I’m sure we’ve all heard it once or twice – or maybe even ten times – “High school will give you the best days of your life, don’t wish it away!” Although, I wish I could go back sometimes so I don’t have to “adult” so much. What I really wish is that I could go back to do college all over again… not high school. Don’t get me wrong, there are great memories that happened during high school like Friday night football games, spirit weeks, tight-knit sports teams, my neighborhood friends, and much more. However, after being in college, there are so many things I realized that I could never miss about high school.
1.) Long Days
Nobody wants to sit in the same building and go from class to class for six hours straight. On top of that, I’m sure most of us played sports or danced, which resulted in practice immediately after school. Most days, I’d leave my house around 7 AM and wouldn’t get back until 6 PM – sometimes even later.
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2.) Rules
Being treated like a five-year-old when I was actually anywhere from the ages of fourteen to eighteen is something that I will never miss, not even a tiny bit. In college, I have the freedom to do as I please. If I want to skip class and fall behind, that’s entirely my choice. If I want to go get something to eat when I’m on a break, then by all means, I get to go for it. College has taught me to make the best decisions for myself and take on some responsibility, whereas the only thing high school did was make me want to rebel. Is it really necessary to raise your hand to use the restroom at that age? (I don’t think so.)
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3.) Dress “Code”
My tank top straps have to be three fingers wide? Excuse me? That’s like finding a needle in a haystack, so if you’d like to do the shopping for me, Mr. Principal, go for it.
4.) Popularity Contests
Looking back at high school, I never realized how many people did things solely for the purpose of the popularity. For instance, despising someone and saying cruel things behind their back, but then hanging out with them on the weekends when nobody else is around? When I grew up a little, I realized that sometimes the less friends I have, the better off I’ll be. My existence isn’t to please every single person. In fact, it’s perfectly okay to be disliked, sometimes.
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5.) Pointless Classes
Of course, in college, we all have to complete our General Education requirements, but our whole four years don’t consist of useless classes that have nothing to do with what we will be doing in life or pursuing for our major. Yes, high school does have some electives that will fulfill specific educational desires, but college is there for us to enjoy what we are learning and make use of that work in the future.
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6.) One Week of Winter Break
One week vs. one month for vacation. You can do the math. We all know one week will never be enough.
7.) The Drama
Drama is inevitable everywhere we go in life, but there is nothing like high school drama. After graduating and being in college for some years, I’ve realized how irrelevant and such little meaning things hold to me that would’ve meant the world to me in high school. College is an atmosphere that has forced me to grow up and open my eyes. I can gladly say the amount of drama in my life or my friends’ lives has significantly decreased since graduating high school.
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8.) Same Thing, Different Day
I don’t know about you, but I need a little change every once in awhile. Seeing the same exact people at the same exact time for a year straight is a little much for me.
In a nutshell, life after high school will never be the same, but I think it’s all for the better. There are very few people at universities who care to get involved with your personal life. The maturity level of people seems to rise at least five years and nobody is “in it” for the popularity. Everyone has their niche where they’re able to do their own thing, and everyone is completely okay with that.
