As the first period starts at 7:20 a.m., most students are still half asleep, dragging themselves to class, struggling to focus on anything beyond staying awake.

Vivi Mendygral, a freshman here at East, struggled to adjust to the earlier start of high school after coming out of middle school.

“Sometimes I cut it close getting to school on time. I think we should definitely start later, though some sports may have to go later as well,” Mendygral said.

A later start would allow students to get extra rest, especially those balancing homework, sports, or other extracurricular activities throughout the day. According to the American Psychological Association, psychologists have gathered decades of evidence that a later start to school can improve the overall health and well-being of teens. Having found links to a reduction in substance use, suicidality, and depression.

Some students, however, have sports, clubs, or band after school, and want the start of school to stay at 7:20 so they have more time at home afterwards.

Karan Singh, a junior at East, falls into that group, and he thinks it should stay the same.

“I think school should start at the same time, because I have swimming practice before and after school. If the start time were to change, I’d have very little time to do my homework and enjoy myself at home,” Singh said.

The start of school affects people differently, with arguments being made for both that it should stay the same or start later.

The start of the day can be rough for some people who need to adjust their sleep schedule just to make it to class on time.

“At the beginning of the year, I woke up earlyish, like at 6:10, but I’ve been getting really tired, especially with homework and now sports, so now I wake up at 6:40,” Mendygral said.

There are both benefits and negatives to having a later start time. Students would be able to enjoy more rest and stay healthier, but in exchange, they would have less time to themselves.

Written by junior Nicholas Reingold and senior Ethan Lin. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.