Academy Cancels D-Format, Extends Advisory Block

Exonians’ schedules this week saw a major change: the replacement of D Format classes for an extended advising period, coupled with a time change for the Meditation program. With no prescribed programming, the extended 90-minute advisory block was given to advisers to use at their discretion.

The E Book describes an advisor as a supporting figure who “plays many different roles including listener, communicator, academic coach, disciplinarian, crisis manager and mentor…to consult both on school affairs and on personal issues.” While the advisor-student relationship is central to student well-being at the Academy, mandatory meeting times are typically limited to single 30-minute sessions each week.

The administration planned this extended advisory period to promote further advisory bonding. “We like the idea of providing additional time for advisers to spend with their advisees, either individually or in groups,” Dean of Residential Life Carol Cahalane said. “It’s a great time of year to build relationships, talk about students’ adjustment to the new school year or just have fun.”

Classics Department Chair Matthew Hartnett invited his advisees to his apartment to bake cupcakes and share a snack while getting to know each other on a personal level. “We sat around the piano while some kids played [the piano] and some kids sang. It was a fun little bonding session,” he said.

History Instructor Margaret Foley’s advisory spent the block making pancakes and talking. Advisee and prep Valerie Whitten voiced her appreciation for the opportunity to “have more fun and create more experiences.”

For upper Audrey Yin, the extended advisory block was a chance to spend much-needed time with fellow advisees, especially those residing in other dorms. “I moved to a new dorm this year and that came with concerns about whether I’d see people in my old dorm ever again. I loved the girls there. I still love them—they’re family to me,” Yin said. “It was a really nice experience to be able to eat breakfast with them and catch up. It makes me feel like I’m still a part of that community.”

Students shared different opinions on whether Extended Advising should continue. “As students get more stressed out, they might want more time in their advisory. So I think during certain points [of the school year], it can be helpful,” upper Noah James said. “It’s a good opportunity for students to have a support group when school gets really stressful so they have people to come to.”

However, James emphasized that the extra time should be used for a valuable purpose that justifies the removal of a class format, sharing that his own adviser used the period to complete a questionnaire on how he could best support the advisory. “It was a good time, but we [didn’t] need the full time,” James said. “I don’t think the Extended Advisory time is beneficial, as the normal advising period is long enough to do the same activities.” James’ advising group ended their meeting early, as they did not need the whole hour and a half.

Still, others were appreciative of the initiative, suggesting that the typical length of weekly advisory formats is insufficient.“Assembly is an hour, twice a week. Something as important as communicating with your advising group should be more of an extended time, to really talk about your day,” Whitten said.

She continued, “It’s really worth continuing this Extended Advising. It’s really nice to just sit and chill and talk.”