The Preuss School provides an environment where scholars are being prepared for college. In order to do this, they are provided with challenging coursework. However, this is very taxing on the body both physically and mentally. Scholars’ bodies are what provide energy and help them concentrate in order for them to one day reach a college education. To make sure all scholars’ bodies are able to keep this up, it is important to make sleep a high priority since it is during this time in which the body can repair, refuel, and strengthen itself. 

So what exactly happens during sleep? According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), during sleep, many different processes occur. For example, the brain cleanses itself and begins to consolidate memories, muscle tissue begins to repair itself, the immune system strengthens itself, and growth hormone gets released into the body. During the day, Preuss scholars can experience fatigue and stress brought on by heavy workloads as well as by physical exercise. When this happens, the body essentially fixes those issues at night while sleeping. Rest replenishes energy reserves and lowers cortisol levels, which is the hormone responsible for stress. In order to repair muscle tissue from physical activity, the body relies on many different processes which are sped up during sleep.  Not only that, but sleeping also helps Preuss scholars concentrate on work during the day, further contributing to better grades and academic performance. 

Getting sleep is very important, and if students don’t get enough of it, detrimental effects can occur within the brain. Both the NINDS and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute explain that if the body doesn’t get enough sleep at night, stress hormone levels remain elevated. If stress levels remain elevated, a scholar’s ability to do work during the day can be impeded which could cause even more stress, putting a heavy strain on the scholar. In addition to stress, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute mentions how a lack of sleep impairs cognitive functions, reducing basic abilities like memorization, concentration, and problem solving. Having reduced cognitive function can lower academic performance for students leading to lower grades, poor assignment quality, and difficulty doing general day to day tasks for Preuss students.

Not getting enough sleep also affects Preuss scholars’ physical bodies and can lead to the development of chronic conditions later on in life. Sometimes not getting enough sleep or staying up to play video games doesn’t seem like it does much harm to our bodies, but it can actually lead to the development of multiple severe chronic diseases. According to the Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, lack of sleep can cause both kidney and heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and could  eventually cause a stroke. Additionally, if a student who doesn’t get a lot of sleep was sick or had an injury, they might not recover as efficiently as someone who slept more leading to longer recovery times. In college, if a Preuss scholar were to develop a chronic condition due to lack of sleep, it could highly impact their performance, therefore getting enough sleep is incredibly important to prevent the development of chronic conditions and to have a good college experience. 

Developing healthy sleeping habits is key to getting quality sleep and to maintain performance at school. Actions like not using electronics shortly before sleeping, not drinking caffeine late at night, and avoiding large meals prior to sleeping are all essential to getting quality sleep. In order to be fully rested, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends that scholars should aim to get at least eight to ten hours of sleep per night, so sleeping early is essential, in addition to good habits. These actions all help contribute towards a good night’s sleep and to the overall well being of Preuss students. 

Preuss Scholars should prioritize getting quality sleep, since not getting enough of it can severely affect their academic performance as well as their physical well being. Sleep helps to prevent disease, heal the body, and strengthen the immune system so it is extremely important.