Dear person who created homework, 

I understand where your idea came from. In fact, it sounds really decent on paper. Students go to school, learn a lesson, and come home with a sheet of practice problems to master the subject. However, did you come to think of all of the other factors that come with homework? I am not so sure that you did. Essentially, because of you, students all over the world are probably having a mental breakdown right now, leaving their mental health to deteriorate into the depths of Earth’s crust. How about the teenagers that want to get into good colleges? Evidently, they feel obligated to take AP classes and therefore, receive even MORE homework. How about social lives? Oh yeah, nonexistent. This does not even include extracurricular activities which are considered necessities in order to achieve a successful high school career. A normal, average student cannot get through five to six honors classes worth of homework, extracurriculars, and a social life without being sleep deprived, antisocial, or having some kind of mental disorder such as depression or anxiety. 

Take me as an example: 

I was going into my freshman year. I had so many things to look forward to, yet so many things to be anxious about. New campus, new classes, new schedule, and especially, new people. I remember saying “Wow. I’m going to be at school with legal adults.” You get the idea right? Anyways, I had just gotten into my school’s volleyball team and was beyond excited to start the new school season. However, I was in this math class that was very difficult for me to concentrate in, whether it was the material or teaching method that I did not fully understand. I found myself getting ready for a game after school, coming home at around 8:30, showering, and trying to cram in all of my homework before the next day. Not only did this take a toll on my sleep schedule, but it also harmed my physical, mental, and emotional health. I became prone to surrounding my diet around junk food, constantly feeling overwhlemed, and never being able to enjoy the moment. Perhaps if school started a bit later in the morning, I would be able to get more sleep. But no. The main purpose of school is to teach students with the intention that they will achieve success in life, right? I just do not understand why they cannot make a relatively minor change that will improve students’ quality of life and ability to learn. If I went to the doctor’s office and told my physician that I was getting any less than 8 hours of sleep each night, I would be in so much trouble. Yet, I never see this as a prominent issue in the school system. It brings me to doubt that school cares about our health at all. 

At a certain point, students do not even do homework to learn. They do it for the number that appears on their screen once their teacher is done grading their assignment. They do it so that they are considered smart. They do it so that they can get into a good college. To be “successful.” Is it even worth it anymore if they step back one day and realize that they did not even have a life outside of school? When they have to learn social skills in their late twenties or were never able to play the sport they loved? Just something to consider. 

Sincerely, 

Me