In recent years, staggering amounts of students have reported losing a sense of community at LS. In an attempt to reconnect students with their peers, teachers carved out twenty five minutes each Thursday for Advisory. Although some students appreciate the opportunity to meet new people and participate in classroom activities, others have their critiques of the Advisory curriculum. We asked students to honestly answer the popular question: How do you feel about Advisory?
One student, Gabriella Puterbaugh, shares her opinion on the matter: “I feel like Advisory is a fun period, but I would much rather use the time for something more productive.” Although the purpose of Advisory is to familiarize students with their peers and help them foster community within the school, Gabriella’s sentiment was also shared among many of the upperclassmen. Gabby Martinelli states: “I would much rather be learning about the college application process than taking part in icebreakers. I think Advisory is beneficial to freshmen and sophomores, but I think that juniors and seniors would be better off using the time to get work done or talk with teachers.” Finding that upperclassmen at LS have probably connected themselves with many people in their grade, Gabby and others see Advisory as unnecessary. However, Gabby recognizes that freshmen and sophomores could benefit from an Advisory period, given that they are new students at LS and may want the support in meeting new peers.
In contrast, other students thoroughly enjoy Advisory as a break from the stress of classes. “I like advisory”, says Camille Ferguson, “It’s nice to have a time to unwind at the end of the week and socialize.” The relaxed atmosphere of Advisory is beneficial for some students. High school can be overwhelming, so connecting with peers is valuable for one’s mental health and teenage experience.
There is yet to be a clear consensus on the Advisory block Lincoln-Sudbury. While some students would prefer to spend their time differently, others are keen on having time to socialize. Whether you lean toward agreeing with Gabriella and Gabby, or you appreciate Camille’s opinion, ask yourself: How do you feel about advisory?