Nothing tops the immense feelings of awkwardness that comes from saying hey to a passing friend in the hallway before realizing they aren’t going to answer. The little white cords trailing from their ears to their pockets, though they merely transport music, seem to be sucking away social lives mass quantities at a time.

From the beginning of school to junior high, the best part of the day always seemed to be the passing period. Everyone sought out their friends to ask about the previous class: “Was that test hard? Was the teacher there today? Did we have any homework?” Then there were the after school plans: “Do you want to come over after school? Should we walk to a restaurant and get some food? Can your mom give us a ride?”

As I recall, the most fun of all was the small talk, the talk about crushes, newly released movies, books, cars and music. Yet now as I walk from class to class, I find that no one has the time anymore. Hardly any socializing, planning or discussing classes, clubs and day-to-day drama occurs because almost everyone has little white headphones in their ears. The halls are alive with the sound of music, but it’s just in people’s minds.

This school has around 1200 people in it, so complete five minute silences between classes aren’t a good sign. The solution is really simple: the next time you set out for your next class (which is bound to be soon), find a real person to talk to. You don’t have to have a soul-searching colloquy on ethics or politics—just say hello. Ask how someone is doing, and expect an answer.

A lot of students have intriguing, dramatic and fall-on-floor-laughing hilarious stories to tell. The songs you block them out with will still be on your iPod years from now, but your fellow classmates won’t be there, so enjoy the time you do have with them. Leave the headphones in your pocket.