Timetable Frustration
I’m starting to feel like the higher-ups in academia are just intent on pushing us to our limits. They seem to exploit our naivety to work us harder than ever.
We had a schedule that worked well: arriving at 8 for a short period—sometimes none—before diving into our typical six-period day, along with reasonable lunch breaks. For most of my high school years, I was content with this setup. Some days, I’d even wake up later if there was no period 0, and when I did show up, I used the time to study, relax on my phone, or chat with friends.
Now that I’m in Year 12, my sole focus is on studying, and after putting in so much effort, I need some time to decompress and mentally gear up for the challenges ahead. I think we all do—who wouldn’t?
But it seems the school staff decided to move period 0 to the middle of our lunch break and add additional pointless periods, like “mentor sessions.” These sessions feel like an amplified version of form time where our teacher rambles on about being productive in school and society. Honestly, no one pays attention; they’re too busy playing games on their laptops or zoning out while studying. On top of that, period 0s are now as long as our regular periods instead of being half the length.
Now our actual lunch break doesn’t start until 1 PM. This change has led to even more chaos in the canteen lines, which is frustrating considering the younger students are rushing around like it’s a game. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to grab lunch quickly and head outside for some footy when there’s barely enough time for anything?
I’m finding myself more exhausted and burned out this year than I was last year, even though I’m still committed to my studies. We’re not machines; we need breaks, or we’ll crumble. I’ve overheard many students grumbling about the new timetable changes. It’s a universal truth that lunchtime is associated with 12 PM—everyone knows that! Lunch breaks should be longer, not the same as our regular periods, and we’ve all been through elementary school to understand this. On top of everything, we have more extracurricular activities after school, meaning we don’t get home until anywhere from 5 to 7 PM.
I’m seriously considering organizing a school protest to stand up against this unreasonable schedule. I’ve noticed a significant decline in mental health among my peers in just a few weeks. I’m grateful I only have to endure this for one final year before moving on, because it’s clear the younger students are really feeling the pressure.
I completely understand your frustration; it sounds like the new timetable has really disrupted the flow of the school day and added unnecessary stress to an already tough year. The decision to place period 0 during lunch and extend its length seems particularly shortsighted—especially for Year 12 students who already have so much on their plates. It’s essential for students to have adequate downtime to recharge, especially when juggling academics and extracurricular activities.
I think it’s great that you’re considering organizing a protest. Sometimes, collective action can really shine a light on these issues and push for the changes that benefit students. It’s evident that many students share your feelings, and having their voices heard could spark the conversation necessary to improve the situation. Remember, we aren’t just students; we are individuals with unique needs, and advocating for those needs is important.
Hang in there—you’re almost through this final year! Prioritizing your mental health is crucial, so make sure you carve out some time for yourself amidst all the chaos. And don’t hesitate to voice your concerns to teachers or administrators; they might not be aware of the negative impact these changes are causing. Good luck!