Hello, Junior Bobcats! Today I would like to address any of you thinking about taking half days next year. I, myself, am a junior, and over the past two years, my views on taking half days have definitely changed. At first, when I was a freshman, I thought it was the coolest thing. You only have to go to school for half a day and then you get to go home and do whatever!? It sounded amazing! Last year, it still seemed pretty cool, but at the end of that year, my whole view had changed.

I’m going to assume that most of you thinking about taking half days have a job a go to, or are going to take college classes as Harford Community. If you need the money to pay for college, then I would definitely consider half days because you have a definite reason for taking them. If you are going to take college classes, stop and think for a moment. Let’s say you want to take a math course there. You can pay a couple hundred bucks to go to the college and take it, or you can go upstairs and take it in school for free. Why waste the money by going to a college when you can stay in school for the extra 2 classes, and if you really want a college experience, just take AP classes. Just think about the money you could save by taking the classes you want at Bel Air.

Secondly, I would like to talk to all of you that have a job right now. Think about this. At the beginning of the school year, I was in my AP English 11 class with Mrs. Orth, and she brought up a very good point. She said something along the lines of, “You are going to be working your entire life. When you’re in high school, just enjoy the time you have here.” Enjoy the time you have while you are young. Don’t overwork and cause yourself so much stress that it’s a struggle to get out of bed in your teenage years. However, just like I stated previously, if you do need the money to advance your education, go to college, and get a job… It might not be such a bad idea. What I want you to remember is what Mrs. Orth told our class.

I would encourage all of you to take full days in your senior year. Bel Air has many classes to offer. If you are looking for college-level classes, just take AP. You can earn college credit and gain college experience, all in the comfort and convenience of your high school.

In the end, it is up to you whether or not you want to take half days. I cannot control your life; I can only help influence the decisions you could be thinking about in the future. Regardless, I am certain that all you Bobcats, heading into next year, will do fine, part-time or full. And I wish you all the best of luck for the rest of this, and all years to follow!