Make Way in the Hallway
Frederick Grimm
September 25, 2009
Filed under Student Life
You’re running late for class. You know the bell may ring any second, so you attempt to move down the hallway as fast as possible without making it seem like a run. However, as you approach your class, you are blocked by a five friends slowly meandering down the hall. With the class door within sight, you try to make your way through this group. Unfortunately, they attempt to cause a scene and insult you for being rude. Then, the bell rings. Not only are you now late for class, but you are left questioning whether it was appropriate for you to barge through.
This story, or some variation of it, is one that many students of North Augusta High School are familiar with. Nearly every student has some story to recall about being trapped in the hallway. Evan Ochiltree, a junior, recalls “when I was a sophomore, I was always late for one class because I always got stuck behind a slow couple. I changed my path to class before I got suspended for being tardy.”
Regardless of if you are holding hands with your new soul mate or you just don’t care about getting to class, there are some basic rules that must be followed in the hallways of NAHS. By following this guide, you can ensure that you respect others:
- If you want to hold hands, don’t take up half the hallway. Trust me, the people who care about your relationship status have probably already found out that you are dating. Instead of seeing how far your hands can stretch, maybe you can try seeing how close you stand while still handling hands? This way, you get on nobody’s nerves and you can still do what you want. Senior, Autumn Busbee, also feels that “it is much cuter to stand closer together.”
- If you are traveling with a group of friends, keep up with the general flow of traffic. Do not slow down while you are walking and talking, this will result in holding up the mass of students behind you. Also, NEVER walk in oncoming traffic. This is just asking for disaster. If you and your friends are just loafing around before the bell rings, make sure to make room in the hallway for students who are trying to pass. Under no circumstances should you occupy the entire width of the hallway!
- When navigating the intersections on second and fourth hall, keep in mind that there is no boxing match. There are ways to get through intersections without forcefully shoving your way through. Wait until a small gap opens before you make your way into the mass. Do not just hold out your arms and push your way through. Pretend you are in a game where the goal is to run into as few people as possible.
- The final rule is to maintain respect and courtesy in the hallways. If you accidentally run into someone or step on their shoes, apologize. Let them know you are sincerely sorry for what you did. It is incredibly rude to run into someone and then just brush it off without acknowledging what you have done. Macie Whatley, a junior, advises to “always apologize, regardless of if it is your fault or not! Some people will always think the fault lies with you, so it is easier to avoid confrontation by just saying sorry.”
Though walking through hallways may be more reminiscent of trekking through a jungle, getting around quickly and efficiently is possible. Make sure you remember to leave room for others in the hallway and to have respect at all times. By following these basic rules, you are making a difference in our school’s inadequate hallway system.
If you have an interesting story about something that happened to you in the hallway, please add it as a comment below!
I question why this is labeled a Fall Sport. Trekking through these hallways is definitely a year-round battle.
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Everyone should read this! good lord.
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Everyone should also not only consider this, but actually do these steps as well. Today i was passing through the intersection at 2nd hall and this girl was screaming and cursing a storm, obviously a freshman trying desperately to get acknowledged, saying “when i say move, you *!$#@%! move!!” as if people were actually going to listen. It was so ridiculous!!
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