Students

[Dr.Appalayya]

Students ( of both sexes) hang around the verandahs ( corners, corridors, aisles etc) either when the classes are in session or even when the courses are finished.

How do you describe such hanging around, please?

 

[SweetSoulSister]

These are informal ways of describing it. It implies that the kids are having a good/nice time. It doesn't imply anything about whether they are doing something wrong.
"Hanging around", "Hanging out", "Goofing off"

If I wanted to describe it more formally, I would say, "The kids are standing (around) in the halls." This has no implication, positive or negative.

 

[Siberia]

If you look in the WR dictionary there are various terms like piddle, slug, lounge around, waste time etc

 

[JamesM]

For a slightly more negative term: "loitering".

Another neutral term: "gathering/gather" or "congregate", both more formal than "hanging out". ("Hanging out" is more commonly heard, though, I think.)

 

[Dr.Appalayya]

How about milling about

 

[caballoschica]

sounds fine to me.

 

[JamesM]

"milling about" is great, Dr. A.