Routines are a crucial part of everyday life. No matter when each student wakes up, most Woodland students enter the school’s premises at the same time daily. Starting this year, Woodland’s start time has been cut by 15 minutes, making the new start time 7:20 AM. The change seems microscopic, but to some, this equals a detrimental shift in their schedule.
Gianna Costanzo, like many other students, believes that her morning routine has been rushed. Being a senior, she has experienced a later start time for three consecutive years. Costanzo finds it hard to believe that after spending hours at after school activities, students are expected to wake up even earlier than normal.
Not only does this serve as an inconvenience when it comes to sleep, but learning as well.
“Finals are at 7:20, so are midterms and AP and SATs. How are we supposed to take those tests so early in the morning?” questioned Costanzo.
Although Connecticut does not have a law in place to assist students when it comes to early test taking, other states have taken action.
An article published on July 1, 2022, brings attention to a new law implemented by the California school system. Students are finding it difficult to perform academically during early mornings. According to “EdSource” this new law, “Requires high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. and middle schools no earlier than 8 a.m.”
Performing well in class is only the half of it, as transportation is just as big a problem. Sophomores Ava Naclerio and Gabriel Diamante have voiced their opinions on this shortened agenda.
“The traffic makes it really hard to get to class on time and I can’t get my bag to my sports locker,” said Naclerio.
Students not only have to race on two legs, but on four wheels as well. Traffic in the early morning can lead to students cutting it close as Diamante has noticed.
“There’s a giant backlog of cars trying to get to school. Sometimes my bus is 15 minutes late due to traffic.”
While the issue of traffic does not always lie in the students hands, the pressure of getting to class on time can be exhausting. Now that students are facing the effects of an earlier start time, 15 minutes has never seemed more important.
