Modules
IN THIS LESSON
In this section, we will take a look at what a typical weekday is like for an American high school student. From early morning routines to after-school activities, you’ll learn how students in the U.S. manage their school days and balance their responsibilities with fun. This will help you understand what American teenagers experience on a daily basis.
Morning Routine
Most American high school students start their day early. High schools in the U.S. typically begin around 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM, so students often wake up around 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM.
Getting Ready for School: American teenagers usually begin their day by getting dressed, grabbing a quick breakfast, and preparing their school supplies. Some may check their phones or social media to catch up on messages or news before heading out.
Example: "I wake up at 6:30 AM and get ready for school. I usually eat a bowl of cereal or grab some toast before leaving. Sometimes I text my friends to make sure they’re ready, too."
Commute to School: Depending on where they live, students might walk, bike, drive, or take the school bus. Public transportation like buses or even the subway is common in cities.
Example: "I take the bus to school every morning. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes, and I usually listen to music or chat with friends during the ride."
School Day
High school students in the U.S. usually have six to seven periods a day, with each period lasting around 45 minutes to an hour. Their classes cover a variety of subjects, such as math, science, English, history, and electives like art or music.
Morning Classes: Students start their day with subjects like math or English. These core classes are essential for graduation, and most schools require students to take them every year.
Example: "My first class of the day is math. I like sitting with my friends in the back of the class, and we help each other out with tough homework problems. After that, I go to English class, where we read novels and practice writing essays."
Lunch Break: Lunchtime is a break in the middle of the school day where students eat and relax. Most schools have a cafeteria where students can buy lunch or bring food from home. Lunchtime is also a social time, where students gather with friends.
Example: "At lunch, my friends and I sit together in the cafeteria. I usually bring a sandwich from home, but sometimes I buy pizza at school. We spend the time talking about TV shows or making plans for the weekend."
Afternoon Classes: After lunch, students return to their afternoon classes, which could include science, history, and elective courses like art or physical education (PE). Some students may also have study hall periods, where they do homework or prepare for tests.
Example: "In the afternoon, I have chemistry and history. Chemistry is my favorite class because I like doing the experiments. History can be a bit boring, but we get to learn about interesting events like the Civil War."
After-School Activities
When school ends, typically around 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, many students participate in after-school activities. These activities can range from sports to clubs, or students may go home and do homework.
Sports Practice: Many students have football, soccer, or basketball practice after school. These practices help students stay active and prepare for games or competitions.
Example: "After school, I have soccer practice for two hours. We do drills, practice strategies, and scrimmage against each other. It’s exhausting but a lot of fun."
Homework and Studying: After practice or extracurricular activities, students usually spend a couple of hours doing homework. American high schools assign homework for most classes, and students need to stay on top of it to keep their grades up.
Example: "When I get home, I usually start my homework right away. I spend about an hour on math, then I study for my history test. I like to listen to music while I work because it helps me focus."
Relaxing at Home: After finishing homework, many students relax by watching TV, playing video games, or chatting with friends online.
Example: "Once I finish my homework, I like to play video games with my friends. We play online and talk while we’re playing. Sometimes I also watch my favorite TV show before going to bed."
Evening and Bedtime
American teenagers typically wind down in the evening by spending time with their families or continuing to relax on their own. Most students go to bed by 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM, especially if they have to wake up early for school the next day.
Example: "After dinner, I watch a little TV with my family, and then I go to my room to read or check my social media before bed. I usually try to be asleep by 10:30 so I’m not tired the next day."
Summary of a Typical Weekday for an American Teenager
6:30 AM: Wake up and get ready for school
7:30 AM: Travel to school (bus, walking, or driving)
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM: School day (six to seven classes with a lunch break)
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: After-school activities (sports practice, clubs, etc.)
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Homework and studying
7:00 PM - 10:30 PM: Relaxing at home (watching TV, playing games, etc.)
10:30 PM: Bedtime
American high school students balance school, extracurricular activities, and their personal lives during the week. By learning about their routines, you can see how students in the U.S. manage their time and responsibilities, just like teenagers in Iran do. What’s your weekday like in comparison?
