Almost all workplaces start their day at 9 o’clock’s time in the morning but why not schools? Every student surely wonders the answer to this question dreamily, especially when you have to wake up at the break of dawn when you just cannot seem to get out of your bed. You clamber out of your bed and open your curtains to see that it is still as dark as it was when you fell asleep last night.
So why not start school at 9 in the morning instead? After all, the brain needs sufficient rest and snooze time to deal with the knowledge it gained throughout the day. Starting school at 9 in the morning is sure to provide adequate sleep to every student. After all, sufficient sleep is not just a dream for every student but also a necessity.
Studies have stated that the brain is most alert and capable of complex learning at around 10 am to 2 pm. This is because our hormones are much more active at this time improving our cognitive abilities. And maybe that is why you suddenly feel that excitement and rush of adrenaline past 10am when you feel so energetic you cannot figure out where the energy is coming from.
[2]While this depends on every person to person due to their chronotypes and varying circadian rhythm, every person does experience this sudden burst of energy due to the hormone called cortisol. Other neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin also affect focus and mood[2].
Moreover, an early morning can have after-effects of sleep inertia further downing alertness required to excel academically.
Further a late start will also help students get in their required 8-10 hours of sleep that many students just cannot get in due to distractions, homework and other burdens that are pretty common for students.
The adequate amount of sleeps helps students build memory and cognitive ability without forgetting essential growth. Because after all, there is nothing more that can energize you than a thorough sleep.
So now take a moment and imagine a classroom bustling with energy, playful chatter and constructive discussions with cheerful students all around. This is not just something teachers can only dream of. [1]It is possible as noticed by teachers in the U.S. after a 2018 study on two Seattle public schools found that when start times were delayed by nearly an hour resulted in students’ sleep increased by an average of 34 minutes per night[1].
[1]The study also noted an improvement in academic performance, with final grades in a biology class being 4.5% higher for students whose start was delayed[1].
While people may argue that this may make students lazy and school would have end late due to this late start, it does not have to be so since this extra hour or so of good sleep in the morning and freedom at night can lead to more number of completed homework and projects.
In short, a late start can be a dream solution. Students can complete their projects and homework while ensuring that they do not sacrifice on important sleep time. Educators can in turn expect higher academic growth and see more projects and homeworks being turned in on time. This late start surely seems like the best solution. It is a win-win because after all, a healthy and happy future generation is what can make the difference in the future. What do you think?
Credits for:” Time to Challenge Early Starts?”
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Cover Image Credits: https://www.tigercampus.com.sg/how-to-prepare-for-early-morning-classes/
Inside Image Credits: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/
Bibliography:
1. https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/later-school-start-times-more-popular-what-are-drawbacks
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6422548/
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