I don’t like distractions. They have a way of turning even the best moments into sources of dissatisfaction.
My distaste for distraction grew stronger than ever during this year’s winter assembly. The music was stunning, and the performers were captivating. But the group of boys seated behind me acted like the show didn’t matter. Between their inside jokes, random clapping and obnoxious noises, my patience began to slip. I wanted to turn around and yell, “JUST SHUT UP!” Instead, I threw a few sharp glares their way, hoping they’d take the hint. When they didn’t, I stayed quiet, embarrassed and unsure of what to do. Confronting them felt risky, as I worried it might escalate the situation rather than resolve it.
Distractions don’t just ruin assemblies but extend to our school environment. Over winter break, the second-floor C Wing furniture was removed after repeated disruptions caused by students gathering there while classes were in session. The C Wing furniture has always been a familiar spot for me. It was where I ate lunch my freshman year, read during SRT and waited for morning classes to start. But as much as I cherished that space, taking classes in that hallway also meant enduring the constant noise of students yelling, laughing or being outrageously loud outside my classroom door. Their noise didn’t just make it hard to focus, it made it difficult to enjoy class.
From first glance, it’s easy to criticize administrative decisions like moving furniture without considering the reasoning behind these choices. It’s even easier to ignore teachers’ warnings or overlook how our actions affect others. With so much on our minds during the school day, it’s convenient to dismiss the little things, like the distractions we cause or the inconveniences we create. But those things aren’t so little when they pile up.
Think about it. How do you feel when someone sitting next to you crunches on chips or crinkles a water bottle while you’re trying to read? When a phone lights up during a movie, pulling your attention away from the screen? Or when someone won’t stop whispering during an assembly? Those small interruptions, when repeated enough, can ruin what should have been an otherwise positive experience.
Much of the C Wing furniture has been relocated to the main lobby, where students can use it in a supervised, non-academic space. While this decision might frustrate students who treated the space properly, I’m grateful for the change. Relocating the furniture reminds us that if we don’t take care of the things we have, we risk losing them entirely.
Addressing thoughtless behavior is essential to respecting shared spaces. During the winter assembly, my friend and I shared the same frustration. We both felt robbed of what should have been an enjoyable experience. But we could and should have spoken up. A simple “Hey, can we keep it down?” might have resolved the problem.
Distractions often ruin our experiences because we allow them to. The next time distracting behavior threatens to spoil a moment, don’t stay silent and let it go unchecked. A polite reminder can make all the difference. Speaking up isn’t always easy, but it’s how we protect the quality of our experiences. It’s always better to speak up than to lose something worth keeping.