Over the past three years, major newspapers and news stations have reported on scientific studies showing that teenagers need more sleep than other age groups –at least nine hours– and are biologically inclined to go to bed later and rise later. According to these studies, when teenager sleep patterns are disrupted, or teens get insufficient sleep, health and performance in school can be adversely affected.
In October, the New York Times science section featured an article showing the health benefits that teens receive from an increase in average hours of sleep per night.
It has also been reported that schools across the country are pushing starting times forward, oftentimes to 8:30 to give teens more sleep and improve academic performance.
In response these studies of teenage sleeps, The Forum has decided to dedicate the Centerspread to this same issue. Many students that we have spoken to at L-S have reported feeling chronically exhausted.