Breaking Out Of Routine

Before arriving at Lawrenceville, I craved ‘excitement.’ Every day was a new opportunity to explore passions and venture into social gatherings, and I would constantly rely on that instigation of fresh events and activities to propel me forward. My daily routine was based on inconsistency, and I became confident in the belief that it was precisely because each day of my week differed so drastically that I was able to experience a variety of life’s treasures.

As a new sophomore, adjusting to Lawrenceville’s ‘hustle culture’ has brought me to terms with the flaws in my life before. Without predictability, it’s hard to witness constant growth in anything; it’s been empirically proven that one of the greatest keys to success in honing a craft is consistency. Therefore, I have found comfort in Lawrenceville’s schedule, allowing me to realize a steady balance like never before. Still, I question if that steadiness is truly what I desire, as I often long for the variety my life used to present when boredom settles in.

Rotational schedules have always been the best arrangement of depth and breadth, for they present a different array of classes each day at various times and ensure each class receives as much attention as possible. For example, if Student A had math class every Wednesday afternoon that coincided with a co-curricular commitment, they would have to make up a lot of math that would accumulate with each absence. However, if math class occurred at various times throughout the week, then there would not be so much content that Student A would miss even though they would need to make up work from various classes. This allows students to develop as more well-rounded individuals over time and ensures that there are as few developmental gaps in their knowledge as possible. Combined with the consideration of students’ unique personal lifestyles, a schedule that rotates also allows for better performance in all classes in the long term as they are not always within a fixed duration of the day, meaning students can delegate their energy evenly and accordingly.

In general, other features also prove to benefit our social and physical wellness. With no more than three classes per day, students spend less time stressing over coverage and completion of content from every single class, allowing them to narrow their focus on skills such as critical thinking and improvement of unfamiliar topics one subject at a time. 

Returning Lawrentian Crystal Ayansola ’27 is in favor of the ‘course load’ of this new schedule, stating that “last year, on Mondays, we would have all [six] of our classes…and except for half Wednesdays and [half] Saturday classes, we would have four days with four subjects. It was [hard] stressing having to do homework all due on one day.” Complementing this assertion, having only three classes a day alleviates ‘weekend pressure,’ allowing more time to pursue passions and fun activities. 

The consistency in the schedule allows for better coordination of events across different departments, minimizing the overlapping of meetings and preventing many last-minute cancellations. However, such organization and coordination are still in the process of improvement; with the school year just beginning, it will definitely take a few more weeks before we fully realize the utilities and complexities that come with the schedule. Lastly, with effective planning comes systematic habits, as students can better understand when they need to do what. This leads to healthier routines over time, particularly in sleep and mental stamina.

Yet, many students find that it is precisely due to the schedule only containing three classes per day that stamina can be deficient. With longer 80-minute periods, many peers have found it difficult to persist through classes and participate in Harkness discussions for large durations, where ideas keep streamlining on top of each other. 

Brenner Emo ’27 insisted that “there should definitely be a five-minute break between these [80-minute] classes…I can’t focus on something for this long, it gets very tiring.” Personally, as a night owl, persevering through long periods with constant vigor right after waking up in the morning has also been quite difficult. Hence, although a more profound ‘deep dive’ can be more beneficial for our academic thinking and development, they can be straining without intermissions or breaks. Over time, this mental strain affects our emotional and logical states, which will counteract the schedule’s intended benefits. For a healthy middle ground, a regular means of ‘brief downtime’ should be implemented to ensure that both students and teachers can carry out their best within their capacities.

The new schedule that Lawrenceville is adapting appears to be working out well for the larger community so far, but many of its details and mechanisms can still be adjusted to better suit Lawrentians and their own pursuits. While some may argue that the structure is routinely mundane, uninspiring, and ‘set in stone,’ there are still many opportunities and free time for individual planning/creation that will come with familiarity. The best of both worlds is when one is confident in what action they will take next, and through that action, discover surprises and be delighted by the unexpected. Although I miss the days when my life was filled with chaotic fun and ‘whatevers,’ I have realized with certitude that I can reach so many new heights as a student and person if I can know the path I will walk in the future, all the while relishing its inherent unknowns.