There are a few thousand students at OHS and after each class they flood into the hallways all at once. You all may not realize it, but most of the behavior and habits I have witnessed during this time are unacceptable and obnoxious. Here are five things to keep in mind and to avoid doing when venturing through the hallways during passing period.

1. Refrain from publicly displaying your affection. I know it must have been so difficult for you and your significant other of two weeks to be apart for a whole 55 minutes, but honestly no one wants to see you two sucking each other’s faces off on the way to lunch. I am not saying you have to be totally prude; you can give each other a peck here or there and a hug, but please keep it PG. There are freshmen in the halls after all.

2. Keep moving! If you absolutely must stop for whatever reason, please move out of the way. Abruptly stopping in the middle of the hallway is like stopping in the middle of a stampede. People are going to start walking into the backs of others, stepping on each other’s heels and it just becomes a big mess. You can stop for chit chat later.

3. Hold the door! The most annoying thing of all is when I am nonchalantly walking into a building and BAM- door hits me right in the face. You are clearly not the only one walking into the building. I know you are conscious of my presence right behind you, so at least give the door a little shove. Don’t slip through it like an idiot. It is so rude and inconvenient for the person behind you. I am not suggesting you stand at the door and hold it open for everyone- though that would be incredibly kind- just be considerate and hold it open for the person behind you like a normal human being.

4. Put a little pep in your step and a little pride in your stride! Yes, you have a whole five minutes to walk down the hallway to your next class, but some people have to walk across campus and do not want to wait for you because you are taking your sweet time. I understand you have to walk slowly in an effort to keep your baggy pants from falling down so you don’t lose your swagger or whatever, but I couldn’t care less so let’s move it.

5. Pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t expect everyone to make way for you or dodge you. Actually acknowledge that there are other human beings walking through the halls. This is so simple and you can entirely avoid that awkward dance you do when you are trying to get around someone. It is not just awkward for the other person as you must participate in that little dance as well. You would think it is human nature to watch where we are going rather than expecting others to do so.

I am not sure if you all do these things purposely or subconsciously, but either way please pay attention to what you are doing in the halls to make everyone’s hallway experience a little less awkward and a little easier.