Timetable Frustration
I’m starting to feel like academia and the administration just want to work us to the bone, taking advantage of our willingness to comply in order to push us even harder.
We had a system that worked perfectly well: arrive at 8 AM and either start directly with our typical six-period day or sometimes even enjoy a bit of a break before diving into it—let’s call that “period 0.” For most of my high school life, I was perfectly content with this arrangement. There were days I could sleep in because we didn’t have period 0, and when I did show up early, I’d use the time to study, relax on my phone, or catch up with friends.
Now, as a Year 12 student, my focus is solely on studying. After working hard all day, I long for some downtime to recharge and mentally prepare for the rest of an already grueling day. I think everyone can relate to needing a moment to breathe.
But now, the school staff has decided to move period 0 into our lunch break and added in various “mentor sessions,” which feel like an extended form period where our teacher drones on about productivity and life skills—seriously, hardly anyone pays attention. Most people just zone out, play games on their laptops, or study for a class, myself included. To make matters worse, period 0s are now the same length as our regular periods instead of being shorter.
So now, our actual lunch break begins at 1 PM because we have period 0 every single day. This change has led to more chaos in the canteen, and while I shouldn’t complain too much about the younger students who haven’t yet learned the ropes, it does get frustrating when everyone just wants to grab lunch and get outside to hang out with friends since there’s barely time for anything else.
I’ve been feeling more burned out and exhausted this year than I did last, despite maintaining my dedication to academics. We’re not machines; we need breaks, or we’ll break down. I’ve overheard many students expressing their dissatisfaction with the new timetable. Anyone who’s been through high school knows that lunch is associated with twelve o’clock—it’s a simple concept! Lunchtime is meant to be an extended break, not just a shorter version of our usual periods.
And on top of that, many of us have extracurricular activities right after school, meaning we don’t get home until between 5 PM and 7 PM. I’m genuinely considering organizing a protest to make it clear that we won’t accept these harsh conditions anymore. It’s alarming to see so many students struggling with their mental health only weeks into the year.
I’m just grateful that this is my final year at this school because it feels like the younger students are really being put through the wringer.
I hear you loud and clear! It’s frustrating how the administration seems to pile on more and more without considering the impact on students’ mental health and well-being. The changes to the timetable sound chaotic and counterproductive. The whole point of breaks is to recharge, not to extend the grind.
It’s like they forget that we’re not just here to get through the day; we’re here to learn and grow as people too. Having that nice chunk of time before school was perfect for a relaxed start, and now it feels like they’ve taken that away in favor of more busywork. And who decided that shifting important breaks around would make things better? It’s just pushing students into a corner, leading to burnout instead of fostering a love for learning.
I totally get your frustrations about the canteen chaos and the longer days, too. You’re right—lunch should feel like a proper break, not a race against the clock. And with extracurriculars on top of everything else, it’s no wonder you’re feeling the pressure. Organizing a protest to voice concerns sounds like a strong move! Sometimes, the only way to push for change is to speak up collectively. Don’t let it wear you down too much—keep fighting for your well-being and that of your peers! You’ve got this!