☀️ Morning Bird

By Madison Lin

There’s a famous saying by Benjamin Franklin: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Sadly, this mindset is not shared by high schoolers, who tend to prefer spending the depths of the night doomscrolling and waking up minutes before leaving for school. Shifting the routine a few hours earlier, however, can offer innumerable benefits.

For one, sleeping late is typically linked to less healthy sleep. In a 2021 Harvard Study, researchers found that night owls slept 2-3 hours less than early birds on average. Night owls also get worse sleep. Because of how our bodies are wired, when the sun sets, our brain interprets the lack of light as a sign to get ready for sleep. Night owls fight this internal schedule, meaning they receive less and lower quality sleep. Perhaps receiving a bit less sleep doesn’t seem significant, but it is certainly important: Those who are sleep deprived experience higher risks for diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and a myriad of ailments that outweigh the happiness of sleeping late.

Additionally, ditching the late night “study sessions” for an early morning routine can increase productivity at school or work. Those waking up early are more likely to perform well during school or working hours, as peak productivity hours coincide with traditional schedules. Just by sleeping and waking up earlier, students can minimize the moments where they’re on the verge of falling asleep during a lecture and maximize their focus and performance in class. 

Of course, our sleep schedules are determined by more than our pure will. Some people are genetically more inclined to sleep later. However, for those who make the active choice to stay up far past midnight—even if it’s to study for a test—try shifting the routine. Start studying in the mornings instead of at 1 a.m., and try going to sleep a few hours earlier. It will make all the difference in the long term.

⭐️ Night Owl

By Brooke Hulbert

Something about the blue light radiating from my screen is so relaxing, and it’s often late into the night that I find myself unwinding after a busy day of school. It’s teenage nature–literally. According to Nationwide’s Children Hospital, “after puberty, there is a biological shift in an adolescent’s internal clock of about 2 hours.” So, if in middle school you used to fall asleep at 10 p.m., in high school it may feel more normal to sleep at 12 a.m. instead. Thus, being a “night owl” isn’t always by choice. 

 Night owls are superior to morning birds because of the productivity that occurs in the evening time. Waking up at 5 a.m. barely able to function is a lot more difficult than staying up just a little bit later at night. The quiet and peaceful mood of an 11 p.m. study session gives students a space to escape from the hustle and bustle of academics, extracurriculars, and family responsibilities. Finishing assignments and homework, and a few episodes of a favorite TV show of course, all within the last few hours, is a satisfying way to end the day. 

Some may say that sacrificing sleep for staying up later is unhealthy, which is undoubtedly true. However, we all do things that are inherently bad for us: eating junk food, not exercising enough, not drinking enough water. I would argue staying up later and sleeping in longer (which school unfortunately prevents teens from doing) is more beneficial and natural for teenagers. Plus, who doesn’t like scrolling on Instagram reels at 12:15 a.m.?