As someone who prioritizes drinking a lot of water each day, it’s not uncommon that I find myself needing to use the bathroom constantly. Let me begin by explaining my normal Tuesday schedule. I usually wake up at 6:30 a.m. I start my day by washing my face, then brushing my teeth, and then getting dressed. After that, I head to the kitchen. I pour myself a cup of coffee, fill up my 32-ounce water bottle, and make myself a bowl of yogurt, fruit and granola. This is all consumed by 7:10 a.m.. I then fix my hair or maybe add a little blush to my cheeks. I wrap up my morning routine by throwing a granola bar in my backpack and refilling my water bottle. As I head out the door, I realize I never got the chance to stop by the bathroom. My first-period teacher is not forgiving when it comes to letting his students use the bathroom, therefore I sit uncomfortably for the next 45 minutes.
Here is when my anger starts to arise. I anxiously await for the clock to turn to 8:27 when the bell rings. Finally, you would think I could use the bathroom, but no, I can not. I enter the bathroom only to find myself standing on one floor tile not able to move. The bathroom is no longer a place where one can relieve themselves but has transformed into a social area that is swarmed by close to 20 girls. I am confused about how people would prefer to talk to their friends in a smelly, germ-infested, enclosed area but regardless it is extremely frustrating for both the stalls to be occupied and the sink area as well. Despite running to the bathroom as fast as I can, it will be completely full seconds after the bell rings. And no, there isn’t another bathroom, because they are all filled with people loitering around, or locked by security to keep people from hanging out in there.
In addition to this problem, I have found myself entering the bathroom to find people pretending the stalls are their bedrooms. They lay coats and extra hoodies on the floor to sit on top of. That one layer is not protective enough from the germs the bathroom floors contain. I enter the bathroom hearing other girls giggling about their days to each other. I don’t know whether I’ve entered the bathroom or someone’s kitchen. I start to question if I’m the weird one for simply using the bathroom. I shouldn’t have to feel uncomfortable using the restroom, which is what the restroom is made for.
There are reasons why students feel the need to use the bathroom for loitering purposes. “I do not have any classes with my friends so the bathroom in between classes are the only time I can meet up with my friends. I think it’s a good meeting spot because I can just text my friends which bathroom and they will be there,” junior Bianca Diamond said.
It takes a simple act of entering the bathroom and asking the girls occupying the bathroom area to leave. I want to be able to confidently walk into a bathroom without being judged for needing to go to the bathroom. Security could stand in the bathroom for a minute at most just to keep the bathroom clear and free of non-users. Another way to solve this problem would be for students to speak up and tell teachers about the problem and have them work on it through the administration.
