THE ROLE OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN TIME MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Abstract

Time management is one of the biggest problems of medical students. In this study, we examined the circadian rhythms of medical students and factors which may affect academic performance: perceived stress, sleep quality, time management. Students answered a Morningness-Eveningness questionnaire, the Time Management Personal Assessment questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Perceived Stress Scale questionnaire. The correlation (R=0.87) between chronotype and GPA (P<0.001) showed a higher GPA in students with morning chronotypes. The PSQI analysis demonstrated 47% of the students had poor sleep quality; a correlation (R= - 0.56) between the PSQI and GPA (p< 0.04), supporting a link between higher GPA and good sleep. Results also showed a correlation (R=0.59) between time management and GPA (p< 0.01), implying that the students with excellent time management skills (17%) had excellent GPAs. Chronotypes, quality of sleep and time management, influence GPA and can be used as a guidance tool for academic advisors.