Chapter Four - Study Hall, Soda, and Sweet Freedom

CHAPTER FOUR

Study Hall, Soda, and Sweet Freedom

“MAKE STUDY HALL great again.”

Let’s get one thing clear right now: study hall is the best class in school.
And it’s not even close.

It doesn’t matter what your schedule looks like, if you manage to land a study hall, congratulations. You’ve unlocked a cheat code. Study hall is school’s version of a free sample. A breath. A built-in break disguised as responsibility.

Now, every school does it a little differently. Some places won’t let you have one until later grades. Some schools stuff your schedule so tight there’s no room. But if you can get one? Take it. Fill your schedule with them if they let you. I maxed mine out like it was an elective. Why? Because study hall is cash flow for your energy, your sanity, and your day.

But here’s the twist, not all study halls are created equal.
It all comes down to the monitor.

Some monitors treat it like a quiet café. Phones out? Not a big deal. Feet up? Sure, just don’t snore. Others? It’s the Hunger Games. No phones, no noise, no breathing too loud or someone’s pulling your card. And every monitor has a different vibe, so you learn to read the room. Some days it’s homework. Some days it’s “I’m just gonna stare at this worksheet until the bell rings.” And some days, you just need five minutes with your head down before Algebra eats your lunch.

Let me tell you about my rhythm. Freshman year, we had vending machines in the hallway. Every day, like clockwork, I’d go up to the monitor, who, fun fact, later became my football offensive line coach, and I’d ask to go get a pop. Every day.

At first it was:
“Can I go get a pop?”
“From where?”
“Vending machine, right over there.”
“Alright, go ahead.”

Next week it was:
“Can I go get a pop?”
“Yeah, you’re good.”

By the end of the semester? I’d just walk to the front of the room. He’d see me. Nod. I was off like it was a mission. Usually Diet Mountain Dew. Occasionally something else. But it was sacred. It was rhythm. And that’s what study hall is really about, building a rhythm in a world that tries to throw you off balance.

You might be one of the lucky ones who gets study hall during first or last period. Those are gold. First period? You get to ease into your day. Last period? You coast into the end. That’s the dream. I never got it. Still bitter.

And yeah, be cool about the noise. I got yelled at once by someone trying to finish a paper. Not even the monitor. A fellow student. We were talking and laughing, probably louder than we thought. They snapped. And honestly? Fair. Study hall’s a shared space. Use it. Enjoy it. Just don’t ruin it for the kid trying to pass chemistry by 7th period.

So here's your official guidebook tip:
Study hall isn’t a waste of time. It’s where you catch your breath, catch up on homework, catch a snack, and sometimes just catch yourself before the rest of the day catches up to you.

Treat it right.
Make study hall great again.