Anna Kelm

Students can typically use homeroom for a plethora of reasons, but those who are trying to quietly study can easily be distracted by the chitchat of their peers.

Homeroom at Benilde-St. Margarets is twenty-five minutes, four days a week. However, there are typically only a few days during the week when we have free time and there aren’t already pre-planned activities.

When I think of homeroom, I picture a short period of time that allows me to get some extra studying in. Recently, that hasn’t been the case. Homeroom is way too short and filled with activities that cause me unnecessary stress. Some examples include bingo and Kahoots. I feel as if I can’t get things done, and it makes me feel so behind. I understand that because I am a member of Link Crew I have weekly obligations, but besides that, I feel as if I should be able to be in control of what I do with my own break from the day.

Picture this: homeroom gets extended an extra twenty minutes daily, and you have the chance to choose between going to a quiet study room or a room where you are allowed to talk. That is my dream. I would be able to have some extra time to get prepared for upcoming tests and assignments, and it would majorly ease my stress. On top of that, I wouldn’t be getting distracted by the chatter of my peers.

In homeroom, you are able to leave to get food or use the restroom, which is nice. However, only two students can leave the room at a time (due to the strict pass rules). If the school implemented a longer homeroom, more students could get their needs met before class starts. It would help end some of the comments teachers make such as “Why didn’t you go to the bathroom before class?” or “You should have eaten during homeroom.”

Also, there are students who have extra energy and like to walk around during homeroom. The resolution for that issue many students come up with is to leave their homeroom and go for a walk. Yet, they can only walk around for five minutes without getting in trouble with their teacher or upsetting their peers for being a “pass hog.” BSM should open the gym to those who want to walk around and shake out some jitters. It would then help students concentrate more in class because they may not have as much energy that needs to be burned.

The changes I have mentioned would accommodate the needs of many students, if not all. The students who want to take a much-deserved brain break from a stressful day at school could most definitely do so in a place where they don’t have to be mindful of others who are trying to cram in some extra work. Those who want to pack some extra “studious time” into their schedule would be able to do so in a place that is quiet and serene. And, those who need to blow off some steam could go for a brisk (or sluggish) walk in the gym.