“Sleep that soothes away all our worries. Sleep that puts each day to rest. Sleep that relieves the weary laborer and heals hurt minds.” William Shakespeare (Macbeth, 1606)
Heart Disease, Cancer, and Alzheimer's. Three life-threatening diseases. Three diseases all linked to lack of sleep. According to Dr. Okorie from the children’s health division of Stanford University, “7 out of 10 high school students are falling short of… (sleep) on school nights.” The Bulk of American teens are not getting enough sleep. The answer: education.
Sleep is crucial in maintaining and furthering physical health. every 90 minutes whilst asleep growth hormones are released. These hormones are responsible for repairing injuries and growing muscles. When we suffer from lack of sleep, less muscle growth, as well as reduced strength, is experienced. A study from the National Library of Medicine found that students who experienced less sleep scored lower in strength tests. They observed that students who got less than “6 hours (of sleep) had poorer muscle strength than that of men who slept for 7-8 hours”. Once we fall into the trap of poor sleep it can be difficult to break the cycle. Consequently, teenagers need better education regarding sleep so that they too don’t fall victim to this silent plague. With more education students will be able to understand and act towards getting a full night’s sleep.
One might object here and state that teenagers have a different natural sleep cycle. It has been argued that teenagers release the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin later at night. This makes it difficult to fall asleep before that time. Whilst this contains elements of truth it can be worked around easily. The US nationwide children’s Hospital website contains extensive information and tips for teenagers regarding sleep. They state that “Maintaining a regular sleep schedule… Taking afternoon naps (and) avoiding caffeine” in the afternoons are all effective strategies for getting a full night of sleep. Whilst this is a great resource and there are many similar articles, without proper education students will have no reason to act on or even find such information. Without proper education how can we expect teenagers to experience consistent and comprehensive sleep?
There needs to be better education about the significant impact that sleep plays on the life of a high school student. Everyday millions of students attend school or university suffering from sleep deprivation. Actions need to be taken before the serious consequences of sleep deprivation become prevalent. Education is the answer. With a better understanding, students will be able to recognise and act towards maintaining healthy sleeping habits. We mustn’t rely solely on educators. This issue affects everybody and so it is up to everybody to inform and make a difference.
By Archer Bracey, Year 9 TGS student
Works Cited
Brooks, A. (2019, August 22). 70% of High Schoolers Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep. Healthier, Happy Lives Blog. https://healthier.stanfordchildrens.org/en/70-of-high-schoolers-arent-getting-enough-sleep/
Cui, Y. (2017). Relationship between sleep and muscle strength among Chinese university students. Relationship between sleep and muscle strength among Chinese university students: a cross-sectional study - PMC (nih.gov)
Shakespeare, W., (1606.). The Tragedie of Macbeth. (Playscript). Quote by William Shakespeare: “Innocent sleep. Sleep that soothes away all our...” (goodreads.com)
Nationwide Childrens. (2003). Sleep in Adolescents. Retrieved May 29, 2023. Sleep in Adolescents (nationwidechildrens.org)
Latest Blog
Honouring Tradition: Toowoomba Grammar School and ANZAC Day
This year marks 98 years since TGS and the 13 Army Cadet Unit (Toowoomba Collective Unit) first participated in ANZAC Services in Toowoomba. The School's commitment to these services is a testament to its deep-rooted military traditions and the enduring spirit of remembrance. Mounties out the front of School House in 1908. A Legacy of Service Toowoomba Grammar School's military traditions date back to its early days. The School's Cadet Unit, formed in 1892, has been a cornerstone of its…
Outdoor Pursuits and Activities Week - Developing Good Character Beyond the Classroom
We offer a range of enrichment activities for our boys, but the last week of Term 1 is a very special opportunity for all of our Senior School students. It's Outdoor Pursuits and Activities Week, which provides age-appropriate physical challenges in a safe, well-supervised environment. Activities on the various camps may include ropes courses, rock climbing, bodyboarding, surfing, mountain biking and canoeing. The aim is to foster a love of the outdoors and an appreciation of the environment.…
Stories behind key TGS staff helping shape our students
It was my great privilege to join TGS as Head of House - Boyce Boarding in 2024. The opportunity to lead these young men of character on their TGS journey carries great weight but is also enormously exciting. Embarking upon this project alongside my wife Meg as Boyce Boarding House Manager strengthens the team further. I am hopeful that we will demonstrate to the boys how positive relationships can foster a warm and supportive environment. I know that many of our boys are familiar with strong…
More Than Just an Education and That Makes All the Difference
Toowoomba Grammar School excels in its extensive co-curricular programs, particularly in performing arts and sports. Our boys learn that success comes from hard work and dedication. This ethos is inspired by quotes like “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great,” “The harder I work, the luckier I get” and the words emblazoned on our P.B. Hauser Aquatic Centre wall “Success is the celebration of preparation.” These opportunities allow students to excel in programs…
Stewardship: Leading the Way in Safety, Sustainability and Security
However, the challenges facing the Director of Facilities, Mr Bengie Dickeson and the Director of Information Technology, Mr Ron Robinson certainly are. This month's weather has been nothing if not unpredictable and it's in those conditions that both these men's skills come to the fore. With Tropical Cyclone Alfred and its threat to our School campus and community - Mr Bengie Dickeson and Mr Ron Robinson played integral roles in keeping everyone and everything on our 150-year-old campus safe.…
Pursuing New Horizons in Horticulture
Jake Moon is a sixth-generation primary producer. He is dedicated to agriculture and is currently working at his family’s St George farming enterprise, tackling some of the sector’s biggest challenges. The 28-year-old says his family moved to the St George irrigation precinct in 1978, initially growing rockmelons and watermelons, hence the business name Moonrocks. Seasonal and market changes led them to switch crops frequently, growing grapes, broccoli and even wax flowers over the years.…
Crushing it at Cricket and Conveying Culture
He explains that he’s named after Yarramundi, a respected and influential leader of the Richmond tribes of the Dharagnora (Hawkesbury-Nepean region of New South Wales) and a respected elder of the Boorooberongal clan of the Dharug people. “I’m proud of my culture and excited to have just started learning Dharug Dalang as part of the language revitalisation with my family.” During one week late last year he juggled exams, balanced representative cricket in Mackay with being the emcee of the…
Disappointment: A Necessary Part of School Life
Schools are inherently hopeful and happy places. Their natural focus on growth, connectedness and preparing youth for a better future creates an optimistic atmosphere in which ambitions are born. These positive emotions and experiences lay the foundation for our expectations and while these can be highly motivating, they come with a catch: the greater our expectations, the greater the disappointments, too. Disappointment is not a popular feeling. Rightly so, not many of us wish to feel sad,…
Boys and Belonging at TGS
As a boarding master of adolescent boys, my role fundamentally concerns pastoral wellbeing and character development to support a successful academic journey. A positive sense of belonging — where boarders feel safe, supported and heard — is fundamental to an effective boarding environment. As such, I felt there was a distinct connection between the International Boys’ Schools Coalition’s (IBSC) theme for the 2024–25 Action Research Cohort, “Boys and Belonging” and what I believe is best…
