As the end of the school year approaches, rising seniors are starting to plan for one of the biggest privileges that comes with 12th grade: free periods. Unlike other grades, seniors can have one or more free periods in their schedule, depending on their credit requirements. While some students use this time to rest or work, others take advantage of the flexibility to leave campus. With four class periods in a day an important question comes up: which period is the best to have free?

To get a clear answer I conducted a poll of seniors, asking which period they preferred to have off. The results were consistent; the majority of seniors said that fourth period was the most useful period to have free, with first period coming in second.

According to those surveyed, having fourth period free offers the most flexibility. Many seniors use it as a way to leave school early, which helps them beat traffic, get to work on time, or simply relax after a long day. For students with heavy academic loads or extracurricular activities, ending the day one period early can make a huge difference in stress levels and time management. However, some did mention that if you have practices for sports or clubs you might have to return to school after leaving early.

First period was also a popular choice, especially among students who aren’t morning people. Having the ability to come to school later allows for slower mornings, less traffic, and a more relaxed start to the day. Still, some students noticed that this schedule can make it harder to stay motivated, especially after getting used to waking up early for school their whole lives.  Additionally, some students discussed having  morning practices or activities that might cut into that time anyway.

Periods two and three received less praise as they don’t offer as much flexibility or a feeling of freedom as having first and fourth off do. A free second period was seen as somewhat inconvenient as students are already at school, but it’s still too early in the day to fully relax or even have an extended lunch. Third period had a few fans, especially those who used the time to get ahead on homework or take a longer lunch, but most felt it lacked the advantages of a late arrival or early dismissal.

All in all, the best period to have free depends on your individual schedule, responsibilities, and preferences. But based on the feedback from this year’s seniors, if you’re hoping to make the most of your senior year, a free period at the beginning or end of the day may be your best bet! •