Three minutes. 180 seconds. The amount of time it takes to speed walk from the 500s to the 1000s. Roughly the length of one full play of “Von Dutch” by Charli xcx. The perfect amount of time to read 600 words. And with that precious, irreversible time, you have chosen to read this article.

So, thank you. And hi, I’m Courtney Lee, the 2025-26 Editor-in-Chief and one of Northwood’s 2,000+ students learning how to make the most of limited time. Because whether you are a senior staring down your last first day or a freshman wondering if four years is forever, here’s the truth: Time doesn’t wait. But it does respond.

I used to think the only way to beat time was to plan it down to the second. My Google Calendar was color coded, and every minute of my day was scheduled. But in reality I was scared of wasting my time. Scared of looking back at my time in high school and thinking that I should have done more. So I planned every moment like it could guarantee my freshman year dreams would come true. (Yes, I had a four year plan.)

Then I read a joke on The Howler’s Humor page about bacteria around campus. I read that Lunchresidoo Stickee caused “nausea, absentee syndrome (strong desire to skip school) and abnormal movement away from one’s usual seat.” I couldn’t help but giggle.

So I stormed into my counselor’s room (shout out to Mrs. West) and asked to enroll in Beginning Journalism. Completely out of character for someone who made decisions only after flowcharting them first. But there was a problem. I had to rearrange my entire schedule and give up band. Definitely not on my 2023 bingo card.

Of course I panicked. Would I waste my time in journalism? Would I enjoy it? I could have backed out, gone back to the safety of band and followed the plan I had envisioned for myself. But something in me said to try. I chose Beginning Journalism.

That choice was time well spent. I don’t know what would have happened if I had chosen band over Beginning Journalism, but I don’t regret my choice. Journalism and then The Howler gave me a space to be messy. To be loud and opinionated. To sit in a classroom at 7 p.m. with half finished pages beside boba cups.

I loved how I was able to grow in every Howler class period. Every so-called “dumb choice” never felt like a waste of time. Every minute I became a better leader and person. I learned when to let loose, and every mistake shaped me into someone more capable and adaptable.

Now three years have passed. And everything familiar is changing about our paper: We have a new adviser (hi, Mr. Spoth), the Humor page that brought me in is gone and the deadlines haven’t stopped. But I am not here to regret old choices. I’m here to make new ones.

In place of our Humor page we have our Miscellaneous page. It will be a space for student voices where you can submit your opinions and see creative layouts. Whether it is a rant or a reflection, we want this page to reflect you. Because if you are going to spend your time reading our paper, it should feel like time well spent.

My team and I are here to build something new. That is not a waste of time. Time is changing, teaching and moving forward but no choice is ever a waste. You don’t have to race it. Just meet it where you are.

So thank you for our three minutes. And every moment after.