NEUROCOGNITIVE EFFECTS OF SLEEP ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Sleep is a vital neurobiological process that is necessary for brain development, cognitive performance and emotional control. According to research, deficient or poor-quality sleep affects attention, executive functions and memory consolidation, all of which are important for learning and academic success. A large number of biobank and neuroimaging studies suggest regular sleep of approximately 7 hours in adults and age-appropriate ranges in youth are associated with better cognitive function and preserved grey matter volume in fronto-hippocampal networks that support learning and self-regulation. On the other hand, deficient sleep, erratic or irregular sleep patterns and poor sleep quality are consistently linked to reduced cognitive flexibility, increased stress and ultimately compromised academic performance and self-controlled study habits. In addition, there is a bidirectional relationship between sleep and psychiatric conditions like anxiety, depression and attention problems, all of which have a significant impact on academic performance. This chapter encompasses knowledge on the neurobiology of sleep, the mechanisms that link sleep to cognitive and academic success, and the effect of lifestyle and psychosocial factors, are also discussed. It also highlights strategies such as policy changes, sleep hygiene and mental health screening, which can promote educational environments that are both academically supportive and mentally healthy.