This story was originally published in the GenZeal feature of LNP on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
By Leslie Buckwalter ’27
Study hall is more than just a break in the day — it’s a lifeline for students stretched to their limits. Without time built into the school day to complete assignments, students are pushed to the brink of burnout, making a study hall essential for success.
After a typical day of five to seven classes, many students rush straight into sports, clubs or jobs after school.
In addition to those commitments, a study by the Stanford Graduate School of Education found that high school students spend an average of three hours on homework daily. Given these demands, providing dedicated time within the school day is crucial to supporting both academic performance and the flourishing of students.
Excessive homework can also interfere with students’ ability to participate in extracurricular activities. The National Society of High School Scholars reported that missing extracurricular activities can “hinder students’ ability to develop teamwork, leadership, and creative skills.” These skills are necessary for long-term growth and shouldn’t be sacrificed under the weight of overwhelming homework workloads.
Homework doesn’t just take time — it comes at the expense of students’ mental health. Stanford researchers found that 56% of students identified homework as a primary source of stress. This constant pressure can disrupt sleep, affect eating habits and leave students mentally drained. This makes academic success even harder to achieve.
Some critics argue that not all students experience an abundance of homework. Tom Loveless, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, noted that students may spend less time on homework than recommended. However, even if workloads vary, every student deserves time built into their day to slow down, stay organized, seek help and reduce after-school strain.
Students shouldn’t have to choose between their health, passions or education. With hours of homework each night, many are left exhausted and unable to fully participate in the activities that help them grow.
A mandatory study hall would give students time during the school day to complete their work and reduce the pressures they take home. Schools have the power to create this balance, and it’s time they do, because student success should never come at the cost of students’ well-being.
Overworked students need mandatory study halls
This story was originally published in the GenZeal feature of LNP on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
By Leslie Buckwalter ’27
Study hall is more than just a break in the day — it’s a lifeline for students stretched to their limits. Without time built into the school day to complete assignments, students are pushed to the brink of burnout, making a study hall essential for success.
After a typical day of five to seven classes, many students rush straight into sports, clubs or jobs after school.
In addition to those commitments, a study by the Stanford Graduate School of Education found that high school students spend an average of three hours on homework daily. Given these demands, providing dedicated time within the school day is crucial to supporting both academic performance and the flourishing of students.
Excessive homework can also interfere with students’ ability to participate in extracurricular activities. The National Society of High School Scholars reported that missing extracurricular activities can “hinder students’ ability to develop teamwork, leadership, and creative skills.” These skills are necessary for long-term growth and shouldn’t be sacrificed under the weight of overwhelming homework workloads.
Homework doesn’t just take time — it comes at the expense of students’ mental health. Stanford researchers found that 56% of students identified homework as a primary source of stress. This constant pressure can disrupt sleep, affect eating habits and leave students mentally drained. This makes academic success even harder to achieve.
Some critics argue that not all students experience an abundance of homework. Tom Loveless, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, noted that students may spend less time on homework than recommended. However, even if workloads vary, every student deserves time built into their day to slow down, stay organized, seek help and reduce after-school strain.
Students shouldn’t have to choose between their health, passions or education. With hours of homework each night, many are left exhausted and unable to fully participate in the activities that help them grow.
A mandatory study hall would give students time during the school day to complete their work and reduce the pressures they take home. Schools have the power to create this balance, and it’s time they do, because student success should never come at the cost of students’ well-being.
https://www.brookings.edu/artir4r44rcles/cnns-misleading-story-on-homework
https://www.nshss.org/resources/blog/blog-posts/how-homework-affects-students-the-pros-and-cons
https://ed.stanford.edu/news/more-two-hours-homework-may-be-counterproductive-research-suggests
https://www.edutopia.org/article/getting-student-input-burden-homework