Is Staying Awake in History Class a Battle? Does Math Class, to You, Equal Heavy Eyelids?

Is staying awake in history class a battle? Does math class, to you, equal heavy eyelids? If you’re often tired in class, you are not alone. Many people struggle with this. They also feel there is a reason for this sleepiness. Classes in middle and high schools start too early and should consider a later start time.

First, only 15 percent of American adolescents get all the sleep they need.This is about nine hours a night, according to a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). Lack of sleep can affect concentration, moods, health, safety, and grades. If school started just an hour or two late day, teens would get the sleep their bodies require. Their concentration abilities, grades, and overall health will all subsequently improve.

Second, a teen's biological sleep cycle calls for going to sleep late and waking up late, studies show.If they are biologically programmed for this, schools should accommodate it! Some of their classes start as early as 7:00 A.M. That's just too early. Most adult jobs don't start until 9:00, so why should kids begin their own days so early?

Finally, studies have shown that giving a later school-start time can result in improved grades.To give students more snooze time, Meta High School in Meta, Minnesota, changed its start time from 7:30 to 8:00 in the morning. "Academic performance and attendance have improved," says Kyla Wahlstrom, a researcher who's studied the effects of the later start time.There are also fewer peer relationship problems, fewer fights with parents, and much less depression reported, she says. So even though some teachers may say that kids will just sleep in class no matter what time it starts, there is evidence that a later start time has definite benefits.

About 40 other school districts in 18 states have delayed their start times over the past decade, the NSF reports. Another 100 are now considering it. Hopefully, all schools will soon get on board with the idea that they need to consider a later start time.Teens need that extra hour of sleep, and starting later would help them be more prepared to learn.

*Transitions *Quotation from article.