Sophia Black

The class of 2026 now faces the challenge of choosing seven classes to take for their senior year, instead of the usual six.

As semester two begins, plans for the next school year are underway, which include many changes from the current year. One of the biggest changes is the number of required classes seniors need to take, going from a minimum of six to seven class periods for seniors. Seniors each year could pack two free hours into their schedule, giving them more flexibility and less stress. With this new rule, upcoming seniors will have less flexibility and freedom.

The move to require seven classes for seniors will be an unnecessary burden on students. Students benefit from the freedom to explore interests and hobbies in and outside the classroom. Free hours allow students to have more time to themselves; for seniors, this time might be vital for college research or finding interest in a major.

Seniors also have the opportunity to leave school during their free hours, this could allow seniors to pursue hobbies outside of the classroom that the school might not have the ability to provide. Having more free hours gives seniors more freedom in which they have time to develop life skills on their own, and learn how to be more independent as they prepare for college. Less free time to explore interests may negatively affect seniors’ personal growth and preparation for college.

Also, the class of 2026 (juniors) has had to deal with many new rules set up by admin, instead of the senior class who prompted the rule change. From the “Freshman Mixer” to the in-class study halls, juniors have been the first to be subjected to many limiting rules. Many juniors, including myself, are left angered and confused as to why we feel targeted by the school.

While each grade level requires seven classes already, seniors deserve some superiority. After years of hard work and dedication, having one less class wouldn’t just reward their effort, but it would provide more time to focus on college preparation. The freedom of having six classes could lead to a less stressful and more enjoyable year, a time when you can appreciate your last high school days.

Many seniors are often criticized for participating in the “senior slide,” especially in the second semester when college decisions are already set. As a consequence of the “senior slide,” administration often needs to crack down on attendance. However, increasing the time seniors need to be in a classroom may incline seniors to become even sneakier and more authentic when it comes to finding ways out of school.

A key reason why current seniors are granted the ability to take six classes compared to the usual seven is that many seniors have already completed the required high school credits. Since students are at different academic levels, many students have finished certain class credits, while others have credits that are not completed yet. Students who have finished certain courses might end up having to take classes that don’t benefit college preparation. Students might also choose “easy” courses due to a lack of determination or senior burnout. Overall, the school atmosphere for seniors could become less serious, and students may feel less engaged or motivated.

As BSM sets these rules, there could be many harmful effects on our rising seniors as they face less independence and more workload. Will students benefit from more classes, or will all the negative aspects hurt students in the long run as students prepare for college?