Classes start way too early for teens

The 7:20 a.m. start time for high school students is way too early. I’m a senior at Marysville-Pilchuck High School and after going to high school for almost four years and getting up at 5:30 to go to school I think it’s time to look at the facts and realize that school starts way too early for kids.

There has been lots of research done on this topic and because of the studies, schools all over have changed their starting time to 8:30. Studies have shown that adolescents have a sleep pattern that leads to late-bed, early-rise, meaning that your mind and body don’t fall asleep until 11 p.m. and are not fully awake until 8 a.m., no matter what time you physically go to bed or wake up.

With most high schools in the United States starting at 7:15-7:20 a.m., kids are getting up at 5:30-6 a.m. to get to school on time. So by doing that, most kids sleep through the first two hours of school, and are not awake until their third period class comes around. And yes, I understand that you won’t have as long in each class, but think about it — you start just an hour later and kids will be more awake and ready to go for first period.

Jessica Finke

Marysville