Education | Academy Gazette

Homework: Is it Effective?

Posted on May 3, 2017 by academyjournalists

Coming home from work, team practice, hanging out with your friends, or even from school, the last thing that’s on your mind is doing more work than you have to. That is what many students face when it comes to homework.

According to an article by usnews.com, on average, students in the United States can receive as much as 17.5 hours of homework a week with each teacher assigning about 3.5 hours of homework. Homework usually consists of reviewing material that they learned in class to work that teachers were unable to complete in class thus making it homework. While homework is seen as a necessity that can enhance the student’s knowledge of the material they learned in class, others view it as a nuisance; work that is unnecessary and simply a waste of time. A question that is continuously brought up is the effectiveness of assigning homework to students; does it help the student at all? If so, what is considered too much?

“Sometimes homework is another burden” says Kache Foreman, a senior at Academy of American Studies, “I understand how homework helps us reinforce our knowledge in the classroom, but there’s a limit where it’s too much for one to handle. Teachers sometimes go over the limit which then makes it a burden.”

With the amount of work that has to be completed, a student’s social life might be affected severely as they will have little to no time for anything other than homework.

The main issue is that some students in prestigious schools such as the specialized high schools, Bard High School Early College (Manhattan and Queens), Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Millennium High School, NEST+m (New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math), Townsend Harris, and many others prioritize school work over life in general because according to an article written by insideschools.com, what they do now will mean the ticket to college.

While some students are able to handle the heavy workload and have a social life, some don’t have the time because of the stress caused by homework. According to Clifton B. Parker, a researcher at Stanford University, “56 percent of the students considered homework a primary source of stress, and 33 percent put the pressure to get good grades in that category.” These could lead to potential problems in the future which can include being uncomfortable talking to others. This may impact situations like job interviews, or just meeting someone new. This lack of socialization can create anxiety or nervousness when speaking to a group or large crowd of people.

This doesn’t have to be the case. People can get a high quality education without the heavy workload or stress that many face in the United States.

According to an article published by The Telegraph in March of 2015, students in Finland get an average of 2.8 hours of homework a week yet their test scores and education overall is still one of the top in the world. On the other hand, students in the United States on average have 6.1 hours of homework a week, yet our country is trailing behind Finland within the education rating system. However, it must be kept in mind that the demographics in both countries are greatly different. 89% of the population in Finland is from there while in the United States, except for Native Americans, almost everyone is from another country. The United States is way more diverse than Finland, which might be a contributing factor to the correlation of homework and test scores.

There are signs of changes in effect in some classrooms across the country where teachers are no longer assigning homework to their students. The chances of changing the status quo nationwide could take years as there will always be conflicts between the two ideas.

Written by Sammy Jiang

Filled to the Brim

Posted on March 15, 2017 by academyjournalists

Photo Courtesy: Tatiana Garcia

The Academy of American Studies, although intended to be a small party with a short guest list, has exceeded its own expectations with the number of admitted students. Although the amount of students in classrooms has shown little change, the general population has increased quite a bit in recent years. If you were to turn back the clock on the Academy of American Studies, you would see significant difference in the number of students. You might have been able to walk through the hallways and not rub against the shoulder of at least five other people. The 2008-2009 school year saw the Academy’s student population at approximately 600, according to the New York City Department of Education’s website. It begs the question, why so many?

Discussing admittance with the principal gave very valuable insight into the high school admissions process, and unexpected flashbacks of combing through the High School Directory. “It’s not a perception that we are overcrowded”, he said in response to the growing feeling of an overcrowded Academy, “We are overcrowded”. Principal Bassell was very clear in outlining the role of the Department of Education. “We admit 170 students per year with the expectation that we will receive closer to 200…”, he continued, “In recent years, more students have accepted the offer than the DOE’s initial calculation”. The increase in general student population, is simply a matter of Academy’s rising popularity.

The United Federation of Teachers (UFT), has set guidelines regarding the nature of their contracts. In the state of New York, the maximum class sizes within traditional classrooms cannot exceed 34 students per 1 teacher. “Smaller class sizes are easier to teach because there are less bodies in the room”, says one science teacher. When asked specifically about ease of instruction, she claimed, “I feel that classroom instruction is more intimate, more focused”. Classroom management, a crucial skill for any grade school teacher, is affected primarily by the dynamic of the students within the room of instruction. The number of students in the room attributes to this. “The more kids, the more chances for kids to be acting in ways that need to be corrected”, says she, “Larger classes are harder to control than smaller ones”. But most importantly, “Every class is different”, and in her experience, it has always been about seeing the brightness in students, and observing how they learn, how they analyze, and how they grow intellectually, as well as socially. Classroom size at the Academy of American Studies has remained relatively static, but a growing general population attributes to the growing sense of volume in the building.

Have you ever had a problem not being able to make it in class on time due to the amount of students entering and exiting the school? Are you feeling squished in your own gym class? Well, at the Academy of American Studies many students define this as an overcrowded school. In this case, do you believe that overcrowded schools affect students’ education? Studies show that the average student daydreams or loses focus in class 15% of the time according to the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). While at the Academy, it does not exceed its limit of 34 students per classroom, students continue to argue that it feels as if they are being squished in a small space. A senior shared her comments on the changes she saw throughout the four years she’s been at the Academy of American Studies. Tenzin Chimi said, “It’s been difficult to get from one class to another due to the amount of students in this school, I end up being late to my first or second period class because it’s a hassle to get into the building, it wasn’t like this my freshmen year.” At the Academy, the teachers give you five minutes to get to class, but according to Tenzin it takes her about ten minutes to enter the building and another 3-5 minutes going up the stairs. She believes this issue is detrimental to student learning, not because they aren’t concentrating, but because of the time they need to take to arrive at their classrooms. Seniors said that the difference from their freshmen year to their senior year was an enormous change, but the Freshmen perspective gives different insight.

Harpreet Kaur a current ninth grader was asked how many students are in her Gym class. She responded with 200 students. When asked if she ever felt uncomfortable with 200 students in one class room, she responded with, “It’s unusual, I’ve never felt so close to someone till I enter my gym class”. Harpreet continued to explain how her transition from middle school to her high school was different, but she doesn’t believe it effects her education. The seniors who have been at the Academy for four years believe otherwise due to the change they have experienced throughout the years. So, is the Academy of American Studies really overcrowded or are the students simply not adjusting? Perhaps it is a matter of perspective.

Written by Artie Street and Tatiana Garcia

The Invasion of Privacy

Posted on June 2, 2016 by academyjournalists

Many people don’t realize the damage they inflict on a person by publicly exposing or sharing photos/videos etc. of someone who believed they were alone. Some people who are exposed feel dehumanized and never seem to recover. Different people cope with the situation in a variety of ways; some feel so ashamed that suicide seems to be the better getaway for them. Others deal with the situation head on and have the strength to face their victimizers. Individuals like Erin Andrews and Tyler Clementi are perfect examples of people who have encountered this issue which is an increasing concern.

Erin Andrews is a public figure. She is an American sportscaster and television personality. Andrews was filmed in her hotel room while she was changing by Michael Barrett who also stalked her previous to this incident. He would watch her on television and then eventually stalked her to the room next door in a Nashville hotel. Erin Andrews filed a lawsuit and dealt with her situation on the spot and fought to be heard. She also fought for this man to face consequences for his actions. “Erin Andrews has been awarded $55 million, Andrews had asked for $75 million in her lawsuit over the 2008 incident, claiming ongoing emotional distress from the episode and the video’s continued existence online” (washingtonpost.com). Erin Andrews is a great example of an individual who was victimized and fought back against her victimizer. Not all people have her strength.

Tyler Clementi attended Rutgers University and was exposed publicly on the internet in September 2010. Tyler was targeted for being different. His sexual preference was exposed when he wasn’t ready to share it with others. “That night, the authorities say, the Rutgers University student who sent the message used a camera in his dormitory room to stream the roommate’s intimate encounter live on the Internet, and three days later, the roommate who had been surreptitiously broadcast — Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old freshman and an accomplished violinist — jumped from the George Washington Bridge into the Hudson River in an apparent suicide” (nytimes.com). Tyler Clementi wasn’t as strong as Erin Andrews and ended up committing suicide. Since hearing this story many people have read about the impact he left. One outcome for many people was the realization that taking such drastic measures can take a huge toll on families and friends.

Not much is being done to address these situations. A lot of people are scared to speak up and tell people if someone is hurting them. There also aren’t any laws regarding posting someone’s personal business online. Most teens don’t think about the consequences of their actions and don’t think about how their actions affect others. This is a growing problem that is really not okay and should be controlled. There is a national suicide prevention lifeline that is willing to listen to any problems that one is facing, simply call 1 (800) 273-8255.

Written by Jenisa Castillo

Photo Courtesy of Andy Ryan/Stone/Getty Images

Blue Candy Bags

Posted on June 2, 2016 by academyjournalists

Schools all over New York City have given students the opportunity to sell candy. At the Academy of American Studies, about 100 students have blue candy bags to sell as a way of raising money to pay for their graduation requirements, souvenirs, trips, and many other costly luxuries. Does this benefit the students and the school? Is it detrimental to their future and health? Can we sell healthier products?

In high school, many individuals depend on vending machines or the school lunch to provide them with their basic calorie needs. While schools have been trying to improve their school food, environment studies have shown that 71% of middle schools and 89% of high schools have vending machines that sell mostly junk food to their students (NHLBI). These are high in calories, have very little nutritional value, and individuals that rely on them don’t usually get full which may lead to overeating.

According to the Association of Fund-Raising Distributors & Suppliers (AFRDS), analysts have proposed and discussed whether programs or non-profit organizations should be created to orient parents and teachers of a stabilizer between nutrition and fitness so that they can make healthy lifestyle decisions or if junk food in schools should be eliminated entirely. Elif, a member of student government at the Academy of American Studies, believes “It should definitely not be eliminated because many students cannot afford to pay for school needs so they use candy bags to make up for that.” she stated in a recent interview. Selling candy in schools provides a contribution for the student body’s educational experience because the schools fund can only provide for so much. Khiabet, also a member of student government, believes that schools should sell candy as a way to fundraise, she stated “I like that students sell candy especially because I am one of them, and I believe that we all get hungry, just seeing the candy bag and getting something to eat satisfies us”. When asked about whether it promotes obesity or not she responded “I think it depends on what you buy and how often, some students buy it every now and then, others buy it constantly so it depends on you”. This brings up the question: will the school be able to function the same way without these types of fundraisers?

Although Michelle Obama’s campaign to end childhood obesity raised a lot of awareness and cheerful hoorays, others questioned whether it will result in “lost revenue for the schools” (seriouseats.com). Eliminating junk food from a school’s environment could be detrimental not only to their future, but the students as well. Where will the money come from? How will students in clubs and sports teams buy the equipment they need? The simple solution lies in the problem. If the schools slowly decreased the amount of processed food sold and provided some healthier options, it might not create such a huge impact on their financial stability and the students would see a positive change. According to Selina, an Academy high school student, selling protein bars like Nature Valley and KIND, mixed nuts, seeds, raisins, dry fruit, and dark chocolate, will better the student’s health. But selling food is not the only way to raise money, another high school student, Bryant, proposed that “during classes students could sell school supplies like pens, pencils, post-it notes, folders, and paper”. When asked about whether or not this will succeed he stated “I believe that the Academy of American Studies will do better when it comes to student obesity if healthier products are sold that can benefit the students in their school environment”. These are all healthy alternatives to better every kid’s future. The Coordinator of Student Affairs and the Student Government Advisor, Mr. Randle, stated “I think selling healthy snacks are a great idea. We have tried to sell granola bars in the past. Unfortunately, it wasn’t very successful.” Perhaps we shouldn’t be questioning the school’s actions towards selling unhealthy snacks…we should question our own actions. The reason why it’s being sold is due to the popularity of purchases. If enough students care about promoting change, anything can be achieved.

Written by Rosa Jimenez

Should There Be Changes to the School Lunch?

Posted on March 15, 2016 by academyjournalists

All public school students experience lunch in the cafeteria. Although lunch is meant to be a healthy and delicious meal, recent reports suggest that that is not always the case. High schoolers are actually throwing out their lunches and are turning to the junk food offered in the vending machines. If there are new and improved lunches in public schools, then it is confusing as to why students are choosing to dispose of them. It is important to educate ourselves about the food we eat in public schools because it can affect our physical and mental health.

Some students are still buying junk from the vending machines even though there are a variety of choices for lunch. There are “health risks,” according to a “Mother Jones” article that claims that chemicals can be hiding in packaged lunches. Schools need to be sure that what they are serving to students is safe to eat. However, it is true that schools have improved lunches. According to an online article from “”Health Research Funding,” schools “…are offering the foods that meet the nutritional standards that every student must possess.” Melissa Malloy, the School Foods Service Manager for Academy of American Studies, Newcomers High School and three other schools, has the task of coordinating the transport of lunches and creating the menu for each day. She agrees that “…public school lunches have come a long way,” and that the lunches are approved by a dietician before being sent out to schools.

One senior at Academy of American Studies, Nikole Versoza, has been eating the school lunch since her freshmen year. She feels that there are foods that she “…can’t really choose from, such as pizza, which is served every day.” Versoza believes that there has to be a variety of options for students who eat hot lunch because eating the same, unhealthy meals can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. One in three kids are overweight or obese in this country, and part of this is due to the lack of healthy options in lunches nationwide. Those who do not like the lunch, often choose snacks, which are not healthy or filling alternatives. Versoza included that she would “…rather bring something from her house instead of the food choices sometimes.”

Although there are usually three options for lunch, some students believe that there could be additions to it. Cece Humphrey, also a senior at AAS, said that she would often buy goldfish if she is not full from her lunch. Spending money on school lunch and trips to the vending machine add up at the end of the year to hundreds of dollars. When asked if there should be changes to the lunch, Humphrey immediately shouts that “there should be more fruit than just apples.” She revealed that “people with braces cannot eat them and there is no other choice for fruits.”

There are effects of eating unhealthy food that are essential to know about. A “Livestrong” article suggests that “proper nutrition is tied to better academic performance.” Students have class after lunch and those who don’t eat can lose focus and begin to fall behind. A student from the Academy of American Studies fainted because they chose not to eat lunch at all. Eating healthy is significant to a healthy body and mind.

The school lunch has positives and negatives, but it is even more important to always eat lunch. Choosing not to eat lunch at all or only eating snacks can negatively impact students physically and mentally. It can affect sleeping patterns, performance in school, attention spans, and cause constant headaches. Some students think that there should be more fruits and vegetables added to the salad bar and counters. If you are dissatisfied with the current school lunch, take action and contact the School Foods Service Manager.

Written by Rachel Manheim

Photo Credits to Rachel Manheim

Obstacle for Ex-offenders in the College Applications

Posted on March 15, 2016 by academyjournalists

For several decades, private and four year colleges in the U.S. except CUNY have made it mandatory for applicants to provide their history of crimes. Due to this requirement, ex-offenders are struggling to reflect on their past mistakes and take hold of the opportunities to do better. Robert Lewis, in his article High Hurdle to College for Ex-offenders, states that as part of the college application process for SUNY, nearly all ex-offenders are called in for interviews and questioning regarding their former criminal behavior. He states that by this stage, hardly any of the applicants receive positive reviews on their assessment or immediate confirmation on their enrollment. According to The Sentencing Project, the rate of incarceration in the U.S. is currently the highest in the world. However, SUNY police commissioner Bruce McBride justifies the criminal history specification with security concerns and the probability of recidivism during a student’s attendance.

Former New York City police commissioner, Bernard Kerik, stated in his interviews and published book, Jailer to Jailed, that the U.S. needs to make prison reforms due to the growing rate of incarceration. He criticized the prison system for being “tough on crime” because minor crimes can result in lengthened prison sentences. As more people are convicted of crimes, there is an immediate effect on the number of ex-offenders. The increase in criminal charges creates an obstacle for ex-convicts when they try to find a job, college admission, or anything which requires filling out applications. According to Robert Lewis, although there are numerous applicants with a criminal history who have been denied acceptance to college, over half of them drop out during the application process. They lose hope and confidence in themselves. In March 2015, state data showed that 35,000 individuals were released on parole in New York however, approximately only 500 had access to educational programs including college.

In an interview for the The Obstacle Course, Adrien Cadwallader recalled his experience with college officials from New Paltz as they questioned him about his past, especially his run-in with the law. Cadwallader, a 33 year old ex-offender whose criminal record consisted of 20 arrests spoke about how discouraged he felt in the process of applying to college. While in prison, Cadwallader caught up with his studies and hoped to gain a degree after his release, which would help him start over with a positive mindset. Therefore, determined, he went to the college evaluation and sent in letters from his psychologist and parole officer. After answering all the inquiries about his criminal record, he was eventually rejected by New Paltz and he gave up on college. “I felt like I was being set up to fail,” Cadwallader stated in the article by The Marshall Project.

Based on the article, Ban the Box by Michelle Rodriguez, currently 19 states in the U.S. including, Ohio, New York, and Oregon have “banned the box” for employment, which means one does not have to make any comments regarding their criminal history. Rodriguez clarifies that although an applicant’s background can be investigated after they’re hired, the legislation ensures that everyone is presented with a fair chance in the initial application process. These laws have inspired people to achieve the same for college admissions. A few schools have already removed any questions regarding criminal history such as St. John’s University as stated by Ariel Kaminer in the New York Times. More “ban the box” campaigns are being held throughout the nation. Further organizations such as the Center for Community Alternatives are advocating these ideas and publishing their research in order to eliminate assumptions of recidivism, which is a relapse of criminal behavior.

Deputy commissioner for SUNY, Paul Berger, expressed that awareness of the applicant’s criminal history is vital to campus’ safety. He further explains that it’s not their intention to discriminate against the applicants, instead they simply want to determine whether one is eligible for their college by extending the evaluation process. They also have to take into consideration that accepting ex-offenders may result in negative responses from students taking classes on that campus. “I think it’s okay for colleges to look into an applicant’s background. The college administrators have a responsibility to learn about them prior to accepting them. It helps them prepare for any situations relevant to the student which might occur in the future,” Tashi Sherpa, a junior in high school stated. Another student, a senior in high school preparing for college, Diana Rodriguez said “ I believe that criminal records should be asked about for the safety of the students at schools. This will show the true character of a person while making it possible for colleges to prevent accidents from occurring. It will inevitably affect the ex-offenders applying because it shows their irresponsibility in certain aspects and cause prejudiced thoughts against them.” Although Rodriguez revealed that this procedure may produce a negative impression of the applicants, particularly ex-offenders, the priority is to maintain a safe environment for learning.

Most applicants have always been obligated to inform colleges of their criminal history which influences their decision to either give up or to overcome the obstacles. As Robert Lewis claimed, everyday more ex-offenders are being rejected admission which reduces their chance of finding a decent job. College security officers like Paul Berger argue that the right to acquire the criminal history of applicants is necessary and helpful in determining an applicant’s eligibility.

Written by Tsering Dolkar

Photo Credits to Eiocoalition

College Application Season

Posted on January 19, 2016 by academyjournalists

College applications. This phrase might bring chills to many but it can also bring hope to many others. It is finally that time of year when seniors all over the country and possibly around the world are applying to schools, hoping to get into the school of their dreams. After three years of arduous work and commitment to high school, many seniors are finally seeing the value and reason behind all the hard work because they can show their efforts in their applications–their ticket to college. College applications come with many challenges, stress and possibly rewards.

According to Adam Ozimek from Forbes Magazine, “The case for going to college remains strong. On average, it remains a good investment.” Additionally, David Leonhardt stated in his New York Times article, “As the economy becomes more technologically complex, the amount of education that people need will rise. At some point, 15 years or 17 years of education will make more sense as a universal goal. That point, in fact, has already arrived.” According to Georgetown Public policy institute at Georgetown University, in today’s society, you can’t get much from a high school diploma since many professional jobs require a college diploma. 35 percent of jobs will require at least a bachelor’s degree and 30 percent of jobs will require some college or an associate’s degree.

Many seniors feel that senior year, particularly the first semester, is the most stressful. Part of the reason is because they are forced to juggle both their senior courses that come with numerous advanced placement classes and electives and their applications. The applications come with many parts and it really depends on the colleges you choose. Many schools have supplemental essays and personal statements as well as standardized testing such as SATs, ACTs and SAT subject tests. Despite the endless challenges students face, they have several resources that they can take advantage of that would make the process a lot less painful and overwhelming. The key is time management and asking for help. The one habit seniors develop when senior year comes around is procrastinating. They wait till the last minute for everything and end up not having time for anything. Nida Wasim, a senior at Academy of American Studies, explained that she feels very overwhelmed with college applications due to the fact that she did not start early which is a great disadvantage now. Seniors cannot let “senioritis” get to them during this process because all their hard work throughout high school will possibly go to waste. Elma Rahman, a senior at Queens Vocational and Technical high school who graduated in 2015, said the most stressful part of college applications is meeting deadlines and balancing school work simultaneously and that she managed it by creating a schedule for herself. Seniors must also take into consideration the costs of applying to college. The financial aspect can be another challenge of the process.

Even though college applications can be stressful there is a reward at the end of it. Many students who have the intention and determination of going to college are accepted into either a two-year or four-year college. Going to college will allow you to broaden your horizons and explore your options. It is a time to really find yourself and figure out your interests. During high school we aren’t given much flexibility so we are not able to do these things, but in college we can create our own schedules and choose the classes and electives that intrigue us the most. Not only can you build on academics, you can develop and grow socially. You meet so many other people from different walks of life and different places which allow us to create close relationships and connections that we keep throughout our lives. Along with that, you have the opportunity to study abroad and travel around the world. There are many opportunities in colleges that you would not get otherwise, it truly is a good investment. Be sure to fill out college applications mindfully because it can really determine your future; the experiences you have and the people you meet.

College is the goal for high schoolers all around the country. Every senior must fill out a college application for their intended schools. This task comes with many difficulties and stress but you must know how to manage your time and balance your workload in order to be productive. It is important to consider certain tools to apply as these will make applying to college more effective and successful. There are a lot of free resources students can use that can help them with the college process such as Collegegreenlight.com; the college readiness program at Sunnyside Community Services; collegeboard.org; Khanacademy.org; and most importantly assigned college advisors. If students effectively use these resources available to them, they will be able to be productive and successful in the college process. Hard work does pay off in the end and your entire high school career will be important when applying to colleges.

Written by Lamia Rahman

Photo Credits to Common Application

Dozing Off In Class?

Posted on January 11, 2016 by academyjournalists

“High school is the real danger spot in terms of sleep deprivation”

–William Dement (Founder of Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic)

Sleep is one of the most precious things in the world. Our brain is hungry for sleep. However, sleep is something teens are lacking and seeking. Due to early schedules and late nights, sleep is becoming less a part of our daily lives and more and more students are falling asleep in class. This causes major health issues and affects our academic career. Sleepiness can make it difficult to get along with your family and friends and hurt your scores on school exams, and your attentiveness during sports games.

There are many consequences as a result of lack of sleep. It can cause serious health issues, especially for teens who are still attending school. There are many factors that keep teens from getting enough sleep. Causes for their lack of sleep include, rapidly changing bodies, busy schedules, active social lives and much more (UCLA Health). School start times play a crucial role in sleep deprivation as well. In a 2008 study in Virginia Beach, where classes began at 7:20 a.m., the crash rate for 16- to 18-year-olds was 41 percent higher than in nearby Chesapeake, Va., where school started at 8:40 am. The lead author of the study, Dr. Robert Vorona of Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, suggested that starting the school day later could result in less sleep deprivation and more alert drivers (Huffington Post). According to the Sleep Foundation, teens need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night to function best. Unfortunately, most teens do not meet this requirement and sleep significantly less. A study shows that only 15% of teens reported sleeping 8 ½ hours on school nights (Sleep Foundation). When several students from Academy of American Studies were asked if they had enough sleep throughout the week, the majority of them stated that they were sleep deprived, mainly due to early school schedules.

“What is sleep?” says Sarah Malonda irritably. “In order to get more sleep, I have to rush to get ready in the morning and sacrifice my time eating breakfast.”

“I definitely do not get enough sleep due to having first period every day. The maximum hours of sleep I get daily is 6 to 7 hours. School is not the only reason why we don’t get enough sleep, using our phones throughout the night and being distracted by it is also a major cause.” says Selina Li.

“I do believe I am getting enough sleep every day because I am not pulling all-nighters; however, sometimes even if I go tosleep early, I cannot wake up in the morning. It takes me a long time to actually wake up” says Sophia Ostapenko.

Proper sleep is vital for proper growth in teens. According to Stanford Medicine, sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain, anxiety, and depression as well. This can limit your ability to learn and may lead to aggressive behavior. If teens begin to change their sleeping habits now, it will prevent future serious diseases they can get when they become adults.

So, how can we get more sleep in our lives? All it takes is a few easy steps. Initially, naps can be a good way to start. Naps can help pick you up and make you work more efficiently, if you plan them right. After school, take a quick 30-60 minute nap to refresh your mind. Another solution is to establish a bed and wake time and stick to it. A consistent sleep schedule will help you feel less tired since it allows your body to become used to its natural patterns. Furthermore, don’t eat, drink, or exercise within a few hours before your bedtime, instead go for calm and quiet activities such as reading a book (Sleep Foundation). Most importantly, don’t leave your homework for the last minute! These solutions will help you be more awake and focused.

Written by Esther Park

Photo Credits to Rhyanne N’s Sleep Deprivation in Teens Site