It’s no secret that students spend more time in school than they do sleeping. Some even sleep more at their desks than in their own beds. Somehow, 45 minutes in a classroom can feel more draining than lying in bed for two hours. Few things sap a student’s energy like a full day at school, but why is that?
The answer lies in the structure of the school day.
Most high school students start their days as early as 6 a.m. just to make it to class by 7:30. Many report getting fewer than six hours of sleep per night, far below the eight to 10 hours recommended for teenagers. When they get to school, they’re expected to switch between multiple subjects every hour, complete assignments, take tests and participate in class discussions, all while struggling to stay awake.
What makes things worse is how little time students have to reset. Lunch and hallway breaks are often short, and many students use them to catch up on homework, study or meet with teachers. There’s barely time to rest, eat or mentally recover.
After school, students go straight to sports practices, clubs or part-time jobs. Then they head home, only to face hours of homework. By the time they’re done, it’s already late—and the cycle repeats.
This packed schedule takes a toll, physically and emotionally. Many students feel burned out, stressed and overwhelmed. School is meant to be a place of learning, but when students are exhausted, it becomes a place of survival. Instead of focusing on their studies, many are simply trying to stay awake.
One solution gaining attention in schools across the country is starting the school day later. Studies show that when start times are pushed back, students sleep more, perform better academically and report improved mental health.
Another idea is to include longer breaks during the day or offer more flexible time for students to catch up on work—without sacrificing sleep.
If students are too tired to focus, how can we expect them to succeed?
It’s time to rethink how we structure the school day so that learning doesn’t come at the cost of students’ health. They need rest just as much as they need knowledge—and it’s entirely possible to support both.