Middletown High School North has recently delved into the foreign world of block scheduling during this 2012-2013 school year. Since June when the rumor of the new scheduling was unearthed, students at MHSN have had much to say about the change. Many find this change to be overwhelming and prefer to return to the traditional seven period days. From my own observations, the amount of students that actually like the eighty minute class periods is very slim. However, there are many aspects of this new scheduling that unwilling students are choosing to overlook.
One of the age-long complaints that students have had is homework and not having enough time for their grueling assignments. With the new block scheduling, students now have two nights to complete one class’ homework. In my opinion, it helps control my stress level and gives me more time to learn a lesson.
Another advantage that some consider to be chaos is the extra “period” for lunch. During the first two weeks of school, students are confined to their advisory rooms but after the 21st of September, students are given free rein to receive help from their teachers, catch up with homework, attend club meetings, or simply extend their lunch. This extra 26 minutes give students time to rest their minds and relax until their proceeding two classes.
Block scheduling does have its downfalls but ultimately, it is very beneficial to students in MHSN providing them with extended periods for classes and, in my opinion, a more relaxed school day.
