A student's time in high school is frequently significant as it marks the shift from childhood to early adulthood and is marked by a greater degree of independence and responsibility. Permitting high schools to establish open campus policies, which let students leave campus for non-instructional times like lunch, is one method to help with this shift. This essay makes the case that open campuses can help students in a number of ways, such as by encouraging healthier lifestyles, personal growth, and the making of responsible decisions.  

Open campuses can, first and foremost, assist students in attaining the ability to make responsible decisions. Schools provide students the freedom to choose where they go and what they do with their free time by enabling them to leave campus. They must use their freedom responsibly by scheduling their time and behaving correctly. Students have to choose between studying at the library, going out to lunch with friends, or doing other important things. These choices can aid in the development of critical abilities in kids, including self-control, problem-solving, and time management. Open campuses not only encourage wise decision-making but also supply students a feeling of independence.  

Many young people start to establish their individuality and create their own identities throughout their time in high school. Giving students the option to leave campus can make them feel more independent and self-assured in their abilities to get by in the outside world. Students who have this sense of autonomy may find it empowering and helpful in gaining the self-assurance they need to excel in school and beyond. Additionally, open campuses might motivate students to live healthier lives. A lot of high school cafeterias have a small selection of frequently unhealthy foods, which might lead to students having bad eating habits. Having the freedom to leave campus for lunch might provide students with more options for meals, including healthier options.  

Furthermore, students who are allowed to leave campus may be more inclined to stroll or bike to neighboring eateries or parks during their free time. Students' general health and well-being can be enhanced by these practices. Opponents of open campuses can contend that permitting students to leave campus could cause problems for their academic performance or safety. On the other hand, these issues can be resolved with the right supervision and direction. To make sure that everyone is aware of a student's location at all times, schools could, for instance, ask students to sign out when they leave campus and sign back in when they return. Additionally, schools should set expectations for appropriate behavior off campus and outline the repercussions for breaking those expectations for students. The set rules at school should not however change. The consequences should stay the same or even be broadened, for the students that do not follow them. The students are getting the privilege to act like adults and the punishment should reflect that. 

In conclusion, open campuses can help high school students in many ways, such as by supporting healthy lives, autonomous growth, and the making of responsible decisions. Schools can assist students in becoming ready for the responsibilities and trials of adulthood by granting them the flexibility to leave campus during non-instructional periods.