As a high school student, I often find myself burnt out by the end of a long week, the intensity of the last five days leaving me exhausted. Despite having additional time to rest over the weekend, I often have not fully recovered before Monday hits, and the whole cycle starts again. I am filled with dread as I prepare for a week full of tests, essays and other stressful assignments, knowing full well that I don’t have enough hours in my day to complete it all. It’s safe to say that many of my peers can relate. So what’s the solution? Implementing four-day school weeks would significantly improve student attendance, boost teacher morale and enhance everyone’s overall well-being.

There are several factors that can affect student attendance, and the longevity of the school week is definitely one of them. The number of times I have wanted to skip class due to my exhaustion or the substantial amount of work I have yet to finish is astronomical; I’m not the only one. Research on school absences shows that fatigue is one of the biggest reasons students don’t show up at school, excluding holidays and vacations. In general, when people are tired, they struggle to concentrate and retain information, which hinders their ability to perform well. It’s easy to understand why a student may be less productive or show a decrease in achievement when their energy is depleted. On top of that, weekends are loaded with family and job responsibilities, giving teenagers minimal time to regain their strength before the next week. Thankfully, shortened school weeks offer opportunities for teenagers to recharge before returning to a healthy academic mindset. Shortening the school week to four days can lead to better attendance as students will have more time for rest and extracurricular activities, which can contribute to their willingness to attend school regularly. 

Shorter school weeks can also be beneficial to teachers and other staff members. Teachers frequently receive complaints from parents and students about their timeline for posting grades. What’s not taken into account is that teachers have many other demands that put a constraint on their time. Four-day school weeks would lead to more flexible scheduling for teachers, providing them with an extra day to plan lessons, grade assignments and prepare for the following week. Additionally, teacher shortages are becoming increasingly more common in school districts across the country, and this is mainly due to work-life balance. Many educators choose to quit their jobs because their incessant burnout outweighs their devotion to the classroom. With shorter school weeks offering teachers increased time to complete work, their satisfaction while on the job increases as well. 

Another major benefit of reintroducing four-day school weeks is the positive impact it would have on mental health. Unsurprisingly, academic demands largely contribute to increased stress among students. I know that the most stressful moments of my high school career are always related to an intense workload and a lack of free time. Teenagers require designated time to take a break from everything, because otherwise, they can begin to feel anxious, overwhelmed and overworked. Fewer days in class gives students room to manage their time more efficiently, and therefore put more effort into their work. Providing learners with an additional day off allows them to relax, prepare for tests and quizzes, turn in missing assignments and engage in activities that promote well-being. Countless people would be grateful for an opportunity to focus on pre-existing tasks without having to worry about additional homework.

While it’s true that a four-day school week could pose challenges for parents with young children who require supervision during the day, it’s important to consider that many parents have flexible work schedules or can arrange for childcare. Some may even see the day off as an opportunity to spend more time with their kids. For those who don’t have such a luxury, well-resourced schools can help offset any childcare expenses and provide school lunches for families that need them. Parents can also organize for their kids to spend a portion of the day with friends or family members. When everything is considered, four-day school weeks are capable of changing the development of education as we know it, ultimately helping students achieve their goals more efficiently and reach their full potential.