I went to catholic school for literally my entire life up until this point. That's 15 years of catholic schooling over the course of my lifetime. Here are a few things I've learned from my experiences.
1. You have no clue how to dress in real life because of uniforms
They were ugly and no one looked nice in them, but, you never had to pick out your clothes for the next day, so it was always difficult.
2. You know exactly how long 2 inches above the knee is
And you knew when girls rolled their skirt to make it shorter.
3. ...And even though the dress code was strict, you still found ways around it
Girls would wear leggings and black socks instead of tights, your skirt was 3 inches above your knee instead of 2, and you'd wear a different shirt under your senior fleece instead of those uncomfortable polos because you couldn't see the collar, anyway. If you were feeling really rebellious, you'd untuck your shirt under your sweater or wear black sneakers instead of hush puppies.
4. You were totally willing to pay that $2 for a dress down day
Even if you didn't know what the cause was, you were cool with bringing in $2 to get away with wearing leggings and a sweatshirt to class for a day.
5. The disciplinarian probably had razors and shaving cream in their office
Even though Jesus had a beard, none of the guys in the school could have any stubble.
6. There's an 85% chance that you knew everyone in the entire school by name
Catholic schools are notoriously small. You definitely knew everyone in your grade, and you most likely knew their siblings or older or younger friends by association.
7. At school dances, the go to line was "leave room for the holy spirit"
Sometimes chaperones would walk up to people and say it during a slow song.
8. You might trash your school, but if anyone else does it, you freak out
"O'HARA HAS NOTHING ON US."
9. Your school name probably started with "Bishop", "Our Lady of", "Saint" or "Cardinal"
They were pretty uncreative.
10. In college, it's weird not to start class with the prayer and pledge
What do you mean I don't have to say a Hail Mary to start the day?
11. And when you say the Pledge of Allegiance, you always end it with "God bless America"
You probably didn't realize it wasn't a thing until you were the only one that said it in a public setting.
12. You have a favorite church song
... and it was lit when the choir sang it in First Friday mass.
13. You learned the same thing every year in your theology class
Basically, it was all about Jesus and priests saying things you may not have agreed with.
14. ... And theology class was pretty much your only sex-ed class.
Bonus points if you got an "I'm worth waiting for" sticker
15. You definitely had a nun or a priest as a teacher during your school career
They were usually really strict, but sometimes they were your favorite teachers.
16. Your favorite day of the year is Fat Tuesday
Donut sales and bake sales? Sign me up
17. The fact that plaid is trendy confuses you
You have flash backs to the mornings where you'd roll out of bed 10 minutes before you had to leave and throw on the same clothes you wore yesterday.
18. At some point, you had to memorize Hail Holy Queen, the Apostles Creed, and the Nicene Creed
You were most likely tested on this for part of your theology final.
19. Religion books were somehow funny to you
Something about seeing the models in awkward poses and the bolded titles of "abstinence is the only way" and "sinners go to hell" made you laugh for whatever reason.
20. ....Except the sometimes blatant sexism
There was always that one really liberal girl that would fight with the teachers, even though it would change anything. (Spoiler alert, that was me)
21. Someone reminding you that something you do is going damn your spirit probably doesn't phase you
It was probably a common enough thing that if someone cut in front of you in the cafeteria line, someone would just say "Cutting in line is a SIN and you're going to HELL."
22. PIZZA FRIDAYS
Easily the best part of Lent.
23.There was a crucifix in every room...
And you knew where it was because you'd turn to it to pray before class started.
24. Your uniform left you too hot in the spring months and too cold in the winter months.
Who thought wool skirts year round were a good idea, and who thought tights and a sweater would be enough to stay warm when it's 18 degrees outside and there's barely any heat in the classroom?
25. You knew at least 1 person that passed out during a school mass.
Hot, confined spaces and thick sweaters over polyester blouses don't mix.
26. You had to write in cursive in at least 1 of your classes
Most of the time, it was theology, and you'd get points taken off the test if you didn't answer in cursive.
27. You've most likely spent over $1,000 on tights in your life time
You could get written up if you had a run in your tights, and they'd always get stuck on those damn wooden desks.
28. Kairos is a big freaking deal
Almost everyone goes during their senior year and if you're a leader, you're just universally known as a good person.
29. If you didn't have an oppisite sex date to prom, you couldn't go
So there was a scramble of girls asking their older brothers to take their friends to prom if they couldn't get a date.
30. And despite all of this, whether you loved it or hated it, catholic school made you who you are today
The friends you made are still your friends today, since bonding over itchy uniforms and strict dress codes is a friendship that can survive anything.
I loved my experience at Catholic school. It made me who I am, gave me wonderful friends that I would do anything for, and brought me to where I am today. I wouldn't trade any of it for the world.
