If you are a senior this year, you may remember having a “flight time” period your first year of high school. Flight time was a class period like a study hall. Students got the chance to catch up on school work or just take a break during either their 4th or 5th period class, since the school day was eight periods long instead of seven. After the 2022-2023 school year, flight time was taken away and the school returned to a seven-period day where classes are 48 minutes long, except 4th period being longer to accommodate lunch. Although it may be unreasonable to bring back flight time and shorten class periods again, students could benefit from having a study hall during 1st period. 

Everyone has been late to school at least once during their life. Some people may have just accidentally slept in, or some may have gotten backed up in traffic. Either way, many people can agree that this creates issues for them in their 1st period class. Implementing a first period study hall could help resolve this issue. If students were accidentally late one day they wouldn’t have to feel the stress of missing important topics in one of their classes.

Furthermore, having a study hall first thing in the morning could give students the opportunity to finish catching up on schoolwork that may be due that same day and gives them the chance to get some last-minute studying in if they have a test that day. This is highly beneficial for students who did not have the chance to get everything done the night before but still want to keep up their grades. 

Additionally, there are several students who play sports, are involved in extracurriculars, and take AP or college courses. Managing this becomes exceedingly difficult at times and stresses students. Having this time to catch up on work and study provides students with a healthier balance between academics and their personal lives. A first period study hall could help reduce burnout, improve mental health, and allow students to start their day feeling more prepared and less overwhelmed. 

While bringing back flight time may not be realistic, implementing a first period study hall is a reasonable compromise that would benefit a substantial portion of the student body. It would help students who arrive late, give everyone time to prepare for the day, and support those with demanding schedules. Overall, a first period study hall would be a positive change that promotes student success, responsibility, and well-being.