By Bube Osaji News reporter
The Mercersburg community has seen multiple changes amid the coronavirus pandemic, and such shifts evoke a range of emotions. Unsurprisingly, Mercersburg students have diverse opinions, positive and negative, regarding the new block schedule. Like any other topic involving the Mercersburg community, students either love or hate it. The question is: do we reminisce or accept the present situation?
“I understand why the change was needed,” Ellie Jornlin ‘22 says. “The long classes make it hard to focus and the syllabus feels rushed.” Nonetheless, Jornlin still welcomes the new schedule. This seems to be the case for many, as other students echoed her responses. “I love the fact that we have two classes but the longer periods make it harder for me to concentrate,” Isonah Dlodlo ‘22 said.
Even though the Mercersburg community has done a great job trying to adapt to the current situation, many students feel frustrated. Lucy Bowman ‘21 noted that she personally didn’t like the new block schedule, and “Although the school year has come easy for me, I am not sure everyone feels that way.” Nai’a Jurgensen ‘21 agreed, saying “The three week classes have not really been the best. They do not allow many students to fully enjoy the classes.”
Although the mood varies from person to person, having the same routine nearly everyday is not working for some students. “Last year’s timetable was more flexible because I saw more people during the day and there was a change in my routine,” Jornlin said. Attitudes regarding flexibility fall similarly. “This schedule does not allow for free time,” Manuel Ponce ‘23 says. While some students argue that having two hour free periods on Tuesdays and Thursdays has been very beneficial, others have been advocating for a designated lunch schedule as the current model favors some rotations over others.
Like many other changes in the year 2020 at Mercersburg, the new block schedule seems to be predictably controversial, but most people are simply glad to be learning in person rather than in front of a screen.