Senior year brings many important decisions: college, choice of major, and of course, schedules. Deciding your classes is fairly simple as a freshman or sophomore– after all, prerequisites tend to make the bulk of your underclassmen years. But requirements grow less prevalent as high school progresses. By junior year, most schedules are highly customized with different extracurriculars and academic courses. For students with enough credits, some will even take empty periods.

These empty periods are typically fixed to the beginning or end of the day, considered “late arrival” or “early release” respectively. Taking an empty period will shorten your school day, which is especially useful for older students with more out-of-school activities (jobs, college applications, etc.)

However, even after students decide to take an empty period, another question arises.

Do you want late arrival or early release?

For some students, it’s not really a choice. There are only so many periods and classes, and schedules don’t always allow perfect flexibility. If you’re already committed to AP Government in 4A and AP Statistics in 4B, then you probably won’t get early release. Enjoy your late arrival!

Additionally, any sort of empty period alters your travel schedule and requires a shift in arrival/departure. For students who drive themselves to school, this isn’t much of a downside. However, for students without their own car and license, the unusual timeframe can be a struggle. Talk to your ride in advance, and decide which time is easier to adjust. It’s worth noting that buses do not accommodate late arrival or early release, so if you rely on the school buses, you may want to reconsider.

It’s also worth considering any extracurricular activities. Do your music sectionals always happen right before school? Unless you plan to go home for an hour then drag yourself back, you may want to reconsider late arrival. The same principle applies to early release, and doubly so if you rely on an external ride.

Otherwise, assuming your schedule can accommodate either option, students have some thinking to do.

Late Arrival

With late arrival, students are not expected at school until second period. The attendance bell rings at 10:35 a.m., but realistically, you’d want to get there sooner. This gives the night owls some time to sleep in, and the early birds get extra flex time in the mornings.

Generally, this option is used to get an extra hour of rest at night. The chronically-exhausted (trust me, I relate) would probably benefit from a good late arrival. Or, if you tend to run late, a late arrival buffer can help bridge that gap. Always rushing out the door, skipping breakfast and fumbling around? Some spare time may be exactly what you need.

Early Release

With early release, students are allowed to leave after the third period. This is generally a 2:50 p.m. release, though students with D lunch can leave during the lunch period at 2:20 p.m.

This option can be appealing for students who want to use their extra time out of the house. Releasing in the early afternoon opens the doors for more active choices, whether it’s going out to a fun location or scheduling an important appointment. And, of course, some students just take it for extra study time. Those harder classes in the upper years can certainly warrant it.

Final Thoughts

There are distinct differences between late arrival and early release, and these should be considered when making a selection. Arriving at 10:35 a.m. can benefit students who need extra morning time, and departing at 2:50 p.m. can benefit students who need more afternoon time. It’s straightforward logic, but helpful to consider before making a decision.

This question of “which is better” is highly subjective, and dependent on personal factors. Consequently, everyone’s process will look a bit different.

My own process was very simple, when I was asked which empty period I wanted. I knew my parents would have to transport me, and while my father could drop me off late, my mom certainly couldn’t pick me up early. So, following that logic, I selected late arrival.

Necessity guided my choice, but honestly, it was probably for the best regardless. Mornings have always been harder than afternoons for me, and any silver lining is enough to boost my will to get up. I can vouch for late arrival on that end, at least.

Alternatively, my older sister (a now-alumni of Liberty) took early release, and she spoke positively about it. The big draw for her was the knowledge that her day was shorter, and she could leave before everyone else. Although it was technically the same length as the late arrival crowd, it still felt shorter because the end goal was in sight.

Ultimately, there are great benefits for either option. Consider logistics, preferences, and the current makeup of your schedule, and use that to inform your choice.