High schoolers should have nap time

I need a nap. School is so draining. Plus, I like to stay up at night and watch TV sometimes, truthfully. However, it is 3:19 p.m. right now and my teacher is forcing me to write this article instead of letting me snooze. Currently the only kids who can nap at school are kindergartners. However, let it be known: Students should have a designated time of day that they can take a nap.

The first reason is the school day is ridiculously long. The typical kindergarten day is three to four hours long unlike the average high schooler who goes to school for six to seven hours. Some high schools do have shorter days, however, making this another possible solution besides naptime to relieve the torture that is the very long school day. In a documentary I watched called Where to Invade Next, I learned that in Finland students only had to go to school for three to four hours per hour. So which is it going to be America : a shorter school day or nap times?

The second reason for naps is that having nap time would be a great way for high school students to catch up on sleep and improve their health. By getting more rest we will be able to focus better and get better grades. Even just thirty minutes of extra sleep could help. While a nap can’t replace a good night’s sleep, experts say, research indicates that it could help with learning. According to DailyCampus.com, studies show that after a twenty to thirty minute rest you feel more alert and focused.

The third reason for naps is because home life may be hectic. At home some kids might have to take care of siblings, do chores, and a lot of other responsibilities. For many students getting enough sleep is impossible. Many schools start early between 7 a.m- 8 a.m. Sports and part time jobs sometimes extend into the evening, so many teens have to cut back on sleep to finish their homework.

Teachers argue with these claims. Teachers think that students should go to bed at a decent time. If students have a nap time at school they could get sleep inertia and could make problems worse. Some would argue that if students went to be at a decent time then they would not have to cut into the time that is spent in class.

Opinions about this nap issue at Airport are diverse, with one student, Jala M., a junior at Airport High School, agreeing with me by saying, “ We have been going to school since we were four and five. We are tired.”

Lazarus M., also a junior at Airport High School, similarly asserted, “ I'm all for having an extra period where we don't have to do anything. They expect us to stay awake when all we do is work and stay sitting down.”

Monay, a senior, asserted, “Some high school students have a lot of responsibilities such as having to help take care of little siblings, working to help with the bills, taking care of elderly parents or family in general, and potential teen pregnancy that they're trying to provide for. Not everyone has enough time at home to sleep.”

Not all people feel this way. Elizabeth S. a sophomore student, noted, ”If they need it then yes but high school students are old and responsible enough to know how much sleep they need.”

In conclusion, students should have a nap time in school. Dr. David Gozal, a pediatric sleep expert at the University of Chicago noted, “ Paradoxically, this period of puberty is associated with an increased need for more and longer sleep. So now they’re in conflict with their sleep schedule in our society.”

With that statement I'm taking a nap now. Bye!