By Madi Whiteley / Photography Editor and LogosNow Manager
While a break from the monotony of the school day now and then is always needed, students have commented that the many different schedules Harpeth Hall has had within a 5 week period may be too much of a break.
These days are meant to allow variety and build community but squeezing so many into this fall quarter has left some students feeling overwhelmed.
“It does seem like we had a lot of special schedules during the month of October, a month that is already busy owing to the end of the first quarter and lots of tests clustered around fall break,” said Upper School History teacher Ben Fulwider. These schedules have included everything from assemblies and guest speakers to full days with no classes and advisory lunches. While each event has its perks, such levels of interruption may overwhelm students regarding how often changes happen.
“I think there are a lot of benefits to the special schedules. It gives girls a break from the repetitiveness of high school so not everyday feels the same,” said junior Katherine Lutrull.
While Luttrull does believe that special schedules are nice to have, she believes that we have had too many within the time since Fall Break.
“If I could change it, I would spread the special schedules out because in the fall it feels like every week we have something and in the spring there is nothing… with how much we have it makes the days less special,” said Luttrull.
This sentiment echoes a growing concern among students about the burnout from tight schedules filled with varied activities. Besides, many students feel that special schedules do not allow for real engagement with the offered material in their classes, and it negatively impacts their focus on lessons.
“The most challenging part of special schedules is having to switch around the normal day, and it distracts from the classes I’m in. Everyone is so frantic about where to go next and at what time, that it takes away from what we learn in class,” said freshman Kate Riojas.
There is a call among the faculty and student body for a more balanced approach to scheduling so that these events are spaced out evenly throughout the academic year. This improvement would allow for periods of both engagement and deeper learning, ultimately fostering a healthier school environment.
Harpeth Hall tends to always accept feedback from their community and asks for it, ensuring that students, parents and faculty have a platform to voice their opinions and suggestions.
One potential solution could involve surveying students and faculty to gather input on preferred scheduling adjustments. By understanding the specific types of events that resonate with the student body and determining the best times for them, Harpeth Hall can tailor schedules that balance rigor with variety.
Additionally, having a clearer communication channel for upcoming events could alleviate some of the confusion surrounding changes, as notification is often abrupt.
Ultimately, the goal is to create an atmosphere that values both collective experiences and individualized academic focus. Finding a middle ground will not only improve student satisfaction, but also enhance our overall learning outcomes. By pursuing new strategies, Harpeth Hall can ensure that special schedules serve their intended purpose without hindering the quality of learning.
