If you’re anything like me, high school was one of the best four years of your young adolescent life. You had amazing friends, played sports, got good grades, participated in extracurriculars (to look good for colleges, of course) and maybe even had a part time job. It seemed like life was easy and it could only go up from there. But then, in a sudden turn of events that seem like deadly traps, you enter into college.
Suddenly, you’re not a star athlete. You don’t have any friends besides your roommate at first and did I mention the food you have to eat is disgusting? It seems as though your world is crumbling down around you and all you want is to enter the halls of your favorite place again: high school. Where everything was safe and where everyone knew who you were, and you knew everyone in return. I’m here to tell you that no, high school wasn’t the all time best four years of your life, no matter how much you think it was. Here are some thoughts you might have if you frequently daydream about your high school days, and what you should tell yourself when you’re feeling nostalgic.
Thought #1 “Damn, I miss the days of being the varsity captain.”
Honestly, so what? Yeah you were good at sports in high school and you can still be good at sports after that, even if you don’t move on to the collegiate level. You don’t just lose athletic ability. Just because you were the star of your high school team doesn’t mean you “peaked”, it just means you were fit to be a leader. Join a club team, go to the gym, and if you’re already on a collegiate team work harder.
Thought #2 “I had such a huge group of friends at home. Why don’t I here?”
College is a time to break out of your comfort zone. Maybe having a “group” was your thing in high school, but it doesn’t have to be after that. Make friends with different interests, of different backgrounds and different experiences. It may surprise you.
Thought #3 “High school classes were so easy. I wish I could go back.”
Yeah sure, high school english was an easy A and environmental science didn’t really make your brain turn. But challenging courses are what make you a smarter, more well-rounded person in the long run. Open your eyes to new ideas by taking classes that test you and make you think a little harder, unlike senior year cooking class did (although it was delicious).
Thought #4 “I miss high school parties.”
I’m just gonna stop you right there before you think of another stupid thing. Although I fortunately come from a town where we have lots of fun parties, I would NEVER choose one over a college party. In high school, you went to the same kid’s house with the same people and drank the same beer. Now, in college, you can go to different houses every weekend and meet tons of new people just by being social. And did I mention bars?! So much better than a high school party. For those of you that don’t like to party, you can also meet tons of people through extracurriculars or even start your own, unlike where in high school where the same kids were always in the same after school activities.
Thought #5 “I wish my mom was here to do my laundry. I want to live at home forever.”
I know that was cool and all but you need to take responsibility and grow up. Yes, from time to time I miss my mom doing everything for me and her home cooked meals. But it’s time to put on your big kid pants and grow up. The first time I ever did my own laundry was my first weekend of college, and now I’m practically a D1 laundry doer. It’s time to learn how to take care of yourself.
While these are only a few things we miss about our time in high school, it’s evident that these were not the best four years of our lives. Yes, they were easy and yes. they were fun, but the best is yet to come.
