ENGLISH WB023

SLEEP PATTERNS AND THE EFFECTS ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES

TUTORIAL GROUP 6H32

1) SITI RUQAIYAH ABDUL RAHMAN (MS1019532178)2) WAN AZWIRA BT AB GHANI @ WAN AHMAD

(MS1019532361)3) NURUL SYAMIRA BT MOHD RAZALI (MS1019531829)4) NUR AIN BT FAUZI (MS1019531244)5) NOR AILIYANA BT SAUD (MS1019564714)6) WAN NURAINI BT WAN AZIZ (MS1019532437)

MADAM CHEONG LAI WAHLECTURER

ENGLISH UNITDEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES

PAHANG MATRICULATION COLLEGEGAMBANG

29 JANUARY 2011

CONTENTS

No. Tittle Page

1. INTRODUCTION1.1 Background Information & Review1.2 Objectives of the Study1.3 Methodology1.3.1 Sampling1.3.2 Instrumentation1.3.3 Data Collection1.3.4 Data Analysis and Discussion of Findings

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2. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONSFigure 1: Students’ Hours of SleepingFigure 2: Reasons of Sleeping LateFigure 3: Time Students go to SleepFigure 4: Preferred Time to SleepFigure 5: Favourite Activities on WeekendsFigure 6: Semester 1 Cumulative Grade Point Average (PSPM 1 CGPA)Table 1: Opinion on Sleep Pattern

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3. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 CONCLUSION3.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

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4. REFERENCES

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5. Appendix A: Sample QuestionnaireAppendix B: Sample ResponsesAppendix C: ArticlesAppendix D: Drafts 12

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Information & Review

Sleep Patterns and the Effect on Theirs’ Academic Performance.

Sleep is a complex process with many stages including drowsiness, moderate sleep, deep restorative sleep and dream sleep. Sleep can be beneficial or give drawbacks to peoples’ lives. According to Dr. Van Cauter (n.d.), a professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, “chronic sleep loss may increase the severity of age-related ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and memory loss”. This shown that sleep patterns can give negative side effects on a person.

Based on our observation, this problem is also quite rampant in Pahang Matriculation College (KMPH). Sleeping at late night and also sleeping all day has become a habit of some students. They gave excuses like feeling tired, not enough time finishing assignments and so on. A North Western University study of 500 preschoolers found that those whose slept less than 10 hours in 24-hour period including daytime naps were 25% more likely to misbehavior problems, such as aggression and oppositional or non compliant behaviour. In view of the problem, we feel that it is timely and important to explore into this matter so that we can know what is the main factor of this problem and does it really effects KMPH students.

Thus, this study is carried out to identify the sleep pattern among the KMPH students, to find out the reason of the sleep pattern and the achievement of the students on their academic performance.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this study are:1. To investigate the sleep pattern among the KMPH students.2. To find out the reasons of the sleep pattern.3. To analyses the KMPH students’ achievements in their academic performance.

1.3 Methodology

1.3.1 Sampling

The subjects of this study were 50 KMPH students consisting of 12 students from Physical Science course, 27 students from Life Science course, and 11 students from Accountancy course. The respondents comprised 10 male and 40 female students from various ethnicity and different socio-economic background.

1.3.2 Instrumentation

The survey instrument for this study is a set of questionnaire. A total of 50 sets of questionnaires were distributed to 50 KMPH students to gain information about their sleep pattern. The questionnaire is divided into three sections. Part A consists of seven items which focuses on the sleep pattern and the factors of their sleep pattern. Part B consists of ten items that implies their opinion about sleeping. Part C consists of four items which elicit the students’ background information; namely the gender, race, course and examination result.

1.3.3 Data Collection

The data were collected by researchers at Pahang Matriculation College. A number of 50 respondents were involved in this study. The data collection involved only one phase; distributing the questionnaire to the respondents and covered the span of only a day. Prior to answering the questionnaire, the responding were given a short briefing on the purpose of study. Each item in the questionnaire was explained to the respondents. Other than that, explanation on how to respond to the questionnaire was also given to avoid difficulty in understanding on part of the respondents.

1.3.4 Data Analysis and Discussion of Findings

The researchers checked through all 50 respondents’ questionnaires. The data were in the form of responding to either ‘strongly disagree’, ‘disagree’, ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ as well as in the form of score with the numeric scale of 1 to 6. In this study, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The responses in the questionnaires were tabulated, percentages calculated and the results were presented in forms of graphs and charts as well as textual discussions.

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS

Figure 1: Students’ Hours of Sleeping

Analysis of Data

Figure 1 shows that 10% of KMPH students sleep less than 2 hours during weekends. 30% of them sleep 2-5 hours per day and 14% of them sleep 2-5 hours on weekends. The highest percentage is sleeping 6-8 hours per day which contribute to 62% and 46% for 6-8 hours on weekends. Next, 6% of students sleep 9-11 hours per day and 14% of students sleep 9-11 hours during weekends. Then, 14% of the students spent more than 11 hours of their days for sleeping during weekends. The smallest percentage is 2% which present for not sleep at all per day and all sleeping during weekends.

Discussion of Findings

The majority of KMPH students sleep 6-8 hours during weekdays and weekends. This is because they need to prepare for their lessons on the next day. They need enough rest and energy to gain their knowledge, so that it can give improvement towards their academic performance. This is also proven by Joy Paquin, (n.d.), a teacher and co-author of “Brain Based Learning with Class” who says, “Children who don’t get enough rapid eye movement (REM) sleep have trouble concentrating during the school day”. The minority is not having enough sleep and oversleeping. This is maybe due to the last minute studying. The remaining are mostly sleep 2-5 hours.

0%

30%

62%

6%

0%2%

0%

10%14%

46%

14% 14%

0%2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Less than2 hours

2-5 Hours 6-8 Hours 9-11 Hours More than11 Hours

Not Sleepat All

All DaySleeping

Per Day

During Weekends

Figure 2: Reasons of Sleeping Late

Analysis of Data

Based on Figure 2, 60% of KMPH students sleep late because of study problems. Then, 28% of them are giving entertainment as the reasons. The rest of them which are 4% who mentioned having health problem, go socializing and others.

Discussion of Findings

The majority of KMPH students choose study problems as their reason of sleeping late. This is maybe due to the last minute studying, finishing assignment and doing revision. The minority of them are having health problem, go socializing and others. This is probably that the students are suffering from insomnia and stress. This is proven by Dr. Avi Sadeh, At Tel Aviv University, (n.d.), who says “who tended to focus on their emotions and anxiety during the high-stress period were more likely to shorten their sleep, while those who tended to ignore emotions and focus on tasks extended their sleep and shut themselves off from stress”.

Study Problem, 60%

Entertainment, 28%

Health Problem, 4%

Socialising, 4%

Others, 4%

2%

2%

8%

4%

4%

4%

40%

10%

16%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

6.00 a.m.

11.00 a.m.

12.00 p.m.

4.00 p.m.

10.00 p.m.

11.00 p.m.

12.00 a.m.

1.00 a.m.

2.00 a.m.

Figure 3: Time Students go to Sleep

Figure 4: Preferred Time to Sleep

Analysis of Data

Figure 3 shows the time for KMPH students go to sleep. The largest percentage of students goes to sleep is at 12.00 a.m. which is 40%. The second highest percentage is 16% at 2.00 a.m. and 10% at 1.00 a.m. for the third highest percentage. While, 8% of KMPH students go to bed at 12.00 p.m. 4% of them go to bed at 4 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. The remaining 2% sleep at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Time Ranking

Night 1st

Late Night 2nd

Evening 3rd

Noon 4th

Gap between 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on class

weekdays5th

Early in the Morning 6th

Figure 4 indicates that night time is in the first rank for the KMPH students’ preferable time for sleeping. Late night and evening were ranked second and third respectively. The fourth place and fifth places were filled by noon time and the gap between 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. during class weekdays. The last place was presented by early in the morning for them to sleep.

Discussion of Findings

Based on Figure 3, the majority of the KMPH students sleep at 12 a.m. This is maybe due to the last minute studying, finishing assignment and doing revision. Most of the students only have their free time during night time. Their class ended late evening and they felt very tired at that time. Thus, the only time for doing revision is only at night. The minority of the KMPH students go to sleep early in the morning. This maybe due to they sleep late because finishing their assignments. Based on Figure 4 the time they preferred to sleep were complements to their actual time of sleeping. Most of them sleep at late night although they prefer to sleep at night time than in the late night. This probably caused them for having obstacle in managing their sleeping time due to their assignments demanding.

Figure 5: Favourite Activities on Weekends

Study 44%

Sleeping24%

Social Networking

20%

Others12%

82%

18%

0%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

3.01 - 4.00 2.01 - 3.00 1.01 - 2.00

Figure 6: Semester 1 Cumulative Grade Point Average (PSPM 1 CGPA)

Analysis of Data

Figure 5 shows the favourite activities done by KMPH students during weekends. Study is the most frequent activities they did on weekends which carry 44% of the percentage. The next activity done is sleeping (24%). Social networking gives out 20%. 12% is presented by others such as watching television.

Figure 6 indicates the PSPM 1 CGPA of the KMPH students. 82% of the KMPH students get 3.01 – 4.00 for their PSPM 1 result. Another 18% obtained 2.01 – 3.00 in their PSPM 1.

Discussion of Findings

Based on Figure 5 the majority of KMPH students are studying during weekends and sleeping is also the other activity that usually done by them. This shows that studying and sleeping should be balance equally so that our learning strategy is functioning effectively. They also think that sleeping can reduce their stress level but oversleeping is wasting their time that they should spend on studying. The result obtained by the KMPH students is quite excellent based on Figure 6 which majority of them was getting the highest result. This probably shows that the KMPH students have managed their sleep pattern wisely and balance their time between studying and getting enough rest. The remaining of them were getting lower results probably because of their sleep pattern is not suitable.

Items Disagree Agreea) I like to sleep 12% 88%b) I like to sleep during lecture hour 72% 28%c) I get enough sleep everyday 52% 48%

d)Sleeping make me feel refreshed and can give improvement towards academic performance

12% 88%

e) Reduce my stress level 14% 86%f) Cause me to feel more tired and dizzy 66% 34%

g)I feel lazy to start my revision and thus continue my beauty sleep

52% 48%

h)Sleeping is wasting my time that I should spend on studying.

40% 60%

i) Reduce my academic performance 70% 30%j) Sleeping is the best activity in the world 34% 66%

Table 1: Opinion on Sleep Pattern

Analysis of Data

Table 1 shows the opinion of KMPH students about their sleep pattern. 88% of the students like to sleep. Next, 72% of them disagree that they like to sleep during lecture hour. They also disagree about not getting enough sleep everyday (52%). 88% agree that sleeping can make them feel refreshed and can give improvement towards their academic performance. They also agree that sleeping can reduce their stress level (86%). However, 66% of them disagree that sleep cause them to feel tired and dizzy. Moreover, 52%of the KMPH students also disagree that sleeping make them feel lazy to start their revision and thus continuing their sleep. They agree that sleeping is wasting their time and they should study rather than sleeping (60%). Apart from that, 70% of them disagree that sleeping can reduce their academic performance. Lastly, 66% of the KMPH students agree that sleeping is the best activity in the world.

Discussion of Findings

The majority of KMPH students agree that sleeping is their favourite activity. This is maybe due to that they are feeling tired as they were learning for the whole day. They also think that sleeping can reduce their stress level, feel refreshed and give improvement towards their academic performance. This is because sleeping is the best way for them to reduce stress in studying. This is proven by Dr. Alexandros N. Vgontzas (n.d.) who says, “It is not just because of what they worried about. Rather its due to increase vulnerability of sleep to stress hormones”.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 CONCLUSION

The majority of KMPH students sleep 6-8 hours during weekdays and weekends. This is because they need to prepare for their lessons on the next day. The minority is not having enough sleep and oversleeping. This is maybe due to the last minute studying. The majority of KMPH students choose study problems as their reason of sleeping late. This is maybe due to the last minute studying, finishing assignment and doing revision. The minority of them are having health problem, go socializing and others. This is probably that the students are suffering from insomnia and stress. The majority of the KMPH students sleep at 12 am. Most of the students only have their free time during night time.The minority of the KMPH students go to sleep early in the morning. This maybe due to they sleep late because finishing their assignments. Most of them sleep at late night although they prefer to sleep at night time than in the late night. This probably caused them for having obstacle in managing their sleeping time due to their assignments demanding. The majority of KMPH students are studying during weekends and sleeping is also the other activity that usually done by them. This shows that studying and sleeping should be balance equally so that our learning strategy is functioning effectively. Majority of them was getting the highest result. This probably shows that the KMPH students have managed their sleep pattern wisely and balance their time between studying and getting enough rest.

3.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings in this study, the following recommendations are made: College should organize a motivation talk on having a good sleep pattern among

students. This can give information for the student about having a good sleep pattern. Thus students will learn how to manage their sleep time properly.

College administration should rearrange the class time table to a more suitable time for studying and sleeping. There should be less class at noon because students feel very sleepy at that time. This will help students taking enough rest and refreshed their mind for the next lesson.

At hostel, the time for sleep should be stricter. All students should sleep before 12 am or they can be implements for penalty. This will cause them to be ready for their next day.

REFERENCES Wikipedia. (n.d.). Sleep. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep (29 November 2010) Science Daily. (May 13, 2008). College Student Sleep Patterns Could Be

Detrimental. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/release Health Tree. (2010). Normal Sleep Patterns and the Stages of Sleep. Retrieved

from http://www.healthtree.com/articles/sleep-disorders/treatment/normal-patterns/

Appendix A: Sample

Questionnaire

Appendix B: Sample Responses

Appendix C: Articles

Appendix D: Drafts