April 4, 2023
It’s early in the morning and your alarm clock rings, signaling the start of a new day. You get out of bed feeling groggy and tired.
For many students, this is a familiar scenario. However, what if schools started later in the day, allowing students to get enough rest? It is crucial for schools to take into account teenagers’ sleep needs and adjust their start times accordingly.
Teenagers need more sleep than adults, with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine asserting that those between the ages of 13-18 require eight to 10 hours of sleep daily. Despite recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, many middle and high schools still start before 8:30 a.m., leaving teenagers feeling sleep-deprived.
According to the National Library of Medicine, starting school later aligns better with teenagers’ natural circadian rhythm, reducing the risk of chronic sleep deprivation and associated health problems.
Adolescents tend to have a delayed sleep phase, meaning they are naturally inclined to stay up later at night and wake up later in the morning. Early school start times can interfere with teenagers’ natural sleep patterns, leading to negative impacts on their health, such as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, according to Harvard Medical School.
Schools can promote better health outcomes by accommodating teenagers’ natural sleep-wake cycles. Later school start times can also lead to improved academic performance because chronic sleep deprivation causes difficulty concentrating and poor academic performance, according to SleepFoundation.org.
ILLUSTRATION BY SOPHIA DURAN
When students get enough sleep, they are better able to process information and retain knowledge, which can result in improved grades, higher test scores and overall academic success, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In addition to academic and physical health benefits, starting school later can have positive effects on teenagers’ mental health. According to the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, adequate sleep is crucial for reducing levels of anxiety and depression, which are already prevalent among teenagers.
Furthermore, the National Institute on Drug Abuse links sleep deprivation to an increased risk of substance abuse, as it can lead to poor decision-making and risky behaviors. By starting school later, schools can help reduce substance abuse among students and provide them with more time for healthy activities like exercising and socializing, which can ward off stress and promote overall well-being.
When students get enough sleep, they are better able to process information and retain knowledge, which can result in improved grades, higher test scores and overall academic success, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Moreover, a later start time can provide student-athletes with the rest they need to perform at their best and reduce their risk of injury. Lack of sleep can impair decision-making, physical performance and reaction time, increasing their chances of sustaining sports-related injuries, according to TheSleepDoctor.com.
Starting school later can also give students more time to eat breakfast, which is crucial for their well-being and academic success.
Additionally, chronic absenteeism and tardiness are often linked to sleep deprivation, and by providing students with adequate sleep, schools could improve overall attendance rates.
Concerns about disrupting after-school activities or causing transportation issues can be addressed with proper planning and communication, so the benefits of starting school later outweigh the potential drawbacks.
It is essential that schools prioritize teenagers’ sleep needs and adjust their schedules accordingly. With more time to catch some z’s, fuel up with a proper breakfast and attend to morning responsibilities, students will arrive at school alert, energized and ready to tackle the day.
A little extra shut-eye will enable students to start their school day off on the right foot, or should we say the right side of the bed?
