If you have ever attended high school, I’m sure you know of the endless busy work teachers hand out (for their own enjoyment), the painful sound of the bell (ringing from hell), and the ridiculous use of bathroom passes (which nobody uses in real life). The stifling monotony of the high school experience blocks creativity and allows students to fall into boring routines of the same daily schedule. For those who play sports, attend numerous club meetings, and are desperately trying to pass AP Physics, high school can be suffocating with little room for creative output.

1. You are constantly being told what to do.

Creativity is often about breaking boundaries, and while being bounded to use the bathroom only the first 10 minutes of class, it can be limited.

2. You have to take classes you don’t care about.

I see how some people could be intrigued by the definition of the derivative. However, I am not.

3. You rarely have time for yourself.

I used to sing and play guitar all the time, but it is difficult to find time to do so when completing meaningless assignments. Creativity is hard when you are busy writing essays analyzing the historical perspective of Shakespearean-era plays (that you couldn't care less about).

4. Getting up early wears you out.

Leaving at 6:30 every morning for school is quite exhausting (literally). All I want to do after school is take a nap.

5. Writing assignments are often analytical.

I can’t think of one time where I was assigned a creative writing task in English class.

6. You can't play guitar and sing in class.

Well, I guess you could, but it might get you sent to the principal's office.

Don’t get me wrong, there have been many fun times throughout high school. However, the actual “school” part is the thing that has stifled creativity, at least for me. I have just now started playing guitar and wanting to paint again, coincidentally just as high school is ending. I can only hope that college will foster inquisitive minds like mine while supporting those eager to create. For those who have remained creative throughout high school, I salute you.