Being in high school often means feeling tired, sleeping a lot, and being awake at odd hours. To make things even tougher, school starts really early in the morning. It’s a challenge many students face!
Hi everyone, I’m Lacy Green for DNews. When I was in high school, waking up at 5:30 a.m. was the worst part of my day. The bus left at 6:20, and school began at 7:00. I usually couldn’t fall asleep until around midnight. Experts say teenagers need about 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep each night, but most high school students in the U.S. only get around 7 hours or less. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 60% of teens under 18 feel tired during the day, and 15% have fallen asleep in class at least once during the year. Just like being hungry, being sleepy makes it hard to learn.
Not getting enough sleep can cause real problems for students. Researchers at the University of Minnesota studied schools that started at 8:30 a.m. and found big improvements. Students got five more hours of sleep each week, which led to better attendance, fewer tardies, fewer car accidents, less depression, and improved grades and memory.
Teenagers have a different internal clock compared to adults. This biological clock affects how much sleep you need and when you feel most awake or sleepy. Researchers at Brown University discovered that teenagers experience a phase delay, meaning they need more sleep and naturally fall asleep and wake up later. While adults might feel tired around 9 or 10 p.m., teens often feel alert until 11 p.m. or midnight. So, starting school at 7:00 a.m. isn’t ideal for them.
Recently, Education Secretary Arne Duncan suggested that schools start later, around 8:30 or 9:00 a.m., based on research and common sense showing that teens are struggling. Interestingly, 80% of adults surveyed by the National Sleep Foundation agree that school should start later than 8:00 a.m. So, why hasn’t this change happened? School districts are worried about logistical issues. Delaying start times would mean changing bus schedules, adjusting sports practices, and figuring out transportation and childcare for parents. It might also affect teens with after-school jobs and activities.
While changing start times might be complicated, it seems like a small price to pay considering the benefits. What do you think? Should schools start later? Share your thoughts below or on Twitter at DNews. Until next time!
Track your sleep patterns for a week. Record what time you go to bed, wake up, and how you feel during the day. At the end of the week, analyze your data to see if you are getting enough sleep and how it affects your daily activities.
Participate in a class debate on whether school should start later. Research the pros and cons, and prepare arguments to support your position. This will help you understand different perspectives and the impact of sleep on student life.
In groups, simulate a school board meeting where you discuss changing school start times. Assign roles such as students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Present your viewpoints and work together to find a solution that addresses everyone’s concerns.
Conduct a research project on how sleep affects academic performance. Use scientific articles, surveys, and interviews to gather information. Present your findings to the class in a creative format, such as a poster or a video.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of a high school student who struggles with early school start times. Describe their daily routine, challenges, and how they cope with sleep deprivation. Share your story with the class.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
—
When you’re in high school, you’re often tired, sleep a lot, and are awake at all the wrong times. To top it all off, school starts very early in the morning. The struggle is real!
Hey everyone, Lacy Green here for DNews. When I was in high school, the 5:30 a.m. alarm was the bane of my existence. The bus left at 6:20, and school started at 7:00. Meanwhile, I often couldn’t fall asleep until around midnight. Many medical experts agree that teenagers need 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep every night, yet most high school students in the U.S. only get 7 hours or less. The National Sleep Foundation found that 60% of teens under 18 feel tired throughout the day, with 15% of students falling asleep in class at least once during the year. Just like being hungry, being sleepy isn’t exactly helpful for learning.
Research shows that sleep deprivation among students causes real problems. When scientists at the University of Minnesota observed schools that pushed their start time to 8:30, they found significant improvements. Students got five more hours of sleep a week, leading to better attendance, fewer tardies, a reduction in car accidents, a substantial drop in rates of depression, and improved grades and memory retention.
It’s often overlooked that teenage bodies have a different internal clock than adults. This biological clock determines how much sleep you need and when you feel most alert or sleepy. Researchers at Brown University found that teenagers experience a phase delay in their internal clock, meaning they need more sleep and naturally fall asleep later and wake up later. While older adults start to feel tired around 9 or 10 p.m., teens typically feel more alert until around 11 p.m. to midnight. So, starting school at 7:00 a.m. and finishing around 2:00 p.m. is counterproductive.
Recently, Education Secretary Arne Duncan encouraged school districts to push back start times to 8:30 or 9:00 a.m., citing research and common sense indicating that teens are struggling. Interestingly, 80% of adults polled by the NSF believe school should start later than 8:00 a.m. So, what’s the hold-up? School districts are hesitant to make changes due to logistical challenges. Delaying start times would mean adjusting bus schedules, rethinking coaching practices, and sorting out transportation and childcare for parents. It may complicate things for teens with after-school jobs and extracurricular activities.
While pushing back start times might be a hassle, it seems like a small price to pay considering the facts. That’s my take! Do you think we should push back school starting times? Let me know your thoughts below or on Twitter at DNews, and I’ll catch you next time!
—
This version maintains the original message while removing informal language and ensuring clarity.
Sleep – A natural state of rest for the body and mind, during which consciousness is suspended – Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining good mental and physical health.
Tired – Feeling a need to rest or sleep due to exhaustion or fatigue – After studying late into the night, Maria felt very tired during her morning classes.
Students – Individuals who are enrolled in an educational institution for learning – Students often need to balance their studies with other activities to maintain their health and well-being.
Health – The overall condition of a person’s body or mind, especially in terms of being free from illness or injury – Regular exercise and a balanced diet contribute significantly to good health.
Depression – A mental health disorder characterized by persistently low mood and a lack of interest in activities – Recognizing the signs of depression early can help in seeking timely treatment.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially in a school or university – Education plays a crucial role in shaping a person’s future and mental development.
Change – To make or become different, often leading to a new situation or state – Adapting to change can be challenging, but it is an important part of personal growth.
Clock – A device used to measure and indicate time – Setting a regular bedtime according to the clock can help improve sleep patterns.
Awake – Not asleep; conscious and alert – Staying awake during class is easier when you have had a good night’s sleep.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching – Learning new things can be exciting and beneficial for mental health.
