April grade 9-12 third place winner: Daniel Diament
Start school later or reduce homework
Only 8 percent of high school students get enough sleep on an average school nights, according to a new study conducted by the Sleep Foundation. This lack of sleep is causing students to be more stressed, gain weight and, of course, be tired.
Who's to blame? Some people might say the reason kids stay up so late is because they have a poor work ethic. Most of the time, however, it is due to the ridiculously early first bell at 7:25 a.m. and excessive amounts of homework. If school started at 9:25, most students would be able to get their recommended eight and a half hours of sleep.
Sleep deprivation causes a variety of problems. Lack of sleep, for example, is directly related to high obesity rates in high schoolers. Constant stress, also caused by little rest, has even been linked to depression, suicide and chronic diseases like stomach ulcers. When suffering from exhaustion, it is much harder to remember information. Sleep deprivation also makes it hard to concentrate, and test grades throughout the school year reflect that. Brain development and growth are undoubtedly slowed down when we are both mentally and physically drained.
The two solutions to the problem are clear: push back the start time of school, or give out less homework. Just by moving it back two hours, over 60 percent of students will get the recommended eight hours of sleep a night. This will lead to better test grades and health for the entire student population. Students would also be less moody, more compliant and less likely to fall asleep in class. The frustrating problem, however, is that in the midst of new standardized testing initiatives and mandates, schools are failing to give sleep deprivation the proper attention.
Ocean Township High School