousness and hyperactivity. 

Why aren’t these high school students getting enough sleep? Our poll data shows that 76% of students interviewed participate in after school activities along with an average of 1.5 hours of homework. In addition, 26% of students go to work after school and 14% both work and participate in other activities. With school starting at 8:06 a.m., students would have to be asleep around 10:30 p.m. at the latest to meet the 8–10-hour mark. Results show that the average time West students fall asleep is at 11:30 p.m. 

While some causes of unhealthy sleep habits cannot be helped, it is important to prioritize your sleep and health. If possible, try not to overload your schedule and maximize your time during advisory by doing some homework. The workload of high school can be challenging, but you should remember to still take care of yourself and get enough sleep.