Over this past week, I have found myself reflecting on my junior high years and how glad I am that that experience is long gone. Junior high is not very enjoyable, and I'm sure that everyone who reads the title of this article will wonder, "Why the hell would I miss junior high?" Although I am still embarrassed by my 12-year-old self, I have realized there were some aspects of junior high that weren't too bad.
Joining Social Media:
One of the most exciting things during this time was creating a MySpace or Facebook account. Joining MySpace or FB meant that you had freedom to post pictures and say whatever you wanted on the Internet! Also, this automatically made you one of the cool kids! However, if you made a social media account during junior high, you probably regret everything you posted during this time. When I look back at my Facebook posts from eighth grade, I only find dramatic statuses filled with spelling errors. Also, I took way too many selfies of me making the duck face and sporting the peace sign. Eighth grade was the most grueling experience a 13-year-old could imagine, so of course it was dramatic. Also, we were all competing to see who could get the most "friends" on MySpace or Facebook. Since I deleted my MySpace account years ago, here is what I was saying on Facebook in the eighth grade:
Of course I wanted my total of 20 friends on FB know what I was up to and "idk text it."
Bonus: I actually have a picture at the mall with Andrea from the day of the FB statuses:
Melodramatic posts about Grant were never a good idea... (Sorry, Grant)
Maybe this is Rob Lowe's year! Yes, my opinion on this issue has not changed.. Rob ages like a fine wine!
The Romances:
We have all experienced "true love" in junior high, and there was nothing more amazing or heartbreaking. Junior high is the time that everyone gets their first boyfriend or girlfriend that will cause their first heartbreak. I never knew how to act around guys, which remains true, so I would gawk at them from afar. Also, I thought if boys looked at me or responded to my texts, that meant we were basically dating. Junior high romances were so exciting because there would be the passing of notes, hanging out during recess, and sitting together during lunch like you were on a date! We all took these relationships very seriously and got upset if our parents thought we were being "cute." Also, your mom would advise you on your first heartbreak and you would go on to tell her she doesn't understand, sorry Mom! Not to mention, your parents would have to drop you off somewhere so you could hang out with your cutie. Everyone knew if you hung out with your crush at the mall or movies, and held hands, you were in a committed relationship. Then, the breakups would take place during recess, and you would storm off to go sit under a tree to cry. Sadly, we all had to grow up sometime and realize that these preteen romances were not meant to last forever.
The Music:
The Jonas Brothers:
Anyone who was in junior high during 2005-2009 knows how amazing the music was at the time. The JoBros stole my heart in the sixth grade, and I fell deeply in love with Nick Jonas. First of all, these guys were young and they wrote their own music which made them so crush-worthy. These boys would write songs such as "Hello Beautiful" or "Lovebug," and we couldn't help but fall in love with them. Also, did I mention that they were sooooo cute? I'm sure all of the girls in your grade knew which brother they would marry in a heartbeat (*cough* Nick *cough*).
Jesse McCartney: 
Does anyone remember Jesse McCartney? Okay, okay, maybe he was not as swoon-worthy as the JoBros, but he still made every pubescent girl's heart skip a beat. Although the song "Beautiful Soul" came out in 2004, I'm sure we were all wishing a boy would write a song for us that was this amazing. Also, I had his album "Right Where You Want Me" on repeat throughout sixth grade, and I still am in love with that album to this day.
Miley Cyrus: 
During junior high, Miley was still Hannah Montana, and we all wished that we could be her. Also, during this time, Miley had an on-and-off relationship with Nick Jonas that everyone was envious about. Although Miley had the man of my dreams, I still admired her because who can't forget about "See You Again" and the Hannah Montana 3D movie? Every 12-year-old girl wished they lived a double-life like Hannah by being a student during the day and a pop star at night. I'm not afraid to say that I would totally jam to Hannah Montana's songs and I still probably know many of the lyrics.
Bonus: Remember that time the Jonas Brothers were on "Hannah Montana?"
" High School Musical":
Yes, I am giving "High School Musical" its own category because I could probably write a whole article about these movies. The first "High School Musical" movie came out when I was in fifth grade, the second movie came out the summer before seventh grade, and the last movie came out when I was in the eighth grade. Everyone in junior high was hoping their high school experience would be that amazing and they would find their Troy or Gabriella. You would be lying if you would say you don't remember all of the songs or have the dances memorized. Also, Zac Efron: Need I say more?
Although junior high was not always the best, there are things that were pretty awesome at the time. The best part? We never have to go through puberty again.
