8 minutes, that’s how long a passing period is. And while it should be enough time to get across campus, say from the portables to the main building, it’s not.

Some people (our teachers) may say it’s more than enough time, but they don’t have to deal with the packs of slow walkers.

Slow walkers not only take up our time, but also take up space in the hallways and it’s frustrating to have to deal with them. So, it’s time to call them out and stop allowing them to slow everyone else down.

Obviously, we can’t physically harm them and the point isn’t to harm them, but they need to pick up the pace so others can get to their destinations on time.

As it is for most people who get delayed behind slow walkers, I get annoyed by the people who seem to have no sense of urgency about getting to their next class. . 

I’ve noticed as well how it’s primarily friend groups who make up the majority of slow walkers. What sucks is that they are the worst type of slow walkers since it’s not just one person, but it’s a whole group of them from one side of the hall to the other. 

Now, how do I deal with them? I do a variety of things, however, what I stick to the most and find that seems to be the most effective are the following: 

• saying “EXCUSE ME” in a louder voice than usual
• speed walking through them before they close off any access to pass between them
• sigh really loud

And if none of these work and I’m in a rush,

• give them the slightest push to scoot past them, but obviously, say sorry right after

If none of these things work, I would suggest  a new path to class; a path with less traffic. 

For example, at the beginning of the school year, I would struggle to get to my third period class because there would be so much traffic coming all the way from B36 to the 300 hall, with a stop by my locker by the counseling office. I realized over time after passing by the boys’ locker room there would be huge groups of people at the entrance of the main building closest to the pool, so I decided to enter the main building through the entrance closest to the front doors, and it has helped me get to class on time.

While it might be too much to expect people to pick up the pace, I would ask that you consider the following: If you are one of those people, the least you can do is walk on one side of the hallways and not take up the entire hallway. Other people exist and need to get to class within the 8 minutes we all get during passing periods, so don’t be that person who is slow and walks in the middle without letting others pass. Just be aware and be courteous and we can all get to class when we want to.