For the average high school student, school beginning at 7:50 a.m. is just the right time. Although many argue that this time is too early, it is a perfectly adequate time to begin the day.

Beginning school on the earlier side is better in the essence that students will be able to leave earlier. If school began at a later time, that means it would correspondingly end at a later time. Personally, I prefer to wake up earlier and go to school at an earlier time, then be dismissed at 2:54, because it leaves a majority of my afternoon free and open. The feeling of waking up early, accomplishing a great deal of work, and then having the ability to relax for the rest of the day is truly a rewarding feeling.

Another benefit of waking up early for school is that it increases productivity. As much as I do enjoy getting a good night’s sleep, I like having plenty time during the day to accomplish my goals. I am able to get work done at school for seven hours, then leave mid afternoon and have time to focus on my extracurricular activities and hobbies.

Going to school early and being dismissed somewhat early gives me time to focus on my interests outside of school. Having this time to focus on activities other than academics, has shaped me into the well rounded student I am today. Being a well rounded individual allows you to explore and grow outside of the classroom, because not everything can be learned while you’re in school.

The time that other schools begin in the surrounding area and across the nation don’t vary much from the time that our school starts. According to National Center for Education Statistics, the average time public high school begins across the nation is approximately 7:59 a.m., not much different from when we start the day.

On the contrary, school beginning too early is supported by the argument that teenagers do not get enough sleep. One could suggest that the lack of sleep is because of the amount of homework we’re assigned, but I find this is not the case. There have been very few times during my high school career that I’ve needed to stay up late at night to complete an assignment, and that is either due to procrastination or occupying a chunk of my afternoon with an extracurricular activity, which does not permit me to start my homework after school at a reasonable hour of the day. If students budget their time to get work done, they can easily get to sleep on time, and therefore get to school on time.

As a senior at the high school, I’ve been lucky enough to have an occasional option period first thing in the morning which allows me to sleep in an extra hour. I won’t lie, this is one of the best perks of being a senior. As much as I don’t mind waking up early to get to school, it is nice to be able to sleep in, and I can stay up later the night before.

Yet, if the senior privilege of being able to sleep in for option didn’t exist, then it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world going to school normal time because the time we start, isn’t really that big of a deal.