Logan Skrzypek ‘27, Student Life Editor
Various students across campus tend to have multiple variations of differing attention spans based on harder or easier classes or the teachers who teach and contribute to the overall grades that each student receives in each of the six classes they attend every day of the school year. From AP classes to typical freshman electives, which ones attract the higher grade average, and during what period of the day? Are students’ attention spans and focus superior from first through third hour or fourth through sixth hour, and why?
The question in mind can have many responses, however, most students relatively had the same response. Sophomore Sydney Punzal stated, “My focus is better in the afternoon because I’ve already been in school for three hours, meaning that my brain has been working for those classes prior to the afternoon ones. Plus, lunch gives me a brain break to reconsider the thoughts I prepare for the next classes to come.” The amount of focus your brain is able to maintain throughout the day typically is stronger during the afternoon due to its existing circulation in the classes you have had in the morning. According to research, the best time to study is between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., as the brain is most awake and teachable during these hours. Having a lunch break in the middle of the school day not only gives a chance for your brain to relax and re-fixate on the school subjects to come, but it also gives you a chance to study for anything you may need to catch up on in the classes after. This can help a student get better focus and concentration for their next classes, so they do not have to study after school when their brain is not working the hardest during those times, or just not having the ability to do so anyways.
Sophomore Maddie Fayz said, “My focus is stronger in the afternoon because, one, I’m more awake and I have more enjoyable classes [Geometry, World Studies, and Choir]; two, my teachers in the morning classes woke my brain up because of the harder work load; and three, I have less friends in the classes in the afternoon, disregarding any distractions that may be present.” Students who have easier or preferably more fun classes at a specific part of the day, such as Choir, Band, Art classes, Yearbook, and more, tend to have a higher focal point because that’s when they want themselves to fixate on that subject the most. Also, both Fayz and Punzal had one or two of their electives in the afternoon, furthermore proving their statements of them having increased focus in the afternoon hours.
The students interviewed claimed that the classes they attend in the afternoon are the ones that allow them to receive a higher grade because of the amount of fixation their brain has at the time, allowing them to work harder in the subjects mentioned above. Teachers also have had more students in their classes as the day progresses, allowing them to then teach students better as both their attention spans grow along with the students’ and they’ve been teaching a certain subject period for a longer amount of time. What do you think? Is your brain fixation better in the afternoon?
Lyon Life 