Do students at PCS get enough sleep? In short, the answer is no. According to John Hopkins Medicine, teens need 9-10 hours of sleep each night. By collecting personal statements from various students of each grade, we found that the average amount of sleep for a PCS student is 7.1 hours. While the average amount of sleep in each grade varies, PCS students are 1-2 hours short of the recommended amount of sleep. The most common reasons for lack of sleep were: “Too much homework,” “Sports,” and personal life, including screen time. 

Lack of sleep can impact all aspects of life, including socially, mentally, and academically. Lack of sleep is known to cause anxiety and stress, as well as be detrimental to mood and overall mental health. Lack of sleep also impacts the abilities of students to learn, making it harder to concentrate in class and be present in their everyday lives. Overall, healthy levels of sleep are significant for the well-being of students. The solution? Appropriate amounts of homework each night, managing screen time, and dedicated sleep schedules.