As the class of 2025 begins to turn their tassels and begin their futures, a new twist has students whispering to one another. Starting next school year, Plainfield School District 202 plans to integrate a new system which provides the students and staff with 8-period school days. Many of the Plainfield students have voiced their opinions on this, but they consist of piles of positive and negative ones. 

The district’s decision to expand the traditional 7-period schedule to an 8-period day is aimed at increasing academic flexibility. According to the administration, the new schedule will allow students to explore a wider variety of elective courses, participate in dual enrollment programs, and potentially reduce scheduling conflicts that often prevent students from taking the classes they want. This new class schedule will also allow students to explore the new classes that will be introduced, such as Film and Literature and Chicago History. 

With the added class comes shorter periods taking away less than 10 minutes of class time. While this may be a relief for some, it also plays as the opposite for the rest. 

“I think it’s good for people that are trying to fit in more classes,” said junior, Vanessa Salgado, “and it’s really nice knowing that the classes are going to be shortened”

Many students have a mutual agreement with Vanessa, some are excited for the less lengthy periods and feel as if it’ll now “go by faster”, but some students feel as if that’s now too little time to learn their lessons efficiently.

“Especially in my strength performance class, I’m not sure how we’re meant to get everything done. Lifting takes up the entire period on top of getting changed in the locker room and warming up,” said junior, Dominic Taylor, “Class periods are already short as it is, and shorter periods just means more work outside of class.”

The change also comes with the addition of several new elective options across the district, including new wellness classes such as walking for fitness and digital journalism and broadcasting now being split into two separate classes. Still, teachers are adapting to the change with caution. Some worry about having to restructure lesson plans or cut back on in-depth discussions and activities.

While the full impact of the 8-period schedule will only become clear next fall, one thing is certain: next year’s students are in for a school day that’s faster-paced, more flexible, and undeniably different.