SLEEP, MOOD AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Sleep is a fundamental biological process that significantly influences learning and academic achievement. This chapter examines the multidimensional relationship between sleep, cognition, and academic performance, highlighting how sleep duration, quality, and timing affect attention, memory consolidation, and executive functioning. Research evidence shows that poor sleep impairs concentration, problem-solving, and emotional regulation, leading to reduced academic outcomes. Moreover, the interplay between sleep, mood, and stress creates a reciprocal cycle in which inadequate sleep contributes to emotional instability, while academic pressure further disrupts sleep patterns. Findings from both school-age and undergraduate populations indicate that structured interventions, including sleep education, sleep hygiene practices, and later school start times, enhance both sleep quality and academic performance. The chapter emphasizes the importance of integrating sleep health into educational policies and interventions to foster student well-being and academic success.