According to Frenda " Fenn (2016), there exists a direct association between sleep and better classroom performance including enhanced retention and memory. Various theories define the biological processes that take place in the human brain during sleep. A study done by Hodge et al. (2012) conveyed that the human mind is quite active when the human being is sleeping and as a result, sleep can help in better retention of the lessons taught in the classroom environment. To support the essential benefits of sleep, Patrick et al. (2017) assert that the brain is usually in a learning process even after hitting the pillow and this process takes place due to brain consolidation. Additionally, a study done by Frenda " Fenn (2016) showed that there is an association between lack of sleep and deprivation of a person’s memory. This article presents some of the benefits of sleep and how sleep impacts my study.
As noted by Hodge et al. (2012), sleep is quite significant for general health and effective cognitive, physical, social and emotional development. Various risks are associated with sleep deprivation some of which include weight gain and growth of health conditions such as diabetes, heart diseases and a reduction in problem-solving skills among other factors. One of the most misconceptions of sleep is that no activities take place during this time and that it is a relaxing moment. However, Patrick et al. (2017) argue that while individuals are sleeping, the brain is usually in a more active state and some cases, even more than the working hours. Throughout the night, my brain cycles by the use of different types of sleep including slow wave sleep. During this time, my brain replays what I learned when I was awake, and this is what Patrick et al. (2017) term as consolidation of memories. Due to the cycles that the brain makes throughout the night, losing sleep implies that there is a loss of consolidation of memories. Therefore, lack of sleep for a student leads to reduced memory especially on the lessons learned in the classroom.
Patrick et al. (2017) also assert that having enough sleep is quite significant in retaining classroom information, understanding the taught information and learning new concepts. Although it is quite surprising of how an individual can learn new concepts while asleep, Hodge et al. (2012) convey that 7-9 hours of sleep every night helps in learning 7-9 new concepts in addition to what I had learned in the classroom environment. Good sleep tips may help me to develop healthy sleeping habits that are positively related to improved classroom performance and information retention. The most crucial sleeping strategy that should be implemented by most school going children (including myself) and adults include ensuring that an individual sleeps for 7-9 hours per night. Furthermore, I should only use the bedroom for sleeping and no other activities such as socializing or any other "awake” activities as these hinder the number of hours that I spend sleeping. I should avoid taking caffeine at night as biologists such as Frenda " Fenn (2016) state that caffeine takes 8 hours to be digested by the body and this impedes the ability of an individual to fall asleep. According to Patrick et al. (2017), setting up a sleep schedule is also quite significant and establishing a circadian rhythm enhances the learning and cognition processes.
Sleep, memory, and learning are quite complicated phenomena, and the link between them is not clear. However, studies suggest that the quantity and quality of sleep are positively correlated with learning, academic performance, and memory (Patrick et al., 2017). Although the exact mechanisms that link enough rest and memory are unknown, Frenda " Fenn (2016) describe learning and memory to perform three distinct functions; Acquisition, Consolidation, and Recall. Acquisition entails the introduction of new information into the brain and consolidation involves memory stabilization. Similarly, Hodge et al. (2012) present that recall is the access to the stored data, and the process usually occurs whether the mind is conscious or unconscious.
All these processes are quite crucial in enhancing the functioning of my memory and improved classroom performance. Research shows that acquisition and recall are associated with wakefulness while consolidation occurs during sleep, and this happens since the neural networks that form the memories are strengthened at night.
Furthermore, Frenda " Fenn (2016) argue that when persons are sleep deprived, there is a lack of focus, attention, and vigilance drift and this makes it quite difficult to receive any information. Additionally, due to lack of adequate rest and sleep, the overworked neurons may fail to function, and this limits the proper coordination of information. As a result, without sleep, I find it quite hard to remember the lessons taught in class, and this hinders my academic capabilities. Poor sleep also has adverse effects on my mood, and this has direct consequences on the learning process. According to Hodge et al. (2012), mood alteration affects an individual’s acquisition of new information and even remembrance of the given information. Although there are still gaps in the biological connections between sleep and learning, the reviews done can lead to the conclusion that a good night sleep strongly impacts my memory and learning process.
References
Frenda, S. J., " Fenn, K. M. (2016). Sleep less, think worse: the effect of sleep deprivation on working memory. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 5(4), 463-469.
Hodge, A. B., Snyder, A. C., Fernandez, A. L., Boan, A. D., Malek, A. M., " Sistino, J. J. (2012). The effect of acute sleep deprivation and fatigue in cardiovascular perfusion students: a mixed methods study. The journal of extra-corporeal technology, 44(3), 116.
Patrick, Y., Lee, A., Raha, O., Pillai, K., Gupta, S., Sethi, S., ... " Smith, S. F. (2017). Effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive and physical performance in university students. Sleep and biological rhythms, 15(3), 217-225.
