High School Should be More Like College
High school is a crucial time of development, where teens evolve from their young middle school selves to grown and matured college bound students. It’s a big leap to make in a four year block, and the environment young people are put in for that period of time has a massive impact on their educational growth. It seems right that during such an important time of one’s development, schools should allow adolescents to have freedom in how they learn. Sadly, the structure of traditional high school doesn’t do this for students. Instead, it’s structured exactly the same as middle schools, where everyone attends the same classes at the same times. The students have little to no power over how their day is organized: everyone begins 1st period at 7:30 and ends 6th at 2. With so much structure, how are young adults expected to handle the independence that comes with being a college student, and even an adult?
The independence that comes with being in college is astonishing compared to high school. As someone beginning university education straight out of the high school environment, the differences are apparent to me. In college, each student has the freedom to create their own academic schedule according to their personal preferences. Not only does this tailor their academic structure to their own liking, but it also gives them enough time to independently explore things they’re interested in. As a result, the art and hobby communities on college campuses thrive as students develop their passions. I’ve been learning about things I never had the time to explore during my time at high school. While playing the guitar isn’t necessary for adulthood, being able to learn independently about ones interests is among the most valuable skills that one can learn. Sadly, most traditional high schools don’t teach this.
The autonomy that college students are given can also make for a healthier schedule. In high school, you aren’t given a choice for when you start class. For me, my school district expected teenagers to be bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to learn, at 7:35 every morning. This expectation is a harmful and unrealistic one to place on teenagers. According to the National Sleep Foundation, older childrens’ natural sleep-wake cycles are disrupted, and many go sleep deprived.
Fortunately, college can be the light at the end of this tunnel. Since colleges allow students to register for whichever class times they choose, they are given the opportunity to consider their personal preferences. Night owls can schedule for all afternoon classes if they wish, giving their bodies the time they need to properly recharge.
From kindergarten to 12th grade, students have each day lined up and cut out for them. For younger children, a good amount of structure can be necessary to get anything done considering their generally distractible nature. But as time goes on, that structure becomes harmful. Teenagers are preparing to become independent young adults, but a great deal of their time is spent in a school system that doesn’t allow them to do so. Their wings aren’t given any room to stretch.
The independence and freedom that college has is a trait that high schools needs. College is such a free-flowing environment that it allows for the development of students as individuals. This growth is coming late; high schools could do the same if they weren’t so controlled. Adolescence is a crucial time for personal growth: ones personality, interests, and morals are developed most during this time. Because it’s an age range with so much personal and permanent importance, the school system must acknowledge this and incubate, not inhibit, this growth.
