Rushing to your locker right after class is a classic high school scene – fumbling with the code and tugging at the door. This is something most North Atlanta students will never experience. It’s not because lockers are hard to open or useless, but because they are inconvenient. The joy of decorating lockers is lost on most students at NAHS, and the overall idea of having lockers is more symbolic than practical. Instead of stopping by, most students head straight to their next class, backpacks in tow.
Although every NAHS student gets a locker, the school’s eleven floors make them impractical. Classes are rarely near lockers, making it nearly impossible to use them between periods. Students point out that transition periods leave little time for locker use, especially considering the size of the building, requiring many students to carry everything they need for the day in a backpack. “I think it’s inconvenient because if I have to go to my locker, I’ll be late for my class,” said freshman Claire Simpon. “All of my classes are so far from my locker that I can just never get to it in time.”
On the other hand, some students still find their lockers useful and don’t share the same complaints. They see them as a big improvement over their small lockers at Sutton Middle School. They can keep their books, jackets, and sports gear, no problem, and this gives them all the reason to want to use them. Some like the lockers because it’s the typical high school experience from the movies. Meeting up with friends and carrying your books is part of the school experience and getting older. “It’s a lot harder to get to my locker because the hallways are really full,” said freshman McKenzie Simpson. “It’s really inconvenient because it’s on the seventh floor, but still it’s super useful.”
Teachers often encourage students to use their lockers to lighten their load during the day. Lockers can help students stay organized, keep track of their materials, and avoid losing important assignments. Opinions vary, but many educators believe that with better planning, the benefits of using lockers outweigh the inconveniences. Teachers also understand that it is common for some students’ schedules not to have the flexibility to go to their lockers between classes. AP world history teacher Ms. Tripp says, “I think people should definitely use their lockers. I used to love using mine, and now as a teacher I think students should, so they can never say they left something at home.” Ultimately, using a locker comes down to personal preference and time management.
In the end, lockers at NAHS have their perks, such as helping students stay organized and giving that classic high school vibe. However, with such a large building and tight schedules, many students simply don’t have the time to stop by. Whether students use their lockers really comes down to what works best for them.
