This article was written by Cora Buchan
Hallways, once designed for walking, are now dominated by human speed bumps.
During passing time in school, people rush to their classes hoping to make it on time. A discussion topic among students daily is slow walkers congesting the hallways. People need to walk faster; these hallways are too slow. I believe we need a fast lane in these packed hallways.
I’ve personally experienced slow walkers and traffic buildup in the halls. This traffic is mainly seen in the entrance to the history and science hallways. Many people are usually distracted by their phones and talking with their friends and therefore they miss the beginning of class. I have gotten a couple of tardies over the past couple of months from being behind a group of slow walkers taking their time to class, as well as taking up the whole hallway itself. Getting all these tardies can affect your attendance, and it’s important to get to class on time. Saying “excuse me” may get you somewhere, but the loud crowds can make it hard for some to hear.
Having a fast lane could be an innovative solution. People that want to get to class and walk faster without the traffic slowing them down could walk on the sides of the halls. Meanwhile people who don’t pay attention can continue to walk in the middle.
As the halls fill with the frustration of students trying to make it to their next class, the pace can sometimes feel like a race with five minutes to spare. Sophomore Rylie Fredricks knows all too well how frustrating this can be.
“People are always just talking and standing in the hallways in a little group, especially in the middle,” Fredricks said. “We have over 1000 students in this school, but not enough time to do anything. Plus, how do they expect us to be able to use the bathroom and go to class?”
The hallways are meant to be a place of movement, not a loitering area. History teacher Mark Thrall, knows this has been an ongoing problem at the high school for a while now.
“That’s been a common irritation for students the past 29 years,” Thrall said. “I think that there are lots of innovative solutions that you could use. One of them being changing the schedule so you have a bit more time to get to each hour.”
Walking faster between classes isn’t just about beating the bell; it’s about keeping the school moving smoothly for everyone. When students keep aware of their pace and the people around them, the hallways become less crowded and more efficient. Changing the passing time to be longer or making a dedicated fast lane could be a solution, but a little awareness and quicker steps can make a big difference in how passing times go by for the entire school.
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