At International Community School, most seniors are encouraged to insert a free period into their class schedule, because with so much on our plate, five classes worth of homework rather than six really does make a difference.

The possibilities that come with a free period are endless, but instead of using the extra 55 minutes to study like a model student should, I have come up with a more exciting use of my extra time.

As the school bell marks the ending of my AP Literature’s fascinating class discussion on “Pride and Prejudice,” no student zips out of the classroom faster than I do.

The hallways are a crowded, cramped, and stressful place at my school and much like a wildebeest herd, students push through each other, desperate to get to their next assigned location.

With six years of experience navigating my schools halls, I weave through short in stature seventh graders towing rolly-backpacks behind them, and imitating a car, mutter the occasional “beep beep” when underclassmen think it’s acceptable to group in the middle of the hallways and discuss the happenings of last class.

But finally, I make it out the door into the parking lot and briskly walk to my car. I then take the seven minute journey from the school to my house, stopping right in front of my mailbox.

Putting my car into brake, I wait as my window sheaths itself; “Oh why can’t it go any faster,” I think to myself until finally, all that separates me from the contents of my mailbox is its aluminum door.

Grinning, I tell myself “today is the day” as I grab all the mail. Fanning all the envelopes out, I see a card addressed to my mom and a PSE bill among others, but no college acceptance letters.

“Well,” I declare to myself, “if they didn’t come today, maybe they will tomorrow.”

As the school bell marks the ending of my AP Literature’s fascinating elaboration over yesterday’s material, no student zips out of the classroom faster than I do.

Weaving through the various obstacles of the hallways I finally make it out the door into the parking lot and go to my car. I still drive seven minutes back to my house, and I still wait for my window to roll down before I sort through my mail. Still nothing.

Sadly, eagerness is a hard feeling to rid oneself of, and thus, I habitually repeat this exact same trek four days out of the school week (Wednesdays are half days).

My anxiousness for any sign of my admission status is a hard thirst to quench, and while I respect the colleges for taking the time to review my application, I just wish I could fast forward the process somewhat.

My impatience, while understandable, is an incurable condition, and with an absence of letters, I predict my having to justify my back and forth mailbox trips to my parents once they receive my gas bill.

Reporter intern Zach Shucklin is a senior at International Community School. Email zshucklin@kirklandreporter.com.