Should students get more sleep?

Since we probably can’t convince kids to sleep earlier, we need a new solution.

Everyday, students have something to do at night. Some play video games until 12, some do homework for a long time and sleep very late. However, this is an unhealthy habit to get into. If they sleep late, they might wake up late and could be late for school! But not only that, there are a whole host of other problems that come from a lack of sleep. Good luck trying to get kids to sleep. They are planting tomatoes in Grow A Garden, fighting their friends in Fortnite, and scrolling shorts on YouTube. Since we probably can’t convince kids to sleep earlier, we need a new solution.

Do you think school should start later? Well, here in San Jose, where I live, school starts around 8:30 A.M. However, in my opinion, that’s too early. Middle and high school students need to sleep to be prepared for school. It is recommended that students sleep 8-10 hours, and if they don’t it would be unhealthy for them. Because of that, many experts advocate later school start times—sometimes up to an hour—to help students get the sleep they need.

The problem is that middle and high school students have to spend at least an hour or more finishing their homework and they have tons of activities in their schedules. Because of that, they usually go to sleep around 10:30-12:00 A.M. If they wake up at 7 A.M., they only get to sleep for 8 hours, and that is not enough time for 6th and 7th grade.

People say that schools start so early because of parents' schedules. Most dads go to work at 8 A.M., and it is really comfortable for them to drop off their kids and go to work right after. Well, my dad drops me off and goes back to my house because his work starts a little later. But, I don’t think parents’ schedules should be the reason why students start so early because kids might feel unfair if their school times are being changed based on parental schedules rather than their own health and wellness.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Lack of sleep affects your immune system. Studies show that people who don't get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as a common cold virus” In conclusion, sleeping less makes you unhealthy and I don’t think any parents would like their kids getting unhealthy. 

In 2022, California changed the law about school times. According to “Later School Start Times More Popular, But What Are the Drawbacks?” They state that “California’s school time law, enacted by Senate Bill 328, mandates that public middle schools start no earlier than 8:30 A.M.” California changed the law because later school times make students healthier and improves academic performance.

However, I think 8:30 A.M. is still too early for schools. I believe they should start at 9 A.M., because students get more sleep, they can have more fun with their family, and they can eat more! So, do you think we should adjust the school time?