During my freshman year of college when I would tell people that I went to an all-girls Catholic private high school a look of pity would cross over their face and the only thing they could say was "I'm so sorry." I mean it's ok because it's actually you I feel sorry for. Yes, high school still wasn't perfect because really when is it ever. But looking back I wouldn't have traded my experience for anything. Any one who has had the same experience as me knows that though there were some parts that sucked, there are also things that are very greatly missed.
1. The uniform.
If school started at 8:15 and you barely got out of bed at 7:45 knowing exactly what to throw on was an absolute blessing. Enough said.
2. Looking like a girl? Optional.
Doing makeup? Shaving? Brushing hair? Yeah, no. You were lucky if we decided to shower that day and throw our hair into a bun. These were the simpler days.
3. Except during free dress.
Walking into school during free dress was the most out of body experience because instead of the hallways being full of half-asleep half-troll zombies, they were full of models. Everyone's hair was on point and their winged eyeliner was ready to stab you in the heart. I mean getting ready is really fun sometimes.
4. The faculty.
In every high school there are those specific teachers that are just collectively disliked and at my school it wasn't any different. But there were also those teachers who empowered and inspired. They truly wanted you succeed. And this didn't just end with our teachers, I can't tell you how many times I cried to my guidance counselor or the ladies who worked in the office. The entire faculty was one huge support system who helped keep us all together and bring out the best versions of ourselves.
5. No boys.
Contrary to popular belief, we do not need boys in our life every second of the day. It was nice to have an environment where no one felt self conscious about their appearance and it was ok to yell across a classroom looking for a tampon. And it also gave us a place that was really focused women's empowerment which helped us grow into independent, confident women.
6. The sisterhood.
A lot of people say you go to college to meet your bridesmaids. That can't be farther from the truth. Yes, I love the people I met in college but the friends I made in my four years of high school are family. We've gone through laughs, tears, fights, drama, gossip, everything and anything and despite... actually no, because of all that our relationship is stronger than ever. My friends in college may know me but the girls from high school know why I am the way I am.
7. The tradition.
No matter how hard I try to explain the ferocity that was field day to my friends in college, no one will understand it better than the girls I experienced it with. There are certain things that we all part-took in that have bonded us all, from getting our class rings, to sitting in a parking lot watching a sunrise. Yes we were not all best friends singing "kum ba yah" around a fire but there are these little traditions we've all been apart of together that made our high school experience infinitely more special.
