Homework: Because 7 Hours of School Isn’t Already Enough
argumentative Essay
1341 words
Did you know that the average high school student in today’s society has the same levels of anxiety as a psychiatric patient in the 1950s? According to psychologist Robert Leahy, school these days can get a little tough– especially when most students’ first response to a heavy backpack full of homework is to worry over whether or not it can be done. In the past decade, Leahy and other psychologists have noticed a steady nationwide increase in the amount of stress caused by schoolwork among high school students (Slate Magazine). What does this mean for tomorrow’s leaders and future generations of dignitaries? Scientists have concluded that sleep deprivation, long-term health problems, and declining overall academic achievement are lasting effects of homework-related stress on the average student, and they should not be ignored.
One of the most prevalent effects of stress on the average high school student is sleep deprivation. Whether procrastination holds a student hostage on the edge of a due date, or the student is merely overwhelmed by a looming tower of books and binders, pressure caused by homework deadlines can eventually lead to difficulty sleeping and potential insomnia. According to the National Sleep Foundation, stress is an immediate factor to “hyperarousal” in the human brain, which can “upset the balance between sleep and wakefulness” when one is trying to sleep. Therefore, students who are constantly worrying about upcoming tests or assignments are easy prey to this type of stress-related impediment, and they may have trouble falling asleep on the eve of a big presentation. Apart from the psychological effects, however, students may also lose sleep when they are pressured to complete lengthy assignments. Som...
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the average high school student in today's society has the same levels of anxiety as a psychiatric patient in the 1950s.
- Explains that stress is an immediate factor to "hyperarousal" in the human brain, which can lead to difficulty sleeping and insomnia.
- Explains that homework-related stress can lead to serious, long-term psychological health problems for hard-working students.
- Explains how stress-related diseases can affect students, especially those engaged in strenuous studies like math or science.
- Explains that excessive homework can negatively affect academic achievement in the classroom. stressed students may feel that going to school is pointless or too difficult to handle.
- Concludes that homework has the potential to provide great benefits to students and their ambitions to become successful. however, once homework gets too much, its benefits disappear and the overall effects can be completely unhealthy and catastrophic to a student’s well-being.
- Explains the acha-ncha data. american college health association, aug. 2007.
- Explains chan, amanda l., "chronic stress: the hidden health risks." the huffington post.
- Analyzes clark's article, "american anxiety: the three real reasons why we are more stressed than ever before."
- Cites cooper, harris, "homework's diminishing returns." the new york times, 12 dec. 2012.
- Explains hall-flavin, daniel k., m.d. "can chronic stress cause depression?" mayo clinic.
- Explains what pulling an all-nighter does to your body. business insider, 12 sept. 2012.
- States osterweil, neil, "does stress cause breast cancer?" webmd, 2003.
- Explains smith, melinda, joanna saisan, and jeanne segal, ph.d., depression symptoms & warning signs: recognize depression
- Explains stress and insomnia: help & reasons. n.p., n.d.
- Explains that tartakovsky, margarita, m.s., "depression and anxiety among college students | psych central."
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In this essay, the author
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- Explains that students who feel the pressure to succeed at the high school level have an unhealthy amount of stress, such as cheating, pulling all nighters, becoming depressed, and seeking relief in drug use.
- Explains that american kids spend way too much time doing homework, which is not a healthy lifestyle for american children.
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- Analyzes how the pittsburgh tribune review (pa) (2007) and masterfile premier (pennsylvania) (2014) analyzed the case against homework.
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In this essay, the author
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- Explains how the concept of sleep deprivation had caught their interest when they witnessed the effects on their younger brother.
- Narrates how their dad, a truck driver, knew the consequences of hard work, but he didn't know how to stop it.
- Opines that by reading this paper, they haven't scared you into creating a new sleeping schedule, but it has allowed them to gain new perspective on the next "naughty child" they encounter or the lazy student in the back of the class who always seems to be in dreamland.
- Explains that sleep deprivation is a serious medical condition that can set your daily life at risk. many people don't realize they are affected by it and choose to ignore it.
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