My mornings used to be spent deciding whether I should fake being sick or just skip altogether, getting ready for the day in a blur of exhaustion. Like many of my high school peers, I struggled to balance classes, homework, and extracurriculars, all while running on about five hours of sleep each night. I’d sit in my first period trying to keep my eyes open and doodling in my notebook, and my grades reflected it. I wasn’t disinterested, I was simply tired and worn out. What’s different about this year? Running Start.
Running Start has given me an opportunity to gain some control over my schedule and learning. Instead of dragging myself out of my warm bed when it’s still pitch black outside, I get to start my day around 9 a.m., getting a full night’s rest each night.
It’s truly remarkable to me how differently I view going to school this year because I get to be actually awake for it. I’ve found myself listening more actively, participating in discussions, and honestly doing better on tests without the usual fatigue I experienced in years prior.
With this came another major shift: my grades improving significantly. I strayed away from my deep habit of procrastination, which I thought would follow me throughout my high school career. Feeling as though I’m not constantly playing catch up helps me divide my focus into more things, such as studying for tests and participating in extracurriculars.
Along with this energy boost, I discovered that I could even plan my studying around my energy levels. By organizing my time throughout the day, I could avoid my late night cram sessions of homework when I was exhausted. The new balance freed up my evenings, allowing time for my after school activities.
Running Start didn’t just help my grades, but it improved my mental health overall. My anxiety about deadlines and tests decreased because I finally had the energy to prepare. Overall, I’ve realized that when students have the chance to rest, we perform better in every area of life.
Programs like Running Start show that education doesn’t have to come at the expense of student well-being. By allowing us to manage our time and sleep more, it automatically gives us a better chance for academic success, and overall well being.
