1. If you wake up even two minutes late on a Monday or Friday, the world is over.  Once 7:35 hits, if you are not already in line on Park Ora get ready to admit defeat and take the tardy, pray that the bell schedule is off for the day or tie your shoes a little tighter to sprint from the senior lot to the H-Building.  I often face this problem because five more minutes in my bed sound more appealing than 10 more minutes of stress.  I often regret this decision immediately after but continue with this flawed routine.

2. Elco Shop isn’t just a parking lot, but in fact the prime place to hang out on weekend nights.  Come 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, what previously seemed to be a boring place to park your car quickly transforms into the perfect place to meet up with friends.

3. If you want to socialize during finals week, Barnes and Noble is the place to be.  While many CHS students are floating in flashcards and borrowed Barron’s books, many spend more time talking about how they don’t want to study for the test rather than attack the material.  Rather than wallow in self-pity by yourself in your room why not procrastinate with other people who feel your pain.  I am proud to say that I have participated and I am sure that I will again soon.

4. If you don’t park in the small side of the parking lot on a Tuesday or Thursday, prepare to end your school day at 4 p.m. If you aren’t a super assertive driver at the beginning of senior year, you will be at the end.  The senior parking lot is the most competitive spot on CHS campus and you will experiment with driving karma and betraying your friends.  I have learned that the key to a quick escape and awkward death stares is avoiding eye contact.  I sincerely apologize for all the people who have been personally victimized by my driving- I’m just a girl trying to get my lunch.

I hope you enjoyed a few secrets in the lives of Calabasas kids.