Since most high schools start as early as 7:30 a.m., students nationwide often have to get up before the sun in order to attend school.
Concern over this early start time has risen, especially due to data showing that teens need more sleep in order to do well both mentally and academically.
Delaying the start of the school day until 8:00 a.m. or later, according to various experts, may have many benefits, such as increased concentration, better mental health, and higher grades.
It’s clear from the ongoing debate on changing the start time of schools that doing so is important for students’ achievement and well-being, along with convenience.
Many students, like 11th grader Kelsey Krick, struggle with the current start time.
“I think school starts early [as] I’m not an early person,” Krick said. “My brain isn’t fully awake. I would rather have an hour of daylight to wake me up and put me in a good mood.”
Many students also struggle with staying focused and awake during early morning classes.
As Krick said, “I have AP Psychology as my first hour, and I think that [the early start time] affects my test scores [and] my overall learning.”
Another student, 10th grader Aaliyah Finch said, “I’m not a morning person at all, I’m always just so tired and I have to drink an energy drink.”
Relying on energy drinks, which are harmful to our health, is a dangerous coping mechanism. With more sleep, students could perform better academically and feel less tired throughout the school day.
The early start time also affects students’ extracurriculars and personal lives. “I woke up at 5:00-6:00 this morning, [and sometimes] I have practice or coaching.” Krick said, establishing that balancing school, extracurricular activities and personal time can feel overwhelming.
A later start would help students both academically and personally.
“I would be more engaged in classes, I would be more willing to learn rather than not wanting to be there because I’m tired,” Krick said.
Changing the start time could improve not only academic performance but students’ overall well-being. A later start would help many students thrive both in and out of the classroom.