The students of Diamond Bar lack a care for facilities and other students, making it increasingly difficult to navigate around the campus. Hallways are blocked due to huge groups cluttering the middle of the walkway, lines are disrupted by impatient cutters, and bathrooms are used as a space to scroll on social media. These daily inconveniences reveal a troubling disregard for basic courtesy in shared spaces from students.

In particular, bathrooms are slowly turning into spaces for students to loiter to scroll endlessly on their phones to get away from strict phone regulations in class, or have unsolicited hangouts with friends. With limited time between classes and strict restroom policies in certain classes, a ten-minute brunch and eight-minute passing periods that students should respect, which leaves many students anxious about being tardy to their next class. The bathroom should be used for its purpose, not as an area to be utilized as a personal lounge or entertainment hub.

Another normalized issue is littering on the school grounds. The issue that it’s become an everyday sight is overlooked, with students often walking past it, assuming the next person behind them will handle it. The attitude is reflected in the appearance of the school and is noticeably alarming due to the lack of responsibility in shared spaces. 

The hallways present a similar challenge to many. Especially during lunch and passing periods, large groups of students tend to form in the middle of walkways in tighter areas, which stops traffic completely. Even polite requests to move are often ignored, forcing students to awkwardly squeeze through. Some tend to shove their way through to get to their friends, forgetting their manners in spite of the moment.

This leads to the next symptom of disregard: line cutting. Despite the long lines and having to wait, when students skip ahead, it only fuels extra tension with everyone forcefully pushing themselves to the front. Waiting a few extra minutes seems to be quite the issue that many students can’t handle.

Ultimately, these repetitive actions during school reveal a culture of inattention rather than intentional disrespect; however, situational awareness is always a choice that the students can make. Paying attention to one’s surroundings requires minimal effort but shows maturity and respect, and this should be the bare minimum. Diamond Bar prides itself on academic excellence, and extending the excellence to one’s character of behavior and mindfulness would raise the quality of life for all students.