Circadian Rhythms: Why Teens Are Tired in School

When children become teenagers, hormonal changes shift their circadian rhythm—they get tired later. Since schools typically don't adapt to their new natural sleep cycle, they often get less sleep during weekdays, affecting their memory retention, emotional well-being, and health. If we want teenagers to learn and prosper, schools could do what sounds so simple, adjust their start times to the biological rhythms of their students.