Way back in 2014, I was a senior in high school. A couple of days ago, I was driving home from work and suddenly noticed a sea of students sitting on the football field of Greenwich High School dressed in white and red graduation gowns. In an attempt to be nostalgic about my own graduation and high school experience, I remembered how much I don’t miss high school.
My high school experience wasn’t awful…but it wasn’t great either. I was somewhat shy and nerdy. I preferred the company of books and took way too many classes for my own good. I was an overachiever, but was never ivy league bound. I was never the star of a sports team, nor did I even attempt to get the lead in a school play. I had friends, I had enemies. Like every other girl, I struggled with acne, figuring out who I was, and a negative body image. I remember being frustrated when boys would ask me out, but never the boys that I actually had a crush on. In a school populated with 2,600 people, I was the epitome of average and just shy of invisible.
However, among all these “struggles,” I also had some good times. I established a group of friends that I will be friends with for life no matter what life throws at us. I will always cherish my memories of late night diner trips, sitting in my basement watching movies, playing cards, and yelling at each other over video games. But, I would never want to go back to high school, especially not after experiencing what college life has to offer.
College will change you. It makes you more independent, more mature, more open minded, and, in my personal experience, more confident. You do not have your parents there to hold your hand and tell you to study, go to class, go to work, or do homework. You are responsible for yourself. You learn to time manage better and to set your priorities. Do you really want to go to McDonald’s at 12am knowing you have a test at 8am? It sounds crazy, but this happens more often than one might think. It can be hard to balance a social life with work, homework, and extracurriculars. While it may take it a while, you’ll eventually establish a routine.
It’s easier to make friends in college. You are thrown into an atmosphere where you do not know anyone, and no one in your grade knows anyone either. It’s the perfect opportunity to make friends! There are no pre-existing cliques to worry about. You are going to be exposed to diverse people with diverse backgrounds making for very interesting first impressions and conversations. Going to clubs and getting involved on campus will also connect you with students with similar interests. Also, college parties are not at all like they seem in the movies. No one in college will look down on you if you don’t drink. No one will pressure you to do something you don’t want to do. Being popular is not a priority the way it was in high school.
I will admit, college isn’t all unicorns and rainbows. You may come across a few unsavory people. These people might be an inconsiderate roommate, or difficult members of a group project. However, you soon learn to handle these situations in a mature way. College teaches you that the "struggles" you faced in high school were actually quite silly.
Overall, college is awesome. It gives you so many wonderful, if sometimes trying, experiences and relationships that change you into a responsible and well rounded adult.
