You dash out the door as the bell rings for dismissal, praying that just this once, you can leave the parking lot on time. A long night of studying awaits due to your three tests tomorrow. You groan as you approach the social studies hallway and your brisk walk slows to a snail’s pace. When you finally reach your destination, you are gridlocked by rows of undisciplined drivers. Though they don’t seem like a huge issue, these minor annoyances add up. Obviously, Kirkwood needs some renovations. And no, I’m not talking about the construction. I’m getting into the nitty gritty of what this school can fix. Here are the top 5 irritating things at KHS.

1. eHallpass
This was likely the first thing on your mind when you saw “irritating.” If you have to go to the restroom, even when it’s just down the hall, you need to open your computer, log in to the website, then tediously type exactly where you want to go. It is a huge time waster and would be much faster if we could just leave the classroom and tell the teacher where we’re going.

2. Our Testing Schedule
As the semester begins, your coursework feels easy. You may have more time to talk with your friends, focus on your hobbies and have weeks of extra free time in the evenings. And then BAM! You now have to study for four tests, three of which are on the same day, all while juggling the rest of your homework, sports and social life. This method of test taking doesn’t benefit anyone, and it is absolutely nerve wracking for students. To make matters worse, teachers in separate departments such as Social Studies or Math almost never communicate with each other about their exam dates, nor do they try to accommodate our busy schedules. KHS would be better off without this draining addition to our lives each month.

3. The Social Studies Hallway
The moment students see these infamous blue lockers, they know they’re in for a long wait. The combination of the construction and foot traffic makes for an irritating commute. Cheap cologne and B.O. bombard you from every angle, suffocating you with their stench. Flat tires are common as people inch towards their classes, and you should expect to have a door slammed in your face at least once a semester.

4. Air Conditioning
While it’s meant to help with climate control, it sure can’t be controlled. The slightest change in temperature could send your classroom to the Sahara or the South Pole, and the climate differences throughout the building call for constant wardrobe changes. One minute your hoodie is the only thing keeping you from freezing, the next it’s burning you alive. At this point, we might as well take our classes outside; at least the temperature is stable out there.

5. The Parking Lots
It’s 3 p.m. after school, and you are still nowhere close to leaving the Essex Parking Lot. It’s packed with inexperienced drivers, minivan moms, people darting recklessly in front of cars and hordes of underclassmen waiting for the bus to pick them up. Buses are another issue on their own. When you finally leave the lot, chances are, there will be one in front of you, and they will not stop for anyone. They all leave at the same time in a single file line, and stop every five seconds on Essex Avenue, making your drive home unbearably long. The senior lot isn’t much better. Even with two years of driving experience under their belt, they still don’t know how to zipper merge. Trust me, it’s better to park on a side street. It’s a longer walk to your car, but at least you aren’t at risk of a hit and run.