Jefferson-Morgan High School has lacked a study hall for many years, but study halls were beneficial and should be reinstated as soon as possible. Students could benefit greatly from extra time to do anything that needs done.

With a study hall, students would have much more time to catch up on schoolwork, do homework, and study. This could prove drastic increase in grades for more than a few students. About ninety percent of students polled in Jefferson-Morgan High School would find a study hall beneficial, for either their grades or their own personal learning experience.

“A study hall would benefit me because I would have time to do my homework so that I do not have to take it home later,” said Madelyn Van Divner. “My grades would improve because I would have more time to study for an upcoming test, or do my homework so I can have more time to study at home.”

Eighty-five percent of surveyed students said they would use study hall to study, do homework, or catch up on class work. Many students who play sports would find the extra time invaluable, and would not have to push themselves as hard to keep up with their sports, homework, social life, and home life. A study hall would prove to be a major stress reliever for students, such as Carrington Teasdale, who are juggling many priorities, and they lose sleep in the process. Sleep is one of the most important things in a teenager’s life in order to maintain their health, and yes, a study hall would knock off some time students use in the evening to study which means more sleep for them.

“I wouldn’t have to cram my studying in with my sports, which means I could go to bed earlier,” said Teasdale.

If study hall were reinstated into our school, certain rules and schedule changes could also be made in order to compensate for the time and teachers needed. One rule, in order to keep students from abusing the time, would be to enforce a strict “no phones in study hall” rule. As long as the teacher overseeing study hall enforced these rules, the privilege would not  be abused. Another rule that could be enforced is a “students must be working or reading” rule to ensure that the study hall doesn’t get out of control. Changes to the schedule could be made such as removing an elective or adding another period throughout the day. If we were to remove an elective, such as career education, we could simply replace it with a study hall. The elective class being replaced could be voted on by students and/or faculty to ensure the majority is in agreement of the decision. If another period were added, this would allow not only a study hall, but students could take any other elective for that period. If every class were shortened by about five minutes, that would allow for another forty minute period. Student’s do not seem to mind which one happens, but letting them vote on the matter would solidify that fact.

“I think an extra period should be added and all of the other periods be shortened by a few minutes,” said Teasdale. However Van Divner said, “We should just drop Career Education, it’s a pointless class.”

As long as certain rules are enforced in the class, and the school board discussed the schedule changing options, no further issues come to mind when deciding whether or not to reinstate a study hall. With all the student support and potential benefit, a study hall should be reinstated in Jefferson-Morgan High School.