Whether Cal High students are beyond bored with them or fully support them, block schedules and 100 minute periods are here to stay.

And that’s good because block schedules are beneficial to students and teachers, giving both fewer classes every day.

As a freshman coming from three years of middle school, these first few months have been a nice change of pace.

Middle school schedules are hectic because they include six to seven classes with only four minutes in between, causing a major rush to get to the next class. The block schedule prevents this chaos, creating a relaxed and more stress-free atmosphere.

Some people complain about the 100-minute periods being too long, but having a break between each period is relaxing.

Another benefit of the block schedule is it helps students prepare for college. College schedules usually include three lengthy classes each week. The ability to sit through classes that last almost two hours builds the vital trait of patience.

Another enjoyable aspect of the block is that some seniors are only required to take two periods a day, allowing them to leave at lunch. During junior year, students can take a total of five periods, enabling them to leave at lunch two or three days a week.

The block schedule helps foster independence and time-management since students have two days to complete homework instead of one.

The human brain also retains information better when it’s given less of it each day. With only two to three classes a day, there isn’t an excessive amount of information that needs to be remembered compared to a single day of school with six or seven different classes.

Less information for students to process means their brains can store this information better instead of just discarding it in the back of their head.

The block schedule also benefits teachers. If teachers have to instruct fewer students every day, more of their attention is directed toward each student, resulting in more individualized learning. This is not only a benefit to teachers but to all students as well.

Most upperclassmen say that even if the block schedule doesn’t seem appealing at first, learning to like it isn’t difficult.

That’s something many freshmen like myself are quickly learning.