As finals draw near, Carlmont students are filling libraries and classrooms with steady review sessions. Yet alongside the academic push, many are starting to recognize that consistent sleep is just as essential for staying focused and retaining important material.
From Dec. 15 to 18, Carlmont Students will be taking their fall semester finals, marking one of the most academically challenging weeks of the year. Over these four days, students will take exams in all their classes, following an adjusted schedule with longer classes and early releases.
Most teachers have been providing review materials and support to help prepare their students as they balance large workloads, stress, and end-of-semester assignments with winter break approaching.
With so much happening in such a short amount of time, schools continue to stress the importance of getting enough sleep and rest. This reminds students that proper rest can help improve focus, attention span, reduce anxiety, and better prepare them for finals.
According to The National Library of Medicine, fewer than 10% of students typically get eight hours of sleep before exams, but when extra credit is offered, a small number of 24 students participated and averaged about eight and a half hours of sleep, about 7% more than the average. This is known as the eight-hour sleep challenge, which proves that many students can maintain optimal sleep while studying, without sacrificing test performance.
Over the past decade, men and women have reported getting less and less sleep. Rising stress levels, busy schedules, and distractions, such as excessive technology usage, have made it harder to maintain healthy sleeping habits, contributing to a universal decline.
Carlmont sophomore Zachary Brier is discovering just how much rest shapes his performance as finals approach.
“I sleep around seven hours or eight if I try, on school nights,” Brier said.
Yet, as finals draw closer, he’s realizing that even those hours might not be enough, and to ensure he’s prepared, he may need to take new measures.
“I think rest is pretty important because I’ve noticed when I don’t sleep as well, I can’t perform as well,” Brier said.
Nap Time Club president, Jaysie Ho, has made it her mission to remind students in her club that rest is just as essential as studying. As she leads her club in mindfulness and rejuvenation, she believes that prioritizing sleep is essential, especially during a stressful time like finals week.
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that sleep is critical for memory consolidation, learning, and cognitive function. Students who do not get enough sleep are more likely to struggle with concentration, problem-solving, and retaining information. All these factors can negatively impact their academic performance, leading to decreased productivity and lower grades.
Fellow Carlmont sophomore Mila Brinegar knows all too well how difficult it can be to balance sleep on top of the pressure from finals.
“I got four hours of sleep last year during finals. Rest is insanely important because sleep is what helps you think,” Brinegar said.
During review week, Carlmont Associated Student Body (ASB) offered two lunchtime napping opportunities on Tuesday and Thursday for students who felt they needed extra rest. The initiative aimed to give stressed students a moment to rest, emphasizing that proper rest can boost academic performance. By carving out a space for students to unwind, ASB hopes to remind everyone that taking time to rest is just as valuable as constant review.
Tips for balancing sleep and study
Many students are searching for ways to study more effectively. While approaches vary for different kinds of learners, a few simple strategies can make the process less overwhelming and more successful.
According to Point Loma Nazarene University, nine short steps can make all the difference.
“Put away electronics and don’t look at screens an hour before going to bed. This helps you fall asleep sooner,” Ho said.
Ultimately, prioritizing sleep isn’t just a break from important studying; students stick by it as an incredibly important tool that helps them stay sharp and ready to face finals with determination.
