When it comes to good grades, many parents think that they need to encourage, tutoring, study habits, and schoolwork to set a foundation. While these are powerful contributors to improving a student’s academic standing, there’s another that isn’t often considered but makes a huge difference in academic performance: Sleep.
Families across the country are starting to recognize the benefits of a well-rested student. Gone are the days of thinking that cramming actually works, sleeping is an essential part of the learning process. If your teen has been struggling to focus, stay motivated, or bring home the good grades that they are capable of, the solution is going to be getting more sleep!
Why Sleep is Essential for Good Grades
In an article published by the News in Health government website, they stated:
“We’ve learned that sleep before learning helps prepare your brain for initial formation of memories,” says Dr. Matthew Walker, a sleep scientist at the University of California, Berkeley. “And then, sleep after learning is essential to help save and cement that new information into the architecture of the brain, meaning that you’re less likely to forget it.”
Research seems to continuously suggest that students that get ample amounts of sleep perform better. The reasons are:
- Memory Retention: During sleep, the brain is able to further process and store what was learned during the day. When a student doesn’t sleep, they can struggle to recall important information for tests and homework.
- Focus and Attention: When a brain is tired it has trouble paying attention in class. Even the best lessons and tutoring sessions are difficult to retain when your child is falling asleep in their chair.
- Emotional Regulation: When a student is sleep deprived, they are more susceptible to feelings of stress, anxiety, and frustration. These emotions get in the way of the student’s learning and getting good grades.
How Much Sleep Do Students Really Need?
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends:
- Middle School Students (Ages 11-13): 9-11 hours per night
- High School Students (Ages 14-17): 9-10 hours per night
Unfortunately, many students, especially high schoolers, aren’t meeting these recommended sleep times. Cramming culture is one part of it, but late-night phone use, packed schedules, and homework overload are equal contributors!
Common Sleep Mistakes That Hurt Academic Performance
Parents and students alike can underestimate the small habits that disrupt rest. A few of the most common include:
- Late-Night Cramming: Sacrificing sleep for study might feel productive, but it actually reduces memory retention!
- Screen Time Before Bed: Blue light from phones and laptops tricks the brain into staying awake longer.
- Irregular Bedtimes: Going to bed at different times each night confuses the body’s natural rhythm.
When these patterns repeat they add up to more than just being tired in the morning. They create bad habits, and ultimately block your child’s potential for good grades.
Tips for Parents to Help Students Sleep Better
The best way to ensure your child is setup for academic success is by protecting their sleep. Here are some of my favorite strategies:
- Consistent Bedtime: Even on weekends! Sticking to a schedule helps regulate the body clock and leaves your student feeling fresh and ready in the mornings.
- Create a Screen-Free Zone: Encourage your student to turn off their device an hour before bedtime. This gives their brain enough time to wind-down before bed
- Encourage Healthy Evening Routines: Reading, journaling, or stretching before bed can help relax your student’s mind before bed!
- Prioritize Sleep Over “Extra” Study Time: Remind your student that rest is part of the learning process, not wasted time!
Sleep + Smart Study = A Recipe for Good Grades
At TenneyTutors, we know that academics don’t exist in isolation. A student who is able to balance their study habits with a healthy sleep schedule is more likely to succeed in school (and their life beyond). While tutoring is an important part in helping a student academically, nothing can beat the importance of sleep as it’s the foundation that supports all learning.
If your child is working hard but is struggling to see an improvement in their academic performance, it more likely than not their sleep schedule that’s holding their good grades back.
Final Takeaway
When it comes to getting good grades, it’s not just about working hard, it’s about working smarter! One of the smartest strategies is a simple one: Getting good sleep. By prioritizing rest, your student is setting themselves up for a successful day ahead. Learning can’t happen when they can’t stay awake. And if you would like to take it a step further, I highly recommend looking into one of our professional tutors. Here at TenneyTutors we prioritize having real private school teachers available as tutors so your student can have the best learning experience possible!