By: Nardine Metry
I don’t really remember every single detail of every single day in Kindergarten, but I do have a general idea of what each day looked like. Every day was the same type of routine:
- Prayer and Pledge
- Some type of learning
- Morning Snack time and Morning recess
- Reading time
- Lunch and recess
- Nap time
At that time, I despised nap time, and it was my least favorite part of the day. I dreaded heading inside after lunch recess for the worst part of my day: nap time. In fact, not only did I dread it, I abhorred the thought of it. I always loathed getting my cot out; I couldn’t stand the silence, and I never understood why the lights were always turned off. It seemed like such a time-waster and boring thing to include each day. I stared at the ceiling fan and prayed for nap time to be over. Instead of counting sheep, I counted down the minutes until nap time was over. At the time, I couldn’t wait to grow up and not have to deal with nap time. But what on earth was I thinking? Do you know what I would give to have nap time in high school?
Now that I am older, my days and schedule look a little different.
- Go to all my classes
- Daily Gathering and Lunch
- More classes
- Rush to Work
- Speed home
- Shower and Eat
- Use any leftover time to study and finish assignments
By the time I finish all my responsibilities, my eyes are bloodshot red from the tiredness that has taken over me. My body collapses into bed and sinks into the mattress. As my head hits the pillow, the craziest thing happens. Despite my severe exhaustion, I cannot seem to fall asleep.
My mind ran endlessly, wondering if there was anything I missed or messed up that I needed to accomplish. Then, my mind moves to thinking about how worried I am for the next day. After that, I question if I will get enough sleep to make up for anxiety that tomorrow possesses. Then, instead of counting sheep or counting down the minutes until nap time is over, I begin counting how many hours of sleep are attainable tonight. And then I think of all the potential sleep I am losing and how I wish I could just go to sleep. After all that, I finally shut my eyes but faced a new dilemma. The sun begins shining through my window blinds as Morning takes over. My alarm goes off next, and I forcefully and groggily open my eyes.
The next night, I roll into bed in hopes of getting more sleep than I did the night before. I lay there staring at my ceiling fan, and I am reminded of the ceiling fan in kindergarten nap time that I would stare at. The difference is that now I am praying that I can fall asleep, while in Kindergarten, I prayed that nap time would be over. No matter how many melatonins I take, or no matter how many times I try using a white sound machine, I cannot seem to get a good night’s sleep anymore. I guess decent sleep is only for kids.
Unfortunately, due to ever-present stress, nerves, and tension regarding everyday high school life, a good night’s sleep is rare and precious. Therefore, here’s a heads up to children: cherish your nap time now while you can because there will come a day when you will no longer possess such a privilege.
Photo: Harvard Health
