Classes Should Have Mandatory Breaks

During regular classes you may lose focus, your eyes may droop, and you could eventually start slouching. Before you know it your teacher is clapping and calling your name trying to get your attention and wake you up from your mid-day nap. Classes are such a headache for middle and high school students, but this is their average day, one hour and 15 minutes of full dense lectures. Our brains are just overheating from the academic overload we endure every class. We all just need a break, a 5 minute break. 

When I was in 6th grade during online learning, we’d have yoga breaks where we would stand up from our seats and do different stretches in front of the screen. Staring at a screen for such a long time and doing lengthy assignments every day strained my eyes greatly. This was such a nice break for myself, my brain, and my eyes especially. 

These transformed into 5 minute breaks in some classes during face to face learning in middle school. In my Spanish class, we would have PAUSA breaks and every letter would be erased if we misbehaved. These breaks would force us to be much more behaved and productive throughout the class. This leads me to the thought that if the breaks in classes start to lessen, there would be absolutely no breaks in high school. 

These breaks can act as an energizer for students as said students may develop a lack of motivation in classes which causes less productivity in school work. Stretching, dancing, and going outside are one of the many breaks that have been used over the years. 

It may seem that elementary students are prioritized in terms of breaks during class due to their short attention spans and lack of maturity. Although middle and high schoolers are faced with lengthy lectures and assignments that we would have to endure despite being sleep deprived. Research has shown that if the same learning activity is continued for an extended period of time, neurotransmitters can deplete after just 10 minutes.

Additionally, students are said to have a higher chance of falling asleep in classes without breaks than classes with 5 minute breaks. When students are put to work for such a long period of time, there is an immense chance that there would be a case of burnout by the end of the class. Not only do students need to carry work in the class they are in, but they have to carry the work of other classes on their shoulders. 

Studies from Cornell say that taking purposeful breaks anywhere from 5-60 minutes from studying refreshes your brain and body as well as increases your energy. Students manage to retain information and focus more in class once these breaks are added. With 5 minute breaks, teens have something to look forward to which additionally makes them more productive. These benefits not only reduce stress but supply opportunities for students to learn social skills since school isn’t all about learning.