Lack of sleep in Teenagers

Lack of sleep is a consistent problem in high school students. While this can damage performance in academics and sports, it can also substantially affect the mental health of a student. The lack of sleep often makes it challenging to remain emotionally positive, and this can lead to depression, lack of motivation, trouble focusing, and a weakened immune system. 

 Why do teenagers often lack a healthy sleep schedule? Teenagers tend to go to bed later as they get older from changes in hormones and depending on the school students will usually be required to be in their seat between 7:30-9:00 in the morning. Along with the large amounts of homework, this can be a large source of stress for students. Often, a highschooler will receive 7 - 7 ¼ hours of sleep (although some receive much less). This is already over two hours below what a student needs to properly function throughout the day. If schools started later, kids would be able to receive more sleep, which would improve attitude, academic ability, physical wellness, and reduce the risk of students turning to drugs or alcohol to relieve stress.  

Why don’t schools just start later? Doctors have already shown research and data to prove that this is a real issue. To start school later, many parents’ schedules would have to shift to take their kids to school, and the faculty’s schedule would have to shift. This would have to be a large conversation across the education system and would affect many people. Even so, if we don’t start to change the way that we teach students now, it will become harder to change in the future.