Should we start school later? Have you ever rolled out of bed before the sun was up and wondered if you’d be better off waking up a few hours later? Many people have considered this debate, and it is a significant factor in modern-day education. Does the school schedule affect how well we do academically, socially, and physically?

 In schools that have a later start time, studies show that it can boost motivation, energy and overall performance. The benefits are drastic because sleep is a key component in human health, especially for teens going through puberty. 

Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 should sleep eight to 10 hours per day, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. In 42 states, most public schools start before 8:30 a.m. If school systems started around 8:30 a.m., it would align with the cicada rhythms of adolescents and still allow time for after-school activities. Teens naturally wake up later and get tired later at night. This time frame allows for a full night’s rest, sleeping well, still being able to attend six to seven hours of school and the rest of the day for other responsibilities. 

The inadequate hours of sleep have experts urging schools to consider a later start time to improve all aspects of academic performance. Sleep deprivation has always been a dangerous rabbit hole that makes people vulnerable to a plethora of mental and physical health problems. 

 Students are not the only people who benefit from the extra sleep. Teachers, as well as parents, also reported more restful sleep and more productivity during the day. Safety is among concerns, driving while tired causes 15 percent to 21 percent of all fatal or serious injury traffic accidents, and over half of the people in a school building drive to school.

The sleep problem is a tricky and difficult discussion because it means schools, sports, and after-school activities would have to adjust times for later. This can pose a large roadblock to convincing school systems to change their schedules.

Have you ever felt the difference after a night’s rest? The major problem is that society pushes for longer and harder workdays even for the youngest of the generations, teaching them to prioritize work over their own health. If we begin to prioritize sleep and health rather than a work culture that promotes long hours and overworking our bodies, we can possibly have a new generation of healthier students.