“Are you going to become a nun?” is the immediate first question everyone jumped to ask when I told them I was going to an all girls catholic school for 9th through 12th grade. They could not fathom the idea that I was leaving my class of about 300 co-ed students and switching to a school where I will have 60 people in my grade, all girls. However, being in an all girls environment for four years most certainly had its perks. Here are a few things I learned to be true by going to an all girls school.

1. No Shave November lasts all year

2. There is always food around. Always.

3. Girls had either messy buns & a headband or a very complex braid and nothing in between.

4. People asked if you had a date after school if you came in wearing even the smallest amount of makeup

5. You could wake up at 7:05 and be out the door by 7:10

6. Everyone knows everything about everyone so there was no point in keeping a secret because the whole school would know by the end of the day.

7. There were constant dance parties, sometimes even with the nuns.

8. It would not be a normal school day if you didn’t see at least one girl crying.

9. You learn to cherish your uniform and those ugly ankle socks.

10. Yelling in a classroom if anyone had a tampon was not considered out of the ordinary.

11. You have weird traditions that take forever to explain to other people.

12. Your best friends house could be 10 minutes to even 30 minutes away.

13. Everyone looked like different people at dances because they finally brushed their hair and put on makeup.

14. You get to know your teachers on a more personal level and feel as though you can tell them anything.

15. Your classmates quickly become your sisters and you know that no matter where life takes you, you can always count on them to be there.

Being surrounded by girls every school day for the past four years helped me become who I am today. I learned that my voice mattered and that people wanted to listen to what I had to say. I was taught to never be afraid to raise my hand to ask a question and to always stand up for myself. My school showed me the importance of relationships and believing you are capable of anything as long as you use your voice. I would not trade that experience for the world. My All Girls Catholic High school gave me more than a diploma, it gave me who I am today and the knowledge that I can make a difference.