Unscathed
My post about blogland being similar to high school sparked a lot of comments and email. Many people said they don’t usually like that comparison because high school was awful. One friend emailed and asked if blogland was really like that and if so she was glad not to participate.
Whenever high school comes up, people cringe. I have started to wonder if I am the only one who not only escaped high school unscathed but liked it. Yes, I liked high school. I thought it was fun. And no, I wasn’t any thing close to the prom queen or cheerleader. I was only slightly above average on the popularity scale. But keep in mind that I went to a small school in rural Ohio. There were only 130 people in my graduating class and I knew every one of them. Classes were relatively easy and required very little effort on my part (which caused college to be a bit of a shock). I went to school to socialize, worked in the evenings and weekends to earn hairspray money, partied in my free time – it was a good time.
We had our stereotypes and cliques like any other school but they were much more fluid than John Hughes movies would have us believe. Some of them stuck – the cheerleader and basketball star got married, both became teachers, and teach together back at our old alma mater. But when a “geek” and a popular person got together, the world didn’t end, friends didn’t shun the them, it wasn’t a huge scandal. It caused some buzz for a couple of days because there was little else to talk about and then we accepted the new couple and moved on.
I vaguely recall some dramas that at the time seemed huge. It wasn’t all roses. I only had 1 or 2 boyfriends in my entire high school career and they didn’t last long. I struggled with my weight and my complexion and to keep my hair at the correct height (it was the 80’s after all…and I believe my personal Aquanet usage may very well be responsible for a large portion of the hole in the ozone layer – sorry about that). And I spent my sophomore year lost at a very large high school in NJ and was miserable. If I had remained there rather than returning home, I probably would also cringe at the memory of high school.
So what about it blogland? Am I alone in my fond memories of high school? Are there any others out there who enjoyed it or at least escaped without too much trauma?
*Disclaimer* I may have had fun but I wouldn’t want to do it again – especially in this day and age.
I wonder if the cliques and related horrors are worse at a large school. I went to a small school in a rural area (around 90 in my graduating class), and while we had all “types” of people, we all meshed and got along pretty well.
At any rate, I wasn’t scarred for life or anything by high school.
I HATED high-school. While I wasn’t at the bottom of the rung, I was close enough to now ignore the reunion invites. And now when I run into former classmates, I’m not sure whether to be insulted or to take it as a compliment when they say, “DD?! I never would have recognized you!”
I just want to tell them that thanks to how crappy I was treated, I was determined to never let anyone judge me again. I owe them my strength, my outspoken-ness, and my refusal to become the cliche of a dairy farmer’s daughter from Hickville.
I pretty much have the same story as you! Unscathed, but don’t want to do it again! Struggled with weight – average popularity, but graduated with a class of 70! You knew everyone and their brother, sister, mom, dad and aunt and uncle!! literally!! For the most part it was a good time!!
My class only had 75 kids. Very small school. I dated Joe all through high school, so I was pretty much out of the drama side. I went, had a few friends, and survived. I too struggled with weight–but I was in the 90’s so my hair was a bit smaller. Though, for quite some time Aqua Net was my true love.
So, no, high school wasn’t that bad. I just always knew what I wanted, and high school was just a means to an end for me.
BUT, there is no amount of money in the world that would make me do it again!
Me too on the weight thing. And classes were pretty easy for me as well, and I would say I enjoyed High School. I was pretty studious and my claim to fame in my senior yearbook is that I was voted most “Straight as an Arrow” yes – no drunken memories of high school for me (I don’t drink alcohol) I didn’t take too many chances, but I did have fun and enough friends to make it all ok. No boyfriends and that didn’t matter much except for the social piece, now of course I get why no boyfriends! (wink wink). So fond memories, but would I want to repeat it, no. And my graduating class was 250 students.
We had a love- hate… high school and I.
I loved it and fully believe that my brain still thinks I am that 17 year old. So when I pass by a mirror in the mall, I turn in surprise that my mom has shown up and she did not even know I was there…then reality hits and I stare wondering where my pony tail and short skirt/stirrup pants are and why now I would never be caught dead in them now.
We had a hate realationship because girls are MEAN. I was in the popular crowd, but chose not to partake in the “popular activities” which made me a goodie-goodie and the brunt of many jokes and stab in the back discussions… not to mention that I was a late bloomer and everyone took it upon themselves to address my lack of knockers… and then their arrival. So I am not sure why I liked HS so much but it was fun for me… and I still love to people watch high school kids whenever possible.
I didn’t mind highschool. I went to a private all girl school with 115 people in my graduating class so that was nice because we all knew each other as well. We didn’t have to worry about impressing boys all day and there were days I would literally roll out of bed, pull my hair back in a ponytail, brush my teeth, and leave 10 minutes later. Ahh those were the days…….
HA! I have often thought about this as well. I really enjoyed HS! I miss having friends like that now….not super close but people to just kick back and spend time with. There were times that could have been easier (why did I have to ask the boys to dances?) but def not scarring!
You’re not alone!
Kelly-AB
OK, I’ll admit it. I liked high school.
My friends and I used to sunbathe during lunch hour. Wore our bathing suits under our clothes, snuck off to a field during lunch, then threw (usually a loose dress or skirt) back on over the suit to run back to 1 o’clock class smelling like baby oil. We started this in March to be tan for graduation. In Pennsylvania. Crazy. And, I had the big (permed) hair too. We must be the same age! Good times. Only wish I’d known how carefree life really was at that age, before all the responsibilities of being a grown-up kicked in.
LOVED college. Some of the best times of my life.
My experience sounds somewhat like yours, only I graduated in the late 90s. Rural Ohio, classs of 144, above average popularity, but not the cheerleader type, involved in lots of activities, there was scandal at our school though with drugs, and a kid (honor student/eagle scout)trying to burn down the school. I loved high school. I did well in class, worked summers, hung out with friends. I loved college for that matter to, like high school only a lot more work. I however work with a urban high school in Ohio and would not want to go to high school again in a setting like I work. I work with some great kids, and some troubled kids, but I’m thankful everyday that I didn’t have the kind of home life that most of these kids have.
I try to block high school from most of my memory. My home life sucked and so I was involved in as much as I could be. I could have graduated a semester early, but chose to stick around and take fluff classes. No joke I took wood shop my senior year. I also electively took physics. Gawd I’m such a nerd.
As far as popularity goes, I was in limbo land. I had no true friend group that I belonged to. I wasn’t popular. I wasn’t a nerd. I hung out with the band geeks because that’s where my best friend hung out. I floated by barely noticed.
I think that’s why I’m such an attention whore. I’ve lived too long as a shadow. I wouldn’t want to go back to high school. But it didn’t scar me for life.
HS… I would rather forget. Not the best of times, though also not the worst of times either–jr. high anyone? In HS I was kind of a geek because I was a goody goody and so when I went to a goody goody college I fit in a little better. In college I wasn’t all that much cooler though, but I was determined to have fun! That choice made all the difference. I love all my college friends and stay in regular contact with many of them. The only HS friend I still talk to also went to college with me and we are still quite close.
Im with you.
liked it just fine
wouldnt wanna go back—-but i wouldn’t wanna go back and redo anything really.
now Im just praying E has the same experience.
C.
I liked high school too. There was always something going on and people to hang out with. I mean, sure there were bad days, and “drama” but it was pretty low key all in all. I went to sort of a clean cut school. I didn’t hang out with kids who drank a lot or did drugs or (i thought at the time) had, gasp, sex! Found out later everyone was doing all of that but me, but my friends kept me naive. I appreciate that now. I don’t think you can escape all that these days!!
I loved high school. I also went to a small school, 95 people in my graduating class. There were definitely some more popular than others, but we all got along. We all knew each other and a large majority of us still stay in touch. My son is now at my alma mater and that makes me happy, too.
HATED IT. Every. single. moment.
I think we had a pretty similar high school experience. While I look back mostly fondly I would never ever want to go back. Your letterman jackets did bring me back and I dug out mine from the basement – Gosh – I loved that jacket so much…with the white leather sleeves and my JV M’s and my Varsity M’s for Medina. The spirit pins – the homecoming football game scores written on the inside of the coat. Ahhh memories.
I really enjoyed high school. I went to the same school my entire life, so I pretty much knew everyone. It was a relatively small class (100+ girls) and very community oriented. I am still friends with my close friends and just celebrated our 15th reunion – such fun. I don’t think I’d go back to high school tho, just because college was THAT much more fun 🙂
I know I didn’t graduate that long ago (2000) but I really liked it. I met my husband on the first day & also had several cousins who went there too…it was just an all around great experience. I liked college better but I enjoyed HS. 🙂
I loved high school. I went to a small catholic school in Ohio and my graduating class was a whoping 77. We had a blast and I was very active and got along with most people. There were those people that got their kicks from being mean but honestly they weren’t part of my everyday life. I wouldn’t go back but I wouldn’t trade my memories for anything!
I liked high school okay but I would never ever want to do it again. I guess I was in the popular clique b/c I was a cheerleader – but I never felt comfortable or secure. In fact, I know that the academics of high school were fairly far down the ladder of my priorities because I was overly concerned with social things.
What’s interesting is this is our 20th reunion year – the boys that were the “geeks”? They are doctors, college professors, etc. The cool boys? Well, my prom date (the prom king) works at Home Depot selling flooring. Nothing wrong with that, mind you – just an example of the *academic priorities* that my friends did not have. I really wish I could go back in a time machine and tell myself to do my homework, study more and hang out with the smart kids b/c doing well in school is INIFINITELY more important than where you sit in the lunchroom (and will stay with you beyond the 3 or 4 short years of high school). Something we are instilling in our children from a very young age – although I may overcompensate a bit by being Cruella Deville with the school work.
I think I am about the same as you. Wasn’t terrible, but wouldn’t go back and do it again. I was a band geek, but still had friends across most groups. I had enough angst to fill the Grand Canyon, mind you, but it wasn’t horrible.
I LOVED college, however. And THAT I would do again in a heart beat. Going to class in sweats and a hat? check. Getting home in time to watch Days of Our Lives? Check. I even loved grad school when sweats weren’t an option and classes went most of the day. I’d give my right arm to have that “freedom without responsibility” feeling again 🙂 Adulthood pretty much sucks 🙂
My my school experience is not one that I owuld choose to repeat- the first high school- I was not in the popular crowd, it wasa small high school where everyone had gone to school together since Kindergarten except me. We moved there in my 7th grade year- the high school and junior high shared the same buidling. The one good thing from that shcool- my best friend. We have remained friends for over 20 years now. We moved to a new school distric between my sophmore and junior year.
Second high school- about 5 times larger than the first high school- I was lost in the crowd and never made any close friends. I attend our 20 year reunion and the same clicks still existed. I doubt I will ever attend another reunion.
I wish I could have graduated from the first high school- we only moved 5 miles away but it was so different.
Love to you,
I loved high school. I used to be a lot more social than I am now, and I went even when I was sick for fear I’d miss out on something. Like you, classes were easy for me. I wish I would have applied myself – who knows where that would’ve gotten me!
I also liked High School. (small school in rural Ohio – 96 in my graduating class) We had our share of the cliques – and I had friends in all of them. I mostly hung out with the band/choir geeks, because that’s what I was involved in. I had great friends – we didn’t party – in fact, my best friend in high school was a guy!! I have LOTS of fond memories of high school. I haven’t made it back for any reunions (even though my parents still live in the same town) but I may try to make it to my **gasp** 20th in a couple of years.
I do, though, sometimes think that blog land is a lot like high school. I still consider myself to be a floaty type people – not real popular, but some of the popular people know who I am. But I’m still happy to have my little group of friends. 🙂
Now college – OH MY – I would do college again in a HEART BEAT!! Best 3 1/2 years of my life!!!!!!!
Oh My God I loved high school well sophmore to senior years. Freshman year sucked and I transferred to an all girls school and I loved it. Some people think that’s odd but we partied just as good as a co-ed school. It was great like you I don’t want to do it again but I had a blast!!!
I enjoyed high school. I was certainly not part of the “in” crowd, but I had my friends and we had a good time. I especially enjoyed going to the beach on the weekends and man, as much as I thought I needed to lose weight… give me a break. I rocked a bikini and was tan. Now???? All I’m saying is it’s a good thing my pool isn’t too visible to the neighbors.
I enjoyed high school. At the time, I thought my school was small – about 300 in my class. I was one of the smart kids and the other big groups were the jocks and the druggies. Since I took alot of honors classes, I had the same people in most of my classes and it was mostly a lot of fun. Still, I don’t think I’d ever want to go back. And high school now is so much harder than it used to be I think.
Kerri and Ruby
I’m one that had a great time in high school. I went to a veru big all girls high school. I think my saving grace was being involved in Drill Squad. It was a marching drill team. To this day, I still have some wonderful friends from Drill Squad; and this is 31 years later.
I have very fond memories of high school. But, like you, would not want to live it again.
I enjoyed high school. Like a few other posters I went to a Catholic all-girl high school and had a graduating class of about 140. There were cliques in the school but for the most part everyone got along in my class. I stayed middle of the road. I was not in the “student counsel/drama club/rich girl” group but was friendly with all. The class above me had real problems with I guess you would say bullying but not my class. In the all-girl environment we learned to speak our minds without worrying about what the boys would think. It also allowed us to learn that women can be in positions of leadership whether they were the principal, the class president or captain of the basketball team. We definitely had our fun and there were dances at the boys schools, etc. I am still close friends with my high school friends 22 years after graduation!!
I think I can officially beat all of you. I graduated with a whole whopping 14 people. I hated it. Classes were easy. Teachers were fine. Did not have any patience for the stupid drama crap. I look back now and have even less patience for it than I did then.
College…best friends I have ever met. Hanging out, eating really greasy food, drinking lots of beer. Life with absolutely no responsibility. Sign me up for the repeat of that!!
I LOVED high school…wish I could go back..oh wait no I don’t… not with the clothes they wear now…my butt would be hanging out..:)
Plus it’s where I met my hubby…3rd period pe…he was my square dancing partner..yay I know…:)
I had a blast..when I wasn’t groundes for skipping..hehehehe another story:)
I didn’t like High School either, it was a huge school – I think the graduating class was over 700 or so. I bloomed after graduation when I got involved in New Wave Music and went to college.
Hi Michelle, I, too, had a similar highschool experience to yours. Went to high school in a small rural town in Ohio. I had 105 people in my graduating class and knew every one of them. I was also only above average in popularity, but that didn’t seem to matter. I had a great time, had a good boyfriend, and lots of friends. We went to basketball games and football games and hung out at the local pizza place afterward. Lori
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