We all know that sleep is important. It’s been drummed into us since we were little. Especially during our “young, crucial years,” sleep is essential to growth and development. Without it, we put ourselves at risk of suffering from “obesity, diabetes, injuries, poor mental health and problems with attention and behavior” (“Sleep in Middle and High School Students”).
And then…homework, tests and extracurriculars pop up under our noses like annoying little moles. Once we whack them out of the way, we’ve already lost hours of sweet beauty sleep.
Wait. Schools expect us to get straight A’s, take Advanced Placement classes and get enough sleep? Let’s hear from students to see how they’re holding up.
Some responses have been expanded for clarity and context. All interviewees and survey respondents attend Fountain Valley High School.
- Freshman Lynna Tran said she gets six to seven hours of sleep but would like to get 12. “I don’t sleep early because I play games … and then I leave homework until 11 o’clock,” Tran said. “I sleep at 1 (a.m.).” (Photo by Caroline Ngo)
- Junior Sophia Le said she gets four to seven hours of sleep per night. “My time management is bad. I just want to chill, but I have no time, [leading] to procrastination,” Le said. (Photo by Caroline Ngo)
- Sophomore Connor Okawa said he loses sleep to procrastination. “Oh … I’m [going to] be exposed,” Okawa said. “[I get] about five hours. Yeah, I think it’s enough.” (Photo by Caroline Ngo)
- Senior Emily Tran said she gets six hours of sleep. “It’s fine, but more would be better. [I lose sleep due to] homework and I get distracted,” Tran said. (Photo by Caroline Ngo)
- Junior Angela Tran said she gets around six hours and it’s not working for her. She said she struggles with time management and homework. (Photo by Caroline Ngo)
- Freshman Olyvia Luu said schoolwork gets in the way of getting more sleep, particularly English homework. “[I get] five hours. I would like more sleep,” Luu said. (Photo by Caroline Ngo)
- Senior Sarah Le said she gets four hours of sleep. “It’s only working because I have a hybrid fifth period … [and drink a cup of Thai tea every day. (Photo by Caroline Ngo)
- Sophomore Ethan Kwong said he gets six and a half hours of sleep. “I would like more, [but] I’m busy with sports and also [have issues with] time management,” Kwong said. (Photo by Caroline Ngo)
- Junior Dylan Dao said she gets around seven to eight hours and it’s OK but wishes it could be more. “I have to wake up so early for zero period and the amount of homework I have,” Dao said. (Photo by Caroline Ngo)
So, how much sleep should students get? Teenagers should get eight to 10 hours of sleep every night, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
A recent survey by Baron News gathered 353 total responses and found only 7.3% of students slept eight to 10 hours per night on weekdays. The most common sleep times on weekdays were six to seven hours (29.7% of students), followed by five to six hours (21% of students) and seven to eight hours (19.8% of students).

On a more positive note, students enjoyed significantly more sleep on the weekends. 63% of students slept eight or more hours per night.

The chief culprits behind loss of sleep were:
- Homework (83.6%)
- Quizzes/Tests (70%)
- Time Management (59.5%)
- Sports (36.8%)
- Early morning activities (ex. Sports, 0 Period) (24.6%)
- Other extracurriculars (18.7%)
- Clubs (13.9%)
- And 10.2% of students responded that they were sleeping enough.
*Multiple options could be selected
Some anonymous respondents chose to add their own responses (under “Other”). Here are some common reasons listed, in no particular order:
- Phone usage
- Classes outside of school (ex. Bible study, Vietnamese class)
- The new bell schedule
- Music/Arts involvement (Marching Band, piano, singing, APA)
- Insomnia
- Social life
- Work/Family Commitments
- Gym
- Scouts
- EVERYTHING
Undeniably, students need more sleep (and we know it). According to Health.gov, if we could sleep more, we would have healthier immune systems and bodies in general, less stress, clearer thinking, better decision-making and more meaningful relationships.
As illustrated above, there are many obstacles that get in the way of better sleep. Yet getting even 30 more minutes of sleep every day can produce huge results.
Check out these tips to fix your sleep schedule, a little bit at a time.
Sleep well, fellow teens!