different meanings, "try to wake up" means that you are sleeping currently but you are trying to open your eyes and wake up. "trying to be awake" means you are to be awake and avoid falling asleep, meaning you are not sleeping currently.

It could be. It depends on the context. "Try to be awake by 8:00 am" means "Try to wake up by 8:00 am." In this case, they are the same. "The new show airs at midnight tonight. Try to be awake, so you can watch it with me." This means "Try not to go to sleep before midnight." In other words, "Try to stay awake so that we can both watch the show." "Try to be awake during class" could mean "Try not to fall asleep during class" or "Try to be alert and pay attention during class." (Edited to add: Also, I agree with Miguel, most native speakers don't usually say "try to be awake." I've heard it, but it's much more common to hear "try to get up"/"try to wake up" and "try to stay up"/"try to stay awake"/"try not to fall asleep.")

"try to be awake" is not a natural phrase. It is not clear if it means to wake up or to not fall asleep. I have never heard someone say "try to be awake" "try to wake up" is OK. "try to stay awake" is what we might say when we are already awake, and want to avoid falling asleep.

'Try to be awake' is natural, just not something you say or hear too often. It's a little critical so more something said to a child who's daydreaming or not paying attention. So a classroom, or at home with a parent saying it to a child is where it's usually heard.

..duplicate..