'Key To Performing Well in Exams' Is Good Night's Sleep

A sleep specialist has claimed that loss of sleep due to all-night study sessions to prepare for final exams actually work against students striving to perform well.

Dr. Philip Alapat, medical director, Harris Health Sleep Disorders Center, and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, recommends students to instead study throughout the semester, set up study sessions in the evening and get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before exams.

About Sleep Disorder
Sleep disorders can either be having difficulty in getting sleep or dozing off at inappropriate time.

"Memory recall and ability to maintain concentration are much improved when an individual is rested," Alapat said.

"By preparing early and being able to better recall what you have studied, your ability to perform well on exams is increased," he said.

While college-aged students ideally should get 8-9 hours of sleep a night, truth is that most generally get much less.

About Sleep Disturbances
The physical, emotional and hormonal changes that occur in women during puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can cause Sleep Disturbances

"Any prolonged sleep deprivation will affect your mood, energy level and ability to focus, concentrate and learn, which directly affects your academic performance," Alapat said.

Throw in the occasional all-nighter, consumption of caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea or energy drinks, and students are at risk for developing insomnia, as well as increased risks for alcohol abuse and motor vehicle accidents.

Sleep Disorders in Children - Overview, Types, Diagnosis, Management
Sleep disorders are problems in sleep that meet diagnostic criteria for a disorder. They include insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, parasomnias and narcolepsy.

"A lot of college students graduate high school and leave the protective family environment where they have curfews or set bed times," Alapat said.

"In college, they don't have these guidelines for sleep and recognize that they can stay up late. This likely contributes to the sleep deprivation seen commonly in college students," he said.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders - Types, Causes, Health risks, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis
Circadian rhythm (also known as sleep/wake cycle or the body clock) is a biological process that follows an internal cycle of roughly 24 hours.

Alapat recommends students to get 8-9 hours of sleep nightly especially before final exams, study during periods of optimal brain function (usually around 6-8 p.m.), avoid studying in early afternoons (usually the time of least alertness), avoid overuse caffeinated drinks and recognize that chronic sleep deprivation may contribute to development of long-term diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Source-ANI