High school was a great time. That's without a doubt. Full of school pride and community, high school was a memorable experience. But that's what it should be: a memory. Life changes as you age, as well as your interests, relationships, and values. High school should not be your peak. You should continuously strive to grow and learn more about what this world has to offer, and make your best memories as you age. If you're in college and struggle to let go of the past, or in high school and afraid to let your high school experience go, well here's 11 reasons why you should let that go.

1. High school is stagnant

High school is just so stagnant, it's almost dead. The demographics or academic statistics consistently remain the same because the high school system is too comfortable being the same. Any change will make the students will rip apart the school board. Additionally, high school lacks the room for individual growth It's cliquey, it's ruled by that one group of "popular" people, whom the staff and faculty favor over anyone, it lacks diversity in ethnicity, values, and backgrounds, and it's too comfortable. There's no growth.

2. High school is judgmental

This is pretty straight forward, and probably true for every high school. High school students are just too judgmental, and this even goes for myself. Everyone wants to be the high school jock with their group of friends, walking around the hallways acting like they rule the school. Those that are different are judged, those with different interests, values, or skills are made fun of. I'm sure its typical for the varsity athletes to talk shit about the theater guild, because I did so myself. After high school, do what you want, but life isn't high school, so let it go.

3. You don't find out who you really are in high school

I remember when I left for college I told myself I wasn't going to change. Well, that didn't turn out that way. In high school, there are very few opportunities and resources to find out who you are. You don't get to do what you truly want, and you eventually fall into a routine. You wake up at 6 a.m., go to school, either go to practice or come back home. Every single day. How is someone supposed to find out who they really are? I was a two sport varsity athlete, but honestly I hated going to practice, and it was such a routine to wake up and live. Move on. Ne yourself.

4. You aren't fully independent in high school

In high school, you follow by the rules of your teachers, coaches, and parents. You live a life that is the same everyday. You live by a certain standard, you find your value by the number of likes you get on Instagram, and you ask for permission to just use the bathroom. Should the teacher hold my hand as well on the way to the bathroom? In college, you're the creator of your life, the story falls in your hands. No one wants to be told what to do, but that's what high school is.

5. High school is a safe zone

Everyone wants to stay in their comfort zone, falling into the same standards of clothing, social media, friendships, interests, etc. Winter time in Mass every girl has leggings, Uggs, Northface, and a Dunks iced coffee. There's no growth in high school, because no one wants to take leadership to be bold, or to instill new ideas or new clubs. In college, people are passionate about whatever it is, however unique it may be, and they will unashamedly publicize it. On the contrary, high school is all just the same: same people, same emotions, same routines.

6. High school is fake

Sure, a lot of people are two faced, but it's like that almost everywhere. High school is fake because everyone is in it for themselves, and even your closest friends may not care for you. I've had plenty of experiences where the people I thought I was closest to cared about me, but at the end of the day turned out to pull a Brutus. Everything in high school is about what goes on your resume, or what your class rank is. You may be buddies now, but friendships change.

7. You're babied in high school

Honestly, this is so true. In high school, you are practically spoiled. You get everything for free. Teachers will check in on you to make sure your keeping up with the work, faculty will tell you that you can do anything you want or be anyone you want, and your friends will always support even if they have to lie. Sure, that's all great and good, but you don't really find out what your made out of from constant false affirmation or from being given everything. In college, faculty will tell you they don't believe your good enough to continue the course or to pursue this career. You aren't given everything, you have to earn it and work for it. Stop being babied.

8. College is where you can finally do new things

College has more resources, more funds, and more public support for extracurricular activities of all interests. In high school sure you may have played that one sport because your dad told you to, but now that doesn't matter, because you can finally do something YOU really want. In college there are hundreds of clubs and activities, while high school may have just 30. If you did nothing in high school or did everything in high school, let that go, because now everyone has a clean slate, and you can choose what you want to try, whether it be a course, a job, a project, or a club. There are many opportunities to find yourself.

9. High school is too surface-leveled

There's one thing I really hate, and that's small talk. Frankly, I'm not good at it, nor do I care about it. There's so much about people that is fascinating to me, but I don't want to form friendships based off the simple things. Everything in high school is surface-leveled. Relationships, academics, friendship, everything. First off, you don't live with each other, therefore you don't get to know everything about that person, what they struggle with or what their values really are, rather than just what sports you both enjoy watching. Secondly, even classes are surface-leveled: history, English, math, science. College challenges you to think outside of the box, rather than spit back information. Also, diverse courses such as religion, ethics, and philosophy are offered.

10. It means almost nothing

It's quite sad if your greatest memories are from high school. Maybe you may not have that one great event like a prom, but like my baseball coach had always said, "the little things are what make the big things." All the small memories made with your friends every single day in college will make you understand how memorable the college experience really is. Whether it's studying together at 2am, or chilling in the study lounge or your friend's room, all the moments of time are cherished, because they build the relationships greater and greater.

11. High school just isn't fun

There's nothing like a Boba run or a Waffle House run at 3am, especially with a test the next morning. There's nothing like a day when you're sad, and just walk right next door to cry in your best friends room. There's nothing like a day when you're so joyful, and just walk right next door to dance with excitement in your best friends room. In college, this is your life, this is your family, this is your home. Everyday is an adventure in itself, everyday is a day to grow, everyday is a day to learn and love. In high school I looked forward to the weekends, and it was dreading process that I would never go through again. In college, man, I cherish every moment every single day.

Trust me: I was in high school, and I was also in many of yours shoes. The first few weeks of college I went through a breakup, and also had no friends. I couldn't get over my ex, nor could I find a new friend, cause all I wanted to do was talk to my old ones. I was at college physically, but high school mentally. Everywhere I walked I judged, and everyone who I talked to I compared with people from my high school. My whole identity the first weeks of school I realized was based off me in high school. It was such a struggle, but I had to let the past go. Once I let it go, I was able to fully embrace my college experience. Thus, my advice to you: let it go.