Advisory period equals 25 minutes of controversy

Advisory is a controversial time in Wheatland Union High School's day. It is a 25-minute period after lunch that students have for their entire high school career. Some teachers choose to follow a rigidly structured week, with quiet time one day and discussion another. Others choose to let students decide what they need to do. They take advantage of this time to socialize, do homework, or get help from a teacher.

I have heard some students say it is a waste of their time, while for others it is a godsend. A student's opinion on advisory can also be affected by whether he or she enjoys the teacher they were assigned. I personally find it to be a very lovely period of time to read or do homework so I don't have to take it home.

Advisory was created with a more practical use in mind, as well. One was to give students a chance to connect with their teacher, so they could go to them to discuss problems or questions. The second was to help prevent hazing.

Hazing was very much a problem several years ago, so the school board decided to create a class that mingled all the grades levels together. This could cause some seniors to befriend younger students and want to stop them from being hazed. It was an effective strategy, and now hazing is virtually nonexistent.

Love it or hate it, students still must admit the advisory period's usefulness and ability to bring different people together. Many meet people they would never have known otherwise, broadening their views on life and humanity. I myself have quite enjoyed advisory for letting me become acquainted with some interesting people, from the school-wise to the street-wise.

Amanda Bradshaw, a senior, had this to say about advisory: "I really like it. You know, in previous years, I had a little trouble focusing, but now that they've switched the order of lunch and advisory around, I find that it's easy to concentrate. I can get help in classes that I need help in, and it really gives me a head start on what I have to do when I get home."

Monique McDonald, a junior, also enjoys having advisory but has a differing opinion on when it should start. "I think it's weird ... I think they should have it at the beginning of the day. People still have classes after sixth period."

There have been rumors spreading throughout the school for the four years I have been here that advisory will be cut to help with time and money. Since these thoughts have been floating around for years, I don't think it will be happening any time soon. For those who enjoy it, though, it would be reassuring for them to put an end to the rumors.

Toni Bailey is a senior at Wheatland Union High School. Her column appears every six weeks in Education.