Just when students may think there are not enough hours in a day, remember that everyone has a full 24 at their disposal.
Studies have shown that effective time management and organization helps mitigate even the most chaotic of situations. Therefore, as a result, students have all become familiar with the mantra that “it’s not the number of hours you have but how well you manage your time and efforts.” And perhaps this may prove true, sometimes.
Additionally, consider that in 1656, when Dutch mathematician and scientist Christian Huygens invented the pendulum clock, society was much less enamored with 50-hour corporate work weeks, extensive supply chains and 24-hour big-box retailers. And daylight saving time was non-existent. Therefore, comparatively, life was much simpler, and 24 hours seemed to work well.
However, there is at least one hour on today’s modern clock specifically known to students, faculty and staff at Kirkwood, that seems to present a highly skilled juggling act. That chaotic hour known to many on campus is Activity Hour.
For several years, the college has scheduled the majority of its student club meetings, events and activities during this tiny window. For many, it’s more than a tight squeeze.
With each new academic year, students ponder a myriad of more than 80 clubs and organizations in which to enhance their collegiate experience. These opportunities range from the STEM club, student honor society, literary journal and sustainability club to degree-related clubs such as those in agriculture, philosophy and nursing.
Indeed, this kind of involvement enriches student growth and provides a well-balanced experience – however, because so many activities are crammed into just one hour of time, students often can only choose one club with which to be involved.
Therefore, in the interest of time and opportunity, the collegiate community can be much better served by staggering student groups and activities largely throughout the day or adopting a daily Activity Hour instead of twice weekly.
Then, we will no longer mentally toil and wrestle with the impossible – that is, trying to outsmart the age-old clock.
Categories: Opinion, Staff Editorials
