As I sit down at my table typing away while fighting the urge to not just give up on this assignment completely and go to bed knowing I would still only get six hours of sleep tonight, I let out a yawn while feeling extremely tired and exhausted from everything going on throughout the day.
If only this was a one-time issue instead of a problem I face every night. We all know that school is not the easiest thing in the world, but wouldn’t it be easier if students had more time to do schoolwork outside of school without having to sacrifice two or more hours of sleep?
At my school, a 20-minute study hall period is not enough time to catch up for seven periods that are 55 minutes each. As a student who tends to be busy after school, how am I supposed to balance sports and time with friends and family on top of several assignments of homework I get assigned a day, while being able to leave time for myself?
Simple answer: I don’t.
We should start school at least a half hour later than it already does start.
A recent article titled “Schools shift as evidence mounts that later start times improve teens’ learning and wellbeing” states that “research from psychologists and others indicates that later school times correlate with more sleep, better academic performance and myriad mental and physical health benefits.”
A later start time is beneficial for everyone, even the teachers. Being able to go to school with more time to prepare for your day just puts everyone in a better, less tired mood. It could really improve the morale of a high school. Most importantly, it helps out students academically. Who wouldn’t want that?
If I have to wake up and prepare for school at 6:30 a.m. and it ends at 2:40 p.m., and I have to be at practice from 3 to 6 p.m., that leaves four hours when I am at home to be able to go to bed at 10 p.m. in order to get eight hours of sleep. That is not including work duties, showering and dinner. Realistically, that gives you an hour by yourself to complete at least several pages of homework, leaving no time for yourself to hang out with friends or play any games.
Many people would probably say to manage my time better or simply skip one of those priorities. But my whole point is that I shouldn’t have to do that and miss out on spending time with my family and going to practice every day just to cram in my assignments. Sacrificing students’ sleep is also sacrificing students’ health.
“High school students aged 13-18 should get between 8-10 hours of sleep per night,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A later start time is a win-win for everybody — students, teachers and parents.
Alex Ahern
Centralia High School student
