<p>I think the current students on this board should answer this question since it has been raised. So far I only see parents answering the question. The thing is, though we very much appreciate the parents' input, they dont have the first hand experience of study hall. So to help the prospective students, we should all chip in our ideas! XD</p>
<p>I say it's good to have a study hall if you play sports, join clubs, and have a lot of hard classes. :] Unless you want to do homework early in the morning, then don't have a study hall. xD</p>
<p>Study hours at Andover are not very strict, and I really like that's is not. I start my work earlier in the day, so I am often done with my homework by 9. I like the freedom to do other things and visit with friends during this time. Here are the study hours rules at Andover - From 8-10 freshman, lowers, and uppers must be in their dorm or sign-out to a place of study (library, math building, etc). However, not all of these places are reserved for quiet study as the main floor of the library is known for socialization. Freshmen have lights out at 11:00 although enforcement is dependent on the house counsellor. Lowers and uppers for the fall term should be in their own rooms after 11:00, but once again enforcement depends on the house counsellor.</p>
<p>Study Hall Sucks!!@@@</p>
<p>I am only applying to these schools, but study hall seem really horrible.</p>
<p>I like the way Andover does it, where you can study (kind of) where you want, and with friends. I didn't like St. Mark's as much, because the kids had to stay in their rooms. I don't think I would really mind study hall, because with all the homework you get there, I'd probably be studying during that time anyway.</p>
<p>You may think I'm crazy, but I'm telling you that when you enter boarding school you will come to like having a time that you KNOW that you are going to get work done. It really does help you not procrastinate, because everyone will be working at the same time you are. In fact, when I was in 11th grade 8-10 was rarely enough, I usually had to work 2 more hours in the afternoon, and when I had papers basically every break period I could muster. </p>
<p>At Mercersburg all underclassmen have study hall from 8-10 every day except Friday and Saturday, and students are allowed to study in their rooms, or go to the library, the art studios, computer lab, music practice halls, or to hallway study areas to work with your classmates. Study hall helps you plan out your day too.</p>
<p>bearcats -- thanks for posting this, the insight from students helps!</p>
<p>The school that my son visited (Fountain Valley School) has a mandatory study hall "Boarding students most in need of academic support are placed in Supervised Evening Study Hall, held from 7 to 8 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. Freshman boarding students are assigned to Supervised Study Hall at the beginning of first semester to help establish good study patterns from the start of their time at FVS. New sophomores and other students in need of study skills support begin in the second quarter."</p>
<p>My son really liked that idea because right now, he has sports, EC's and other activities at the same time he should be studying -- so there are days that he starts homework at 10:00pm (which is really when he should be in bed). He liked the idea that everyone is studying, so he wouldn't have to choose between a sport/club/activity and studying.</p>
<p>The policy is also flexible -- a short period of time for individual study and the longer time for study that can be individual or group.</p>
<p>Does that sound like a good assessment?</p>
<p>Tokyo -- my son has recently been looking at Mercersburg and really likes it. It is alot bigger than the one he visited (230 students at FVS and 430 at Mercersburg) and he was concerned. He really like the small community feeling at FVS. How is Mercersburg?</p>
<p>I think it depends on the school
At our school, study hall is basically talking time.
We only get to chose one elective, so I would say study hall is bad idea.</p>