Homeroom Zombies

There's a simple solution. Coffee. Or drop AP. you have your whole college to take AP.

I'm just started my freshman year of college, and I'm still trying to get used to the amount of free time I have. When I was in high school, particularly senior year, I rarely got more than 5-6 hours of sleep, often less. I worked every day after school and all day Saturday's at my family's business, and after that job I would leave to teach lessons at a music store. I took several AP classes, and I was the editor of the yearbook, in NHS, and on student council. I rarely got home before 10oclock, often 11. I understand the importance of sleep just as much as the next person but I don't understand how I was supposed to fit in on top of everything else I was supposed to do. I regularly hear people and educators touting the importance of sleep, but at the same time they demand that I take part in a thousand different activities so as to make myself "competitive" for colleges. Granted, I'm sure people would argue that I didn't need to be involved in so many things, but what did they expect me to do when every time I turn around someone is telling me how I have to work harder, be better, and be involved in more things or else I won't have a chance? Also, this article seemed to go on and on about the successes of school's that had later start times. I don't think they understand that it's NOT just school that makes it hard to keep up. I have a big family, and my familial obligations, including helping out in my family's business consumed a huge amount of my time. I could go on forever but my point is that although I'm sure Epstein is a smart guy and did a lot of research, making these tips work for me in high school was simply not an option. I didn't stay up all night text messaging 50 different people or catching up on The Hills (which is what everyone seems to think every teenager watches), I was helping my family and trying to get into a good college.

oh, and I have a life.

I'm 16, a junior in high school, taking 3 honors classes, I have practice twice a week for 2 hours and another practice once a week for 4 hours, I'm in two other clubs, one that meets twice a week for 2 hours after school on the same days that I have practice for 2 hours, and I get all my homework done and I'm usually in bed by ten. It's all a matter of how you spend your time.

Ok....I see your point, but there is one other factor that you guys aren't getting. I'm 15 and I am in high school. The whole sleep thing totally realates to me, but just because I'm wanting to stay up isn't my problem, homework is. On average, I'm up un til 11:30 just doing homework, if I DIDN"t have homework I could be in bed by like 9:00. Because of this homework deal, I am unable to have a life outside of school. Many of my friends and peers agree with me. And so do most of their parents.

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