It’s no secret that high school students are exhausted. Between early mornings, late-night homework, after-school jobs, extracurriculars, and even endless scrolling before bed, sleep often becomes the first thing to go. For many teens, getting enough sleep feels almost impossible even when they know how important it is.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that most high school students average about 6.5 hours of sleep per night, but the CDC recommends 8-10 hours of sleep.

Late-night scrolling on social media or playing on phones cuts into that time. “Engaging with your phone’s interactive content, like social media, also keeps your brain stimulated and alert instead of winding down,” health science teacher, Mrs. Cromartie said. John Hopkins Medicine reports that “blue light from phones and screens delays the body’s natural sleep signals, making it harder to fall asleep.”

Sleep deprivation can affect mood, focus, and academic performance. Teachers notice tired students in morning classes, and studies show chronic sleep loss is linked to higher stress and anxiety. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, “Children and teens who are sleep deficient may… have problems paying attention. They also may get lower grades and feel stressed.”

“Sometimes I have too many assignments, so I either have to go to bed really late or wake up really early to finish them,” Monica Ibrahim (10) said.

With school, extracurriculars, and after school jobs competing for attention, sleep often comes last. As Red Ribbon Week reminds students to make healthier choices, getting enough rest should be one of them.