There is a new approach to study hall this year at Bethany. However, this approach has sparked a negative response from students. Students claim that this new format is affecting their productivity. Hope is not lost for study halls, as the students also suggest ways to help it.
This year, there are two rooms dedicated to study hall. One room is for students who would like to get work done. The other is for students who want to sit at either a couch or a table. The expectation is that both rooms remain silent.
However, students would argue that this expectation is not being carried out. When asked if the new format helps students be more or less productive, Vashti Neff (‘15) said it “is less productive for Juniors and Seniors who are trying to get work done because there are a lot of underclassmen who are loud and act up.”
The amount of people in the same room could also be a problem. When asked if he enjoys the new format, Sol Brenneman (‘15) said “no, because there are too many people in one room and it is hard to concentrate.”
Students also agree there are ways the format can change to help with student productivity. Sol Brenneman suggests that “Juniors and Seniors should be in a separate room than Sophomores and Freshmen so that upperclassmen can get work done.” This would certainly help students concentrate and feel less overwhelmed with the amount of people in one room.
Maybe the solution is as simple as Erin Bontrager’s idea. “Change it to the way they had it last year, but find a way to make it so students can be kept track of easier.”