The school day is supposed to be a complete day, with many invigorating classes before the fun starts at 3:15, when the final bell rings. While this is the case for many Park students, what about the students whose day ends before this? Many students’ days end after sixth period, or for some, even earlier. Many students’ days also start later, after the first period or even later. With all these options, do students feel fear or missing out o FOMO with other students not being in school?

Park’s school day is currently from 8:25-3:15 with seven classes every day. Though there are seven available periods, upperclassmen can have an open hour, where it’s a study hall where they aren’t at school. Students often enjoy these so they can be at school for as little as possible, but this also leaves students at school to miss out on fun things. A large number of upperclassmen take study halls, but only a lucky group gets to leave school early for them or come to school late. I think students feel extreme FOMO with other students and cannot be at school for the entire day.

There are a million things that students can do when they’re not in school that make kids want to have these open periods outside of school. Lots of students like to go to the gym or practice sports after school. Other students like to go home and relax or get homework done. Whatever kids are doing during their open hours, there is always a lot of fear of missing out from students who are in their classes in school. Students with open hours often are able to hang out together and just have more freedom to have fun with their time outside of school. I think that seeing many kids get to leave after sixth hour is extremely disheartening and sad to have to do another class.

One positive of not taking an open hour is that it pushes students to work harder in school and challenge themselves. I have never had an open hour, and although it’s frustrating at times, it’s rewarding to get through a full seven-period school day. Being at school for the entire day is also somewhat fun in my opinion. While some of my friends leave and go home, I am in class with my friends and have fun with them. Of course, I’d rather be with friends outside of school, but high school is so short and the connections we make are crucial. I have good friends in every class and would miss seeing those people if I didn’t have that class.

In the future, this school, as well as others, may consider getting rid of early release or open hours because of safety or to regulate students coming and going. The school has already banned having an open campus for seniors to be able to get lunch from outside of school. While early release and open hours are sometimes used academically for students doing PSEO (post-secondary enrollment options) or online classes, the school might want students to stay at school. They might use some of the new space near the link to allow students to do PSEO or online classes to keep students in the building.

I think students in school definitely feel left out when others get to leave early or not be there the whole day, but there isn’t a perfect solution. I think it’s similar to missing a day of school. While it’s fun to miss school, your friends in school are having fun together, learning new things and preparing themselves better for the future.