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.
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