It’s nearing the end of the school year and something I’ve noticed first hand and amongst my classmates is that it seems that school schedules are hindering student performance, rather than enhancing it. 

 

Schools start early in the morning, which naturally works against a teenager’s circadian rhythm as they shift back during adolescence to have late bedtimes and late mornings. This makes it difficult for students to be fully awake or alert, and as a result, they may not be able to concentrate and retain the information they are taught. There is also lack of flexibility within the packed schedule, with very limited breaks which perhaps works against our ability to focus, as the optimum and maximum time your brain can focus on a task is 20 minutes. This, again, limits the amount of learning a student can do in lessons, especially if they are of a high standards. In addition to this, school ending at 4 really limits the amount of personal activity and extracurriculars a student can get done, especially with the intense workload. 

 

It’s simply not possible. 

 

However, we also must consider the benefits of a set schedule, which for some, may actually help lay out the routine of the day and prevent distractions from learning. At the end of the day, the effectiveness of a school schedule can only be determined by the individual’s preferences and needs.