By Keegan LaLonde
During the school day, the first two periods of the day feel like a blur.
As I groggily get up, get ready for school, then arrive at school, I feel like my body is still not ready to start the day. It’s become an everyday routine: up late doing homework, get to sleep late, wake up early, drag myself to school. Research has shown that insufficient sleep in teens can impact mood, grades, and health. In order for teenagers to reach their full potential in school, Branford High School’s start time needs to be later.
Sleep is a necessity in teenagers. The American Academy of Pediatrics has called insufficient sleep in adolescents a public health issue and recommended high schools start no earlier than 8:30 am. California public schools have made this change in response to the issue. “The law cites research that says attendance and performance will improve if teenagers get more sleep,” according to an article in The New York Times.
According to the CDC, “Teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep. 60% of middle schoolers and 70% of high schoolers do not reach this sleep goal.”
The first period of the day at Branford High School starts at 7:30. At this hour my body feels like it should still be asleep. Along with my antisocial mood during the morning, my motivation is very low this early. I know for a fact that the majority of students at our school feel this way as well.
A simple solution to this exhaustion during the school day would be to get to bed earlier. However, I simply can’t with the job I work outside of school and the amount of homework I’m assigned daily. After the school day is over, I usually go off to work at the golf course or work at the YMCA. Earlier in the school year when the sun stays out later, I am at the course until 7 or 8. After this, I’m stuck with hours worth of homework from AP classes and other classes. In between the work I try to eat. Finally, I’m able to shower and get in bed. Eleven o’ clock on a good day.
Although fall sports teams at school may argue that this change wouldn’t give them enough time to practice, this wouldn’t affect them much. The sun still wouldn’t set until 6 o’clock which gives them more than enough time to practice. Many facilities have lights as well which allows for a later practice in the dark as well. The overall health of the students should not be set aside.
Changing the start time from 7:30 to 8:30 would be very beneficial; it’s time for our school to recognize our daily suffering. Let’s not let a lack of sleep destroy our mornings. Instead, let’s bring light to our first period classes rather than fatigue.
Editor's Note: Keegan LaLonde is a senior at Branford High School, class of 2023. The views expressed in this editorial are his own and do not reflect those of The Branford Buzz or Branford High School.
