Tutorial isn’t a time to sit silently in the dark for 25 minutes.

On Thursday, Oct. 18, students and teachers completed the annual Code Red drill required by state to prepare for a situation in which an intruder were to enter campus. Although this drill is necessary, it shouldn’t happen during tutorial — especially when students are faced with more tests and homework during the latter portions of the week.

It is for this reason that the Code Red drill should be moved to the beginning of the week, during a block period and why tutorial it should not take place during tutorial.

Because of the busy schedules that students have, the disruptive bell caused irritation amongst many. Quite a few students had planned to study for upcoming exams during tutorial, thinking that they would have time to study and ask questions. Some of the exams scheduled for Thursday included an AP U.S. History test and an AP Biology quiz.

“I had actually planned on studying for a math test and I had color guard practice,” sophomore Kirtana Sripathi said. For others, extracurricular activities, like color guard practice, were also accounted for in their already tight agendas.

Thus the combination of the unexpectedness of the Code Red drill disrupting both tutorial and their organized schedules caused many to feel less mentally prepared for their upcoming tests and quizzes.

“I wasn’t as comfortable with my test as I would have been if had more time to study in tutorial,” junior Jane Du said.

While students were sitting silently in their classrooms, another flaw in code red was revealed. The amount of time Code Red drills take depends on how fast staff and the police check on how well doors are barricaded, according to administration. Yet some students say that their doors weren’t even checked by either the staff or the sheriff.

“The sheriff didn’t even check our classroom. That also kind of bugged me,” said Sripathi. For these students, both their study time and their Code Red drill weren’t carried out properly.

Therefore, regardless of whether they happen during tutorial or not, Code Reds should take up less time. If students are to miss out on study time for a Code Red drill, the least that can be done is to have the drill done thoroughly.

But a better solution is for Code Red to be moved to the beginning of the week, preferably during a block period where there will be an ample amount of time for both the drill and lessons. More importantly, less tests and quizzes are held during this time of the week.

Code Reds are important, but when it comes to just practice drills, the situation should be controlled for the benefit of all.