As another year has begun at Naperville North, new opinions and changes have come alive. As part of this school's very own newspaper, staff writers in Advanced Media Lab have categorized aspects of this school into three categories: what we love, what we loathe, and what we can live with.
Love it - The things we adore about Naperville North
College Prep
Although it doesn’t seem to apply until your senior year, Naperville North does an amazing job at preparing students for college or postsecondary plans. These preparations start as early as freshman year and teach students about how to navigate applications, but also life itself. All the resources we could need are here, we only have to take advantage of it. From Career Days to the wide selection of Advanced Placement (AP) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes, and the Postsecondary Advising and Resource Center (PARC), students have access to countless resources and opportunities that make the journey after high school feel a little less intimidating.
Career Day, introduced last year, brings in professionals from various fields, giving students a glimpse of possible future careers and helping them connect classes offered at Naperville North to a specific career cluster. AP classes, while challenging, give students a head start on college-level learning from as early as their freshman year. Similarly, CTE classes give students a chance to explore different aspects of a career and engage in hands-on learning. And for upperclassmen especially, the PARC becomes home base for any college application need: essay workshops, visits from admissions representatives, and one-on-one advice from professionals—it has it all.
While students may not realize it at first, these resources discreetly lay the foundation for success long before senior year. It's a system that shows how this school prepares their students to leave Naperville North ready to tackle whatever lies ahead.
New Energy Drinks
One of the most beloved and surprising changes in recent years has been the growing variety of energy drinks available. What once were vending machines stocked with typical beverages and sodas have now transformed into ones offering Bubbl'r's, Gatorades, and even Mountain Dew Energy drinks. For many students, this small change has made a big impact on their day-to-day motivation.
In a school where early mornings, late-night study sessions, and packed extracurricular schedules are the norm, a burst of caffeine has become a lifeline. Students can now rely on more than just a morning coffee to stay alert throughout the day, and the colorful array of energy drink options adds some fun to the otherwise routine school morning. It's a simple addition, but one that shows how even small conveniences can contribute to student morale and energy.
Small Cafe seating
Naperville North's cafeteria setup gives students options, ones that many appreciate. While the large cafe offers the classic cafeteria experience with its round tables and attached seats, the small cafe next door provides a more comfortable alternative. What was once rows of lockers was transformed three years ago into a bright, open rectangle of high tables, couches, and sofa-style seating. It was a redesign that quickly became a student favorite.
The small cafe's mix of traditional and lounge-style furniture makes it feel more like a campus cafe than a high school lunchroom. It's the perfect middle ground for those looking for a comfortable spot to eat lunch, socialize, and study. The sofas and high tables are in constant demand, often claimed within minutes of the lunch bell. The cozy atmosphere has turned into a daily retreat that brings a bit of calm to the chaos of the school day.
Honorable Mentions: WIN, Football games, and the Courtyard
WIN provides students with a much-needed break in their schedule to catch up on work, seek help from teachers, or simply take a moment to breathe. And, of course, football games remain a classic highlight of the year. Whether you're actually watching the game or just there for the student section energy, the Friday-night atmosphere never fails to bring everyone together. Finally, the courtyard, although only open at the beginning and end of the year, is always a nice change of pace and an opportunity for students to get some fresh air during their busy days.
Loathe it - What Naperville North could do better with
Slow walkers
While Naperville North offers many advantages, some everyday frustrations persist; chief among them are the hallways crowded with slow walkers. Students moving between classes often encounter peers strolling while chatting or scrolling on their phones, turning a six-minute class change into a test of patience.
These delays are more than just inconvenient. With packed schedules and the occasional tight corner or crowded staircase, slow walkers force students to weave around obstacles just to make it on time. The hallways are designed for high student volumes, but differing paces highlight a tension between individual comfort and collective efficiency. Even small differences in speed can ripple through a crowd, creating moments of frustration that are all too familiar to anyone who has tried to get around the building in a hurry.
Temperature
Another frequent complaint among students is the school's inconsistent temperature. Classrooms often swing between too cold and too warm as we wait for the school to decide to turn the heat on or off. These fluctuations make it difficult for students to focus on learning, as attention is drawn to collective shivering or overheating, rather than the lesson at hand.
While climate control is challenging in such a large building, the uneven heating and cooling across classrooms creates a noticeable disparity. Some rooms feel comfortable, while others feel like freezers or saunas, forcing students to adjust layers or fan themselves throughout the day. The inconsistencies also affect group work and classroom dynamics; students may lose concentration during discussions or labs simply because they are distracted by their discomfort. Over time, the unpredictable temperature becomes a persistent stressor that affects the daily school experience.
School-Issued Chromebooks Only
Students have also expressed frustration with the new rule requiring the use of school-issued Chromebooks, replacing the previous, unstated option of bringing personal laptops. While the policy ensures security and standardization, it limits students’ flexibility, as they are accustomed to working on their own devices. The shift has been especially inconvenient for those who rely on personal computers with customized settings, faster performance, or specialized programs that better support their coursework.
Now, students must adjust to the constraints of the school-issued Chromebooks: slower processing speeds and occasional glitches. The most common complaint, however, is the restrictive filtering system programmed into them. Many websites, images, and even research materials are inexplicably blocked, interrupting workflow and turning simple assignments into exercises in patience. Tasks that once took a few minutes can now take twice as long as students search for alternate sources or request access permissions from teachers.
Students understand the need for online protection, but they also value autonomy and efficiency in their learning. Balancing digital security with academic freedom remains a challenge, one that many wish could be resolved with more trust and technological flexibility.
Honorable Mentions: New LC-Schedule, No lunch hours for half-caf, School cookies, Traffic
Other irritations include the new LC schedule, which frustrates students who used to use the space before school. The half-caf still lacks full lunch hours, making it struggle to turn a profit due to the loss of foot traffic created by lunchtime students. School cookies remain a missing piece with limited availability, and they have lost their flavor. Finally, traffic around the school continues to create headaches for both drivers and pedestrians, particularly during morning arrivals and afternoon dismissals.
Live with it - The Things We’ve BEGRUDGINGLY Accepted
Spotify blocked on Chromebooks
Many students are accustomed to using Spotify to stay focused during study periods or to unwind between classes. With the new restrictions on the Chromebooks, however, access to the platform is now blocked, forcing students to find alternative ways to listen to music. While the change can be frustrating, most have learned to adapt, using phones, offline playlists, or other streaming services, and simply accept it as part of the school's new technology policies.
Even with these workarounds, the absence of Spotify remains noticeable. Students just wait to have access to their phones or change streaming services on the Chromebook. Most students recognize that the inconvenience is manageable and have incorporated these new routines into their lives.
Homeroom
Homeroom has long been a mixed bag for students: it’s a time for announcements and brief check-ins, but often feels like an extra period without much immediate purpose. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it occurs between second and third periods, creating a pause in the day that some students find helpful, while others see it as a disruption to their flow. Despite differing opinions, everyone ultimately adjusts and treats homeroom as part of their schedule; it's a small compromise in the broader school day.
During the school year, the period provides a consistent touch point in a hectic schedule, and can foster community as you connect with peers and share a class for all four years. Though initially a source of frustration, especially given the number of surveys students have to take throughout the year, homeroom has become a predictable pause in the school day, offering both structure and a brief break before diving into the next classes.
Phone Jails
The new introduction of "phone jails" sparked grumbling at the beginning of the year, especially from students accustomed to keeping their devices handy during class. Phones are now collected and stored during class to minimize distractions. The policy can feel restrictive, but most students recognize its intent and have adapted by checking their messages before class and focusing on work while their devices are tucked away. Over time, the inconvenience becomes an irritable but manageable part of the school day.
Beyond the initial adjustment, many students have noticed subtle benefits to the policy. Classrooms tend to be quieter and more focused, allowing for more productive discussions and work periods. While they remain a minor inconvenience, students at North seem to accept it as a compromise to keep the school environment structured and distractions to a minimum.
Honorable Mentions: Half-caf recipes, School food, windowless classrooms
A few smaller aspects of Naperville North life also deserve mention. Half-caf recipes that were changed to fit the less-than-60-calorie rule are different, but they still taste good. Similarly, the broader school food offerings remain a mix of hits and misses that students have learned to enjoy. Another common observation is the abundance of windowless classrooms, which can feel stark or oppressive compared to naturally lit spaces.
Naperville North is full of quirks, comforts, and challenges; from favorite sports and perks to frustrations and unavoidable rules. Whether students love it, loathe it, or simply live with it, these experiences all shape the daily life at North and create the memories that make this school uniquely ours.
Photos by Sofia Oliveira