It’s 7:10 on a Monday morning and many zombies, also known as very tired teenagers, are roaming the halls. They trudge through the school, energy drinks in hand, and stumble into their first hours. Some students can shake this sleep coma that has consumed them, but as the day continues, others can not. Students throughout the school have had the struggle to stay awake during a boring class, but the lack of energy has begun to affect all classes.
Junior Cassie Durbin describes how Durbin’s lack of sleep can cause her energy to ebb and flow throughout the school day and dives into at what point in the day she finally feels completely awake.
“[When] you first come into school you’re really tired but by seventh hour you are [awake] and ready to leave. So I would say around fourth or fifth hour [is when I feel most active and awake],” Durban said.
Junior Ella Yadlosky said many students find it hard to be awake in the morning, and because of this exhaustion they also lack motivation.
“[I don’t have motivation when I’m tired] because I just want to go to sleep and not be at school any longer,” Yadlosky said.
Sophmore Braden Harton describes how teachers have begun to see this struggle and have come up with many ways to combat this tiredness. Harton said to get students up and moving, teachers have started including gallery walks, educational games, or even taking walks outside to keep students awake and motivated.
“I think moving around helps me refocus. Like I’m sitting in one place in this class right now just reading a book, which kinda takes my mind off of school or academic work, and just makes me tired. I think [games or galley walks are] more fun than usual normal learning. Just learning with packets and reading is boring, and they also make me tired. But if we’re playing a game it makes me more attentive to whatever is going on [in class],” Harton said.
Durbin agrees with Harton and confirms that a possible solution to tiredness is moving around and playing games during class.
“Honestly, I always like moving better. It just helps me stay awake. You know, I’m always down for a brain break. Those are fun. I like [playing games in class] because then it’s not just lectures and notes and quizzes and tests. Everyone gets active and involved,” Durbin said.
Yadlosky however, does not necessarily enjoy games or gallery walks in class.
“[Games and gallery walks] are fun, but at the same time, I just kind of like doing stuff by myself more. I do love being outside [for class, though]. It gives us a break from just sitting at a desk,” Yadlosky said.
Harton then explains why he feels it is especially important to play educational games in advanced classes.
“Since it’s [a] harder [class] you do more work, which makes me personally slower and more tired. But if you take a break and have fun [playing games in class can help] refocus you on what’s going on [in class] instead of making you off task,” Harton said.
Despite whether or not games and activities should be included in class, students seem to agree that movement is important to a student’s motivation, and overall learning capacity. Durbin and Harton drive further into this topic.
“[Being active during class] keeps you engaged. If we all just sat in the same class all day, everyone would probably fall asleep and fail the class,” Durbin said.
Harton then perfectly sums up why movement during a class is the key to educational success.
“Bottom line, sitting in one spot or doing the same thing for too long makes you tired or bored of what you’re doing, which can cause you to have a lower [educational] potential,” Harton said.
