JERUSALEM — Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to stay up late and sleep in late. It was not out of a desire to slack-off and party (even in high school) — it was merely because I always had so much to do. I would stay up late working on homework for class and projects for all of the extra-curricular activities that one must do to look good on a college application. And for the first two years of high school, I was also on the tennis team and in theater — both of which required daily commitments after school for several hours.
I write that I “wanted to… sleep in late” because that what I would have done if I would have had a say in the matter. But, no, teenagers need to start school at 7:30 or 8 in the morning because… well, no one really knows why.For the first few hours of the day — especially in AP Chemistry — I would be a teenage zombie. My body’s natural rhythm, like that of most young people, was exactly the opposite of what society expected. (Although some American schools have been starting later, I cannot help but wonder whether the early times are meant to prepare students for the real world, in which early rising is seen as laudable. Any teachers care to comment?)
But now, at age 29, I’ve decided to do the most difficult thing I’ve ever tried. No, not moving to Boston and becoming a hard-boiled journalist. No, not moving to Israel and learning a new language and culture. I’m going to force myself to become an early riser.
I found this interesting post on how to become an early-riser:
The solution was to go to bed when I’m sleepy (and only when I’m sleepy) and get up with an alarm clock at a fixed time (7 days per week). So I always get up at the same time (in my case 5am), but I go to bed at different times every night.
I know that it will be difficult. In college, I chose many courses based solely on the fact that they started later in the morning. After college, I often worked late as a newspaper reporter since many meetings occur in the evening, and deadlines before newspapers go to press are always at night as well. Now, in Israel, I have worked late hours because English-language marketers frequently need to work American hours.
But the fact remains that early risers are generally more successful in school and the workplace. In addition, I’d like to be sure that I can make it to synagogue every day for shacharit (morning prayers) after sunrise.
Soon, I’ll start trying the method posted above. I’ll let everyone know how it goes. If anyone has any advice for and anyone who reads this post, feel free to comment.
