Why School Should Start Later

It’s six in the morning. There is not even any light in the sky yet. You drag yourself, slowly and agonizingly from bed because your biological clock does not agree with your decision. Or rather, your school's decision. Your school’s decision to have you come to school as a stumbling zombie who dozes through the first class of the day, maybe even the second. Stated by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, teenagers need somewhere near 9.25 hours of sleep to satisfy their sleeping needs, but usually only get 7.25 hours. This only adds on to the growing pile of reasons why schools should start later. Schools need to start later because it benefits students in terms of academics, all day focus, and mood. One of the major advantages to a later start time is an increase in …show more content…
According to Wahlstrom (again), later start times also improve all-day focusing and cause better moods. “The start times of the high schools ranged from 8:00 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. We surveyed more than 9,000 students in grades 9-12 on their sleep habits, mood, study habits, substance use, and cocurricular activities.” (Wahlstrom) Better moods may seem unimportant, but that is actually not the case. Even if the students don’t like the teacher or the subject they are studying, being in a better mood increases engagement in classes. Additionally, better moods decrease negative behavior such as fighting among students or arguing with teachers (in a unhealthy way). All-day focusing is also very dependant on better moods, because if an individual is in a bad mood and are not motivated to continue working throughout the day, then they have no incentive to pay attention in class. And, if students are more aware since they are more awake, their all day focus will be much better. There are other advantages as well, like students being able to eat better and healthier breakfasts, students have more time to get prepared in the morning and so