By: Natasha Enis, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
Imagine the typical high schooler’s morning. Often by 7:30 am, many students are slouched over their desks, wishing they could grab a cup of coffee while trying to solve complex math problems. These early school start times are demanding, especially as studies show that the average teenager has a borderline to severe sleep deficit.
Therefore, it is no surprise that various groups have been discussing moving high school start times back a couple hours. After the American Academy of Pediatrics suggested high school starts after 8:30, California made this their state law. Florida has a similar law that will take effect next year. Many other states, including New Jersey, have proposed these bills, but with no success. There is pushback due to the potential setbacks of a major shift in school district schedules. Despite this, I believe it essential that the first bell of all high schools rings no earlier than 8:30 am to ensure the overall health, mood, and performance of teenagers.
The Academy of Medicine recommends that all teenagers get eight to ten hours of sleep each night. However, the reality is that 77% are getting less than eight hours, according to the CDC National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Sure enough, early school start times are a large factor in these statistics.
The heavy homework load on top of after school activities and social media distractions causes teenagers to stay up late in the night. Moreover, their circadian rhythm (sleep cycle) shifts during puberty: they naturally grow tired later in the night (at 10 or 11 pm instead of 8 or 9 pm) and wake up later as well. It is therefore actually difficult for a teen to fall asleep early enough to get the right amount of sleep to be at school by 7:30 am. Having to wake up early, often by 6 am, translates to having to get through the first few periods of school when their brains are not fully “awake” and performing their best. Therefore, having to wake up early for school cuts off the time needed to finish getting enough sleep and forces adolescents to get out of bed before they are physically and mentally ready to do so.
Sleep deprivation does not only make one tired; it hinders the ability to go through the day successfully. For example, it causes students to have a hard time concentrating and remembering information. It has been found that their lack of sleep can lead to truancy and an overall reduced academic performance. Additionally, sleep deprivation has been shown to be a factor in depression, moodiness, and aggression. Risk-taking is also heightened, with poor decision making and clumsiness.
Sleeping in on weekends is not a solution as it cannot make up for the lost sleep on weekdays. In fact, it is healthiest to maintain a consistent sleep schedule instead of drastically waking up at different times in the week. Allowing students to wake up later every day could help them get the recommended amount of sleep and better align with their natural circadian rhythms.
Despite the obvious benefits of pushing school start times back to 8:30 am, many people harbour concerns. Logistically, this change is difficult to implement. A later start time would cause the school day to end later as well, giving students less time for extracurricular activities and jobs. Some after school activities may have to be shortened, pushed to later in the day, or moved to weekends, but this is a small trade-off for ensuring the health of all teenagers.
Another issue is busing. If the high schools get out later, then so will the middle school and elementary students. The solution to the busing is to have elementary schools start and end before high school since younger children can wake up earlier more easily. Their circadian rhythms have not yet shifted and they don’t have as much homework keeping them up late into the night.
While having schools start at 8:30 am may not completely eradicate sleep deprivation in teens, it’s a step we must take to begin combating the problem. As a teenager myself, I witness firsthand the effects of fatigue in my peers’ and my own academic and social life. If our lack of sleep is widespread and detrimental, then there should be a push to accommodate for that. We’re kids who should have the opportunity to succeed, and that starts with being well-rested enough to show up as our best selves.
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