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I am no stranger to the aches and pain some students experience in their hectic life at school. On average I will come into school with up to 3 text books, 2 notebooks, a planner and my lunch in my backpack. OK fair enough I have a locker, but this does nothing for the weight I have to carry on my back to and from school.
I wish to stay as healthy as possible in my life, I eat healthy meals regularly, do not smoke, do not drink and exercise as much as possible. This includes walking back home from school at least four times a week, this walk takes me on average 50-60 minutes depending entirely on the amount I have in my bag. Sometimes I will even walk to school which can sometimes take considerably longer as it is mainly up hill.
When I have a dozen or so heavy text books and note books in my bag, not only does my time getting to and from school increase, but also the amount of back and neck pain I experience. So much so that by the time I was 15 years old, I had to sleep with a special pillow that is mainly used by people with arthritis!
I am sick and tired of people telling me that this can be solved by taking a bus or getting a lift home. I am not replacing something that is free and healthy with something that will either cost me money or make me wait around my school for an extra 2 hours for someone to pick me up.
Teachers need to be more efficient with the work they set and the books they hand out. There have been occasions where I have had to leave books in my locker when I need to take them home for homework, and in some cases I have had to walk an hour up to my school to collect books from my locker only to walk back 5 minutes later. I know I want to stay healthy, but walking nonstop for 2 hours sometimes in the rain and cold is ridiculous for some books.
Teachers seem to completely ignore that fact that the students in their class have other lessons, and other lessons mean other text books. Some teachers may even give their students up to 3 textbooks for one topic. All of which we have to bring to one lesson. Something needs to be done before we have a generation of people with chronic back pain.
By: KP
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That was funny at the time, but having to carry, say, 3 textbooks in your hand or in your bag plus a laptop is just cruelty. I agree with SilverWolf, it's unhealthy and needs to be addressed. Back pain, shoulder pain, stuff like that, can turn into something more serious as you get older. Let's see if teachers can get through at least a day with 15kg on their backs and hands without complaining.
And if the schools are big sometimes they cant stop at their lockers since they are given 7 minutes between classes to get to the next one which means if their next class is in opposite direction of their locker then all the books have to go with her. Bicycles are the way I use to go, but I only had 4 text books and a notebook that sat nicely inthe back spring holder. Baskets would be good but have you ever tried to avoid a collision with a lot items sitting weighing on your handlebars? I wiped out many times as a kid trying to avoid running something with my books or other things in a front basket when your load shifts on you. And lest face it. The bikes they have today are wimpy compared to the wheels we had as kids.
My daughter who has been walking to summer school to better her math grade, her idea, she wanted to better her grade point average and turned a C into an A. I wanted her to continue the 20 minute walk to school and stressfully she begged to for time being give her a tramp back and forth. I tried not to be Dad the pushover, but when I picked up her book bag I got so angry that the school push all this healthy nutrition stuff and dont say a word about the ergonomics of the book carrying scene. I thought she had robbed somebody, I just could not believe the weight.
Its no joke nor is it mollycoddling. The forced transport of over 5-6 textbooks even between classes is cruel its unhealthy and needs to be addressed. Either put the textbook online or something but those who think its just a lot of whining let them put 10 building bricks in a bag and see how far they get thru the day comfortably.
Thats my peace thank you.
Seriously, I would ask all adults to try picking up and carrying around the average high school pupil's bag. Something needs to be done. There are definitely going to be long term spine issues for these kids.
Wear your back packs correctly and you won't get back ache from uneven weight distribution on your spine. Oh and load your bag/back pack correctly and evenly instead of just chucking stuff in- it's not great having a text book jab you in the back every time you walk.
Enough said, really.
Zyrcona