For many LS students, one of the most anticipated events is the release of their schedules. Knowing what classes you are taking and finding out if any of those classes are with your friends is a tradition at every school. For seniors, another much-awaited event is the release of what block your senior free is. Each one has something different that it offers, whether it be full lunches, being able to leave early, or sleeping in later.
If you get a Block 1, 2, or 3 free, there is a mixture of pros and cons. You can find yourself enjoying a later arrival three or four times and are granted one or two full lunches in the two-week cycle. While this may seem nice, if you value parking closer to the entrance of the building, these early starts can almost guarantee an inability to do exactly that. On the other hand, if you don’t mind a bit further of a walk but enjoy arriving at school at 9:25, these blocks are the blank in your schedule to keep an eye out for.
Arguably, one of the worst free periods comes at Block 4. While you get two full lunches, your free time never allows for a delayed start nor an early ending. If you enjoy a nice break in the middle of the day, maybe Block 4 is the free block for you, but if you are expecting any of the other luxuries included for those with other free blocks, you will be sorely disappointed.
Finally, Blocks 5, 6, and 7 are your early dismissal periods. Block 5, although only having an early release on Monday, students are given two full lunch periods or a nice break in the day. For blocks 6 and 7, you are given a 2:17 release three times in the two-week cycle and a full lunch every other Wednesday. While these frees may seem nice, if you find yourself participating in an after-school sport or a club, it may not always be worth leaving campus, making these three blocks less than ideal for some.
While each period has its cons, there is also a list of pros that make these blocks ideal for many seniors, who can be seen spending their free time doing homework, meeting with teachers, or enjoying themselves at a nearby Dunkin’ or Starbucks. The question becomes, what is the best free? That is for you to decide as you go through your senior year.
