I have changed my lifestyle to work around the looming virus, but the quarantine has affected my mindset for the time being. The longer I have been quarantined, the less effort I put forth in my work. It has been helpful to begin a routine, instead of spending my days in a lackadaisical manner. 

High school students are learning to manage their lives without constant supervision. During this time of isolation we are given the opportunity to reflect upon our lives, consider what needs changing, and improve on areas of weakness. In the grand scheme of things, there are positive results that will emerge out of these unprecedented circumstances. 

As I have been figuring out my daily schedule, I realized how much I lack the ability to formulate and execute a daily plan. 

In many public schools, students are given a set schedule they follow everyday without fault. They have some control over what they do during the blocks of time; however, there is no control over how a day is arranged. In many cases these schools are overcrowded and the administration and staff are overworked. Personally, after experiencing a variety of school schedules, I wonder if our school district would benefit from a different setup, especially in the high school setting. 

Block scheduling systems can prove to be quite beneficial. I attended a school overseas that used an “alternating day” block system, like colleges. It lessened stress for everyone and taught the students how to better manage their time. The schedule allowed each student to take eight classes. Students would attend four classes every day, but they would be alternating. Having a schedule that spaces out work and assignments better reflects the ‘real world.’ 

The teachers had ninety minutes to teach and make sure their students understood the information being taught. This type of scheduling also helps with upper-level classes covering large amounts of content without having to break the rhythm of a lesson. I fondly remember my sixth grade English teacher because he was able to create a personal connection with our class and provide amazing feedback to his students within a class setting. 

Time can be incredibly constraining. It is challenging for our public school educators to create personalized classroom experiences due to the lack of time in the classroom. In our current school setting, students spend a little over four hours a week with each teacher, which makes it challenging to adequately cover information without having to rush through lessons. With a block schedule, students actually receive more concentrated instructional time and the opportunity to reflect and prepare for the next class.

Being able to model real-life experience in an educational setting is beneficial to students because it helps them gain confidence. This further aids in preparation for college and future job acquisition. Many high school students wonder how they will fit into regular society. Something as simple as an alternative schedule could help prepare them for life’s journey. 

Also, when I attended school overseas, I was able to achieve tasks outside the education realm. I was able to be part of groups and communities without being stressed about the overloading homework peering over my shoulder twenty-four hours a day.

I believe giving students the ability to plan without constant supervision allows them to acquire the skills needed for real life situations and experiences.