The sharp sound of my alarm clock ringing through my ears at 6:30am with a bright screen that lights up my room. I wake up feeling groggy and by the time I get to the first period my brain still feels fuzzy. It isn’t until halfway through the second period where I can feel like I can think clearly.
Although having more time in the school day would benefit students academically, it can cause extra stress and reduce focus happening in the classroom. Therefore, having a later start in the day can increase attention for students and improve learning.
Despite the great advantages a later start would have for many students, some disagree. According to a student in the Communicator Article “Keep the current times,” high school student Serena O’Brien said, “When I know that I can sleep in the next morning, I stay up later.”
Some may argue a later school start time does not help fix problems such as students getting more sleep or better grades, instead shifts bedtime. While these concerns are valid, research shows any little amount of extra sleep can help students perform better in school and feel more awake throughout the day.
While some students might stay up later with the delayed start, most will take advantage of the opportunity to sleep longer. In a survey of my class, the majority of students said they would get more sleep if school started later. Studies show that coming into class well rested improves grades, attention span and memory. Students who get enough rest tend to have fewer absences and perform better on tests.
The opinions of teachers and students can’t outweigh the science and facts behind the teenager’s brain and how it is wired. The body of an adolescent is constantly changing and especially the clock teenagers run on. Starting classes before 8am goes against how teenagers’ brains are wired. Research has shown that delaying school start times by even 25-60 minutes results in students sleeping 25-77 minutes longer each night.
In a survey that my class took 63.6% of students voted that they would rather have school start after 9am everyday. The majority reflects how many students struggle to get enough sleep during the week. Students who voted for school starting after 9am want an opportunity to go to school feeling well rested and not constantly worrying about falling asleep in class.
Another important factor is mental health. Lack of sleep among students has been linked to higher rates of things like anxiety, depression and mood swings. Students need to stay well rested so mental health can improve.
Starting later in the morning would help prevent forgetfulness and allow for slower mornings. Highschool student Savannah Apolinar said “My mornings often feel rushed and unorganized.” Running on less sleep can cause you to feel disorganized when rushing for school. A later start would help students feel more balanced throughout the day and arrive feeling refreshed.
Adjusting school times isn’t just about sleep, it’s about a lifetime worth of success. First steps of being successful would be getting good grades, which later starts can help ensure students would be physically present, mentally engaged and getting the education they deserve.
