Every morning, the alarm goes off, and we start another marathon of classes. Six, seven, even eight hours in school, then homework, then maybe practice or other activities. Sometimes it feels like there is no time to just exist. Lately, I have been wondering if school days are too long and if they really help anyone.

Sure, school has its benefits. We learn important stuff, prepare for college, and practice managing time and responsibilities. Some people actually like the structure. Having back-to-back classes keeps them focused, and teachers work hard to make every minute count.

But honestly, it is exhausting. Sitting in class all day, trying to pay attention when your brain is already fried, then coming home with homework is a lot. By the end of the day, many of us feel drained, and there is barely any energy left for friends, hobbies, or even just chilling. Long days can make learning feel like a chore instead of something exciting.

For high schoolers, long school days are like running a daily marathon with no medal at the finish line. Some of us get used to it, some of us complain constantly, and most of us are just trying to survive without losing our minds.

At the same time, it is kind of cool that we are noticing this. Our generation is seeing that maybe the one-size-fits-all school day is not the only way. Some schools are experimenting with shorter days, more breaks, and ways to focus on mental health. Maybe in ten years, students will look back and wonder why we spent so much time sitting at desks when there could have been a better balance.

I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. School is important, but long days do not always make us learn better. The real challenge is figuring out how to get an education without burning ourselves out and how to have time to live while learning.