Why Schools Should Start Later
Start writing a post
Student Life

Why Schools Should Start Later

Because sleep is sacred

6
Why Schools Should Start Later

One of the worst things I remember about high school is not the amount of homework I had, or the exams, essays, and various individual assignments. It was getting up at 5 am Monday through Friday. Ironically, during the time of my life when I needed the most sleep, during my teen years, was when I was getting up the earliest.

Many studies have proven that when kids are in high school, their minds, as well as their bodies, are still going through an important stage of development. In fact, our minds don't finish developing until we're 25. Teens typically need more sleep than their parents, which is why getting up at 6 am is often easier for someone out of high school than it is for a 15 year old. In other words, it's not because of laziness, but literally because teens' brains work in a different way.

Someone who's not well rested isn't at their prime when it comes to productivity, especially in Algebra class at 7 am. A lot of the time, I would come to school and my first class of the day would be study hall. Instead of using this time to do extra work, which is what I would have liked to do, I ended up accidentally falling asleep in a good number of those classes.

Of course, this could have been avoided by going to bed at 9 or 10 at night, but this isn't always possible for teens with a heavy workload, on top of other extracurricular activities, which might keep them up a good deal later. Not to mention social or familial obligations, as most high schoolers' lives don't consist entirely of academics, nor should we expect them to.

The American Academy of Pediatrics claims that school starts too early as well, and that they recommend schools should actually start at 8:30 am or later, and most other evidence points in the same direction.

Thus, for the sake of everyone's sanity, start school later.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40850
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25440
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950974
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

133422
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments