By: Shelby Harrell
“No running in the halls” and “No chewing gum in class” are just a few of the unwritten rules that students learn at Plymouth High School. The Pilgrim Perspective dug deep to find out just what kind of unwritten rules students can think of. But first, the Pilgrim Perspective asked students just what they think the unwritten rules are.
Demonstrating the seniority rule, sophomore Carissa May has learn to respect seniors like Tori Fox. Photo by: Shelby Harrell
Senior Samantha Hellinga said, “Unwritten rules are unofficial rules that everybody should be aware of in order for everything to run smoothly.”
The unwritten rules students commonly think of may differ from other students. For example, sophomore Taylor Scott said, “Walk on the right side of the hallway.” Along with that, senior Lindsey Downs said, “No stopping in the middle of the hallway because it is annoying.”
Along with the actual unwritten rules, the students definition of the word may also be different. This means that students get might get different meanings of the phrase “unwritten rules.” Scott said, “Unwritten rules are things that students need to know, but they may not always be aware of them.”
Students were asked if they think that there is a long history of them, since before this school was ever created.“Yes I do,” said Hellinga. “It would be a little ridiculous to make some rules official, but they are necessary.”
On top of being asked if they thought that there was a long history of them, some were also asked if they thought that there was a certain person that invented them long before, and who that person might be. Senior Lindsey Romwalter said, “I have no idea. I think that unwritten rules are just common sense, and that they happened on their own.”
Over the years, many of the students have taken the unwritten rules in different ways, meaningthat some take them more lightly then they should, or there are also some that are not meant to be taken so seriously. “Being a senior, I definitely think underclassmen should respect the seniority rule a lot more than they do,” said Hellinga. “When I was an underclassman, I respected my seniors.” “I think everyone takes them the same, said Scott.
Students were also asked if they think that some of the unwritten rules that are instilled on them while in High School can have a good affect on them when it comes to real life.
“Yes,” said Downs, “they are commonly assumed things, and if you don’t know them, you may look foolish later on in life.” Romwalter said, “Yeah, they teach you not to make a fool of yourself later on in life.”
The cause of the rules is one thing, but the effect of the rules can be considered different among the different students.“The effects of them are good,” Said Downs. “If they know what they are.”
On top of listing the affects of the rules, and whether or not they will get some ready for life after high school, Most were also asked how they think students feel about some of the rules. Hellinga said, “I think students don’t really pay attention to them sometimes.” “Personally, I like them,” said Downs. “But I’m not sure how others feel. If they don’t know them, they probably don’t like them.”
The last question that students were asked was how old they were when they found out about just one of the many different unwritten rules. Romwalter said, “I think everyone knows they are there throughout Junior High, but when you are a freshman, and you bump into a senior for the first time in the hallway, you learn that there are certain things that you are just not supposed to do.” Following that, Downs said “ I was born knowing them.”
There are many unwritten rules in today’s society. If everyone respects these rules, then they will be all right.