The short five minutes that make up passing periods seven times a day bring fear to some students.  Here are some tips and tricks on how to successfully navigate the labyrinth that is passing period.

1.  Keep with the flow of traffic

We all know it is a suicide mission to try to walk counterclockwise during the beginning of passing period.  The collection of students trying to get to their locker bays, bathrooms, and boyfriends do not care how early you want to be to World History.  So, as an experienced hallway navigator, it is almost easier to walk around the LMC than try to cut through the masses. (Of course depending on your destination.)  Please don’t waste your time walking all the way around just to visit Mrs. Johnson’s room.  In that case just duck your head and run.  Best of luck.

2.  If you must hold hands, please do not do so standing side by side in the swarm of hurried high schoolers.

I know you are in love.  I know you haven’t seen each other in 49 minutes.  I know it will be another 49 until you can embrace again.  I feel for you, I really do.  But, empathy only goes so far until I am barricaded by a wall of waffled couples, shoulder to shoulder, all around.  I can only handle so much gushy, “I love you mores,” at a turtle pace.  

3.  Do not do NOT DO NOT camp out by a locker that is not your own.

The locker bays are tight. One gets close to their locker neighbor only because the half inch space between each door is the only divider between elbow rooms. Do not add to the mess by visiting your friend’s locker just to chill on someone else’s space.  Optimal meeting places during passing period: literally anywhere else.

4.  Stay in your bay.  

Can we just have a moment of silence for the students whose lockers are against the wall, directly in line with the row of lockers going perpendicular.  There is a glorious two feet for these poor souls to do all their passing period activities.  Now—on top of the compact area, these students have to deal with others using that two foot runway as a hallway. Moral of the story is, come and go from your own bay and do not try to cut back behind the center rows.  

5.  Be nice.

Wow.  This one is #5 but the most important: be nice.  But it’s only five minutes.  Be nice.  If you are stuck behind the wedding party, respectfully squeeze your way through, or simply enjoy the stroll.  If you are waiting for your locker neighbor’s brother to mosey on out from in front of your locker, kindly say, “Excuse me.” Passing period would be a lot less stressful for most of us if kids were nice.

In closing, I ask you to do your part, Passing periods don’t have to be a dumpster fire experience. With a little effort and common courtesy, we can make those 35 minutes of our day much more fun and stress-free.