You know what’s hard to do? Waking up early in the morning every day. But you know what’s even harder? Staying awake in class.

Yes…I’ll admit it…I am a student who sometimes struggles to keep my eyes open. When I’m very tired and sleepy, a classroom is practically the worst place to be. Think about it.

Certain classrooms are nothing short of sleep incubators. The temperature in the room is just right, and there is peaceful silence with the humming sounds of the central heat or air. The teacher’s “lecturing voice” might be in full monotone drone. All that, and just before me is a beckoning desk, an oh-so-pleasant landing spot for your head. And it’s a mere eight inches away. It’s almost impossible not to crash.

Dozing in and out of sleep during class is something that I believe every student is guilty of. I’m telling you, the struggle is real! Teachers get on to us for sleeping in class but, really, I am impressed that there aren’t a larger number of kids who opt for the dozing route.

We students juggle so much. There’s participating in sports, extra-curricular activities, and then there’s homework that keeps us up deep into the night. When you’re tired, your body wants to sleep, and that doesn’t matter whether you’re in World Geography, Literature or Spanish class. Sleep is a beautiful thing and we know that as teenagers we need the proper amount. When we get sleep, we’re revitalized and we have enough energy to do what we need to do.

Fellow students, when you’re in class, look around you. So many are yawning, staring into space, falling into a state of sleep, or flat out snoozing. And if you have a class with me, I’m sorry, but my head might be down with the best of them. Trust me: I’ve fought it. I tried to stay awake but the forces of nature took over. If I’m drooling give me a nudge, so I, too, can enjoy this interesting biology lecture. But if I’m smiling, let me be. Surely I’m having a very nice dream of fluffy clouds, marshmallow trees, prancing unicorns, and deep, restorative, blissful … sleep … zzzzz.