Many students around the world wake up for school before the sun even rises in the morning to get ready for school. For any students, mostly teenagers, waking up early in the morning can feel exhausting and overwhelming. Having a later start to school could have major benefits for students’ health, ability to learn,n and overall well-being.
One major benefit of a later start time is getting more sleep. Teenagers’ bodies naturally run on a different sleep schedule than younger kids or adults. Levi Bialas said, “I feel like I can’t go on about my day normally without getting at least like 8-10 hours of sleep.” When schools start early, kids struggle to get enough sleep, from things like studying, extracurriculars, homework, or maybe even just hanging out with family and friends. Having a later start time would allow students to sleep longer, which would improve focus, mood, and energy throughout the day.
Another important benefit is their academic performance. When teens get more rest, they are more alert and ready to learn. Lillian Babiak said, “I have had things on school nights that kept me up late, like volleyball, dance, and homework. I feel like when I don’t get as much sleep, I can’t focus all day, and I can’t learn as well.” Schools with later start times could improve students’ grades, test scores, and maybe even boost attendance. Teenagers who aren’t exhausted in the morning are more likely to participate in class and complete their assignments more efficiently.
Safety is also another benefit that could come with a later start time. Teenagers driving when they are tired could be a big concern. Schools that start later could have a decrease in crashes involving students because they would be more awake and alert while driving. Willow Lovett said, “I ride to school with my sister in the morning, and when she is driving after getting home late after her extracurricular activities, she can sometimes be tired or in a mad mood in the morning.”
People may argue that starting later would interfere with sports or other after-school activities. However, schools could easily adjust schedules without any major problems. The overall health and academic benefits would outweigh all of the other challenges.
In conclusion, starting school later offers many clear advantages. It improves sleep, boosts academic performance, and increases safety. A simple schedule change could have a huge impact on students’ lives.
