A couple weeks ago, I started my sophomore year of college. I graduated high school a whopping 17 months ago, and things may change at some point, but as of now, I don’t miss high school like people told me I would. For a decent amount of time, I heard that high school was going to be “the best time of my life,” and the only time I would ever get to be carefree, laid back, and relaxed. My advice for people who have been told this about high school - don’t listen to them.

My time in high school was pretty typical. I was an awkward, lanky, quiet freshman. Sophomore year, I was a little less awkward, a little less lanky, a lot less quiet, and started working as an anchor on the school news. By the time junior year came around, I had made a decent amount of friends and surprisingly got elected Prom Prince that year. Senior year I anchored the school news every day, making my name and face fairly recognizable around the school with everyone from teachers to the administration to “my freshman fan-club” as my best friend called them. I played sports, went to all the school functions, and stayed on the good side of most of my teachers. Looking back, I know I’m very fortunate for the great times I had in high school. But to be honest, it’s nothing compared to what comes after, for a lot of reasons.

After graduation, everyone in my classes swore to remain in touch. We talked about future reunions and wiped away a few tears when we said goodbye to go to college. But after being away from my high school for a few months, you realize something very important: sometimes you’re only friends with people because you see them five days a week. In high school, your friend group is restricted to proximity. Once out of high school, you find out who your real friends are, and are able to make new friends that you have more in common with than a zip code. I’m not saying you need to cut ties with every acquaintance from your home town, but after a few months, it won’t be important to remember everyone that was in your homeroom.

On top of that, out of high school, you finally have some freedom in multiple respects. You have some freedom from becoming and adult. You have some freedom in whether you want to go to work, to college, or into the military. No matter what, no one forces math, science, english, and history into your day to day life. You chose what you get to do and study.

Lastly, I don’t miss high school as much as I thought because the good times don’t stop coming. Prom was great. Friday night football was great. Being less than 100 miles away from my best friends was great. But so is college. So is landing your first real job. So is meeting you people from different places, with different ideas, thoughts, and cultures than you. The good times don’t stop once you leave high school.

I had a great time in high school. I made some great friends and made a lot of unforgettable memories. But the good times didn’t stop there. That’s why I don’t miss high school as much as people said I would.