Proper Sleep Before Exam Day is Better Than Staying up All Night Studying, Study Says

According to a new study by a Harris Health System sleep specialist, lack of sleep during exams in order to prepare by staying up late at night cannot help in performing well during the exams. In fact, it can have a reverse effect.

Dr. Philip Alapat, medical director, Harris Health Sleep Disorders Center and assistant professor, Baylor College of Medicine, insists that students study in the evenings rather than late nights, as that is the best time for concentration, and get at least eight hours of good sleep the night before the exams which can lead to better results, according to a Science Daily report.

"Memory recall and ability to maintain concentration are much improved when an individual is rested," he said in a report published in Science Daily. "By preparing early and being able to better recall what you have studied, your ability to perform well on exams is increased."

Alapat and his team perform an annual study on patients to learn the different type of sleep disorders. Usually, lack of sleep leads to many such disorders such as: insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is recommended that adolescents get a minimum sleep of 8-9 hours a night.

"Any prolonged sleep deprivation will affect your mood, energy level and ability to focus, concentrate and learn, which directly affects your academic performance," he said. "A lot of college students graduate high school and leave the protective family environment where they have curfews or set bed times."

Alapat further adds in the same report, "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."

According to the report, students are at a higher risk of insomnia due to consumption of beverages to keep away sleep like coffee, tea or any energy drinks. It may also result in irritability and alcohol abuse, which in turn may also lead to accidents.