1. Makeup isn't a thing. Ever.
Ask anyone that has ever gone to or visited an all-girls school: No one wears makeup. Since there are no guys, we have absolutely no one to worry about impressing. Some might say we let ourselves go, but I like to call it minimizing the effort in our morning routine.
2. No Shave November isn't just for guys.
We have a love-hate relationship with our knee socks. While our legs are usually painfully cold in the winter, we compensate with No Shave November. That's right, guys. Knee socks + no boys = woolly mammoth legs. And we don't regret it.
3. You and your friends will eventually share the same cycle.
No one ever thinks it could happen to them, until one week out of the month you and all of your friends suddenly want to kill each other in between the stress eating and dying of cramps. But hey, at least it's a testament to your close friendship!
4. Snow days are a regular occurrence during the winter.
Going to a private school means we're not responsible for making up any days lost to snow. In other words, we have a ton of days off. At my high school they would cancel at the very first sign of snow, even if it only ended up being less than an inch of harmless flurries. Thanks, IHA, for the much needed (but probably not necessary) days of relaxation.
5. Locker Break is a gift.
Locker break: a 15 minute break time in the middle of the morning to sit on the floor, eat warm cookies, sleep, or catch up on any last-minute assignments. Aka, the most vital component of surviving a busy school day. I am a sophomore in college, and I still find myself longing for a good old fashioned locker break every once in a while. My advice for current high schoolers is to never take it for granted, because in college they don't care about how many breaks you get or how much you eat. And they definitely don't serve you warm cookies on a daily basis.
6. We go all-out for Halloween.
At an all-girls school, Halloween is not a time to look your best. There are no booty shorts, bedazzled bras, or platform heels. In fact, Halloween is a great opportunity to make a complete fool of yourself around people that really aren't that interested in seeing your ass. Group costumes are also a beautiful thing -- and I'm not talking about five or six people. During my senior year, our entire class of over 200 girls dressed up as minions. It was easily the best we've ever looked.
7. You will wear your senior sweater every day regardless of the temperature outside.
Your senior sweater is more than just a part of your uniform -- it is an indicator of status and privilege. It will permit you to cut the cookie line at locker break, leave early on study hall days, sit in the chairs during liturgy instead of the bleachers, and park wherever you want. Of course these privileges exist without having to wear anything, but most seniors would rather don their sweaters in the blazing heat than be mistaken for an underclassman.
8. Yes, our kilts are actually fire-proof.
Modest, plaid, and indestructible... literally. For anyone who has ever questioned the functionality of our kilts, know that they serve one singular purpose: making sure we can never get rid of them. And yes, you will most likely recycle your dear old kilt your freshman year of college for Halloween or a scandalously themed party... with some modifications to the length, of course.
9. Senior Prank Day is a glorious free-for-all.
It is an unspoken rule amongst teachers that on senior prank day, no rules apply. Well... some do, but for the most part we are free to do as we please. For my senior prank we filled the main office with about a hundred balloons, photocopied pages of our handbook and taped them all over the walls, cut our white polo shirts "Mean Girls"-style, gave away free (and normally forbidden) coffee during homeroom, and even threw a "water pong" rager at lunch. Underclassmen, take notes.
10. Our school pride runs deep.
Over the course of four years you will go through countless spirit weeks, Halloweens, sports games, and various other extracurriculars that will make you wear your school pride on a daily basis. It is a known and accepted fact that I will be an IHA Blue Eagle for the rest of my life (and yes, eagles will always fly higher).
11. Senior Retreat is an experience you'll never forget.
Everyone always complains about retreat until they go for their last time senior year. Usually you'll go to a convent on a quiet beach for a couple of days, and I promise that it's not as bad as it sounds. While I can't share the specific events that occurred during my senior retreat, I will say that it was great opportunity to bond with my closest friends and make some really heartfelt memories.
12. Sisterhood is real, and it lasts a lifetime.
I remember at my high school orientation, everyone told me that going to an all-girls school would create a bond of sisterhood that I would have for rest of my life. It all sounded super corny at the time, but now that I've graduated I realize that they were right. No matter where life takes me I know that I will always have 200 girls who shared the same experiences as I did. While we have all moved in different directions in life, we will always regard our school with love, pride, and a bit of nostalgia. I love you, IHA!
