Off Rolls

To students, an off roll or two may seem like heaven compared to their last few years. However, the schools’ opening of off rolls to all class periods has taken a turn for the worst.

As a freshman, I practically dreamt of the time when I would finally be able to fit an off roll into my schedule. Low and behold my time has come, yet it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.

Most people hope to get first period off to sleep in and procrastinate even more than usual. Others opt for fifth period off for sports, to go home early or go to work. Both options sound great by all means but with my luck, I’ve ended up with a third period off roll.

If you’re not already familiar with this struggle, let me break it down. Third period is the middle of the school day; a limbo of sorts. It’s too early for lunch but too late for breakfast. The overwhelming exhaustion that many face fourth and fifth period is just beginning to kick in and to dull the senses more, without a car I’m confined to the walls of the library.

Obviously it’s not as glamorous as I thought it’d be. I never expected to spend the first part of my junior year wasting away my cell phone battery in boredom and missing the hilarious broadcasts. It’s gotten to a point that I actually find myself nostalgic for the corny jokes and almost tangible awkwardness.

The only reason I’m in this mess is because of the new scheduling the counselors have devised. To fit everyone’s needs, classes have been moved around, but evidently it hasn’t done much for me.

Rather than chatting away a class period or actually learning something, I spend the dreaded hour and ten minutes looking for something to do.

Truthfully, I’m grateful I’m not stuck with yet another AP and I have an extra period to procrastinate the previous nights’ homework, but when it comes down to it, in my book third period off roll shouldn’t exist.