Opinion by NatalieElse

I can guarantee that almost all of you reading this right now have said something along the lines of I wish summer could be longer or maybe it sounded a little more like I am not ready for school to start. I haven’t even read my summer reads yet. I can definitely admit that the transition into the school year can be a rough one. 

If the school schedule were to actually follow a seasonal pattern, the first day of school would not even begin until Sept. 23. I am sure that sounds like a distant dream, right? But, what if that dream did not have to feel so unattainable and could actually become a reality? Besides, why are schools so anxious to start so soon, when I bet most students would have more creative flow in mid to late September? 

Now, of course, I would love to sit here and write about how more time in the summer would offer more TikTok scrolling and Netflix binge-watching, but in order to get my point across, I must speak logically. 

A later start in the school year would provide a smoother transition into fall. Think about it. Isn’t it just so difficult to start the month of August by taking some last dips in the pool, hanging out with friends almost every day, and, one of my personal favorites, driving down a deserted country road with the windows down and then BAM! School. These 8-hour days are sometimes scarce of friends, just sitting, listening, writing and saying to yourself “just make it to Friday.” That is a phrase I certainly know all too well. Lengthening the summer days could eradicate that difficult transition and even help students become more productive and creative with their time.

My most creative projects are always a product of working at my desk or in the comfort of my bed. If school were to start later into September, students would be able to feel more rejuvenated and creative. With the free time, our minds would be better equipped for the 8-hour days and tall towers of homework that all come crashing down at the beginning of the school year. 

“A later start in the school year would provide a smoother transition into fall.”

Natalie Else ’25

People forget how important rest really is. I am not afraid to admit that I really do not value rest all that much, considering I get about six hours a night (sometimes less as the school year goes on). Sleep is the best thing for our brains and think about how much you would get if school started a little bit later. Maybe you would even have enough time to adjust your dysfunctional sleep schedule.

I applaud any teacher’s patience if they have read to this point, because it has taken me this long to finally explain why a later start in the school year does not just benefit students. The rest of the month of August would help teachers plan and prepare more for their class. Students are not the only ones who have difficult times transitioning into the school year. New teachers and staff especially need some extra time to adjust to a new setting and plan the lessons for their class or subject. Not only would students have a better academic performance, but teachers would as well. Sleep improves everybody’s quality of life and teachers would be able to feel a bit more rejuvenated with more time off. 

Think about your favorite hobby. Maybe it’s soccer or baking or something a little more niche. Or maybe you do not have one. Perfect. You are my target audience. The extra time in summer would allow people to develop unique hobbies and find their own creative outlets. Our brains need to do more than just stare at a screen all day or focus on a math problem. Each and every brain craves interest. We have to fill our time in our own quirky and personal ways and finding a hobby will do just that. 

Hopefully, you have been convinced because I am just beginning to conclude. But, before I do that, I want to bring a statistic to the table. Bear with me here. The American Psychological Association says that later school starts correlate with improved mood, better attendance and grades, and, listen to this, fewer car crashes among youth. With more sleep and time to replenish our well-being, we are ultimately safer and more focused on the road. 

So now that I have left you with that statistic, I want you to really think about it. Would a September summer be beneficial to you? If yes, involve yourself in community discussions and connect with local organizations, because young voices matter. The benefits of a longer summer are truly endless and most of you have thought of other things that I even failed to mention. It is time for all of us to stop dreading the beginning of the school year-and that starts with a change. A change brought about by one voice, whether it be mine or yours.