The switch from NAI to NASH is a big move for 11th graders, and many of the juniors have much to say as they are acclimating to the new building.

“My first impression of NASH is that it’s big and intimidating,” junior Layla McGann said. “There are a lot of rooms and a lot of floors to get lost on. I keep getting turned around.” 

McGann’s feeling seems to be common among 11th graders navigating NASH for the first time.

“There are way too many stairs and it’s easy to get lost,” junior Lucy Kenney said.  “I like how NASH is much bigger than NAI, and there are more classes to take, but it was so much easier to go from class to class at NAI.” 

Junior Layla Khalid said, “I was kind of overwhelmed at first, but I’m starting to get more comfortable. The school is easier to navigate once you get used to your schedule and the flow of the day.” 

It’s a common complaint among the junior class that NASH has significantly fewer windows than NAI — or most other schools, for that matter. 

After her first few days at NASH, Khalid admitted that the lack of natural light was a struggle.

“I started getting headaches from the lack of natural light,” she said. 

Junior Ryan Anderson had a similar experience during the first few days of the year.

“It’s a bit crushing on the soul and in general not healthy,” he said. “We need vitamin D and when being inside the building all day, windows are the only way we could really get that.” 

McGann agreed with Anderson.

“I definitely am not a fan of the lack of windows,” she said. “It makes the school feel like a prison and kind of sucks the life out of you.”

On the other hand, Kenney said, “I don’t mind the lack of windows. I focus more on the class I’m in.” 

Nonetheless, NASH offers such a wide variety of classes and other opportunities, that the junior experience can be exciting, if also rather intense.

“I am very anxious about the classes I’m taking,” junior Ankit Pamula said. “I have picked some very rigorous classes for my junior year. I do hope that I am able to pick up some new skills to deal with time management.”

Junior Hannah Seidl is also prepared for a challenging year.

“The classes are definitely more difficult than the ones at NAI, at least for me,” she said. “I think I’m going to like them more, though. They’re interesting.”

Switching schools after only two year is hard, especially from one floor at NAI to three at NASH. But McGann is taking a positive approach.

“So far I really like my classes and my teachers,” she said. “I’m excited to see where the year will take me.”