I am a particular learner. I learn best when my classes are led by conversations rather than lectures, hands-on activities rather than worksheets. I like my classes to have a variety of projects and types of essays. It’s in these types of classes that I thrive. It’s not for everyone, but it’s how I learn best.

Having a teacher that suits my learning style allows me to get the most out of my education. But due to the new schedule-building system’s not allowing academic classes to change, students like me with unique learning styles have been thrown under the bus.

In recent years, the schedule-building system has been under reconstruction with insufficient consideration given to students’ individual needs. In the past, the schedules came out in August and on a given day for each grade—students would come in and change their schedules. In this previous system, students could switch core classes, which benefited particular learners because they could switch into classes that better fit their learning style. But in 2015 the schedule-building system was changed.

Now the schedules are released in May, and students make appointments with the registrar if they would like a schedule change, but the system does not permit students to switch any of the core classes–math, science, history, English, and foreign language–unless it involves switching between levels of those classes. One reason students are not allowed to change any of these classes is that the administration is seeking to create classes that are balanced in terms of enrollment size and gender.

This new schedule-building system doesn’t consider students with particular learning styles. Instead, it builds schedules by placing students in math, science, and language classes first. Then whatever history and English classes are available in a student’s remaining free spots are placed along with their desired elective—if possible. By just placing students in available classes, students like me don’t get classes based on their needs, but rather get classes based on what’s available.

I believe the solution is to allow students to switch their core classes with one requirement: they must have a discussion with the head of the department of the class they are trying to switch. In this discussion they must explain why they believe this teacher suits their learning style, and will help them make the most of the class.

I understand that I am only a sophomore and that it’s good to try several learning styles, but after nine years of school experience, I believe I understand how I learn best. I understand that some students may want to switch teachers just because of ease or homework load, but those students can be prevented from changing through discussion with the head of the department. If the school were to implement this solution instead of shoving classes into free blocks on a schedule, particular learners would learn particularly well.