People always hear about the stereotypical high school experience, and when it comes to all-girls schools, the perception sometimes comes out a little twisted. People talk about how "catty" it was, how girls where always fighting over boys, or how dramatic everything was, and yes, some of these might have happened, but they certainly weren't an everyday occurrence. This is a list of 11 things that are part of the typical all girls high school experience.
1. Uniforms.
If you really think about it, we had to wear uniforms every Monday through Friday, for four years. I never had to stress out about what outfit to wear to school that day! I just had to make sure I was wearing the right colored skirt.
2. What does it mean to eat like a girl?
Yes, we’re women. Yes, we have stomachs. Yes, we like to eat. Now please move, you’re blocking the way to the food truck.
3. Shaving is a chore.
It’s a fact. When you’re surrounded by women and wear knee high socks almost all year round, you don’t have to shave.
4. We were taught to be spiritual, educated, integrated and collaborative women.
Every school had their “Expected School-Wide Learning Results” aka ESLRs. Our school taught us that we are feminine geniuses. We are confident and intellectual women who were also taught about the Catholic faith in our Religion classes.
5. Boys.
Yes, we had a brother school. But ... it's a boy. When there was a boy on campus, everyone knew. Instantly.
6. Makeup.
Wearing make-up wasn’t a necessity. It doesn’t add to my worth and dignity as a human person. It didn’t need to happen. What really needed to happen in the morning was stopping by a store to pick up breakfast.
7. The “messy bun.”
You have perfected the art of putting your hair in a messy bun, no matter how long your hair is. In fact, the messier the better.
8. Stressed out about Finals?
We all had our days where we stressed out about our finals, we knew we would do fine but there was still the pressure to do well. There may have even been a few threats to run away and become a stripper.
9.“It must have been a competition every day.”
No. Actually it wasn’t. We weren’t catty, we didn’t tear each other apart. We built each other up. We encouraged each other to succeed and reach their full potential. Real women, support women.
10. Girl-talk.
No topic was off limits. Periods, Politics, the latest fashion trends, that new guy so-and-so is dating, the latest advances in medical technology, a recent sale splurge. Literally our topics bounced around a lot.
11. To “live the fourth.”
Kairos. It’s an interesting retreat many people have probably heard about. It taught us to love. But it also taught us how to cry and laugh all at the same time.
