Sleep is an often overlooked but crucial factor for academic success and the well-being of young people. A recent study highlights the positive effects of sufficient sleep on academic performance and mental health. Researchers found that getting enough rest can improve focus, memory, and overall mood, which are all important for students trying to balance school and personal life. For many young people, maintaining a regular schedule appears to be a daily challenge. American researchers followed more than 1,100 students equipped with smartwatches: at the start, they averaged 6 hours and 36 minutes of sleep per night, and half of them went to bed after 1 a.m. By offering them about $5 per night during the week for reaching at least 7 hours of rest, scientists observed a 26 percent increase in sufficiently long nights and an average gain of 19 minutes of sleep. "A slight improvement, which remains far from being sufficient," comments Dr. Jérôme Liotier, a sleep doctor. Beyond this experience, what are the real keys to preserving the rest of our young people? If the study set a threshold at 7 hours, the physiology of young adults often requires more. The transition from adolescence to adulthood comes with specific needs that should not be underestimated. "For adults over 20 years old, you need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep. However, between 17 and 20 years old, we are just leaving adolescence where the needs are rather between 8 and 9 hours. Young adults therefore need an additional hour of rest compared to the average of adults," explains Dr. Liotier. He also reminds us of the existence of different genetic profiles: the short sleepers, those who sleep less than 6 hours per night; and the long sleepers, those who need more than 9 hours. These differences suggest that while there are general guidelines, individual needs can vary. Understanding these variations can help tailor better sleep habits and support systems for young people.