Why should the school day be shorter?
An average adult goes to work for 8 hours, including their lunch break. School lasts from 9 to 4 plus homework which in total is about 8 hours. But why do we need to work as much as adults do?
First of all, we need time to socialise, sleep more and have free time.
If we don’t have enough time to socialise, we won’t develop the good social skills which we need as an adult to negotiate or persuade other people in our future workplace.
We also need more time to play and do sports to develop healthier habits that will last a life time. According to a study at University of Rochester, ‘sports can help you perform better in school, relax more and worry less.”' Also, they keep you in shape, and decrease your chances of heart conditions or other medical conditions.
Last but not least, we should have more time to sleep. With studying, homework and waking up early, most kids only get about 8 hours of sleep (11-7pm) We need 9-12 hours of sleep. Even just one hour makes a big difference to our focus throughout the day. Adults only need around 7 hours of sleep, which is why they work 8 hours. They can handle it. We can't.
All of the skills or habits you develop as a teenager will stay with you as an adult. So, if you had a fun childhood and you stayed healthy by exercising, you will most likely be healthier and happier as an adult. If you were always focused on work as a kid, that’s all you will be focused on as an adult, and you will not have a good balance between social life and work life. This may not always be the case, but why risk I? You only have one chance in life, so make the most of it.
Madeleine C, Year 7