What Do Students Think of the 10 Minutes of Mindfulness During Advisory?

This year, School Without Walls has implemented a mandatory 10 minutes of mindfulness at the beginning of advisory. Students sit and note their day, taking a breath and a moment to think. It can take a weight off their shoulders for a moment and give them an opportunity to take a moment for themself. Still, students have varying opinions on this change. 

Maggie Schonebaum (‘28) expressed her aversion to this new system of tracking mental wellbeing, “I don’t think it’s helpful. We already don’t have a lot of time to work on things so I feel like it should be optional.”

Marlie McCoy (‘27), has a similar perspective, “I don’t like it at all, it doesn't really affect anything but the mindfulness is a waste of time, its stops them from doing work they want to complete, but it doesn’t affect you outside of class” 

The purpose of the ten minutes is to help students stabilize themselves, reflect on how their week has been going, and become more conscious of who they are and any emotions they may be feeling. During a hectic day, it's a great approach to simply take a moment to themself and relieve all the pressure. Based on how the students are reacting to the mindfulness, it is clearly a widely disliked and unappreciated policy, maybe even creating more stress for those who really do need that extra 10 minutes to focus on their priorities.

Chelsea Dargba (‘26) said she “noticed that a lot of kids just try to get it done and move on real quick, a lot of kids wish it was just a study period where they can get things done.” Even if students take the time to reflect, the period is not truly effective since students are being forced to do it nor do they enjoy the 10 minutes of silence.

Other students were more ambivalent about the new programming. Zahra Dinkins (‘25) explained, “It's good and bad in some instances.. In that sense there isn’t that much of a problem with it.”

Generally, teachers seem to split with students on the subject and see mindfulness programming more positively. Math teacher Carole Philip shared, “I think it's a good thing because it just gives you 10 minutes of nothingness exactly, it just gives you 10 minutes to think, sit, or chill.” So through her eyes, these 10 minutes are really influential to your mood, it gives you a moment to breathe through the noise and just focus on yourself.

Among students, the sentiment remains that it’s a lot to ask 600 students to all take 10 minutes out of their busy schedules every Monday for mindfulness. It’s not easy for everyone to adjust their whole working schedule around a school requirement that apparently does not improve anything for the individuals who actually must abide by it. Students and faculty can expect continued back and forth on the efficacy of the programming.