With second semester beginning, seniors can finally enjoy the perks of block scheduling.

Block scheduling is an option for seniors that allows them to “block” off class periods. Students have the option to leave school early or come late to school. Seniors must have enough credits to graduate to be eligible for block scheduling.

“Seniors that are on track to graduate with 24.5 credits and are in good academic and behavior standing are eligible for block schedule second semester of their senior year,” guidance counselor Katie Dorn said.

Seniors can block three periods max. Blocking also allows students to do other activities such as getting a job. Senior Maddie Eastman is looking forward to her block schedule. “I decided to block so I could get a job outside of school and work to save money for college,” Eastman said.

This tends to be the general trend for seniors who choose to block. Eastman says that she is planning on blocking hours six and seven. Eastman hopes to work at Lifetime fitness or Caribou Coffee. 2013 Orono graduate, Allison Hirschberg, said she also blocked in the afternoon so she could get a job.

“I decided to block because I had enough credits to graduate after first semester senior year. So, I didn’t really have any classes that I needed to take. However, my parents told me that if I block, I had to work and I wasn’t allowed to sit at home and do nothing,” Hirschberg said.

During her block schedule, Hirschberg had a job as a receptionist at Lifetime fitness and also nannied for a family in Orono.

“I think that everyone should be able to block but it is also a huge privilege,” Hirschberg said.

Eastman agrees that blocking is a privilege, not a right. “I think it is definitely a privilege. If you have misbehaved in high school you shouldn’t get the reward of not having to be here,” Eastman said.

35 percent of Orono seniors use block scheduling according to the guidance office statistics. Although many students block, not all have the option to because they do not have enough credits or because of scheduling conflicts.

Dorn also added, “We also recommend that students do not drop core classes to block. Their education and prep for college should be a priority.  If a senior is going to drop a core class to block, we will only do so if they alert the colleges they are planning to attend prior to dropping the class.”

For students attending other schools in the area, blocking is only dreamt of. However, at Edina high school it is a reality.

Senior at Edina High School, Molly McGurran, said that at Edina it’s called early release. “It’s only an option for seniors. You don’t have a first or sixth hour class and it’s available to students who don’t need credits those hours,” McGurran said.

McGurran said that she does not participate in early release.

This past week, students started the process of choosing classes for the next school year.

Junior, Lydia Farmer plans on blocking her second semester of her senior year. “I’ll probably block hours 1-2 or 1-3 so that I could sleep in but then also go to sports after school right away,” Farmer said.

Although many students participate in blocking there are both pros and cons. “Some disadvantages to blocking is that it is difficult to rearrange your schedule to block, as many classes are full,” Dorn said.

Blocking has been around Orono for twenty years and shows no signs of disappearing. If you have any questions regarding block scheduling, make sure to ask your guidance counselor.