by Nisa Hussain

Shocking as it is, I happen to like Flex Lunch. I realize I am part of the minority in the school population of irritated students. But this early in the year, it’s a little bit irritating hearing those students pout and complain endlessly already about how much they hate one hour lunch. I’m not saying I think they are all wrong and annoying, because I myself have my own reservations about the new system. Instead, I just think everyone should keep an open mind about it and go into this new situation with optimism.

Sure, I see some problems with the hour lunch. The first week was chaotic for everyone. People end up frantically wandering the halls, searching for a suitable place, then getting hustled at by the teachers on guard. The cafeteria is packed and the courtyard is brimming with freshmen. Senior Zack Seabolt said, “I don’t buy lunch anymore. Lunch has turned into an unorganized cluster-ball.” The lines to get food take longer than the half hour it takes to eat. I get it. Personally, I find it difficult to balance out my own interests and schedule with finding my friends scattered around the school. And often, the teachers are always on your back, which gets stressful, though I can see why they need to keep things under control.

But there are still so many other good parts of the system that compensate for that. The Flex Lunch allows students to explore more aspects of the school and try new things. Clubs and groups that usually meet after school are now available during lunch, allowing students to come and not have to compromise their extra time after school. Some sports team meetings are set up during one of the halves of the lunch. Teachers allow students to come to their rooms for tutoring. This really enhances the teacher-student relationship. It is always helpful to have a healthy connection between the students and to know that some teachers can actually be pretty fine.

“It depends on where you go. I know some people who stay in the court yard the whole time, but for those who actually go to teachers for help or their rooms, it definitely builds some good vibes between teachers and students,” said sophomore Maurice Harris. “Flex Lunch lets me finish up my homework, and it’s cool to have some of my teachers around to help me. They’re pretty decent.”

It is a brilliant idea to let students use their own personal time for their own benefit. Go find out what Key Club really is. Join the student government and make a difference. Explore your artistic or athletic talent at one of the group meetings. Make yourself useful and you won’t have time to complain.

So far, there has been mixed reactions with the one-hour lunch and it will probably take some time for everyone to fully get used to it. While Harris added, “I think I like it, it gives me a chance to see friends I don’t usually see though it could be a little more structured,”  sophomore Emily Jennings thinks “it’s confusing. It will take a while for me to get used to it.”

I’m sure plenty of their peers feel the same way. In the meantime however, I suggest people take the best of it and turn it into something helpful and fun. Hopefully the condition will improve and that hour in the day will become something to look forward to, not dread.