London: What`s the key to success in
exams? Well, an extra hour in bed in the morning, apart from
hard work, say scientists.
An experiment, designed by three British scientists,
which allows students to stay in bed for an extra hour in the
same morning has boosted exam results and slashed absenteeism,
`The Sunday Times` reported.
The scientists, led by neuroscience Professor
Russell Foster of Oxford University, found that teenagers have
a biological predisposition to go to bed late and get up late
particularly during exam time, and may not begin to function
fully until 10 AM, two to four hours later than adults.
The experiment also revealed that the most difficult
lessons should take place in the afternoon, when pupils will
be at their most alert.
This adolescent "time shift" persists until the age
of 21, after which a person`s body clock starts to shift back
again, until by the age of 50 they are likely to get out of
bed as early as when they were young children, according to
the scientists.
"Teachers will say, `I know my kids are at their best
first thing in the morning`, but what`s really going on is
that the teachers are feeling particularly awake by 9 AM and
the kids are half asleep, making the class easier to control,"
Prof Foster was quoted as saying.
The experiment is currently being trialled at
Monkseaton school.
Paul Kelley, the headmaster, said: "The data are
only preliminary but show lateness has dropped 8 per cent and
longterm absence 27 per cent because of the changes to the
start of the school day. Our results in maths and English are
significantly improved...
"We have moved from a situation where it is absolutely
intolerable for some kids to get up very early to one where
they can manage to wake up and be alert for lessons at 10."
PTI