By Zoebelle Bean, Aquinas Reporter
The block model was implemented as a trial last year at Aquinas College in August of 2023. This program was designed to have a student take a singular course every day for three weeks, resulting in a total of four courses for the entire semester. It began with the class of 2027 and carried over into this year. This now sophomores class, however, were not able to enter into the block model again. This is mostly because the program has been unable to expand as it originally planned and is still reduced to a limited number of mostly first-year classes, such as First Year Seminar and other introductory courses.
Last year, a poll was conducted about the block model, surveying the current students and their opinion, and it was found to be a point of contention for many Aquinas students. Most of the non-freshmen students felt as though it was unnecessary because they enjoyed the way academics already functioned, while some argued that the block model would be a novel project that would increase future enrollment in the college.
Soph. Preslee Hall stated, “So far I would say I’m pretty indifferent about the model though, compared to normal classes. I think it just depends on the class and the person.”
Most of the opinion of the current sophomore population differs heavily from the perspective of the upperclassmen because they are the first class at Aquinas to have completed some portion of the block.
Soph. Grace Malec stated, “The classes moved too quickly. I dropped out because of the strain it put on my life.”
Malec dropped out of the program after she completed her first semester of the block due to significant stress and wouldn’t consider joining again.
The class of 2027’s opinion on the program is unique and valuable because they’ve lived through it in some capacity. Though the block model has been met with mixed responses, this year’s sophomores appear to either be indifferent to not being in the program again or glad that they no longer are.
Photo courtesy of Grace Malec
The Saint 