The classroom air feels thick and heavy, a suffocating blanket pressing down on eyelids that burn with fatigue.
Forcing sleep-deprived adolescents to sit in a classroom is an act of educational denial, not discipline. It is about time high schools acknowledge that a 20-minute power nap is a prerequisite for learning, not a privilege.
Students who are clearly falling asleep shouldn’t be forced to stay awake to prevent “missing out on learning” as it is not a proper solution to the problem. The longer tired students are required to stay awake, the more exhausted they become, making it increasingly difficult for them to retain knowledge from what they are learning.
The common issue is the substantial academic workload assigned across high school curriculums. While the seemingly straightforward solution might be an earlier bedtime, this approach is often impractical for the significant number of students also committed to a variety of extracurricular activities. Sophomore Aashi Jain experienced this firsthand and feels the universal need for academic relief.
“I think all kids need a break from constant learning, so a nap here and there wouldn’t hurt, but would actually motivate students to do better academically,” Jain said.
While the blame is not solely on the rigorous school environment, it still plays a role. Everyone may be tired, but that does not mean students should be required to stay awake when they are actively fighting sleep. It may appear disrespectful, but that does not mean it is intentional. Sophomore Mahalakshmi Ganesh has witnessed the effects of fatigued students in the working environment.
“When students are tired at school, they’re not learning to their full potential, often leading to bad grades and sometimes less motivation,” Ganesh said. “A small nap would be beneficial, helping students to feel refreshed and stimulate their brain.”
The idea that forcing fatigued adolescents to remain awake benefits them fundamentally misunderstands the health of adolescents. The current system is counterproductive, leading to poor academic performance and an increase of irritation in students’ moods.
Acknowledging the necessity of short, restorative naps is not about “coddling” students; it is a step forward to maximize potential for genuine engagement and academic success. The time for change, and a quick nap, is now.
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