UA professor: Sleep plays critical role in academic success

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) - More than 700,000 Alabama public school children have returned to classes, and the University of Alabama (UA) begins its new school year Wednesday, Aug. 19.

According to one doctor, quality sleep will be essential in earning good grades and feeling rested each school day.

Dr. Adam Knowlden specializes in this very thing at UA. Knowlden recommends 9 to 12 hours of sleep for elementary school and high school students, and 7 to 10 hours a night for college age students.

“What the research is showing is that sleep not only helps feeling rested but also with academic performance, so we know sleep is connected to learning, so all the information learn in their classes and through their homework activities, all that material they’re learning is actually processing while they’re sleeping and integrates in their learning while they sleep, so sleep plays a critical function in learning and academic success,” said Knowlden, UA associate professor of health sciences.

Knowlden also recommends shutting down smart phones at least 30 minutes before going to bed.

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