Can Seniors Handle Privileges?

Senior Privilege is a right given to many high school students around the United States, and the tradition has continued for many decades. Privileges may include having specific parking spots (obviously not likely at AISG due to Chinese laws and the school’s limited space), snacks or beverages during breaks, and of course, the highly prized senior lounge. These advantages give seniors a sense of pride and accomplishment, not only marking their very last year of high school, but also indicating their departure into adulthood. Many of the parents, teachers or underclassmen may be irked by the superior rights granted to high school seniors, as it builds up inequality against other students and seniors may manifest condescending behaviour towards underclassmen. Nonetheless, high school seniors are going through one of the most stressful yet enjoyable times of their lives, which may just be memorable for the rest of their lives. What harm does having a bit fun in one of the last years of being a teenage do? Probably not much…maybe.

AISG has not yet granted any privileges to seniors of the high school student body. Some argue that Senior Privileges should exist in the school, as the school does hold the title of an “American” school, despite the word “International” behind it. It is not clear what the school’s official stance is on the issue, but students and teachers who have been in the school for many years have pointed out that students are simply not vocal enough to propose the idea. Students, especially seniors, should have the responsibility to convince the school to implement a specific list of “rules” for seniors. There have been various mentions that these tasks should be voluntarily taken by members of the StuCo (short for Student Council) to suggest ideas for the principal. Of course, StuCo members must not be the only ones to be relied on, as seniors themselves should be the ones who seek and take action for the better of themselves. This year may finally be the year that changes the situation for senior priorities.

With much said about why there currently aren’t any privileges given to seniors at AISG, the benefits of giving seniors more authority over other students should be also mentioned. First, there is ultimately a sense of the adulthood that is to come in college and later on in life. It can also be debatable as high school life in no way represents the society locked outside of high school’s protective gates, but privileges do come with great responsibility, and that responsibility is something that individuals should pick up beginning from high school. The factor of independence students are struck with after entering college or career after finishing high school are rather shocking for those who expect to be given. As scary as independence may seem, senior priorities could give a sense to the seniors what independence, responsibility, or the right that follows them mean. Senior priorities are not an accurate reflection of independence found in the actual society of modern day, but it is a step up of what AISG students currently experience in their high school careers.

Recently, the senior class Student Council proposed the idea of a senior lounge to the grade, which led to significant support by surveyed 12th graders. This could signal the turning point of AISG’s diffident attitude towards having senior privileges. However, there has yet to be a response from the teachers and principal of the school of the idea, as the proposal was only an idea circling around the senior class.

If the proposal is approved, 12th grade students would be provided with an independent space to study, eat, and relax that is outside of the control of teachers. In the midst of a chaotic senior year under the pressure of striving for success in the IB Diploma, standardized testing, and college applications, a private corner of the school without outside disturbance would be an invaluable gift. Simultaneously, the 12th graders’s grasp on responsibility would be brought to a test. The existence of a senior lounge could only lead to two possibilities – one is that seniors will be pleased and cherish the opportunity greatly leading to the continuation of a senior lounge tradition, or the other, which is where recklessness overcomes maturity, giving the school no choice but to strip away the one and only chance for the seniors to hold any form of senior privilege.

The act of allowing teenagers to have the freedom of independence beyond adults is debatable as some students may have a better sense of managing and controlling themselves. The undeniable fact is that teenagers will eventually find their way into society and adulthood one day. Personally, I do believe that failing in attempting to becoming independent from others should be a transition from high school, rather than a sudden change on the day entering college. This decision ultimately comes to the faculty’s decision and whether they have enough trust in the students.