Monday, Wednesday, and Friday class schedules for me consist of back-to-back classes—I have four classes in a row, a short hour break, and then another class. I have to cross campus in 10 minutes multiple times, carrying books for four classes because I don't have time to stop at my room. Even some of the most athletic people would be slightly out of breath keeping up with the schedule. In fact, I know many are. It's challenging enough to have to complete all of this along with packing and unpacking your things between classes, as well as making classes on time, but then you add the teachers who hold the class late.
This doesn't help reduce stress.
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Chances are, I really do love the class and would enjoy staying later to continue the discussion, but reality is—I have another class. I can't stay late at one class to keep talking because if I do, then I will be late for my next class. It's not fair to my next teacher if I am consistently late to class because I had stayed overtime in the one before. All my teachers expect their students to be on time for class, so be respectful and acknowledge that means I can't stay after because I need to be on time for all my classes. And, yeah, OK, if I'm late once, it won't kill me. However, when a teacher constantly holds the class late, that means I am constantly late for my next class. No matter how fast I go, I still need time to get to class. Not to mention, the faster I hurry, the more likely I am to drop one of my books or trip and send my stuff sprawling, or even injure myself. Then I would be even more tardy for class!
I don't mind it when teachers give the option of leaving or staying late. That's great because those who can stay late, do and those who can't, leave. I am not a fan, however, when such optional discussion contains information applicable to a test or essay and the teacher is unwilling to repeat what was said for those who were unable to stay. That is decidedly less great and more frustrating. I don't like it when we're not even given the choice. I've had to force myself to be the one who packs up and leaves uncomfortably after being told not to, because I have a class to get to and I am not taking an absence because I was late for the fifth time in a row.
The thing that bothers me even more than that? Well, it would have to be the teacher standing in front of the door so students can't leave and are forced to listen to them as their time to get to their next class dwindles by the minute. Do teachers honestly think students are listening to them when they do this? I don't. No matter how desperately I would love to listen and remember what you are telling me or participate in the discussion more, there is no way I can focus with the horrifying thought of being late again and my eyes flicking between the door and the clock as I estimate the time it will take to get to class and how I can try and slip in without interrupting the lesson.
Being held late for lessons gives me so much anxiety and stress because I know I'll be late for my next class, and I am the girl who shows up 10 to 15 minutes early for my first class. I hate being late. I would actually consider skipping instead of walking in late because it causes me so much stress.
Please, from the bottom of my heart, stop holding the class hostage and let us go. We have a busy schedule too.
Thanks for reading! I hope you make it to your classes all on time this week!
