Whether Study Skills is beneficial or not remains a debate. Putting the extra time into a longer lunch would be better.

World History teacher Christian Valdez said 80 percent of his students argue that study skills period should be allotted to lunch time, and some disagree because study skills can be used to improve grades.

English II teacher Adriana Nieto said 90 percent of her students and some teachers complain about Study Skills. Valdez and Nieto both agree that the time taken from Study Skills should go to lunch.

By adding the time to lunch students that wait 20 minutes in line for their food could actually have time to enjoy it instead of gulping it down or walking into class with it.

Nieto said that adding a minute or two more into transition would give students time to use the restroom or walk to a class they have on the other side of campus without being late.

Still students that are absent or falling behind benefit from Study Skills. It gives students a chance to get their work done. But it is not every day that a late assignment needs to be done. There are days when Study Skills helps students boost their grades and it is a handy period to turn in missing assignments or take tests.

In 2008, students in Study Skills were given lessons to reinforce vocabulary, math, and reading. Study Skills class changed, and the lessons ended.

Valdez said some students use the time wisely. That’s the problem. SOME students use Study Skills to their benefit.

After three years of Study Skills classes there have been too many students who just kill time playing video games, chatting with friends, or listening to music on their phone. Too few students use Study Skills effectively and too many use it as a free period.

Study Skills should be removed and the time transferred to lunch and transition. This will avoid tardys during transition and add time for a more relaxing lunch.