What is happening in Lakeland High School three months before summer? Lakeland High School is now working with a slightly changed schedule. With a change from a five-minute to a four-minute passing period and getting out of school one minute later, how is that affecting the students of Lakeland?
Many students find it frustrating having a change in a schedule that they had memorized just to figure out a new one at nearly the end of the year. Others don’t find it to affect them with just a minute change.
“I honestly don’t think it’s that big of a deal,” Madison Valli said.
Valli doesn’t see the need to be upset about something she can’t change, it’s a waste of time stressing about something like that so close to the end of the year. She just gets through the day like it is any other.
“It’s whatever, I just don’t like the shortened passing periods,” Mia Brown said.
Many students spend the passing periods walking and chatting with their friends before their next class, they are able to time it perfectly so they can get to class on time.
Students are also expected to use that time to get water or go to the bathroom before class, as many teens have heard “you should’ve gone during passing” by almost any teacher.
“Five minutes isn’t enough time to stop by the bathroom, let alone four.” Serafina Aldrich said.
Many teachers believe that students should be able to make it in that time, but for many it isn’t completely realistic.
“I think it’s just another minute that kids are going to be standing by the door.” Aldrich said.
In some classes students still feel as if they are still leaving on the old schedule time. Causing mix-ups and frustration for teachers and students.
“I feel more rushed getting from class to class.” Jenna Hollis said.
With a four-minute passing period, though it doesn’t sound like a big difference, it makes Hollis and many others feel rushed to get to their next class. For some students, classes might be on the other side of the school, giving them no time to talk or have a water or bathroom break.
The crowded halls also make it difficult for teens to make it from class to class when they are behind a slow group with no way around.