Study halls are a coveted period for many high school students. It is a time to sit down, work on schoolwork, and take a break. However, for many, a period meant to be used productively quickly slips away to a period of unproductive time. A time meant for studying has transformed into 40 minutes of phone time for students at NASH.
“Over the years, I have definitely seen study halls change, and for the most part, students today do not always use them strictly for schoolwork,” NASH calculus teacher Mrs. Perry mentioned.
As technology has progressed over the years, teachers and students have noticed that the usage of study halls to complete assignments has decreased. With every student having a laptop with access to the internet, the gates are wide open for students to do non-academic things, such as completing all the New York Times games.
“I will open my laptop, in hopes of actually completing work. However, when I log into Google, I have the sudden urge to play online games, particularly Wordle,” junior Leah Druga said.
Additionally, almost every student has a phone with them at all times of the day. Unlike school-issued laptops, phones present unrestricted access to the internet and various social media apps.
“I am also notorious for scrolling through social media instead of studying,” Druga added.
Senior Logan Karavlan agrees with Druga, using his study hall to be on his phone.
“I watch Pitt football highlights in Mr. Tozier’s room. All I do during study hall is research college football,” he said.
Using a phone isn’t necessarily a bad thing during study hall. In fact, Perry believes it helps keep a study hall contained.
“In many ways, I think phones have actually helped keep students who are not going to take advantage of a study hall academically, regardless of the rules, quiet, occupied, and less disruptive,” she stated.
Large study halls can get quite rowdy, which can hinder those who actually use them productively. Senior Alexis Solomon is in a loud study hall.
“It’s really hard for me to study when the people next to me are talking loudly. Most times I have to go out in the halls to complete my work,” she said.
Phones provide an outlet for most students to keep quiet. Being engulfed in scrolling through TikToks and Reels can make sure that the study hall remains a quiet environment for those who actually want to study.
Not only do phones provide a source of entertainment, but they also provide a much-needed mental break. With a building full of just juniors and seniors, most students have their classes stacked with rigorous courses, making their days particularly draining. However, a study hall can provide an escape during the long day, being a period where nothing is required from students.
“I utilize my study hall to rest and recover from my difficult classes by scrolling on Instagram Reels,” senior Alexandra Edfors said.
Perry also recognizes that many students need a break from classwork.
“For more studious students, phones can also provide a much-needed mental break from an intense academic schedule,” she added.
However, with the Pennsylvania state legislature currently considering a statewide “bell-to-bell” phone ban in schools, the way students relax in study halls may soon change.
Neverheless, breaks are crucial for students, as they enhance learning. Breaks can help decrease stress levels, enhance memories, and improve students’ behavior in the classroom. What may seem to onlookers like just ignoring schoolwork is actually improving various aspects of cognitive functioning.
Whether or not a student uses their study hall to work productively or not, there are still positive benefits from having one in their schedule. From catching up on missing work to taking a much-needed break from a hectic day, a study hall is important to student life.
