Essay Sample on How Would Later School Start Times Affect Sleep?
Sleep deprivation has become far too common in today’s high schoolers and school start times are a part of the problem. Social media and lifestyle choices have a major impact on sleep schedules but they aren't the only problem. Research studies suggest that hormones are the reason why most high school students go to sleep late at night. Early start times in schools do not adjust for students’ natural biological clock, which then prevents them from getting enough sleep. This can lead to less productivity in the classroom, higher rates of depression, and car accidents.
The purpose of schools is to prepare and equip children to be successful as they enter adulthood. Therefore, schools need to adjust their start times to accommodate students' biological clocks, as to ensure the best possible educational experience for students. The earliest any school should possibly start is at 8:30 AM, to give students the natural sleep they need.
One of the lesser-known side effects that occur as children age and enter puberty is a change in their sleeping patterns. Adolescents are primarily affected by this change, which is the ages of 14 to 21. The aim of this argumentative essay is to examine students' natural sleep cycle and how it relates to early school start time which heavily affects high school students between 14 and 18 years of age.
What has been referenced as the “biological clock” is a function of our brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This is a 24-hour cycle that affects our sleep-wake cycle, performance rhythms, hormones, and metabolism. (Kelley and Lee 1). I will refer to the suprachiasmatic nucleus's 24-hour cycle by its other common name: Circadian Rhythm.
According to the Research Services of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, as adolescents age, their circadian rhythm releases a hormone known as melatonin. This is responsible for many of the changes in their natural sleep cycle. Before puberty, children naturally fall asleep between the times 8 to 9 PM which fits perfectly with their school start time frame. As puberty creeps around the corner, melatonin is released into the body which causes a delay in adolescents’ sleep cycle. This will make adolescents have a difficult time falling asleep until 11 PM. Unfortunately, this hormone will not leave the body until 8 AM (Blazer 2).
Later school's start times need to accommodate this natural system the best they can. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Especially considering the fact that most students need to get out of bed hours into their end of the sleep cycle to get ready for school. If all schools started at 8:30 AM or later, it will help allow students to complete their sleep cycle, leading to a more productive school day.
A study was conducted by Rohit Pradhan and Niharika Sinha which showed the connection between daily school commute to school, sleep deprivation, and how it all relates to early school times. The was a heavy noticeable difference when school times were low
Along with this. High schoolers often lack enough sleep and can wake up late. Some high schoolers may drive themselves to school despite not being fully awake, which is incredibly dangerous. Studies have indicated that in Lexington, KY, reducing the start by one hour, the amount of high schooler-involved crashes dropped by 16.5% (B6). These types of effects could be seen across the country if all schools started no sooner than 8:30 AM.
Car accidents are not the only dangerous effect of insufficient sleep and early start times. Sleep deprivation is a contributing factor to depression, obesity, and sleep disorders. Some High schoolers are resorting to alcohol and medications to help them sleep at night and highly caffeinated drinks to help them wake up during the day. Later start times could help combat these issues. (ECS 2)
Not only could high school students benefit from this but also their families and communities as well. A lack of sleep can increase the chance of a bad or irritable mood by 55% (mood). Bad moods can affect other people's days as well. (mood)
A later start would also lead to a later release time. This could affect many things such as extra-curricular activities and after-school jobs. Elementary school schedules would likely see a change as well, this is because there will be an increase in the cost of essential factors like the bus systems. School buses are commonly shared between high schools and elementary schools, two different bus schedules would mean extra buses or buses drivers would be needed. Family activities and after-school jobs would be delayed because of these later release times, meaning students may not be able to work as many hours or get to spend enough time on family outings.
School districts across the country need to implement these changes and adapt conflicting schedules to work with the school system. “AAP recommends that the earliest school should start is at 8:30 a.m. Only 17 percent of schools start after 8:30 a.m. In order to improve the lives and futures of adolescents, there needs to be more awareness in local communities”(find citation). Parents can also make a difference. Parents can bring up the issue to school boards which then may get passed on to the district or state level, further raising awareness and getting the issue noticed. Another way parents can make an impact is by enforcing a realistic sleep schedule for their kids, making sure they get plenty of rest. Parents can do many things to help combat sleep deprivation and to make sure their kids get a healthy amount of sleep.
Sleep deprivation is a major issue in high school students. Making schools start later may not solve the problem indefinitely but it is one step closer to the solution. It could make a noticeable impact on the productivity and mental health of students. Schools should start no earlier than 8:30 AM so we can see the positive effects that it will have on not just high schoolers but their families as well.
