Should Schools Start Later?

By Lilah G.

Every morning, alarms go off way too early, and students across the school drag themselves out of bed. The question is: should schools start later to help students get more sleep?

Many students say yes, between homework, sports, jobs, and trying to have some kind of social life, it’s hard to get the recommended 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Ava R. says, “I usually don’t fall asleep until after midnight because I’m finishing homework. Waking up at 6 just feels impossible some days.”

Lack of sleep doesn’t just make students tired. It can also affect focus and grades. According to health experts, teenagers’ brains are wired to fall asleep later at night, making early start times even more difficult. Liam C. shared, “First period is basically a blur. I try to pay attention, but I’m just so tired sometimes I can’t focus.”

However, not everyone agrees that a later start time is the solution. Some students worry it could interfere with after school activities. Maya T. said, “If school ends later, sports and jobs would get pushed back too. That could make things more stressful instead of less.”

Teachers and parents also have mixed opinions. While some support the idea for students' health, others are concerned about scheduling conflicts and transportation issues.

In the end, the debate over school start times continues. While more sleep could improve students’ well being and academic performance, changing schedules would require adjustments from everyone. For now students will keep setting early alarms and probably hitting snooze.