This is Spitfire, a style of head-to-head debates between The Accolade’s two Opinion editors. Kyuwon is blue. Elise is green.
PREVIOUSLY ON SPITFIRE: The two opinion editors went head-to-head about whether or not underclassmen at Sunny Hills should be allowed to eat lunch off-campus. Kyuwon, who argued that underclassmen should remain on campus, won in a landslide. Who’s going to take the crown this time around? One thing’s for sure: they’re both about to spit FIRE.
Here are the rules:
- No profanity.
- An editor attacked by the other will be given three sentences to respond.
- The readers will decide who wins through a poll at the end of the article.
- Once a rule is broken, the debate ends.
At night, I’m listening to music and painting a masterpiece. Night owls are definitely more productive because it opens the creative side in our brains. According to a July 2024 The Guardian article, staying up late can improve your cognitive function, making you more productive when doing your work.
Good point, but being an early bird means starting the day refreshed after a good night’s sleep. As a night owl myself, I can vouch firsthand that we lethargically push through the day’s exhaustion, working when our focus and motivation are already drained. According to a University of Cambridge article, teens who sleep longer and maintain earlier bedtimes have stronger cognitive performance and brain connectivity, showing that better rest supports morning productivity.
Elise, don’t take this the wrong way, but being a night owl doesn’t necessarily mean you sleep late and wake up early, pushing yourself the whole day. Some night owls sleep late and wake up late, which doesn’t affect the duration of their sleep. So instead of struggling in the morning trying to wake up early, night owls can perform better at night, potentially making them more productive.
Kyuwon, let’s not forget that morning people also benefit from their routine, matching traditional school and work schedules. Because most of our responsibilities begin early in the day, waking up earlier reduces stress and the risk of running late. This structure honestly just leads to better time management and organization overall.
According to a July 2024 Imperial article, people tend to have better mental sharpness at night. As a student myself, I can totally speak to the fact that being more resilient to stress increases our productivity. Also, night owls face fewer interruptions and have more flexibility for social activities, unlike early birds, who would have to fit all their plans during the day.
I hear what you’re saying, but waking up early also contributes to improved mental and physical health. According to a July 2025 Sleep Foundation article, sleeping at later times is associated with many health issues, and people who shifted their sleep schedules earlier reported lower stress levels.
Because of the violation of rule No. 2, Spitfire ends by default. Who do you think is right? Click on Kyuwon’s or Elise’s picture to declare your winner.
Sorry, there was an error loading this poll.
