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How Do Early Start Times Affect Students and Teachers? 

BY ANVITHA MANI

FEBRUARY 25, 2026, 8:01 A.M.

At 6AM, while millions of people around the world are still sound asleep, countless students and teachers are already getting ready for the school day. This difference has sparked an ongoing debate over school start times and their effects on students. At EBHS, the first period bell rings at exactly 8AM, and students report numerous negative effects as a result. Due to their growth, teenagers need more sleep than other age groups, on average; however, due to early start times, many students are battling sleep deficits and feeling tired all day. 

“Sometimes I struggle to stay awake during class. It really affects my ability to concentrate,” said Senior Ayaan Hossain. The American Psychological Association reports there are increasingly more studies  that show that insufficient sleep due to early start times leads to weaker memory retention, lower academic performance, and increased anxiety and depression. Tired students are also more likely to experience mood instability and reduced motivation. 

Sophomore Ashwin Ashokumar said, “I’m fine during the school day, but when I get home, I absolutely crash. And because of that, I don’t have as much time to get my school work done, and then I end up going to bed late. It’s like a never-ending cycle.” Many students resonate with Ashokumar’s sentiments, saying that they feel like they don’t perform as well on tests as they do when they sleep longer. This demonstrates that, despite more instructional time, less valuable learning is happening due to the early start times.

Teachers are not immune to these effects either. Early start times require educators to come even earlier to prepare for class and answer questions. 

Sophomore Gustova Robles said, “Some of my first-period teachers are really tired-looking, and I feel like it affects their enthusiasm.” Teachers may also be affected by long commutes home and having to manage clubs after school, along with personal responsibilities. Early start times affect students and teachers alike, creating a growing sentiment that shifting start times may improve academic performance. Students believe that this change would decrease sleep-deprivation and support healthier students. Ultimately, when schools prioritize sleep, they invest in learning, mental health, and long-term success for both students and teachers.