Why High School Should Start Later
With most students waking up at 6:00 a.m., they would have to be fast asleep by
9:00 p.m. Taking homework, tests, and extracurricular activities into account, this is a nearly
impossible feat. Another reason schools should start later is something that no one can control.
To understand, you need to know that melatonin is a chemical released from the brain that, in
short, makes you tired. Studies posted on teens.drugabuse.gov show that the teenage body
slows its melatonin production later in the day than adults and children. So, teenagers are very
tired in the mornings, and are more awake in the afternoons. If high schools started later,
students would spend more time working while they were wide awake. A third reason for
classes to start later is the physical and mental health of teenagers. A study on
sleepfoundation.org showed that increased sleep can reduce the likelihood for depression,
metabolic defects, and obesity. It can also increase productivity, attentiveness, mood, and
grades. These early start times are causing serious problems for today's high school students.
Later school start times would allow teens to get more sleep, and in turn, would benefit their
grades and health.
Although busing schedules would have to be rearranged, the Michigan State Board of
Education should delay high school start times. On average, high school students are two hours
short of the sleep their bodies need. Teenagers cannot help being tired earlier in the day.
9:00 p.m. Taking homework, tests, and extracurricular activities into account, this is a nearly
impossible feat. Another reason schools should start later is something that no one can control.
To understand, you need to know that melatonin is a chemical released from the brain that, in
short, makes you tired. Studies posted on teens.drugabuse.gov show that the teenage body
slows its melatonin production later in the day than adults and children. So, teenagers are very
tired in the mornings, and are more awake in the afternoons. If high schools started later,
students would spend more time working while they were wide awake. A third reason for
classes to start later is the physical and mental health of teenagers. A study on
sleepfoundation.org showed that increased sleep can reduce the likelihood for depression,
metabolic defects, and obesity. It can also increase productivity, attentiveness, mood, and
grades. These early start times are causing serious problems for today's high school students.
Later school start times would allow teens to get more sleep, and in turn, would benefit their
grades and health.
Although busing schedules would have to be rearranged, the Michigan State Board of
Education should delay high school start times. On average, high school students are two hours
short of the sleep their bodies need. Teenagers cannot help being tired earlier in the day.